The Minister of Environment, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi on Monday, May 30, 2022, performed the official unveiling of the Geographic Information System (G.I.S.) Science and Services Laboratory of the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Environment and Social Inclusion (CoESESI), University of Lagos.
The Centre, according to the Minister, forms part of the federal government’s efforts to establish stronger partnerships between government agencies and academic institutions with a view to deepening and sustaining the successes already recorded under its Economic and Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).
Speaking at a ceremony which held at the D.K. Olukoya Central Research and References Laboratories, University of Lagos where the new Geographic Information System (G.I.S.) Science and Services Laboratory is situated, Barr. Abdullahi said the centre will, among other things, support research interests and ensure operational efficiency in the management of issues related to Climate Change as well as Environmental and Social Risks Assessment efforts in Nigeria, across Africa and beyond.
While giving thumbs up to the management of the University of Lagos for the deliberate commitment and evident milestones in conserving the natural vegetation across campus, the Minister noted that the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Environment and Social Inclusion (CoESESI) aligns with President Muhammadu Buhari’s mission of building local capacities and promoting indigenous competencies in decarbonization and ensuring carbon neutrality thereby projecting Nigeria’s position positively among climate change compliant Nations.
He passed a vote of confidence in the capacity of UNILAG management to, through the new Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Environment and Social Inclusion, groom Specialists across both the public and private sectors, who will provide expertise in the management and reduction of Global warming emissions thereby reducing the impacts and costs of climate change.
Earlier in his remarks to welcome the Minister of Environment and the team from the Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) led by the National Project Coordinator, Dr Dahiru Salisu, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, identified the new Geographic Information System (G.I.S.) Science and Services Laboratory as one of numerous infrastructures on campus which buttresses the university’s commitment to National development through solution-driven research.
While acknowledging and appreciating the Minister of Environment, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi for his commitment to Climate Change, Prof. Ogundipe recalled the establishment of the Air Quality, Monitoring and Impact Assessment Laboratory, an effort which he said, also underscores the University’s commitment to all-round excellence.
He said through the new CoESESI, UNILAG will be able to build competencies by training participants to become professionals in Environmental and Climate Change Management.
The commissioning of the G.I.S. Science and Services Laboratory also marks the formal unveiling of the Climate Leadership Certification Programme of the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Environment and Social Inclusion (CoESESI).
The Certification Programme which commences soon, according to the Co-Director of the Centre, Professor Wellington Oyibo, offers certification in four programmes namely; Gender and Development, Environmental Assessment, Climate Risk Management and Social Safeguards.
There were remarks by the National Project Coordinator, Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Dr. Dahiru Salisu who congratulated the University of Lagos on its milestones which brought about the Centre and advocated focus on the provision of Environmental and Social Management frameworks which would give room for proper planning and quality control in the handling of all matters related to Environmental and Climate Change.
The Executive Director, Diligent Climate Leadership Certification Programme, Dottie Schindlinger who gave her remarks virtually also took the gathering through the course description of the Leadership Certification Programme.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the ceremonial cutting of the tape which symbolizes the official opening of the Geographic Information System (G.I.S.) Science and Services Laboratory of the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Environment and Social Inclusion (CoESESI), University of Lagos by the Minister of Environment, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi, who was flanked by the management team of the University led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS.
