LASEPA HOSTS  STAKEHOLDERS’ FORUM TO RAISE PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

As part of efforts to promote a greener and sustainable environment, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) on Thursday hosted the Year 2024 Greener Environment Stakeholders’ Forum with the theme: “Our Environment, Our Future” at LASEPA House, The Secretariat, Alausa.

In his keynote address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi Akodu emphasised the importance of environmental protection and the need for concerted efforts in nurturing the environment for healthy living. 

He acknowledged and commended LASEPA for the increased awareness and activities in promoting a healthy and sustainable environment through various advocacy programmes and educating citizens on environmental best practices. Akodu also underscored the need for a collective effort to protect the environment for future generations.

Emphasising the need for strengthening actions on environmental sustainability, the Special Adviser urged people to avoid activities that can undermine the growth of a green environment such as indiscriminate cutting of trees, environmental pollution, and bush burning among others. 

He noted that LASEPA had recognised the need for engaging the youth to put them at the centre of sustainable environment policy implementation, adding that making youth environment ambassadors will raise their consciousness on the role to play in achieving an improved and more friendly environment needed for sustainable development. 

He commended LASEPA’s efforts in making Lagos State a greener and healthier environment and emphasised the need for continued collaboration to achieve this goal. He encouraged citizens to take responsibility for their actions and join hands in protecting the environment, adding that, the impact of endangering the environment affects human existence and the natural world.
 
He urged stakeholders to work together to address environmental challenges, such as flooding, pollution, and climate change while supporting the state government’s efforts in creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly Lagos.

Earlier in his welcome address, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi stated the importance of collective efforts in protecting the environment.

He said, “The future of our environment is a shared responsibility, and we must work together to ensure a sustainable and greener Lagos. We must recognise that environmental protection is not solely the responsibility of government agencies, but also requires the active participation of all stakeholders”.

Ajayi highlighted LASEPA’s commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and encouraged stakeholders to collaborate in addressing environmental challenges. He therefore called for public-private partnerships in driving environmental sustainability. 

The GM also thanked stakeholders and private organisations such as Dangote, Nigeria Breweries, and Jubali Brothers for sponsoring the event, reiterating the Agency’s commitment to working collaboratively to achieve a greener and more sustainable Lagos. “Together, we can make a difference and create a better future for ourselves and generations to come”, he said.

The Guest Speaker and Chairman, Lekki Urban Forestry Animal Shelter Initiative (LUFASI), Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi in his lecture, highlighted the pressing environmental challenges facing the planet. 

He emphasised the uniqueness of Earth, noting that among billions of planets in the galaxy, it is the only one that supports life. He stressed the importance of protecting the environment, citing the delicate harmony of the Earth’s systems, including the atmosphere, water, and nutrient cycles.

Majekodunmi commended LASEPA for its advocacy efforts in promoting a sustainable environment and warned that nature will fight back if people fail to protect the environment. 

Dignitaries present at the event include the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji; GM of LASTMA, represented by the Director of Safety Standard, Mr. Bamgbasa Olatunji; representatives of various tertiary institutions in the State including, Deans of Student Affairs from LASU, LASUED, LASUSTECH and UNILAG, among others. 

The highlight of the event was the announcement of winners of the Essay Competition sponsored by Dangote Industries and the presentation of cash Gifts and plaques to the winners. 

The winners are Sowemimo Efunjola Olumayowa a student of (Medicine and Surgery, Lagos State University, College of Medicine, who came first; 
Bieni Precious Chinonso (History and International Relations, LASU), came second, while Hamzat Kabir Olorunwa (Physiology, LASU), emerged third.

Adebiyi Omotola Elizabeth (Mechanical Engineering, LASU) and Ashinze Emmanuel Chidi (Chemical Engineering, UNILAG) took the fourth and fifth positions respectively.