Govt rallies stakeholders for wetlands protection

The Lagos State Government has urged stakeholders, including traditional leaders, civil society, and development partners, to support and collaborate with the government in protecting all wetlands across the state. The call was made by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Tajudeen Gaji, during the 2026 World Wetlands Celebration held at the Yafin Jetty, Yafin, Badagry. According to a Thursday statement, Gaji noted that such collaboration would not only conserve vital ecosystems but also preserve the cultural heritage and the communities that have safeguarded them for generations. The permanent secretary, who spoke through the Director of Conservation and Ecology, Tolu Adeyo, said the commemoration was to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and the best approaches to protecting the ecosystem. He explained that the day is celebrated annually all over the world on February 2 and also marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran. He said this year’s theme, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” highlighted the deep connection between wetlands, cultural practices, and traditional knowledge systems of communities around the world. He added that the theme also emphasised how time-honoured knowledge systems play a vital role in sustaining wetland ecosystems and preserving cultural identity. He said that for several years, communities across the state had managed wetlands using traditional knowledge systems through customary rules, seasonal use practices, respect for natural boundaries, and regulated resource use. He added that these systems functioned as early forms of environmental governance, ensuring sustainable use long before formal policies were introduced. He noted that with increasing pressures from urban expansion, infrastructure development, and climate change, many wetlands are now under threat. In some cases, the degradation has resulted from a lack of synergy and an existing knowledge gap between modern policymaking and traditional knowledge systems. He said that the 2026 World Wetlands Day theme presented an important opportunity for the state government to bridge traditional knowledge with modern policy frameworks for effective wetland management at the state level. He advised that there should be routine monitoring of identified wetlands in the state, public awareness programmes in the three senatorial districts, and the erection of warning signposts on identified wetlands across the state.