Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called on the Federal Government to amend the constitution and empower traditional institutions to play a greater role in environmental protection.
Gatekeepers News reports that this call aligns with the theme of the 2024 World Environment Day, which focuses on land restoration, desertification, and preventing drought.
HEDA Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, emphasized the importance of harnessing traditional institutions’ influence and authority to address environmental challenges such as deforestation and desertification.
He noted that traditional rulers have historically played a significant role in Nigeria’s administrative structure and have been clamoring for greater administrative roles and powers.
By empowering traditional institutions, HEDA believes Nigeria can adopt more pragmatic approaches to achieving peace, security, food sufficiency, and economic prosperity under sustainable environmental conditions.
The organization urged the government to seize the opportunity presented by the constitutional amendment to formally bring traditional rulers into governance with distinct roles, resources, and accountability requirements.
HEDA’s proposal offers a promising path forward as Nigeria confronts the dual threats of deforestation and desertification.
The involvement of traditional rulers could significantly enhance the effectiveness of environmental initiatives, blending traditional wisdom with modern governance to safeguard the nation’s natural resources and ensure a sustainable future.
