The Chairman of the Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Samuel Abejide, has charged Environmental Health and WASH Officers to rise up to the growing environmental challenges in the state.
Abejide made the call while declaring open a two-day workshop themed “Environmental Challenges and the Role of Environmental Health / WASH Officers” in Ado-Ekiti.
Represented by the commissioner in charge of Training and manpower development department Mr. Wole Olujobi described the workshop as a critical platform to expand participants’ knowledge on climate-related issues and to reposition officers to handle emerging environmental health risks more effectively.
He identified the impacts of environmental degradation to include drought, flooding, health epidemics, death, and widespread damage to ecosystems and infrastructure.
The chairman emphasized that these challenges demand the urgent attention and expertise of officers at the grassroots level.
“As critical stakeholders in local government service, I charge you all to brace up for the challenges you will definitely encounter at your duty posts, and I want you all to deliver your best at all times”. he said,
Mr Abejide also commended the caliber of resource persons engaged for the training, describing them as seasoned professionals with vast knowledge on climate change and environmental management. He urged participants to be focused, avoid distractions, and make the most of the opportunity.
The Ekiti LGSC boss praised the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for his commitment to staff welfare.
The Permanent Secretary in the commission, Mrs Titilayo Toba-Ojo who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Mr, SA Familoye emphasized the importance of participation in the workshop, warning that any officer who abandon the program will face sanctions.
She noted that the new year was beginning on a progressive note, with the workshop being a key part of efforts to align local government operations with global environmental concerns.
“The topic of this training is not accidental. Environmental challenges are global issues, and as critical stakeholders, we have a duty to drive solutions at the grassroots level to prevent negative impacts on our people,”
She urged participants to see the program as an opportunity for capacity building and self-development, and not a jamboree.
Officers were also advised to transfer the knowledge and skills acquired to their respective duty posts for better service delivery.
Omolara Oladija
Ekiti LGSC Press
