By Adeyinka Adeniran
Environmental advocates, government agencies, and private partners converged in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, to mark World Earth Day 2026, emphasizing that responsible stewardship of the planet starts with practical and everyday action.
This is as the Oyo state government restated its commitment to a cleaner and safer environment as it joined the rest of the world to mark the day with a call on residents to take responsibility for protecting the planet.
Speaking at a press conference in Ibadan on Wednesday to commemorate the day, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Ademola Aderinto, said the theme for this year, “Our Power, Our Planet,” was a reminder that environmental protection is a shared duty and not the responsibility of government alone.
He noted that every individual, community and institution has a role to play in sustaining the environment.
The commemoration organized by Nature and Future Eco Green Initiative, (FONAFEGI), featuring symbolic planting, walk tagged “Walk for the Planet” and community engagement, would continue in schools and communities across Oyo State.
Aderinto said environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss remained serious threats to human health and development globally, adding that Oyo State was equally grappling with local realities including rising waste generation, plastic pollution, indiscriminate dumping and pressures from rapid urbanization. He stressed that the issues required deliberate and coordinated action.
He disclosed that the state government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde had intensified environmental sanitation enforcement in line with the Environmental Sanitation and Waste Control Regulations, 2013.
According to him, the ministry has stepped up inspections of markets, eateries, hotels and industries, while also rolling out a decentralized waste management system to improve service delivery across all local government areas. Public awareness campaigns, he added, have also been expanded to encourage responsible behaviour.
On flood control, the commissioner said the ministry had intensified the desilting of drainage channels across the Ibadan metropolis to ensure free flow of stormwater and prevent blockages ahead of the rainy season. He said early warning sensitization was ongoing in flood-prone areas, with continuous monitoring of drainage infrastructure to safeguard lives and property.
Aderinto further stated that the ministry had strengthened pollution monitoring and control systems, particularly on air quality. He said routine monitoring of ambient air quality levels was being carried out across strategic locations to track pollutants such as particulate matter and gaseous emissions, in order to protect public health and ensure compliance with standards.
Highlighting efforts on plastic waste, the commissioner said the ministry in 2025 launched the Oyo Plastic Drive in collaboration with Nature and Future Eco-Green Initiatives (FONAFEGI) to curb plastic pollution and promote recycling and circular economy practices. He noted that the initiative had continued to mobilize communities and drive collective action for a cleaner environment.
He announced that this year’s World Earth Day would be marked with a programme of activities tagged “Walk for the Planet” running from April 22 to April 25. The press briefing, he said, served as the official kickoff, while a community engagement programme slated for April 25 would mobilize citizens at the grassroots to take active steps toward environmental sustainability.
The commissioner commended the media for its partnership in educating the public and promoting environmental awareness, as he also appreciated FONAFEGI for collaborating with the state on sustainability initiatives.
Aderinto urged residents to renew their commitment to protecting the environment for present and future generations, stressing that the decisions made today would determine the quality of life tomorrow.
He expressed optimism that with sustained effort and responsible action, Oyo State would become cleaner, greener and more resilient.
In his remarks at the briefing, the Executive Director, Nature and Future Eco Green Initiative, (FONAFEGI), Mr. Elijah Adejimi, said this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet” means annexing human resources and responsibilities to sustain Earth which he described as common heritage and collective home.
He outlined three immediate ways citizens and institutions can act in turning stewardship into tangible benefits for participants, which include plant and protect trees, tackle waste at the source, and incentivize local action.
He added that nature and Future Eco Green Initiative’s goal is to inspire sustained action beyond commemoration by linking public agencies, youth, and private partners around tangible environmental work.
He said this year theme is a direct reminder that the power to preserve the planet does not lie with government alone, but with every individual, community, and institution.
Adejimi assures that FONAFEGI will scale up partnerships that link government, private institutions, and citizens around measurable environmental work.
Other partners including Ministries of Health, Agriculture and security operatives, highlighted their significant roles in protecting the planet.
A symbolic tree planting exercise was also carried out as part of the commemoration. No fewer than 100 trees are targeted to be planted during the commemoration.
Adejimi described tree planting as a critical component of climate action, noting that trees improve air quality, absorb carbon dioxide, prevent soil erosion and support biodiversity.
He urged residents to embrace proper waste management, shun indiscriminate dumping, reduce single-use plastics and participate actively in sanitation programmes.
