COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE: LASG TAKES GREENING ADVOCACY TO TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
… Inaugurates LASUCOM Green Hub Ambassadors
As part of the efforts to combat the menace of climate change and reduce greenhouse effects in the State, the Lagos State Government through its Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has taken its environmental sustainability and green Lagos advocacy to tertiary institutions across the State.
The State government stated that the move became necessary to place the youths at the centre of its various advocacy programmes on environmental sustainability, especially the fight against climate change and its attendant greenhouse effects.
LASEPA General Manager, Dr Tunde Ajayi stated this at the weekend while inaugurating the Green Hub ambassadors at the Lagos State University College of Medicine LASUCOM, Ikeja.
He charged the students to be the champions of the greener Lagos project towards protecting the environment against all forms of degradation for a better future and sustainable development.
He commended the Lagos State University Medical Students Association (LASUMSA) for partnering with LASEPA in the journey to a greener and cleaner Lagos, adding that a clean and sustainable environment is crucial to a greater Lagos initiative.
Ajayi averred that the initiative organised under the theme: “The Role of Youths in Sustainable Environmental Practices”, is aimed at empowering students to actively engage as stewards of the environment by actively participating in various environmentally sustainable programmes such as tree planting, waste sortings, recycling and pollution control among others.
The General Manager, who was represented at the event by the Executive Assistant to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Environmental Protection Matters, Ms Adebowale Tolulope, highlighted the urgency for environmental sustainability, stressing the need for transition from a linear to a circular economy to preserve natural resources and reduce pollution.
He urged the students to imbibe recycling, waste sortings, reuse, energy efficiency, water conservation and tree planting as critical components of environmental sustainability practices, adding that the State government is empowering the youth to lead the charge towards a better and sustainable climate.
In his remarks, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Tertiary Institutions, Mr. Adewunmi Adeola emphasised the role of educational institutions in fostering environmental consciousness through curriculum integration and community engagement.
He highlighted initiatives such as tree planting and recycling campaigns as avenues for Universities to lead by example in environmental sustainability.
Also speaking, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Special Assistant on Students’ Union Affairs, Mr. Kappo Samuel expressed gratitude to LASEPA for championing environmental sustainability and urged greater youth involvement in environmental clean-up and advocacy efforts.
He assured the State government of the tertiary institutions’ students’ commitment to government policies on green and sustainable environmental practices, noting that the effort would help to secure a better and improved environment for the future generation.
The Coordinator of the programme and Head of the Partnership & Grants Management Department at LASEPA, Dr. Bukola Olisa explained that students’ involvement in sustainable environmental practices is critical to giving success to the scheme since youths are the future leaders of the country.
A notable highlight of the event was the inauguration of the LASUCOM Green Hub Ambassadors and the planting of trees by students, top government officials and the representatives of the University community.