The Osun State University has urged the Nigerian government to raise awareness about global developments and the environment.
This call was made during the third International Sustainable Development Dialogue, titled “Making and Unmaking Africa: Global Developments and Environmental Humanities,” which was organized by the Global Affairs and Sustainable Development Institute (GASDI), UNIOSUN, the African Network of Environmental Humanities of Ludwig Maximillian University in Munich, Germany, and the Rachel Carson Centre for Environment and Society.
The Director of GASDI, Prof. John Agbonifo, emphasised the importance of the conference in bringing together renowned scholars and stakeholders to deepen the discourse and practice of sustainable development.
He highlighted the role of government, industries, and individuals in promoting awareness and educating citizens about global issues.
Agbonifo stressed the need for the government to provide incentives for responsible behavior and penalties for those who do not comply.
He also pointed out that “Industries are major contributors to environmental degradation and need to adopt sustainable practices for their own benefit and the well-being of the planet.”
Individuals were also encouraged to conserve resources by not wasting water and energy.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Prof. Odunayo Adebooye, represented by the Deputy VC, Prof. Anthony Kola-Olusanya, highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the conference, which addresses various environmental sub-disciplines.
He emphasised the importance of using humanistic approaches to tackle pressing environmental challenges, considering language, culture, values, ethics, and responsibilities.
“Over the past few decades, scholars worldwide have identified key issues related to human and natural disruptions of ecosystems, leading to the accumulation of knowledge and scholarly output in this field,” he said.
