The Lagos State Government has given youths the task of educating them on sustainability and how to live a more sustainable life.
The Lagos government took the charge through its environmental agencies in a statement signed on Friday by Mrs. Bola Ajao Chief Public Affairs Officer Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency.
The agencies were LASEPA, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (State Waste Management Authority), Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency (State Signage and Advertising Agency) and Lagos State Parks and Gardens.
Ajao stated that the agencies were open to engaging youths in environmental activities that would further expose them the vulnerability of their environment, unfriendly environmental practices, as well as the need to live a more sustainable life.
She stated that the heads of the agencies organized an advocacy talk and quiz competition to test students’ knowledge on basic environmental topics in public schools across the state.
According to her, the event was to celebrate with Lagos State University, Nigeria’s oldest university, at the 25th convocation ceremony.
She stated that it was to mark the achievement of the citadel learning with an environmental friendly awareness program, and to reawaken our consciousness about taking action against pollution.
Ajao stated that the state government had launched various programs to direct the attention of schoolchildren to environmental sustainability at an early age.
“In recognition of the importance of our youths as agents of change, who need to urgently show commitment through their lifestyles and actions to tackle global environmental problems.
“This programme was collectively put together as a single voice, confronted with multiple common challenges attributed to unfriendly practices, that if not addressed, may lead to natural disasters.
“Young people constitute a large part of the worlds population, hence, the need to inculcate good habits in them and imbibe the culture of responsibilities and wise use of the environment.
“Therefore, the move is to reaffirm our collective responsibility to environmental education and youth participation in environmental protection, she said.
The quiz competition, which saw students from different schools in LASU/Ojo, and its environs, produced four winners. They were Happiness Omijie (Bridget Azurundu), Divine Okafor, and all of Iba Housing Estate. Esther Ayomide of Army Cantonment Girls School was also among the winners.
The winners received cash prizes as well as gifts. Other participants were awarded eco-friendly products, such as reusable bags and multiple use bottles, seedlings, and plant seedlings.
Ajao stated that the gift choice was symbolic and in support for the government’s circular economy drive and the recycling approach.
NAN