By Amechi Obiakpu

Man’s inability to adequately protect the environment has exposed it to degradation. This has become so due to the negative impact on the environment resulting from human actions and in some cases, inactions.

According to experts, degradation of the environment occurs as a result of any change or disturbance to the environment perceived to be harmful or undesirable.

The English dictionary puts it succinctly in its definition. It defines it as the deterioration of the environment through depletion of the resources such as air, water, and soil; the destruction of ecosystems, and the extinction of wildlife.

Some of the disturbances to the environment highlighted by the experts are occasioned by factors like; economic growth, population growth, urbanization, rising energy use, and transportation. In all, humans are at the center of it, as they seek better life even at the expense of the ecosystem.

Nestle Nigeria- LBS Sustainability Initiative

To do nothing is to be culpable. Considering the fragile state of the environment and the need to protect it from further ruin not only for the inhabitants today but for the generation unborn to have a safe place they can call ‘home’ in the future.

Nestle, a global brand in partnership with Lagos Business School (LBS) Sustainability Centre has been at the forefront of the ‘protect-the-environment-crusade’.

Aside from its numerous initiatives, that are aimed at promoting positive lifestyle choices, the beverage giant alongside its partners has resolved in creating ambassadors in the media to help propagate the message of positive engagement with the environment.

For five years, the leading beverage brand, Nestle Nigeria, and Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre have created specialized program series for Journalists through the ‘Nestlé Advancing Nutrition, Health, and Environmental Awareness through the Media’ initiative.

Within the period, the platform has equipped nearly 300 journalists with fact-based reporting with a particular focus on nutrition, health, the environment, corporate sustainability practices, and climate change.

Like in the past, the 2023 Nestlé Advancing Nutrition, Health and Environmental Awareness through the Media’ was delivered via a mix of virtual and in-person sessions which was held on July 26 – 28, 2023.

The three-week intensive program for journalists and media practitioners working on the thematic areas of nutrition, health, and environment was an exposition on data analysis, sustainability trends, and solution journalism. It equipped the media professionals with a profound understanding of the relationship between the environment and food systems which is needed to enhance their ability to communicate to the Nigerian populace on best practices, lifestyle choices, and policy direction that fosters sustainability of food systems, lives, and communities.

Why the initiative is necessary

Climate change, one of the resultant effects of human interaction with the environment has become a global topic because of its effect on the ecosystem.

According to the United Nations (UN), climate scientists have shown that humans are responsible for the change in the climate primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, advising that, “everyone must take climate action, but people and countries creating more of the problem have a greater responsibility to act first”.

It is to this end that Nestle Nigeria and Lagos Business School (LBS) Sustainability Centre decided to create ‘environmental advocates’ among journalists and media practitioners.

Speaking at the Nestlé Advancing Nutrition, Health and Environmental Awareness through the Media program, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, said “Our purpose is to unlock the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come. We are committed to delivering affordable nutrition to our customers and their families, working together with stakeholders to build thriving communities and ensuring we have a planet that is sustainable for generations to come.”

She further remarked, “At Nestle, we understand that there is more access to information which is available everywhere, but it must be factual, based on available data, and in a format that is easily digestible. Our belief is that going forward, we will begin to see a difference in the way the trained journalists analyze data, report, and communicate to influence positive attitudinal change in families, communities, and organizations.”

Response from participants

According to Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, a journalist with Upshot media, “The training for me is an eye-opener, I thought I knew so much about environmental issue until I attended the training and it really exposed me to the problems as regard climate change and all we need to know about nutrition and diet.

“The knowledge I acquired will be with me till God calls me home, it’s a good one and I will urge the organizers not to relent on their effort.

For Lydia Eke, a journalist with Unilag Radio/TV, “the training added the edge of solutions journalism. As a news editor, when I do my story, I create content that will add value to society. Not just for me to highlight the problem but create solutions that will help to solve the problem that is bedeviling Nigeria.

“Again, as one who covers Food and Nutrition beat, the program helped to finetune my knowledge, especially with respect to sustainability and the environment.

“Journalism is all about working and learning on the job and this has proved so. My knowledge of Agriculture, the earth, and healthy living has also increased. The experiential tour has equally exposed me to the fact that nature has to be pampered, we should not treat the environment anyhow if we must reap the benefit from it. Thank you Nestle and LBS,” she said.

Oluyinka Onigbinde, a journalist with Shipping Position Daily said: “I believe it’s a significant step in addressing the crucial issues of nutrition, health, and environmental impact. It shows Nestlé’s commitment to improving its products’ nutritional content and promoting sustainability. I appreciate their efforts to create more awareness and transparency in these areas.”

Continuing he said: “As a journalist, the Nestlé Advancing Nutrition Health and Environment Awareness initiative has provided me with an edge in reporting the beat. It has given me access to valuable insights and data, enabling me to cover stories with a more comprehensive perspective.

“Furthermore, Nestlé’s initiative has encouraged other companies to prioritize health and sustainability, leading to a broader impact on the industry and society as a whole,” he summed.

On her part, Theresa Moses from Gatmash News pointed out that the training created a balanced opportunity for journalists to learn and relearn about nutrition, health, and the environment.

“Before now, I thought I knew a lot in this field, but during the training sessions, I realized that there is so much to be done for a healthier you and for the good of the ecosystem,” she added.

Azeez Disu, Editor-in-Chief of Brand Times, one of the participants from 2022 session, said since he attended the training his knowledge has been broadened.

“The program has been impactful. I learned a lot about sustainability and the role that journalists need to play. On a personal note, I am now an environmental stalwart. I feel we journalists need to do more to educate people about what government, companies, and citizens need to do to make our planet safe for us and the future generations which the program has provided the knowledge”.

Reaction

The Dean, of Lagos Business School, Prof. Chris Ogbechie believes the media is crucial in bringing climate change issues to the public’s attention and influencing their attitudes and behaviors towards sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture practices, food systems, and conservation of our environment.

Prof. Ogbechie who was represented by Henry Andoh, Director, Alumni Relations and Advancement, at Lagos Business School, said, “Nestlé’s commitment to empowering journalists with accurate information and valuable reporting skills is commendable, and we are honored to be part of this partnership to foster a healthier and more sustainable future for all Nigerians. I want to express my appreciation to the faculty, speakers, and facilitators who have generously shared their expertise and experiences with participants throughout this program. Their contributions have been invaluable in enriching the learning experience”.

He posited that: “This year, the training has built on the need to highlight the connection and interdependence between nutrition and health, sustainability and climate change, changing weather patterns and food systems in the Nigerian context and the significant impact the behaviors of individuals and the cultures of communities have on this dynamic”.

He further enjoined the media professionals to engage in ethical and fact-based reporting, even as he charged them to use the knowledge gained and the connections forged to elevate the standard of reporting on nutrition, health, and environmental issues in Nigeria.

“Together, let us strive to create a more informed and enlightened society that embraces sustainable practices, values, and well-being that champions the cause of a healthier planet,” he noted.

In her remark, Uwadoka noted, “At Nestlé, we understand the importance of the right information in making nutrition and lifestyle choices that not only ensure a healthier life but also a sustainable environment where we can all thrive. We are also aware of the role of the media in getting information to those who need it most and are convinced that given the right opportunities and tools, the media can exponentially influence the habits and behavior of individuals to imbibe habits that are good for people and good for the planet”.

Conclusion

This year’s training which had in attendance over 100 journalists was more robust as participants went on a field trip to Lekki Urban Forestry and Animal Shelter Initiative (LUFASI) Park, Sangotedo, Lagos, for an experiential learning session.

LUFASI Park is dedicated to the preservation of natural habitats in urban areas for use as a field laboratory to interact with and learn from nature. It is a sanctuary for flora and fauna, endangered aquatic life, and avian species where participants saw first-hand the effect of climate change on natural ecosystems and engaged in fun activities such as game fishing.

Climate change activist and Founder of LUFASI Nature Park, Desmond Majekodumi underscored the need to protect the ecosystem. According to him since humans cannot stay for five minutes without air, the environment can no longer tolerate the negative lifestyles it is constantly being subjected to.

“Stop the pollution, preserve biodiversity, protect forests, plant more trees, live a sustainable lifestyle, mitigate and adapt now. We are no longer protecting our life support system which is the nature given by God. Humanity is waging war on nature. The scripture says we are to replenish the earth not to destroy the life support system. If we don’t have a healthy environment, no one will survive or enjoy a long life,” Majekodumi said.

This piece was first published on ESPINews