Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has inaugurated the Oyo State Council on Climate Change as part of his administration’s efforts to deepen environmental sustainability initiatives and advance the state’s commitment to tackling climate change through the implementation and review of its Climate Action Plan.
Governor Makinde, who is the Chairman of the 20-member Council, stated on Monday that his administration is ready to put in the work required to mitigate the challenges stemming from climate change, noting that the government will ensure that it leaves a workable blueprint for the next administration.
Speaking at the event held at the Executive Chamber of the Governorβs Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, the governor maintained that the inauguration of the council is in line with the United Nations plans on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13) in combating climate change and its impacts in the state.
He said: βBy the powers conferred on me, I hereby pronounce the Oyo State Council on Climate Change inaugurated. This is a 20-member council, which has me as the Chairman, while the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources is the vice-chairman.
“The action of the State Council on Climate Change, which I just pronounced constituted and inaugurated, is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13), to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact as well as to fully grant in Oyo State the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
“Like other parts of the world, Oyo State is not immune to the impact of the global climate change. So, as an administration, we have to put in the work required to mitigate the challenges we are faced with as a state. Of course, we know that climate change has made our weather, especially rainfall patterns, unpredictable which has a direct impact on food security. We all experience extreme weather conditions especially excessive heat sometimes.
“So, we have our work cut out to decide and implement measures which will address some of these issues. But let me take this opportunity to thank all the members of this council especially those from the private sector, non-government organisations, the civil society organisations and the academia for graciously agreeing to serve in this capacity.
“I am glad some of you in the private sector have been working tirelessly to reduce the impact of climate change in Oyo State. Now you have an opportunity to contribute even more at governance and policy level. You can bring in ideas from outside of the government that can be rolled into a government policy for implementation. So, please don’t let the opportunity go by.
“I am supposed to be the chairman. I will try my best to be available but I know that the Commissioner for Environment is capable and, anyway, the reward for hard work is more work. So, I look forward to us working together to ensure that we make a significant impact in the time that we have left.
“But one thing that is important is that as a council, we should leave a workable blueprint as a minimum for the next administration for them to continue to implement.”
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr. Sunday Ojelabi, is the Secretary of the council.
Other members include the Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development, Barr Olasunkanmi Olaleye; Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Prof. Dahud Sangodoyin; Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi; Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo; Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinola Ojo; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Ayobami Ojo; and Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Segun Olayiwola.
Others are: Special Adviser on Intervention & Donor Funds, Mrs Aderonke Adedayo; ππ©πππ’ππ₯ ππ¬π¬π’π¬πππ§π (ππ§π―π’π«π¨π§π¦ππ§π) ππ¨ ππ‘π ππ¨π―ππ«π§π¨π«, Hon. Lamidi Ajibola; Chairman, Oyo State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Chief Babalola Afobaje; Chairman, Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development, (OYMASED) Dr Morounkola Thomas; representative of the Recyclers & Upcyclers Association of Oyo State, Mr. Oluwadamilare Victor Oyejide; representative of Climate Emerge Innovation Development Hub (CEID Hub), Mr. Adesope Afolayan; representative of Waste Museum (BEDEV Foundation), Mrs. Adejumoke Olowokere; Professor Godson R.E.E. Ana of the Faculty of Public Health Sciences, UCH, University of Ibadan; Director, Pollution Monitoring & Quality Control Department, and Director, Forestry (Ministry of Environment).
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon Ademola Aderinto, noted that climate change is a global concern and a growing challenge that affects the ecosystems, livelihoods, health and infrastructure, stressing that localised action at the state level has become increasingly crucial, as Oyo State is ready to lead through deliberate, inclusive and strategic action.
He added that the state has taken deliberate and proactive steps to strengthen climate governance and build resilience across key sectors, adding that the state council is a multi-stakeholder platform tasked with defining clear objectives of setting achievable targets and formulating a comprehensive framework for climate policy direction, mitigation, adaptation and resilience strategies.
The event had in attendance a former Governor of Oyo State and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Sen) Rashidi Ladoja, represented by Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Hon. Justice M.O Ishola; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Otunba (Dr) Segun Ogunwuyi; and Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Adenike Fasina, mni.
Others were Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Adeniyi; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal; Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun and Chief Wole Oyelese; Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Chairman of Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; Oyo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro; Oyo State Chairman of the Allied Peopleβs Movement (APM), Otunba Adegbenro Fagbemi; traditional rulers, religious leaders and labour union leaders, among others.
