The Lagos State Government, LASG, and it’s partners including the Nigerian Conservation Foundation,NCF, and some corporate organisations have called on the Nigerian populace to massively adopt recycling of wastes to sustainably address the problem of plastics pollution threatening the health and socioeconomic wellbeing of people across the country, especially in the cities.
They made the call during an advocacy and awareness campaign tagged “Walk for Nature”.
Held on Saturday, 21st October 2023 at the Onikan Youth Centre, Onikan, Lagos, ‘Walk for Nature’ is an initiative of NCF, LASG, and corporate organisations for raising public awareness on critical environmental and sustainability issues in Nigeria. The Walk has been held in Lagos State for the past sixteen years.
The 17th edition of the ‘Walk’ held simultaneously at three different locations in Lagos with the theme “Solutions to Plastic Pollution” had participants drawn from corporate organisations, residents, students, and government officials.
In his welcome address, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment & Water Resources, Barr Tokunbo Wahab , represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Tajudeen Omobolaji Gaji said that “this year’s theme emphasizes the need to proffer lasting solutions to one of the major causes of environmental degradation in the State. Considering the hugeness of the negative impact constituted by Plastic Pollution, it then becomes imperative to ensure that the issue is addressed without any further delay. To achieve best results, “All Hands must be on Deck’’ approach should be adopted. Conscious effort should be made by everyone to tackle this menace. Plastic pollution reduces the life span of Human Beings, Plants and Animals within the Ecosystem. It also results into flooding, thereby causing great havoc to Life (both Aquatic and Terrestrial) and properties, which eventually leads to displacement of people from their original settlements. It also narrows the food basket of the State and invariably opens door to starvation and famine. If this unpleasant scenario is not tackled, it might ultimately lead to total loss of biodiversity in the Ecosystem. It is therefore paramount to take necessary actions to salvage the situation.”
The Chairman of the National Executive Council of NCF, Senator Ede Dafinone stated that “Some of the very simple solutions we can proffer among others are: Encourage sustainable consumer choices; Embrace eco-friendly packaging; Support clean-up initiatives; Promote plastic-free alternatives; Advocate for plastic-free oceans; Promote re-usable items more.”
Delivering his keynote address, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu had said that “ the State Government in her efforts to ensure proper containerization and separation of waste at the point of generation is presently engaging major producers in the beverage and other sectors on the need to take responsibility for the end of life of these plastics through the extended producer responsibility to ensure cleaner and liveable Lagos”.
Mr Governor who was represented by his Special Assistant of Environment, Hon Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu explained that “the indiscriminate dumping of plastics and its presence in drainages, canals, waterways, dumpsites and its inability to biodegrade suggests that quick and alternative solutions be found to the menace of plastics in the environment to ensure the sustainability of our Mother Earth. These plastics pose a threat to humanity by altering natural ecosystems resulting in loss of habitat, biodiversity, and the climate”, he added.
A Council Member of NCF, Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi represented the NCF Chairman at the occasion.
The event began with a 3-km walk across some selected street in Lagos Island East LCDA around 7am, with security agents, LAWMA, LASAMBUS and other government agents providing support services.
A recycling company ,Ansibad Nigeria Limited and others including Chevron Nigeria Ltd, Fidelity Bank Plc, AG Leventis, Aluko & Oyebode Partners, Nigeria Bottling Company, Access Corporation, Nestle Pure Life and Olufab Law Office sponsored the programme.