By EDISON Okereke

Imo State residents have been urged to handle domestic and industrial waste properly and take part in regular sanitation exercises to keep the state clean, as the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation joined the global community to mark the 2026 World Environment Day on June 5.

Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Major Emenike, made the call in Owerri while delivering his address at the observance. 

He said the state was prepared to align with the global vision on environmental protection and remained committed to initiatives that advance climate resilience and sustainable management.

“I therefore call on all residents of Imo State to adopt environmentally friendly practices such as proper waste disposal, tree planting, avoidance of bush burning, reduction of plastic pollution, protection of water bodies, and active participation in sanitation activities,” Emenike said.

He stressed that government efforts alone cannot address the climate crisis and called for “all hands on deck.” 

The commissioner also charged young people, as future custodians of the environment, to embrace innovation, environmental education, and sustainable lifestyles that promote conservation.

“Under the able leadership of His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, we remain committed to building a cleaner, greener, safer, and climate-resilient state,” he added.

This year’s celebration was themed “Climate Action.”

Also speaking, Chairman of Onuimo Local Government Area, Dr. Emeka Obi, said he would take the message of the observance back to his council area. Obi, who planted one of the demonstrative trees at the event, described the theme as unique.

“Climate action is always there with us,” he told journalists. 

He urged residents in his area to clear anything blocking drainage channels.

“When you see a thing that will block a drainage, you remove it. If there are areas you fell trees, you encourage planting another one. If you fell one, you plant five,” Obi said.

Delivering the commemoration lecture, Professor Maurice Nwabueze Obasi of the Faculty of Law, Imo State University, said his focus was on raising consciousness that the climate change problem “is here with us.” 

He told journalists afterwards that people must play their roles using two standards: mitigation and adaptation. “Mitigation means renewing, while adaptation means coping. Employing both measures will allow us to live with climate changes,” Prof. Obasi explained.