A group, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Enugu State Hub, has urged Nigerians to contribute to ensuring cleaner cities.
It said only cleaner cities will guarantee healthier citizens.
YALI said government alone cannot do it, adding that Nigerians needs to inculcate sustainable behavioural change towards waste management and learned to take responsibility on their waste by reducing, reusing and recycling their waste.
Speaking during the Clean-Up Nigeria Campaign Summit themed “Sustainably Promoting a Cleaner and Healthier Environment”, the YALI Coordinator in Enugu State, Mr. Daniel Anazia said that the summit was put together with support from the US consulate, the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria, headed by Ms Peju Jayeioba and other members of YALI.
He noted that the summit was a culmination of the Enugu YALI months-long Clean-up Nigeria campaign, adding that his team has embarked on multiple dumpsite Clean-up exercises, engaged with various government ministries and players in the waste management chain including neighbourhood associations.
Enugu State Commissioner for Environment Mr. Chijioke Edeoga, who was represented by Mrs. Mercy Okezie, said that the programme would help to create awareness for people in the state on ensuring a cleaner environment, adding that it would also help them to know that that they were the backbone of the nation.
The Deputy Public Affairs Officer of the US Consulate General, Jennifer Foltz, urged the US exchange alumni and members of the YALI network to continue to do great work that would inspire and make change to their communities.
The keynote lecturer, Mr. Greg Anyaegbudike, who spoke on the theme of the event, said Enugu people should belong to a neighborhood association charged with repairing, maintaining and securing the environment through sanitation.
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