The Lagos State Government on Wednesday charged Environmental School Teachers, handlers of the Environmental Bees Club in schools across the State, to become agents of positive change in the environment.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a three-day Symposium and Nature excursion held at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Building, Olowopopo, Ikeja, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, highlighted the sustainable development plan of the Lagos State Government with emphasis on youth engagement through effective participation for a sustainable lifestyle.
Gaji, represented at the event by the Director, Environmental Assessment Department, Dr. Olasunkanmi Sojinu, said ensuring a sustainable lifestyle requires the commitment of everyone to Unlearn, Learn and Relearn attitudes on effective greener initiatives.
He explained that the establishment of the Environmental Bees Club was to engender a brilliant collaborative initiative aimed at tackling environmental challenges that promote a sustainable environment.
The Permanent Secretary said the environment has issues caused by human actions that bring about changes in the natural world with great consequences affecting human existence.
He charged the Environmental Bees Club handlers to ensure that students are exposed to practical knowledge in matters relating to global environmental issues and best environmental practices employed by international communities to reduce the effects of environmental degradation.
Gaji revealed that the three-day Symposium and Nature Conservation Excursion will feature visitations to agencies under the purview of the Ministry, as well as private entities collaborating to achieve environmental sustainability.
In her presentation, the Chief Executive Director of FABE International, Mrs. Temitope Okunnu, speaking on Waste Recycling and Upcycling project development for economic empowerment in schools, said a lot could be manufactured from non-biodegradable materials such as Plastics, Nylon and Used Tyres through recycling, upcycling as well as reusing.
Mrs. Aisha Titilola Kareem-Arnold, in the second presentation, dwelt on Climate Change Action and Youth Engagement for Sustainable Lifestyle, focusing on climate change as it affects humanity.
While maintaining that every individual needs to be engaged in the climate action plan, she pointed out the need to do things differently by disengaging from the use of fossil fuels and endeavour to reduce the amount of carbon emission released into the atmosphere.
Teachers participating in the Symposium and Nature Conservation Excursion, drawn from both private and public schools, will be visiting Lagos Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).