By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE National Consultant for Public Health and Environment, World Health Organization, WHO, Dr Edwin Isotu-Edeh, has been recognized and conferred with the prestigious ‘Pillar of Environmental Health’ Award in Nigeria.

The award ceremony, presided over by President Ahmed Tinubu who represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Sen. George Akume, took place at the inaugural National Environmental Health Excellence Award, NEHEA, in Abuja, and organised by the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, EHCON.

Isotu-Edeh is an award-winning UN Global Environmental Health Expert, an Executive Career Mentor, a Keynote Speaker, and a transformational leader who experience spans over two decades of impact, and his work beyond public health, environmental leadership, academia, youth enterprise development, and institutional system-building.

Being the National Technical Officer leading the Public Health and Environment Programme for the WHO in Nigeria, he spearheads innovative, high-impact climate and environmentally sustainable initiatives to improve health outcomes.

It would be recalled that in 2021, he coordinated the signing of Nigeria’s first Health Ministerial Commitment to building a sustainable and climate-resilient health system, which this commitment aligns with the Paris Agreement, the United Nations COP26 Health Programme, and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan 2060.

Meanwhile, the Steering Chairman of Sustainable Education and Policy Archiving at the Nigerian Environmental Summit Group NESUG, Raph Nnam, described the recognition as well-deserved.

According to Nnam, the awardee is an exemplary champion and an impact-driven emerging leader in public health and environmental sustainability in Nigeria.

Nnam noted that NESUG is the fastest-growing environmental sustainability think tank in Nigeria, mobilising environmental stewardship through a unified platform and a shared conversation.

He also explained that the platform aims to connect over 650,000 experts in environmental health, sustainability, and related fields ahead of the Nigerian Environmental Summit 2025.

He applauded Isotu-Edeh’s uncommon dedication to climate health and sustainability, noting Nigeria needs more visionary professionals like him.

However, Isotu-Edeh outlined Nigeria’s key environmental challenges, including climate change, deforestation, pollution, and poor waste management, stressing their impact on public health, which he strongly emphasised the importance of collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based interventions in driving meaningful change.

He expressed his appreciation to WHO Country Representative, Dr Walter Molumbo, for his outstanding leadership in promoting a healthier environment in Nigeria.

He also thanked EHCON and all those dedicated to addressing environmental determinants of health, acknowledging their collective efforts in tackling Nigeria’s environmental challenges.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said the event celebrated achievements and reaffirmed commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and resilience.

“We celebrate individuals, organisations, and institutions that have demonstrated exemplary leadership, innovation, and dedication in promoting environmental health across the country”, Lawal said.

He praised President Bola Tinubu for advancing environmental health in Nigeria, citing renewed awareness and commitment to sustainability under his leadership.

“Our environment is the foundation upon which we build our communities, industries, and future aspirations.

“Ensuring a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is not just a responsibility but a duty we owe to ourselves and to generations yet unborn”, he added.

Meanwhile, the Registrar, EHCON, Dr Yakubu Baba, said the award honours individuals and organisations excelling in environmental health services across the public and private sectors in Nigeria.