• LAGOS GREEN AWARD – CALL FOR NOMINATION

    LAGOS GREEN AWARD
    Over the years, various individuals and corporate organizations have continued to contribute to the process of making the environment better. Most of these individuals and corporate organizations are often not noticed or recognized for their contributions to the environment. In view of this, the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has instituted an environmental award tagged ‘’Lagos Green Award’’. The Lagos Green Award is designed to recognise individuals and corporate organisations who have contributed to making the Lagos Environment better.

    Lagos Green Award will recognize individuals, groups or businesses whose actions improved environmental resilience in the city of Lagos in the areas of:

    • Best Environmental Practices
    • Oil Spill Management
    • Health, Safety & Environmental Performance
    • Waste Prevention & Recycling
    • Solid Waste Treatment & Disposal
    • Emissions Control Technologies
    • Natural Resources Conservation
    • Innovation and Sustainable Solutions

    This level of recognition is competition-based, participating units will be assessed against separate sets of environmental performance criteria which may encompass some of those used in the assessment of the various sectors.

    (a) Construction Industry;
    (b) Property Management;
    (c) Transport and Logistics;
    (d) Retailers;
    (e) Hotels, Restaurants, and Catering Companies;
    (f) Financial Institutions; and
    (g) NGOs and Public sector
    (H) Industry
    (I) Media

    Entries must clearly identify an environmental initiative and how it had or continues to have a positive impact on Lagos’s Environment.
    Entries could be submitted to:

    The Permanent Secretary,
    Office of Environmental Service,
    Ministry of the Environment,
    Block 16, The Secretariat Annex,
    Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos
    Alternatively, you can email – lagosstateministryoftheenviron@gmail.com, alasisi@lagosstate.gov.ng,

    The closing date for entries is May 20, 2023.

  • LASG CONSTRUCTS OVER 167 PUBLIC TOILETS, REGISTERS 635 OPERATORS TO CURB OPEN DEFECATION

    ….. Joins Global Community to Celebrate 2022 World Toilet Day

    The Lagos State Saturday, joined the global community in marking World Toilet Day, stating that it has constructed over167 Public Toilets in designated areas and registered over 635 Public Toilet Operators as part of efforts to prevent open defecation.

    Speaking at the 2022 celebrations held at the Lagos Island Local Government Secretariat, Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Tajudeen Gaji said that the State is determined to end open defecation and other Sanitation challenges.

    He reiterated that part of the measures was the construction of new toilets at various strategic locations such as motor parks, markets and densely populated areas across the State.

    He informed that the event held simultaneously at three locations in the state which were Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Areas.

    PIX 4209/4195…L-R: Assistant Director Environmental Services, Sanitarian Emmanuel Ajaneson, Representative of the Executive Chairman, Ifako Ijaiye Local Government and Leader of the House, Hon. Victor Onifade, Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services and Deputy Director, Environmental Services, Mr Babajide Adeoye, Oba Elect of Iju Ogundimu in Ifako Ijaiye, Prince Gbolahan Ogundimu and Deputy Director, Office of Environmental Services, Mrs Felicia Carrena, during the year 2022 World Toilet Day celebration held on the 19th of November 2022, at Ifako Ijaiye Local Government, Lagos State.

    The PS represented by the Deputy Director, Sanitation Services, Mrs. Janet Balogun noted that the theme “Sanitation and Groundwater’’ w
    making the invisible visible was a clarion call on all stakeholders to prioritize hygiene as it is the cheapest method to combat the spread of diseases and control all environmental crisis.

    He maintained that Groundwater is a vital resource that provides almost half of all drinking water worldwide saying that about 40% of water is for irrigated agriculture and about 1/3 of water required for industry.

    He said Nigeria presently occupy the topmost level in the ladder of open defecation adding that in order to combat the menace President Muhammadu Buhari declared a State of Emergency on Open Defecation in the country as contained in the Executive Order 009 titled: The Open Defecation – Free Nigeria by 2025 and Other Related Matters Order.

    He added that the declaration is expected to be followed by actions from each State to domesticate the Order and plan towards its application and sustenance to achieve Open Defecation Free status by 2025.

    He said the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo – Olu took the lead role and set the pace for others to emulate by signing an Executive Order titled: Enforcement of Law and Order in Respect of Traffic and Sanitation Matters.

    He stressed that the essence of the Executive Order is to restore stability and accountability to all citizens to become active stakeholders in bringing necessary changes to transform Lagos to the desired state.

    He added that the State also developed a Resilience Strategy Document consisting of 3 Pillars, 10 Goals and 31 Initiatives in order to Improve Access to Clean Water and Sanitation a priority as stated in Goal 2, Initiative 1 of the document.

    “The World Toilet Organization (WTO), a non-profit organization established on 19th November, 2001 with focus on breaking the silence on the sanitation crises and membership across 53 countries started the World Toilet Day celebration every 19 November. It was thereafter adopted for global observance by United Nations since 2013” he said.

    He said the World Toilet Day commemoration is about raising awareness and taking actions to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: Water and Sanitation for all by 2030.

    He added that WTO organizes the World Toilet Summit (WTS) annually on the sideline of the World Toilet Day geared towards mobilizing key Sector Players, NGOs and high-level decision makers to bring the issue of open defecation to greater public focus.

    He explained that Nigeria was chosen as the host for this year 2022 World Toilet Summit (WTS) which commenced on 18th November and is being rounded up today the 19th November 2022 in Abuja.

    Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman Ĺagos Island Local Government represented by his Vice, Hon. Rosul Esinlokun said the State needs to continuously address the issue of toilets and beam the searchlight on Sanitation.

    He added that the toilet campaign is part of the State Government efforts to fast track the Sustainable Development Goal for water and Sanitation by 2030.

    He added that the State can not afford any fatality that could be caused by presentable water and sanitation related diseases.

    SIGNED
    KUNLE ADESHINA
    DIRECTOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MOE&WR

     

  • LAGOS INTENSIFIES EFFORTS TO ERADICATE OPEN DEFECATION

    The Lagos State Government as part of efforts to eradicate open defecation and urination on Thursday engaged public toilet operator to continually promote healthy sanitation practices in public toilet management across the State.

    Speaking during the second edition of the training workshop for public Toilet operators held at Ikeja, Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji reiterated that the State Government is determined to eradicate the menace of open defecation in the state by 2025.

    He said the part of the objectives of the one day training is to build capacity for Toilet Operators as well as to ensure a cleaner, more hygienic and safer public toilet environment in the State.

    Gaji represented by the Director, Sanitation Services, Dr. Hassan Sanuth said the state government has four cardinal points of operation which include Advocacy; Regularization and standardization; Bridging the gap and Monitoring, Evaluation & Enforcement, saying that the training workshop comes under Regularization and standardization.

    The Permanent Secretary said the training provides an opportunity for stakeholders to engage and communicate government’s desire and requirements to operators in the sector adding that the government in collaboration with other organisation remains determined to achieve zero tolerance regulation for open defecation and urination.

    Gaji said in order to become successful in rendering services, learning new things must be a way of life and mastery of the business brings Excellence adding that public toilet operators must engage in best practices in toilet management and must be properly trained by the approved body following government’s laid down rules.

    He recalled that government inaugurated an Anti- open defecation Squad some years back, according to the environmental laws of the state for non- complying members of the public and as such toilet operators must adhere to proper toilet management to avoid any form of sanctions from the government.

    He charged the toilet operators to always ensure proper handling of the toilets as this would help reduce government and individual expenditure on treatment of diseases and thereby make more money available for other economic uses.

    In his lecture titled “public toilet provision management, a panacea to healthy living” The facilitator, Sanitarian Dr. Cyril Babasope described public Toilet as a convenient facility that plays an essential role in both human health and the environmental health.

    He said the vision of the lagos state government to ensure adequate and conducive public toilet in the State was applaudable bearing in mind that 116 million out of the 250 million population of Nigeria does not have access to decent toilet.

    He enjoined public toilet operators to collaborate with the government in order to curb open defecation menace by establishing toilets in an accessible location, employ trained staff, use appropriate tools, as well as employ legal waste disposal process amongst others.

    SIGNED
    KUNLE ADESHINA
    DIRECTOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MOE&WR

  • LAGOS ADVOCATES HIGHER INVESTMENT BY EVERYONE IN CLIMATE ACTION REALISATION

    As State hosts 9th Climate Change Summit 

    Lagos State Government on Tuesday convened the 9th edition of the Climate Change Summit, advocating higher investment by everyone in the realization of the Climate Action Plan.

    This position was espoused by the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who spoke through his Deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat at the Continental Hotel, VI, said the State Action Plan launched last year has started reaping great and impactful rewards, saying that Government, has instituted several adaptation programmes to ensure that citizens are shielded from the effects of Climate Change.

    Permanent Secretary Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde, his counterpart in Office of Environmental Services, Omobola Gaji, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Mrs, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, representative of Lagos State Governor and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat Honourable Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, Chairman (APC) Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources Engr. Joe Igbokwe and Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU) Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, at the Lagos State, 9th International Climate Change Summit opening ceremony held on 2nd of August 2022, at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    “In just a year, the Lagos Climate Action Plan has started to reap great rewards, an example of such is the recently awarded grant to Lagos State Waterways Authority to improve the State’s ferry services to provide a multi-model transport network for Lagos thereby reducing commuters and greenhouse gas emissions associated with on-road transportation” he emphasized.

    Sanwo-Olu said the State understands the symbiosis between the effects of climate change and the persistence of violence against women and as such has identified several adaptation initiatives to address gender-specific impacts.

    “We are in constant discussion with our development partners and donor organizations to find solutions and ways to better adapt to climate impacts especially as it affects women, children, and people with disabilities in terms of provision of water; food security; energy and healthcare services,” he said.

    He added that the collaboration cannot go far without the engagement and tangible actions of the private sector because they are critical players in the climate action space, saying the two parties can mobilize public and private sector finance to drive the net-zero transition.

    The Governor implored participants to look critically into sectors such as Waste, Transportation, Energy, Housing and Food systems for the proper economic dimension, meeting global environmental and social standards and ecosystem restoration targets.

    According to him: “Global climate change is not a future problem. It is affecting every country in every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, costing people, communities and countries dearly”.

    He cited the example of the United Kingdom which has been experiencing increased temperature, resulting into wildfires across the country with attendant loss of several farmlands, homes and livelihood of individuals, adding that wildfires in California, the United States of America and other terrible natural disasters happening in China, India, Turkey and Australia, are indications that climate change impact knows no boundaries.

    He reiterated that Lagos being a littoral state is often inundated by flash floods due to an increase in sea level rise but soon disappears after few hours as compared to other affected States in the Nation.

    He reaffirmed that both the public and private sectors in Lagos must adopt the Lagos Climate Action Plan with the aim of incorporating plan, programme and actions that will set Lagos on a pathway for carbon neutrality and increased adaptation for her populace.

    He said that Climate action and sustainability have to be integrated at the heart of growth strategies, investment plans and institutional structures to facilitate the flow of public and private finance.

    “As a frontline State, we are always looking at making things better. That is why my government will be supporting the Youth also to drive this Change. The Youth have a central role of driving innovative climate technologies to adapt to the impacts of climate change” he noted.

    He revealed that this year’s event is featuring for the first time a Poster Competition for innovate solutions to tackle the impacts of Climate Change adding that come year 2023 at the 10th Lagos International Climate Change Summit, there is expectation that we will celebrate several grand innovative solutions to adapt to climate impacts.

    According to him, The times ahead requires accelerating investments in sustainable infrastructure, supported by clear strategies and programme, this will be the central driver of the new growth approach.

    Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resoures, Tunji Bello in his welcome address said this event over the years has served as a conveyor of opinions and suggestions on how to manage our planet against the deadly impact of Climate Change with special attention to our dear Lagos.

    He said it has become more expedient for all parties, government, leaders of thought, organized private sector, and individuals to embark on deliberate and consistent efforts to combat the Climate Change crisis.

    “There is a need for accelerated development and adoption of innovative climate technologies, likewise business models and financial mechanisms to support green economic growth,” he said.

    He said the theme for this year’s summit “Integrating Climate Actions in Lagos State Development: Investment Opportunities and Trade-offs’’ demonstrates governments commitment to Climate Action and how new vistas of opportunities can be opened.

    He said Government recognizes the impact of the organized private sector on economic growth in Lagos and the commitment of the Government to mainstream climate action in the next phase of the developmental agenda of Lagos State saying, it is an affirmative action in support of the role of the private sector in mitigating the effects of climate change.

    He disclosed that, Lagos is the only State in the Country that has developed and commenced the implementation of her Climate Action Plan in Nigeria adding that the Plan highlighted 26 initiatives across adaptation and mitigation actions to advance a sustainable low carbon economy to achieve net zero by Year 2050.

    He also disclosed that the State Government through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has signed up to the £15m UKAID Climate Action Implementation Programme, which will support cities to accelerate the implementation from their Climate Action Plans (CAPs).

    He emphasized that Lagos State is at an advanced stage of completing work on the Lagos Climate Adaptation and Resilient Plan (CARP) as the State prepares for the forthcoming Conference of Parties 27 (COP 27) in Egypt in November.

    He added that this document will project the state’s need on the adaptation level and also serves as one of the bargaining documents for collaboration and support from International Donor Agencies and investors.

    He noted that Climate Actions require significant investments and it is also a known fact that the economic cost of Climate Change far exceeds the cost of action adding that the Ministry is forward-looking with her collaborative efforts with the private sector in order to maximise the inherent benefits of climate action.

    The 9th Lagos State Climate Change Summit which had in attendance Investors, Academia, Scientist, Environmental enthusiasts, Climate Change analysts, Students and other Stakeholders continues on Wednesday.

  • Poster Presentation on Innovative Climate Solutions for Lagos State.

    The Lagos State International Climate Change Summit Committee wishes to encourage young researchers and innovators to take part in its first Poster Presentation on Innovative Climate Solutions for Lagos State.

    We welcome presentations on practical climate solutions to move the agenda of the Lagos Climate Action Plan towards achieving the emission neutrality goal of Lagos by 2050.

    Guidelines for Submission:

    • Title: Maximum 20 words
    • Authors: Last Name with first and middle initial of applicable.
    • Affiliation: Institution/Company with author’s email.
    • Abstract: Maximum 300 words with spaces. A well represented small table or figure/image can be inserted but the abstract in total must not exceed one page.
    • We recommend designing posters in a standard 48” by 36” horizontal format.
    • Proposals will be evaluated based on the clarity of the abstract, (Content & Language), the relevance of the topic and its ingenuity.

    All entries should be submitted via email to: climatechangelagosstate@gmail.com on or before 27th July.

  • LAGOS SEEKS PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP ON CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

    Lagos State Government on Thursday convened the first edition of Lagos Climate Change Business Meeting with the organised private sector, sharing her vision in advancing Climate Action in the State.

    Speaking at the roundtable talk held at Ebony Life Place, Victoria Island, the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello said government as an enabler is keen on partnering with the private sector to confront climate change.

    He added that the several mitigation and Adaptation measures adopted by government could be embraced by the private to improve their productivity, profit and make the state more liveable.

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji, he said the State Government has deemed it necessary to begin to have conversations to co-opt the private sector into the Lagos Climate Action initiative.

    He revealed that climate change is now more of a developmental issue which requires the collaborative effort of Government, The Organized Private Sector, Civil Society Organizations, The Academia and all relevant stakeholders.

    Bello said Government in year 2021 launched its Climate Action Plan which is expected to equip the State to take decisive and impact-oriented action to address the development challenges it faces in the pursuit of sustainable low-carbon and climate-resilient socio-economic development.

    “In as much as we are aware of the threat climate change poses to the environment, the economy and livelihoods, we also need to begin to view climate change through the prism of the opportunities it presents in the areas of job creation, attraction of direct investments, healthcare improvements, waste to energy initiatives, sustainable infrastructure development, and renewable energy investments” he adviced.

    Bello gave an example of the result from the Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory conducted by the Ministry which revealed that the energy sector contributes the highest emission, while Lagos receives less than12,000MWh daily from the National grid which is about 6.25%.

    “Even if we compare generator cost of N130/ KWh with a grid cost of N50/ KWh , the cost associated with burning fossil fuel by residents and businesses in the State for energy generation daily is estimated at a staggering sum of 14.4 Billion Naira daily and N5.3 Trillion annually . This value currently spent on non-renewable energy sources can be channeled into renewable energy sources with potential savings made” he revealed.

    He said this is a decade of action and it is important to collectively begin to mobilize necessary support and resources to embark on transformative actions on Climate Change adding that this will enable a shift towards green economic growth, develop our adaptive capacity towards climate change and also achieve emission neutrality.

    He however express optimism that with the initiation of the meeting, collaboration on Climate Action will be established and sustained to effectively deliver on the goals of the Lagos Climate Action Plan in the Energy, Waste and Transport Sectors.

    Speaking at the event, the Head and General Manager Sustenability at Dangote Cement, Igazeuma Okoroba commended the initiative of the State Government on the parley, promising Dangote coy’s commitment to its sustenance.

    She said when Government shares its vision as an enabler, the private will be more to participate actively in such venture just like Dangote Cement did with the 8th Lagos Climate Change Summit last year.

    The meeting also had in attendance reresentatives from Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance(FBRA), banks, multinational companies and agencies of the State Government.

    Kunle Adeshina
    Director Public Affairs
    June 16, 2022

  • LAGOS LAUNCHES SANITATION HYGIENE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday launched a Sanitation and Hygiene Improvement Project to improve good hygiene behaviors amongst the vulnerable in the state.

    The Permanent Secretary Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Nurudeen Shodeinde during the launching at the Amber Residence GRA, Ikeja said that the program is aimed to educate the residents of two selected LCDA Ikorodu North and Ojodu LCDAs on good hygiene.

    Speaking through the Director, Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, Engr. Manmood Adegbite said the project entails disseminating knowledge and understanding of hygiene practices as well as their associated health hazards to low-income populations.

    He added that the goal of the project is also to raise hygiene awareness among people in the target communities, with a focus on hygiene education for women and girls.

    He said that the Government of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu will continue to fund other important projects aimed toward the revitalization of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene sector in the State.

    “This is to formalize the structured and methodical approach to gaining universal adoption of handwashing and faecal sludge disposal, behaviours that are expected to reduce disease-causing micro-organisms and parasite transmission,” he said.

    He stated that the Government through Ministry has been in the campaign for public health before now and has also embarked on the review of WASH policy for the State in collaboration with stakeholders to achieve a proper Institutional arrangement capable of delivering the goal of access to potable water and sanitation to all in the State.

    He added that the Ministry has also embarked on sensitization of the populace on handwashing and hygiene practices stressing that this was backed up by the provision of handwashing facilities in schools, markets and correctional facilities across the State.

    He said if the State is to become a healthy and productive society capable of contributing to the nation’s long-term development, then everyone must understand that hygiene must not be taken for granted and appreciate
    why it is important.

    According to him, “our esteemed audience does not need convincing about the importance of hygiene instead, you are active Stakeholders with whom we can discuss ways to persuade others of the importance of hygiene, water supply, sanitation and public health. If sanitation and hygiene are vital, then stakeholders like you who fight to promote water supply, sanitation and hygiene are critical”.

    He explained that the government has not accomplished all these in isolation, but with the engagement of several partners which include Federal and Local Agencies, WaterAid Nigeria, stakeholders in the academia, development partners and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to accelerate the development of WASH sector in the State.

     

    He said the State Planning and Implementation committee (SPIC) would be inaugurated and its members drawn from different sectors to ensure the successful monitoring of the program while also carrying out advocacy at both the State and Local Government Area/Local Council Development Areas (LGA/LCDA).

    Earlier in his remarks, the representative of the Country Manager, WaterAid/ Kimberly Clark, Mr. Ukeme Essien said the project is aimed at achieving safe services in focused geographic areas to influence wider change and also priotize WASH across the health sector to improve public health.

    He said targeted beneficiaries in this project include 20, 000 mothers, pregnant and lactating women who would be provided with hygiene kits and context specific hygiene promotion activities.

    He emphasized that 5,000 secondary school girls would be reached with hygiene kits, hygiene promotion and menstrual hygiene education adding that 3,000 secondary schools students would benefit from rehabilitated sanitation facilities.

    Also in her welcome address, the Director of Water Resources, Engr. (Mrs.) Omolanke Taiwo said the event was significant because it is about promoting and educating residents of Ikorodu North and Ojodu LCDAs on behavioural change.

    She stated further that the goal of the project is to increase public awareness on good hygiene practices and the risk it poses to their health when not practice.

    She said it should be recalled that baseline survey was conducted at the LCDA level and involved data gathering on schools, Primary Health Care centres and Communities without access to toilets and handwashing facilities.

    Signed
    Kunle Adeshina
    Director Public Affairs
    MOE &WR
    June 15, 2022

  • SANWO-OLU TO LAGOSIANS: FOCUS ON LIVING SUSTAINABLY WITH NATURE.

    …Joins 2022 World Environment Day celebrations

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu on Sunday stated that there is an urgent need for everyone to focus on the need to live sustainably with nature for the benefit of mankind.

    He made this known during the year 2022 World Environment Day finale held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa, adding that it has become necessary for shifting to a greener lifestyle through both policies and individual choices .

    He added that sustainability of the environment are among the most pressing issues in the world today out of which the Earth faces triple planetary emergencies namely; Climate change, loss of biodiversity and Environmental Pollution.

    The Governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Omolaji Gaji added that the impact of the aforementioned challenges have negatively made the achievements of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) less successful.

    It is pertinent to mention that this year’s theme “Only One Earth” was the slogan for the 1972 Stockholm Conference and 50 years on, this truth still holds as evidenced in the theme for World Environment Day 2022 being “ONLY ONE EARTH”.

    “With nature in emergency mode, the #OnlyOneEarth campaign for World Environment Day 2022, wants us to celebrate the planet through collective environmental action”, he said.

    He said the 1972 Stockholm Conference spurred the formation of environment Ministries around the world and kick-started a host of new global agreements to collectively protect the environment adding that it was also where the goals of poverty alleviation and environmental protection became linked, paving the way for the Sustainable Development Goals.

    He explained that around the world now, the planet is suffering a staggering rate of dramatic environmental change which is increasingly subjected to the negative effects of human population growth and the associated pollution problems.

    He added that Global environmental pollution has altered the earth’s natural system and is becoming an increasing concern for the well-being and survival of many species.

    Sanwo-Olu said time is running out and nature is in emergency mode, adding that without action, exposure to air pollution beyond safe guidelines will increase by 50 percent within the decade hence climate is heating up too quickly for people to survive and adapt to nature.

    He said it is important to note that no matter the economic status, everyone must be a part of Lagos State Development Agenda by getting involved adding, that it is an opportunity given to all to think about nature which offers supply, shelter and ecosystem restoration.

    He said Lagosians must admit the achievement of the State Government in the Greening and Restoration of Indigenous trees project towards curbing climate change effect and its efforts to end open defecation by 2025.

    According to him, while our individual consumption choices do make a difference, it is collective action that will create the transformative environmental change we need, so we can advance to a more sustainable and just Earth, where everyone can flourish.

    He urged everyone to be alive to their responsibilities on this issue of the environment and also to note that sustainable consumption, production drive economic development, mitigate climate change, environmental pollution would positively impact health and alleviate poverty.

    The Governor commended Corporate Organizations, Non-Governmental Institutions, Traditional Groups, Religious Groups and other notable bodies for ensuring that the persistent drive of the State’s policy towards entrusting legacy of greening and restoration of indigenous trees to the citizen is sustained.

    Earlier in address, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello said the Government through Ministry of the Environment & Water Resources has implemented several programmes to mitigate these challenges through Tree planting, Climate change summit, Environmental bees clubs in schools, waste to wealth and ban on open defecation.

    Speaking through the Director of Sanitation Services Department, Dr. Hassan Sanuth, the PS said
    World Environment Day launched the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030, to prevent, halt and reserve the degradation of ecosystem on every continent and in every ocean.

    He added that government keyed into this call in 2021 by commencing the greening of Abraham Adesanya set back, together with restoration of some historical plants in specific locations like Agege, Idi-Mangoro where Mango trees were planted, Idi-Agbon in Ifako-Ijaiye where coconut trees were planted and in Lagos Island where breadfruit trees were planted at St. Paul Anglican Primary School, Breadfruit Lagos as part of this year’s celebration.

    The guest lecturer, Dr. Ayo Tella while delivering his paper noted that Anthropogenic effects caused by human activities such as felling of trees have altered the earth’s natural systems and and survival of many species.

    Various categories of awards were presented to corporate organizations, Community Development Areas, and schools amongst others in recognition of contribution to sustainable environment

    Signed
    Kunle Adeshina
    Director Public Affairs
    MOE &WR
    June 5, 2022