By Abdullahi Lukman
The Vice-Chancellor of Hensard University, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa, Prof. Dileep Kumar, has called for the restoration of mangroves in Nigeria.
He made the call during a workshop titled “Capacity Building Training for Community Women and Youth on Mangroves Restoration,” held on Saturday at the university.
The workshop, which brought together women, youth, and students, aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills to restore mangroves and protect coastal ecosystems.
Represented by Prof. Femi Shaka, Dean of Communication and Media Studies at the university, Kumar expressed the importance of the workshop in fostering a movement for environmental stewardship.
“Education is more than just the acquisition of information,” Kumar stated, highlighting the goal of making a real difference through community engagement and action.
The event was organized by the Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet) and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) in collaboration with Hensard University.
During the workshop, Prof. Aduabobo Ibitoru-Hart, a board member of CSDevNet, underscored the significance of mangroves in maintaining coastal resilience, protecting biodiversity, and combating climate change.
He warned, however, that deforestation and unsustainable practices continue to threaten these critical ecosystems.
The collaboration between Hensard University, CSDevNet, and PACJA seeks to train 100 participants—30 women and 70 students—in mangrove restoration techniques.
The program also aims to promote gender equity by focusing on the empowerment of women, recognizing their crucial role in environmental conservation and community resilience.
“By focusing on women, we champion gender equity and recognize their critical role in conservation and community resilience,” Ibitoru-Hart said.
The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s climate goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 on Climate Action and SDG 5 on Gender Equality.
Mr. Stephen Abu, the National Coordinator of CSDevNet, emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change in Nigeria.
He noted that tree planting remains a vital tool in the fight against climate change, alongside behavioral changes that can help restore the environment.
He called for more efforts to ensure the protection and restoration of ecosystems such as mangroves, which play a vital role in mitigating the effects of climate change.
One of the beneficiaries of the training, Miss Mary Domotimi, a student at Hensard University, expressed her appreciation for the workshop, saying it had provided her with valuable knowledge on mangrove restoration.
The high point of the event was a tree planting ceremony on the university campus, where students, faculty, and organizers planted trees as part of their commitment to environmental sustainability.
