The Lagos State Government on Wednesday restated its commitment to entrench the culture of environmental sustainability among students through training and sensitising of Environmental Bees Club members in the State.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen said this at the Annual Environmental Bees Club Members Sensitisation Programme held at Aiyedere Ajibola Senior High School Ketu (District II), saying the sensitization gives a better understanding of global environmental challenges along with the mitigation and adaptation strategies.
The Permanent Secretary, who spoke through the Deputy Director, Environmental Education Unit, Mrs. Omolara Brown said the sensitization helps individuals, communities and organisations learn more about the environment, develop skills, and acquire a better understanding of global warming.
“With the increasing threat of climate change and the depletion of natural resources around us, our club members must be educated on the impact of their actions on the environment, the importance of conserving and preserving our natural resources to empower them to make informed decisions and take responsible steps towards ensuring a sustainable environment”, he said.
He explained that in a bid to achieve this desired outcome, the annual EBC sensitization programme has become a veritable tool in the hands of the government and has also served as a medium for imparting environmental information and knowledge to club members.
He said over the years the sensitization exercise has been effective with continuous assessment of the understanding of members (students) on environmental sustainability, with the grand aim of making them environmental ambassadors and sustainability change agents wherever they find themselves.
He said the EBC training and sensitization exercise for members in the State since inception has proven to be a major pillar in the overall structural development of the club members towards environmental awareness and attitudinal change.
Gaji reminded members of the huge responsibility placed on them in their collective journey to becoming environmental ambassadors, saying they are expected to serve as advocates for the preservation of the environment.
He urged members to live exemplary lives by actively embracing and adopting environmentally sustainable practices and eco-friendly habits in their daily lives to help foster a healthier and more sustainable future for all and sundry.
The Permanent Secretary assured all EBC Members (students) of the Government’s commitment and willingness to ensure the sustainability of the programme as it is a means of accessing the orientation and environmental consciousness of club members.
He thereafter encouraged the members to pay close attention during the training sessions as they stand the chance of being exposed to international best practices of environmental management if the opportunity arises.
The guest lecturer, Deputy Director, Environmental Assessment Department, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Lasisi Adedoyin noted that since climate change has adverse effects on the environment, it is important to combat these effects in order not to jeopardize the future.
He outlined the measures in combating climate change to include Preventive measures also known as Mitigation measures and Adjustable measures also known as Adaptation measures.
In his response, the Desk Officer from Lagos State District II, Mr. Abiodun Ajimati expressed appreciation to the Government for the annual EBC sensitization exercise, saying the exercise has promoted awareness via interactive and practical engagement sessions on environmental issues in all schools in the State.
He promised that EBC Club Handlers and members in the District would continue to be worthy ambassadors in order to continually encourage positive attitudinal change in the environment.
At the high point of the programme, the best-performing members (students) were awarded prizes after taking part in a quiz competition.
