In furtherance of its commitment to sustainable environmental management, the Oyo State Nigeria Climate Adaptation–Erosion and Watershed Project-EIB (OYONEWMAP-EIB) has commenced a comprehensive inspection of storm water management project  sites across the State under the Nigeria Climate Adaptation–Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP–EIB) initiative.

The statewide on-the-spot assessment exercise, covering the three (3) senatorial zones was conducted to validate earlier observations and evaluate the readiness of the benefiting communities for project implementation.

Speaking during the inspection, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Barr. (Hon) Seun Ashamu, described the NEWMAP–EIB as a landmark national programme designed to tackle erosion, restore degraded lands, and build climate resilience across Nigeria. Supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the project is expected to benefit over 750,000 people nationwide and create more than 25,000 jobs by 2030.

“Oyo State is privileged to be among the few participating States, and we are fully committed to ensuring that these benefits reach our people in tangible and meaningful ways.

Through this project, we aim to protect lives and livelihoods, improve flood control and land restoration, reform waste and sanitation systems, and build sustainable, climate-resilient communities across the State.”

Barrister Ashamu further noted that the NEWMAP–EIB project goes beyond infrastructure development, describing it as a long-term investment in safeguarding the collective future of the people. He emphasized that, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, and through the coordination of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Oyo State is determined to translate the initiative into lasting impact — creating safer, greener, and more resilient communities across the State.

He added that the initiative reflects the Makinde administration’s unwavering efforts to reclaim degraded lands, mitigate flooding, and safeguard lives and property across Oyo State.

“Erosion remains one of the pressing environmental challenges confronting the nation, Oyo State inclusive. Our visit will help us evaluate the current situation, design more effective solutions, and reaffirm our commitment to building a cleaner, safer, and more resilient Oyo State”.

The Commissioner disclosed that the State Government has already taken significant steps toward realizing the project by providing counterpart funding and fulfilling other obligations necessary for its smooth take-off. He added that Oyo State participated actively in the project’s national launch held recently in Abuja, ensuring effective implementation and alignment with the project’s objectives of improving livelihoods, strengthening climate resilience, and protecting the environment.

The inspection team, led by Barrister Seun Ashamu, alongside the State Project Coordinator, Barrister Tayo Ayoade, and other members of the State Project Management Unit (SPMU), visited several erosion-prone communities and project sites, including:

Obananko, Cele Area, Oyo (Oyo West LGA)

Fedomu Area, Igbeti (Olorunsogo LGA)

Erosion Site within LAUTECH, Ogbomoso

Ebu Angelu Area (Atiba LGA)

Maje Stream, Oluyole (Ibadan South West LGA)

Aborerin, Eruwa (Ibarapa East LGA)

The team was warmly received by community members and local government leaders who expressed delight and anticipation for the project’s commencement. The Commissioner commended their enthusiasm and urged residents to support the Government’s environmental initiatives by adopting proper waste disposal practices, refraining from building on waterways, and actively participating in community-based environmental programmes.

E-signed:

Mrs. Bukola Bakare,

Comm. Officer OYONEWMAP.

The Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has reaffirmed its commitment to making environmental protection a cornerstone of sustainable development in the State.

This assurance was given by the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Barrister Seun Ashamu, during the commemoration of the 2025 World Clean-Up Day held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.

The event, themed “Tackling Textile and Fashion Waste through Circular Fashion,” was organized by the Ministry in collaboration with UNICEF.

Barrister Ashamu described the global celebration as a reflection of humanity’s collective determination to build a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable planet. He emphasized the need to sensitize residents of Oyo State on reducing textile waste through reuse and recycling.

He said “We can repurpose and reuse textiles in creative ways that reduce the volume of waste generated in our society

“Everyone must treat the environment with the same care and respect we give to our bodies and homes. The Government encourages residents to do the right thing and will not hesitate to sanction those who pollute the environment.”

He noted that World Clean-Up Day, recognized annually on September 20 by the United Nations General Assembly, underscores the fact that environmental cleanliness and sustainability are shared global responsibilities.

Highlighting the dangers of textile pollution, Ashamu pointed out that while the global fashion industry drives economic growth and creativity, it remains one of the world’s most polluting sectors.

“The fashion industry contributes about 10 percent of global carbon emissions and nearly 20 percent of wastewater production. Every second, one truckload of textiles is either burned or dumped in landfills, releasing microplastics and toxic chemicals into our environment,” he lamented.

Ashamu stressed that under the visionary leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, Oyo State has made significant progress in improving waste collection and disposal systems, strengthening public-private partnerships, and enforcing environmental sanitation laws.

He added that the Ministry has intensified community engagement and environmental education to promote active citizen participation.

In his goodwill message, Hon. Rahman Olorunpoto, Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Ecology, and Water Resources, commended the Ministry for its consistent efforts in promoting environmental health and sustainability.

“A clean environment goes beyond what we see; it includes how well our surroundings support healthy living and sustainable development,” he said, pledging continued legislative support for environmental initiatives in the State.

Also speaking, UNICEF WASH Specialist, Mr. Monday Johnson, linked textile waste to rising environmental pollution and urged responsible consumption.

According to him, “Fast fashion contributes massively to waste. Many items are worn once and discarded. We must rethink our habits to protect our planet,” he advised, warning against the indiscriminate burning of textile waste, which releases harmful emissions.

The event featured expert lectures, including Dr. Femi Balogun of the University of Ibadan (represented by Dr. Debra Adeyemo) who spoke on “Tackling Textile Waste through Circular Economy,” and Sanitarian Tijani A. Adegoke, President, Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (Oyo State Chapter), who presented on “Zero Waste Practices: Leave No Waste Behind.”

Key stakeholders from ministries, agencies, market associations, youth groups, NGOs, and waste management firms attended the event, pledging their commitment to a cleaner and greener Oyo State.

In the same development,  the Oyo State Government held a sweeping and sensitization exercise at Oja-Oba Market, Ibadan, aimed at promoting hygiene and environmental awareness.

Speaking at the event, the Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni (mni), represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Mr. Olusola Ojelabi, said the exercise  is designed to educate traders and residents on the importance of maintaining a clean environment.

In his remarks, Permanent Secretary, for  Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Sunday Ojelabi,  explained that the exercise is  part of the broader campaign to instill hygiene consciousness in citizens.

He noted that Oja-Oba was strategically chosen as both a commercial and cultural hub of Ibadan, urging market men and women to lead by example in maintaining cleanliness.

Dr. Ojelabi revealed that Oyo State has improved its ranking on the Sub-National Climate Governance Index from 34th in 2024 to 7th in 2025, a feat he credited to Governor Makinde’s environmental reforms.

Market leaders, including Alhaja Sikiratu Adebayo Tantoloun (Iyaloja, Bodija Market), Alhaja Ramota (Iyaloja, Eleyele Market), and Prince Akanni Ojo, representative of the Babaloja-General, commended the Government’s initiatives and urged traders to embrace recycling opportunities.

“Waste has become wealth globally,” they noted, “and Oyo traders must key into this new economy.”

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,

Hon. Commissioner for Information,

Oyo State.

The Oyo State Government has reiterated its commitment to enforce environmental laws, cautioning residents against the indiscriminate dumping of waste and practice of open defecation and urination.

The government said all these are now prosecuted offences under the state’s environmental regulations.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Barrister Seun Ashamu, issued the warning on Friday during the arraignment of environmental offenders at the Environmental Tribunal Court located within the Ministry’s premises.

Barrister Ashamu stated the need for residents to cease disposing of household waste in market skip bins.

He urged them to register with government approved Private Sector Participants (PSPs) or certified waste collectors in their respective local government areas.

He said, “The era of careless refuse dumping in unauthorized  bins without proper registration is over.”

“It’s more cost -effective to pay a modest fee to registered waste consultants than to face prosecution and hefty fines when caught”, Ashamu declared.

He disclosed that the Environmental Tribunal Court is now fully operational  and empowered to prosecute violators of the  State’s environmental laws.

According to him, nearly 1,000 offenders have already faced penalties including fines, community service, and imprisonment of up to one-month.

He called on all residents to register with certified waste collectors and comply with environmental laws to promote a cleaner, greener, and safer Oyo State.

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,

Commissioner for Information and Orientation,

Oyo State.

Oyo State has been listed among the Twenty-three beneficiaries of the European Investment Bank’s intervention in addressing the challenges of erosion and land degradation control in Nigeria.

The intervention project is under the auspices of the European Investment Bank-assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).

The National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB Engr. Anda Ayuba Yalaks made this known on Tuesday in Ibadan when he led the Federal Project Management Unit delegation on a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde in his office.

The National Project Coordinator disclosed that the courtesy visit was part of the Federal Project Management Unit team to Oyo State scoping mission to evaluate the State’s readiness as a crucial step towards disbursement and project implementation take off.

According to Engr. Yalaks, the Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated the climate Adaptation: Erosion and Watershed succeeding the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management project (Newmap) to address the issue of land degradation in a targeted subwatershed, improve livelihood, and promote Environmental resilience for sustainable development.

He added that the project is supported by the European Union and oversees by the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) with implementation by the twenty three (23) participating States including Oyo State.

Briefing the Governor on the pre requisite requirements, Yalaks commended Governor Makinde led administration for his approval and release of 500 million naira as counterpart fund and other important pre requisite requirements which secured the State as one of the 23 States for the EIB intervention.

His words, “I’m happy to announce to you that Oyo State has met 100% percent legitimate criteria to attract the funding.”

He confirmed that after conducting an assessment of the prioritized sites which are threat to lives and infrastructural development. They are therefore considered as candidate sites in line with the conditions precedence of the EIB.

Welcoming the FPMU delegation on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal highlighted some of the achievements of Engr. Seyi Makinde in demonstrating the highest level of political will to tackle environmental challenges in the State.

He expressed optimism about the project’s potential for success and assured the team of the State’s unwavering support.

“We are already on course and it is an irreversible course, we cannot go back, all the requests you have demanded from us as the State Government, we will fulfill. We need to put more efforts in terms of making this partnership a workable one”.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources Arch. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola commended Engr. Seyi Makinde for his leadership quality in chosen the prioritized sites in Eruwa, Igbeti, Ibadan and most especially the gully erosion site within the Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso which is currently a threat to infrastructural development, added that the State is ready for full project implementation take off.

Present at the visit were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Sunday Ojelabi, State Project Coordinator, Barr. Tayo Ayoade and members of the State Project Management Unit of NEWMAP.

E-signed:

Bukola Bakare,

Director, Press & Public Relations,

Ministry of Information and Orientation,

Oyo State.