LASG RALLIES SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION IN WETLANDS PROTECTION

LASG RALLIES  SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION IN WETLANDS PROTECTION.

...........as the state Celebrates 2026 World Wetland Day.

The Aholu of Yafin Kingdom, His Royal  Majesty,  Oba Abiodun Patinvoh, Yafin1; representative of the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, the Director of Conservation and Ecology, Mrs. Tolu Adeyo and the Chairman, Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Ajose - Peter Kumayon during the presentation of award by the Lagos State Government official to His Royal Majesty at the year 2026 World Wetlands Day Celebration held at the Yafin Jetty, Yafin, Badagry on Monday 2nd of February 2026.

Head of Department Botany Department, University of Lagos, Prof. Peter Adeonipekun; The Assistant Director, Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development, Lagos State University (LASU), Dr . Mrs. Oluwakemi Tovide; representative of the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services and Director of Conservation and Ecology, Mrs. Tolu Adeyo; the Aholu of Yafin Kingdom, His Royal  Majesty,  Oba Abiodun Patinvoh, Yafin1; CAN Chairman of Iyafin Community, Venerable  S. M. J Hosu and the Chief Imam Iyafin Community, Alhaji Bashir Zakariya during the year 2026 World Wetlands Day Celebration held at the Yafin Jetty, Yafin, Badagry on Monday 2nd of February 2026.

The Assistant Director, Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development, Lagos State University (LASU), Dr . Mrs. Oluwakemi Tovide; Head of Department Botany Department, University of Lagos, Prof. Peter Adeonipekun; the Aholu of Yafin Kingdom, His Royal  Majesty,  Oba Abiodun Patinvoh, Yafin1;

The Lagos State Government on Monday urged all stakeholders, traditional leaders, civil society, and development partners to support and collaborate with the government in protecting all  wetlands across the state. 

This call was made  by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Tajudeen Gaji during  the 2026 World Wetland Celebration held at the Yafin Jetty, Yafin, Badagry adding that this collaboration will not only conserve vital ecosystems it will also preserve the cultural heritage and the communities that have safeguarded them for generations.

The Permanent Secretary who spoke through the Director Conservation and Ecology, Mrs. Tolu Adeyo said the commemoration was to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and the best approach to protect this most productive ecosystem on the planet.

 He explained that the day is celebrated annually, all over the world on the 2nd of February and also marks the date of the adoption of the convention on wetlands on 2nd February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. 

He said this Year’s theme is ’’Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage’’ highlights the deep connection between wetlands, cultural practice and traditional knowledge systems of communities around the World. 

He added that the theme also  emphasises  how this time-honoured knowledge systems play a vital role in sustaining wetland ecosystems and preserving cultural identity.

He said for several years, communities across the State have managed Wetlands using traditional knowledge systems, through customary rules, seasonal use practices, respect for natural boundaries and regulated resource use.

He added that the aforementioned systems functioned as early forms of environmental governance, ensuring sustainable use long before formal policies were introduced. 

He said with increasing pressures from urban expansion, infrastructure development, and climate change increase, many wetlands are now under threat saying in some cases, the degradation has resulted from lack of synergy and existing knowledge gap between modern policy-making 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 and effective wetland management at the state level must move beyond regulation alone but must embrace inclusive, community-based governance models.

He emphasised that the Lagos State Government has contributed immensely to the protection of Wetlands in the State through different programmes and projects to address the issue of Wetland decline and some these include the following. 

"The Routine monitoring of the identified Wetlands in the State, Public Awareness/advocacy campaign program in the three (3) Senatorial Districts in the State and the Erection of warning signposts on identified Wetlands in the State"

"The 2022 Wetland Study Report.

In a bid to protect all Wetlands in the State from further encroachment and degradation, the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources is proposing a galvanized wire mesh fencing on Yafin Wetlands and other wetlands, which are still in their pristine state to support traditional knowledge, research, education and eco-tourism in the state" he said. 

He added that this year’s theme also  recognized the impact of local communities as not only beneficiaries of wetland protection but as partners and leaders in the Community-based approaches ensuring that conservation efforts are realistic, culturally appropriate and sustainable.

He added that from a policy perspective, there is need for integrating traditional knowledge into wetland management plans, recognizing customary institutions, community governance structure and Supporting co-management frameworks between government and communities. 

He added that it is also important to continually support host communities for Protecting wetlands not only as ecological assets, but as cultural heritage sites.

 

In his remarks, His Royal  Majesty Oba Abiodun Patinvoh, Yafin1, Aholu of Yafin kingdom expressed appreciation to the State Government for their continuous support to the community and Badagry. 

 He promised that Yafin  community would continue to protect the wetlands in order to make it most productive  on the planet and make it habitable for all

At the highpoint of the event, the members of the team visited the Lagos State Wetlands Conservation Site preserved by the community. 

Also, the Lagos State Government presented awards to Oba Abiodun Patinvoh and Chairman of Olorunda LCDA for their contributions and supports towards promoting sustainable Wetlands Ecosystem in the State. 

Signed

Kunle Adeshina

Director, Public Affairs, 

MOE & WR

February 2, 2026