FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TASK ON HEALTHY LIVING FOR NIGERIANS
He stressed that environmental pollution issues should be seriously addressed by Nigerian Government saying that inspite of necessary regulatory bodies and environmental laws, the Nigerian space is heavily polluted thereby exposing Nigerians to various health challenges.
His words, ‘Environmental Pollution which includes Air and Water pollution, Soil Pollution (i.e. land degradation) and Noise Pollution, water and soil pollution caused by oil exploration activities in the Niger Delta dominates Environmental pollution issues, there are some other forms of pollution that are equally hazardous to the public, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) should be adequately funded so as to improve its Institutional capacity to enforce the laws”
The Professor explained further that Water Pollution perhaps is the worst form of pollution, since majority of Nigerians derive their domestic and drinking water from ponds and streams, hence any contamination of such water supply poses health challenges such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid.
“Attention should also be given to air pollution, chiefly the Gas flaring and Oil Spillage in exploration activities and burning of waste in the open. The number of deaths from low quantity air already exceeds death rates from AIDS and Malaria combined. It has also led to the increase in the rate of cardiovascular and respiratory tract diseases”
“Noise Pollution is the third most hazardous environmental issue in Nigeria. It is the most underrated and ignored. Noise Pollution is common in all the urban cities in Nigeria from these sources Automobiles, Airplanes and Worship Centres’
Olowu called for the need for Federal Government of Nigeria to redress Gender Inequality, Promotion of Women’s rights in Domestic Production, Paid Employment, Culture and Religion. Strict sanctions against male violence and genital mutilation.
“Government should stop Girl Child Marriage and Sexual harassment. Highlight should be made by the Federal Government that empowering the girl child implies preparing her for future motherhood challenges, which will affect the family and the larger Nigerian Nation positively in future’
‘All forms of inhuman discrimination and gender inequality must be challenged. A deliberate, sensitive, consistent and systematic approach of gender relations should be adopted, including gender mainstreaming in all aspects of Nigerian life”
