By Kingsley Adegboye

THE large turn out at this year’s edition of Walk for Nature initiative and its numerous sponsors is a clear indication that the objective of the annual forum which is to sustain awareness on the need to adopt positive environmental behaviour has made significant impact.

The Walk for Nature which commenced in 2009, is a collaboration between Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). The 2011 edition which took at the weekend was the third in the series. This this year’s edition recorded over 500 participants including students, corporate organisations and other friends of the environment.

Governor Babatunde Fashola who was represented by Mr. Tunji Bello, the State Commissioner for Environment at the event cited the state government’s determination in addressing the issues of the environment as the reason for partnering with Non-Governmental Organisations such as NCF and other friends of the environment, commending the NCF for its efforts since 1980 to preserve nature and its resources.

The governor emphasized the need to do more to preserve nature “so that we can all live in peace”, adding that it was important to walk for nature because “when we walk for nature, we get closer to nature, we reduce vehicular emissions which contribute to global warming, and most importantly, walking keeps us fit and mentally alert”, he said.

In his remarks, the president of NCF, Izioma Philip Asiodu, commended the unrelenting efforts of the government of Lagos State in making the state clean and healthy despite its monumental environmental and sanitation challenges. He then tasked government at local level to institute community-driven initiative on waste management as a measure for mitigating the risks of flood.

On the relationship between the environment and corporate business, Mr. Philips urged corporate bodies and the business community to take the issue of the environment more seriously “as it is very vital to their financial growth” and added that development is actually “the process that ensures the we meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

Erelu Abiola Dosumu, an environmental Ambassador, who was part of the event congratulated the Ministry of the Environment and the NCF for successfully carrying out three consecutive “walk for nature” and enjoined other states and organisations to emulate such passion for the environment.

Sponsors of this year’s edition of the Walk For Natureinclude Chevron Nigeria Limited, Aluko & Oyebode, MAERSK Nigeria Limited, UPDC PLC, NBC PLC, Nigerite Nigeria Limited, Fidelity Bank PLC, UAC Foods and 7up Bottling Company PLC.