Afe Babalola University has taken her campaign to save our planet in the areas of climate change disaster management and hazard mitigation plans by partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs), Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and ministries, departments and agencies of government (MDAs).
In a bid to deepen her advocacy for ensuring that our planet is free of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and preventing undue depletion of the ozone layer, ABUAD has engaged CBOs, NGOs and government in a discussion on Hazard Mitigation Plan and Climate Change Plan. The event was held at the Alfa Belgore Hall, of Afe Babalola University on the 20th of July 2021. It was also attended by the Students and Staff of ABUAD.
Professor Damilola S. Olawuyi, Professor of Environmental Law, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnership (ARISP) who also doubles as the Director of ABUAD OGEES discussed the various phases of the hazard mitigation planning process which include firstly, organizing the mitigation planning process with its attendant resources with as it affects every member of the stakeholders, secondly, a risk assessment of the impact of hazard as it affects the various societal groups were a critically examined with respect to the various risk mitigants that will be put it in place to cushion the negative impact, thirdly, having considered the risk mitigants, a robust strategic framework was discussed that will assuage and ensure sustainable prevention of future occurrence of the negative impact of hazards on the society and lastly, the adoption and implementation plans were agreed upon by the participants.
Barrister Oluwaseyi Ebenezer, the Chief Executive Officer of Triple G Eco-Revival Solutions, a non-governmental organization thanked the Founder/Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola for his resilient attitude at ensuring zero GHG emissions by convening organizing this event. She pledges the support of her NGO to continually support this Hazard Mitigation Plans in Ekiti State and its environs.
Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ojaja III who spoke on behalf of the royal fathers and community-based organizations expressed optimism on our planet becoming very safe by virtue of the efforts of Aare Afe Babalola and the support of the entire staff and management of Afe Babalola University. He made his contribution to how the mitigation plan can positively impact rural communities. He promised the Founder that he will continue to champion the advocacy and awareness creation in his entire Yorubaland (South West Nigeria) while other Royal Fathers and Community Leaders will replicate the same in their territories.
Honorable Mrs. Margaret Fagboyo, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Ekiti State on Developments, Partnership and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) who represented the Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi at the event highlighted the government’s commitment to zero GHG emissions said the initiative of ABUAD at preventing climate change disaster and assuage its attendant risk is worthy of commendation. She pledges the government’s continued support at ensuring that adequate publicity will be made to ensure the proper domestication of ABUAD’s climate change disaster management strategies and hazard mitigation processes discussed at today’s event.
Aare Afe Babalola (the Founder and Chancellor of ABUAD) was very happy with the buy-in of every participant as contained in the responses by the representative of each group. He said with the enthusiasm shown by these people then our planet will indeed become safe. He thanked his students, staff and management team for organizing this event.