By Kehinde Openibo, Abuja
In line with the federal government's stance to diversify Nigeria’s economy through the non-oil sector, technocrats in Environmental Health Profession (EHP), academia, political class, business moguls and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) will converge in Abuja for the much-touted National Environmental Health Business Forum.
The event, which is a stepping stone to harnessing the fortunes in the environment sector, will liberate thousands of Nigerians from endemic poverty by improving their livelihood.
Environmental health Is a branch of public health concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment affecting human health in order to effectively control factors that may affect health and the requirements that must be met in order to create a healthy environment, according to Wikipedia.
Scheduled to take place between 11th and 13th October, 2022, the forum will provide a platform for developing sustainable environmental health business model in support of Nigeria’s economic diversification drive.
Some of the benefits to be accrued during the National Summit includes: reduction in energy consumption, robust implementation of federal government's economic drive and business opportunities for start-ups.
This will contribute to the reduction of air pollution, which is the leading cause of asthma and other air borne diseases.
In addition, it will improve efficiency in areas such as water, transportation, energy and raw materials, thereby creating avenues for resilient communities, while reducing their cost of living.
Another advantage of this forum is that economic and environmental health issues will become the new normal as sustainable economic development programmes always focused on recovery from related crises.
The summit will also lift millions of Nigerians out-of -poverty, increase productivity, improve health, minimise waste, guarantee environmental protection and provide better life for Nigerians.
Also, the Sustainable Environmental Health Business Model which is in support of Nigeria’s economic diversification drive is expected to leverage on the unique assets provided by the economy in order to unearth workable solutions for empowerment of Nigerians.
Furthermore, the numerous efforts put in place by the Registrar of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba to make the programme a success will reduce Nigeria's over-dependence on oil and emancipate the economy.
Given its numerous opportunities, Nigerians are expected to key into this laudable programme and widen their knowledge on improving environmental-based value chain that will translate to more environmental health businesses, disease prevention and control, and finding equilibrium between treatment and primary prevention costs, among others.
A recent survey conducted in the country revealed that many Nigerians are oblivious of the numerous opportunities abound in the Environmental Health Profession, which is the reason behind the endemic poverty in many cities and communities.
This is why EHCON have concluded plans to gather technocrats that will chart a new cause for the profession and provide alternative livelihood projects and programmes among Nigerians.
Openibo is the Director of Public Affairs, EHCON.
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