A non-governmental organization known as Media Awareness and Justice Initiative, MAJI, has called on the Nigerian government and other stakeholders to take urgent and decisive actions to protect the ozone layer.
The group, which focuses on environmental justice, open technology for capacity building in rural and urban communities, and developing innovative strategies for digital inclusion of marginalized groups, wants key government agencies and stakeholders to intensify efforts and approaches that substantially reduce the use of ozone depleting substances and indiscriminate emissions of greenhouse gases.
The call was contained in a press statement signed by the Executive Director of the group, Onyekachi Emmanuel Okoro, as part of the group’s activities to commemorate the 2025 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer with the theme, “Ozone For Life – From Science To Global Action.”
MAJI specifically called on “the Federal government to stop all forms of gas flaring as it has already been declared a crime in Nigeria,” saying that gas flaring contributes to environmental pollution, negatively impacts lives, livelihoods, and climate change.
The statement noted that although remarkable progress might have been made globally in reducing the production and use of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), there was still the need for concerted actions to sustain the trend, as the ozone layer has continued to face depletion by human activities, leading to climate change situations which the world is facing.
“We call on government environmental agencies and stakeholders to incorporate technological tools and inclusive approaches that help in the protection of the environment,” said the statement.
It further urged the Federal Government to strengthen environmental regulatory agencies with inclusive policies, manpower, and the technology needed to enforce environmental regulations and policies.
MAJI called for multi-stakeholder participation, inclusive sensitization of rural and urban communities impacted by climate change, and urged oil companies to stop indiscriminate flaring of gas.
