Calls for environmental sustainability took the centre stage at the World Environment Day celebration commemorated at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos, on Friday, June 5, 2026.
The commemoration was spiced with highlights including environment day talks and tree planting exercise aimed at promoting a greener future.
The event, themed “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future” with the slogan “Nature Is Not Optional,” was organised by the One Million Tree Initiative, CE Power Solutions, and Ecozone.
It brought together environmental advocates, institutional leaders, lecturers, and students to discuss practical solutions to environmental challenges and encourage sustainable living.
Those in attendance included the Deputy Provost of NIJ, Dr. Adeboye Ola; the Registrar, Mrs. Patricia Kalesanwo; the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Tolu Ojemuyiwa; the Head of Department (HOD) of Strategic Communication, Mr. Femi Oribamise; Founder of Ecozone and NIJ Lecturer, Mr. Anthony Oligbo and representatives of the One Million Tree Initiative and Clean Energy Group.
Team members of Clean Energy Power Solution at the commemoration
Another tree planting exercise
Speaking during the event, environmental advocate Mr. Ugo Ogoke urged Nigerians to plant economic trees that provide long-term value rather than trees planted solely for beautification.
He encouraged students to cultivate the habit of tree planting while embracing waste recycling as an effective way of protecting the environment.
He noted that environmental sustainability requires practical action from individuals and communities, adding that responsible waste management and increased tree planting are essential to combating climate change.
Speaking, Mrs. Patricia Kalesanwo called for collective responsibility in safeguarding the environment, and also encouraged practices such as recycling, proper waste management, tree planting, and environmental conservation, stressing that everyone has a role to play in building a cleaner and healthier society.
A major highlight of the celebration was the planting of 19 trees within the institution’s premises as a symbol of commitment to environmental sustainability.
The trees were dedicated to notable personalities and groups, including NIJ Governing Council Chairman, Chief Olusegun Osoba; NIJ Provost, Mr Gbenga Adefayi; Mrs Kalesanwo; Dr Ola; Mr Ojemuyiwa, Mr Oribamise, Mr Oligbo and members of CE Power Solutions.
Symbolic trees planted included Tree of Life laid by a lecturer Mr Gbemile Oluwatosin; the Tree of the Students of NIJ, the Ecozone Tree, and trees representing ND I students.
In an interview with the Co-founder of the One Million Tree Initiative, Mrs. Josfyn Uba, she revealed that her passion for environmental advocacy grew from her background in journalism.
“Originally, I was a journalist until I branched into environmental journalism and advocacy,” she said.
Explaining how the World Environment Day initiative began, she said it started about six years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It started about six years ago during COVID when it looked like life was heading in a different direction. Everybody was staying indoors and nothing was happening. Passion drives ideas, and I felt we needed to bring back the issue of environmental stewardship.”
She identified proper waste disposal, tree planting, the adoption of renewable energy, and encouraging every individual to plant a tree as practical steps toward protecting the environment.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Clean Energy (CE) Group, Dr. Mrs. Cheta Nwabuike, explained that the organisation promotes cleaner sources of energy, particularly compressed natural gas, as an alternative to petrol and diesel.
“We are a group that is into clean energy. What we do is use cleaner sources of energy compressed natural gas rather than petrol or diesel,” she said.
She added that sustainability remains one of the organisation’s core values and disclosed that the group has partnered with the One Million Tree Initiative for the past three years to plant trees across Lagos and Port Harcourt.
Speaking of the significance of this year’s World Environment Day, she said:
“Nature is not optional. It is either we take care of nature or it takes care of humans in a negative way through the way we dispose of waste and other harmful practices.”
The President of Ecozone NIJ and an alumnus of the institution, Emmanuel Ashemiriogwa, said the celebration was intended to reinforce environmental awareness and encourage responsible behaviour through tree planting and recycling.
According to him, “Nature is not optional. We are trying to reinforce the knowledge and awareness that we should not treat the environment as a separate entity, and one of the ways we can do that is by planting trees and ensuring recycling.”
He further noted that as a media institution, NIJ has a responsibility to produce journalists who understand the importance of environmental reporting.
“This is an institution for learning and a media institution. As journalists, it is very important that these practices are imbibed in us so that whenever we gatekeep stories, we know what to prioritise regarding environmental reporting.”
The event ended with a renewed commitment from organisers, stakeholders, and students to promote environmental conservation through tree planting, responsible waste management, and continuous public awareness, reinforcing the message that protecting nature is essential to securing a sustainable future for all.
