The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, APWEN, Lagos chapter, has urged for collaborative efforts to address desertification and other impacts of climate change.
This call was made by the Chapter Chairperson, Dr. Atinuke Owolabi, during a Zoom public lecture to commemorate the 2024 World Environment Day, WED.
WED 2024 focuses on land restoration, halting desertification, and building drought resilience.
Dr. Owolabi reaffirmed APWEN’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship, emphasizing the critical role of women engineers in shaping a sustainable and resilient future for Nigeria.
“Nigerian women engineers are at the forefront of this mission, bringing expertise, creativity, and a unique perspective to the challenges of land degradation and environmental resilience,” Owolabi stated. “Our goal is to empower our women engineers by providing them with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to lead, conduct research, and innovate.”
She called on all stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector entities, educational institutions, and civil society organizations, to join in creating impactful strategies to restore lands and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.
The association’s initiatives include capacity building, awareness campaigns, and programs aimed at equipping female engineers to tackle environmental issues and mitigate climate change.
Guest speaker and Executive Director (Operations) of Lagos Water Corporation, Mrs. Helen Taiwo, highlighted the pressing issues of land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.
She noted that over 30 percent of the world’s land has been degraded, impacting millions of livelihoods, and emphasized the significant roles of women engineers in ensuring environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
“Empowering Nigerian women engineers is not just a goal; it is a necessity for sustainable development. By leading sustainable engineering solutions for land restoration, we can shape our land and secure our future. Together, we can create a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous Nigeria,” Taiwo said.
The APWEN Lagos chapter’s call to action underscores the importance of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges and highlights the pivotal role of women engineers in driving sustainable solutions for Nigeria’s future.
