The Nation Newspaper

Tag: environment

  • Experts seek safe working environment for employees

    The Managing Director of Novo Health Africa, Dr. Dorothy Jeff-Nnamani has called on decision makers in different organisation across industry sectors to create a workplace policy that is psychologically safe for its employees.

    Nnamani said this at the Executive symposium organised by Novo Health Africa in commemoration of the World Health Mental Day in Lagos.

    Tagged: ‘Saluntem Reditus: What your competitors don’t know?’ brought together captains of industries, health experts, insurance practitioners and civil society groups.

    According to her,  the people are the key factors and are very important in  the productivity cycle of any organisation, hence their mental wellbeing is imperative.

    While acknowledging the fact  that  organisations spend a lot of resources in training she however said giving priority to the mental health of the staff is an enabler to carry forward the goals and aspirations of the organisation.

    “It is not enough to pay employees within a work place good remuneration but effort should be made to tap into their mental wellbeing by creating a safe environment and a good working culture,” she said.

    Many organisations, she regretted, “Grow and make profit but forget the people. You have paid the person well, while not tap into the intangible asset of that person which is emotional and psychological wellbeing.”

    She stressed that all the innovations seen  around  today were made possible because people were thinking and are mentally stable to innovate.

    She cited an informal survey carried recently which states that many employee work into night in the office and some are almost given birth in the office because of the poor working conditions they go through to keep their jobs.

    Nnamani stressed that leaders in organisations need to rethink and look at their relationship with their workers and access whether they are mentally stable to carry the goal and aspiration of the organisation forward.

    Speaking on the stigma and lack of mental health awareness, especially in the work place, human capital expert and Managing Director of Customer Centricity, Uloma Umeano urged employers, recruiters and businesses to consider the mental health of employees and applicants when they list competency requirements.

    In her own assertion, Dr. Maymunah Kadiri, the CEO of Pinnacle Medicals cited the recent report by the World Health Organisation that the world is at the verge of a global stress  crisis which may peak by 2020.

    “Depression will be a number two killer disease in the world and by 2030, its going to be number one killer disease in the world.”

    Expatiating, she said: “We are creating a mental health apps which is going to be on the go so that users can access their stress level, anxiety level and how depressed they are at every given point in time.

    She also called for more support for the mental health bill which would help provide support, care, subsidise treatment and tackle stigmatisation of mentally ill patients.

  • Expert bemoans hostile actions on environment

    The former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Olukayode Oyediran has enjoined Nigerians to protect their environment against hazards that undermine human health.

    Prof. Oyediran, who is also Chairman, Board of Trustees of Nigeria Network for Awareness and Action for Environmental Health (NINAAFEH) gave the advice at a programme held at Zontal Club House, Ibadan to sensitise the public to unhealthy environment. The programme was held to commemorate this year’s World Environmental Health Day whose theme was “Children are our Future; Let’s Protect Their Environment and Health.”

    According to him, three components of environment affect mankind. These, he said, are physical, biological and social environment, saying humans have a reciprocal dynamic relationship with their environment.

    He added that the environment has a profound effect on humans while humans in turn make varying alterations to the environment to meet their needs and desires.

    Corroborating Prof. Oyediran’s view, Prof. Sridhar Mynepalli of the Department of Environmental Health, University of Ibadan said an unhealthy environment increases mortality rate in Nigeria, especially among children.

    He noted that girls are the most vulnerable. He noted that according to a 2008 report whose commission was led by Prof. Michael Marmot, girls born in some countries could expect to live more than 80 years but in others just 45 years”.

    Prof. Sridhar said children’s health, safety and the protection of their environment is a highly important topic to all peoples in the world, adding that International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH), that mooted the idea of world environmental health day wants to highlight this issue and focus on how to reduce exposure from the surrounding environment by announcing this year’s theme of “Children are our Future; Let’s Protect Their Environment and Health.”

    He added that children are one of the most vulnerable segments of our society compared with adults. “Children have low resistance to infection, poor diet and nutrition; chemical contaminations, air pollution from traffic as well air pollution in general and other allied environmental hazards,” he said.

    Also speaking at the occasion, President of Zontal Club, Prof. Olufunke Egunjobi said without a clean and healthy environment, human beings cannot survive. Environmental components, which comprise air, water and others, are created by God to support human existence.

    She maintained that the current climate change and global warming are traceable to man’s mismanagement of the environment when ozone-depleting substances created by man deplete the ozone layer which protects the earth planet from the direct heat of the sun.

     

     

  • Nutrition: Creating a healthy thriving food environment

    The “WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health”adopted in 2004 by the World Health Assembly (WHA) called on all – including governments, the private sector, and the civil society – to take action at global, regional, and local levels to support healthy diets and physical activity.

    Recently I was watching the rain fall in Lagos.  I had to leave the work I was doing and step out of my office to watch it.  No, I am not a lay-about.  In fact, itwas on a very busy day.  I don’t know if I was thinking as a scientist, a poet, or a prophet, but I was thinking that rain is such a source of blessing.

    For some, with flooded homes, lost property, or disruption of life, that tropical rain of West Africa may have seemed like a curse or may have actually served a curse. For those who can study the rain and think a bit, it can be viewed as a source of economic wealth, as good as crude oil or minerals, if not more valuable.  It is not everywhere in the world that plants grow prolifically without anybody’s permission.  In fact, West Africans, with their ample rain, sunlight, and fertile soil,  should be amongst the best fed people in the world, with an undeniable potential for massive employment and entrepreneurships in the food and agriculture industries. Fortunately, many Africans in the private sector now see themselves as part of nation building and are not waiting for only the governments to create food and agricultural projects.  A lot can be done by the private sector and by the numerous graduates of 126 Nigerian universities, for example.

    The World Health Organization Fact Sheet No 394 of September 2014 suggests some steps to create a healthy food environment and these include:

    o             increase incentives for producers and retailers to grow, use and sell fruits and vegetables;

    • reduce incentives for the food industry to use saturated fats and free sugars;
    • set and enforce targets to reformulate food products to cut the contents of salt, fats (i.e. saturated fats and trans fats) and free sugars;
    • implement the WHO recommendations on the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children;
    • establish standards to promote healthy, safe and affordable food in public institutions;
    • encourage private companies to provide healthy food in their workplaces;
    • set incentives and rules so consumers have healthy, safe and affordable food choices;
    • encourage transnational, national and local food services and catering outlets to improve the nutritional quality of their food, create real choices, and review portion size and price;
    • Consider taxes and subsidies to encourage food manufacturers to produce healthier food and make healthy products available and affordable.

    Farming and agriculture can be fun and fulfilling full time or part time jobs, hobbies, careers, or simply humanitarian services.  The field is a platform for scientific and technological applications, innovation and creativity, able to serve the aspirations and drives of many youthsand the potentially rich.

    Sunlight, rain, soil, – all these resources that are undervalued or that have been neglected for too long can be great servants of blessing for those who think.

    Harvesting, diverting, and utilizing rain water; soil and agricultural resource management and development, exploitation of solar power, are areas where many graduates can turn their knowledge into profit and at the same time help to create a good, healthy, thriving, food environment in Africa.

    Dr. ‘Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA.   For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 08160944635.

  • Cleric urges residents to maintain clean environment

    Cleric urges residents to maintain clean environment

    The leader of C&S Salem Evangelical Church of Christ in Lagos, Apostle Babatunde Odele (a.k.a Pawpaw) has urged residents to maintain good drainage system in their environment.

    Odele, who is the former Chairman of Mushin Local Government, said the church has been clearing drainage in Obanikoro on Ikorodu road in the last five years.

    He said: “This area used to be a no go area whenever there was heavy downpour which caused traffic gridlock and accidents.

    “Ikorodu road is always busy whenever it rained, everywhere will be flooded due to the blockage of the drainage. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials and policemen are always seen clearing accident scenes to ease traffic gridlock.

    “Because our members couldn’t stand the sight of ugly things, they suggested the road be repaired and voluntarily contributed fund for its rehabilitation. As you can see,” he said.

    He said the only way Lagosians can prevent traffic gridlock is to clean the drainage regularly.

    Odele, who is also a member, Lagos State Drainage and Sanitation Board enjoined other worship centres to always involve in community service.

    “Being a worship centre, we are trying our best possible to be of benefit to our host community and I urge other religious bodies to do same. We don’t have to wait on the government always; we know they are trying their best. So, we should ensure that the money we earn in our respective worship centres be used to upgrade the environment. The government, should however, ensure that churches and mosques tidy their environment,” he said.

  • Jaguar XE launched in strange environment

    Jaguar XE launched in strange environment

    In an unfamiliar terrain, Coscharis Motors unveiled the all new Jaguar XE in Lagos. The launch was held at the Eko Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos before a gathering of Information Technology (IT) experts. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there 

    It is the first of a new generation of cars to be launched on Jaguar’s state-of-the-art-all new Aluminium Intensive Architecture; the lightweight aluminium construction that creates an incredibly strong body.

    With so many firsts, the new Jaguar XE is the most advanced, efficient and refined sports saloon car that Jaguar has ever produced.The latest in an illustrious bloodline. Instantly recognisable as a Jaguar, it feels like a Jaguar, it drives like a Jaguar –XE is a Jaguar to its core.

    The Jaguar XE is designed as an extraordinary everyday vehicle that combines the legendary Jaguar sporting character with systems that empower the driver and enhance the driving experience.

    No wonder, Coscharis Motors decided to move away from the traditional way of unveiling new vehicles. This time, the auto giant showcased the all new Jaguar XE before a hi-tech audience including young people operating in the different fields of technology.

    The launch took shine off the various events lined up for the two-day Tech+ 2015 event, which was sponsored by MTN Nigeria and Connect Marketing Services.

    The avenue was an innovative technology conference and exhibition that featured live demonstrations of the latest digital products and services with hands-on practical workshops facilitated by renowned IT experts.

    It was held at the iconic Eko Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    While it is quite unusual to launch a vehicle this way, Coscharis Motors President / Chief Executive Officer Dr Cosmas Maduka acknowledged that doing so was to showcase the edge Jaguar XE had over its competitors.

    “We must remark that the Jaguar car we are launching today is also an unusual vehicle. A special pick out of the pack with the latest Jaguar innovation, technology, powertrain and design that cuts across gender,” he said.

    The Jaguar XE is a compact executive car manufactured by the British manufacturer Jaguar. The global launch of the 2015 model was in March 2014 at the Geneva Motor Show, and its production was said to have begun in April this year.

    According to him, only a Jaguar promises a distinct combination of performance and seduction to give auto lovers a unique, utterly rewarding driving experience; advanced power-trains with roaring exhaust soundtrack; sublime agility and instinctive steering; with innovative technology and craftsmanship both exterior and interior wise.

    “I must emphasise that you are not just among the first to officially view the Jaguar XE in Africa but the very first in Nigeria. I am sure as soon as you see the Jaguar XE, you will want to hit the road,” he said.

    The Jaguar XE is the first of a new generation of cars to be launched on Jaguar’s state-of-the-art, all new Aluminium Intensive Architecture; the lightweight aluminium construction creates an incredibly strong body.

    Coscharis said it is positioning Jaguar XE as the leading and preferred premium compact sports saloon within the next two years.

    Consequently, the focus is to project it as a fleet variant and retail sales directed at hard working and ambitious young male and female executives and entrepreneurs in their late 20s and mid 40s.

    “We have come to know that Jaguar customers are people who want to be different. The Jaguar XE amplifies this. It immediately catches the eye, standing out from the completion because of its upscale proportions, which makes it look crouching and ready to pounce on the road,” Maduka said.

    The Jaguar XE comes in five models which include the XE R-Sport (2.0L), XE Supercharged (3.0L), XE Pure (2.0L), XE Prestige (2.0l) and XE Portfolio (2.0L).

  • Buhari urged on environment

    AN environmentalist Valentine Opone Ottis has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to pay more attention to environmental issues.

    Speaking against the backdrop of the President’s trip to the United States recently, Opone said environmental matters should be part of the Buhari administration policies.

    He lamented that though President Buhari while in the US discussed such vital issues as aids and repatriation of stolen money that could make robust the economy and assist in the fight on against insurgency, no mention was made on how devastated environment in the Northeast would be restored.

    Opone, a member of the Nigeria Environmenntal Society (NES), agreed with analysts who hailed the outing, saying it was good for Nigeria, especially after a frosting relationship between the two countries during the President Goodluck Jonathan  administration from 2010 to 2015.

    He said: “In the light of the above, experts in the environmental sector see it as mind-burgling to discover that the issue on recovering the already devastated environment due to insurgency was not part of the discussion.

    “A scholar once said that just as we must have a nation before we can talk of president, so we must have a sustained environment before we talk of human beings and lives in general.

    “President Buhari should be looking more in-wards to the immediate concerns of the environment, so that the contemporary problems of Nigerians will be more in the epic centre of his policy.”

    He continued: “Every country has own foreign policy for the purpose of academics. Foreign policy is defined as a strategy or planned course of actions developed by the decision makers of the country aimed at manipulating international communities in order to achieve certain natural interest; hence the evolution of Nigeria foreign policy on environment cannot be understood without sincerely adhering to the above. What is Nigeria’s policy on environmental sustainability?”

    He appealed to the Nigeria’s policy makers to put environment in the front burner, warning: “a devalued environment will give a devalued society.”

    Opone called for the advanced clean-up of the areas where the insurgency is prevalent “to sustain agricultural activities and get diseases-free society”. He also wants the creeks of the Niger Delta devastated by oil exploration to be cleared.

    “Therefore, the Nigeria should call on the United States to expand its assistance to issues environmental remediation and clean-up in the insurgency-ravaged areas, the Niger Delta and the catchment towns.

    “I further appeal to the President that as effort is on top gear to build a robust economy, we must also see the issue of global environmental challenges and its effects on Nigeria as important; therefore, attention must be shifted to them,” he added.

  • ‘Why we must protect our environment’

    ‘Why we must protect our environment’

    Conscious of the negative impacts which unchecked environmental degradation have had on our environment, governments and groups the world over have come to terms with the need to prevent or mitigate their effects for a safer world. One of the means through which man harms the environment is through felling of trees for cooking.

    In the circumstances, therefore, government at all levels has intensified action toward ensuring that there is less attack on the environment through tree planting. This, it is believed, would enhance cleaner environment.

    It was against this backdrop that the Oriade Local Council Development Area embarked on sensitisation campaign to enable the citizens to embrace tree planting; in commemoration of this year’s tree planting exercise of the Lagos State government.

    Addressing the indigenes of the area at Learning Field School, Assembly Road shortly before the exercise, the Executive Secretary of Oriade Local Council Development Area, Hon. Bola Badmus-Olujobi urged residents to imbibe the culture of tree planting as panacea to environmental problems.

    The council chief urged the people to take the exercise seriously as a way of complementing the efforts of the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in tackling the menace of flooding and other environmental hazards.

    Badmus-Olujobi also advised the residents to join hands with her administration in making Oriade LCDA a tree-friendly one.

    She said aggressive awareness campaigns which the council carried out on the importance of tree planting have yielded positive results.

    ‘’We would continue to mobilise the residents the best way we can. Our achievement is that the people of Oriade have taken ownership of the trees and are taking care of them,’’ Badmus-Olujobi said.

    Tree planting, she said, would also generate employment for our teeming unemployed youths.

    On the benefits of plants, the council chief said “apart from beautifying our environment, the people have bought into the vision of the Lagos State Government in creating a greenery Lagos through tree planting. This year, the council will plant more trees while individuals will continue to plant in their various homes and offices.”

    The theme of this year’s tree planting exercise; ‘’Tree: the Lungs of the Earth’’ signifies the importance of trees in sustaining human life through air purification.

    While encouraging the people to complement government’s efforts at tackling some environmental problems that are life-threatening, Governor Ambode revealed that the yearly tree planting exercise has generated over 96,000 jobs in the state for all categories of artisans and professionals. The governor also said the state has planted over 5.9 million trees.

    Represented by Mr Agoro Adekunle of the Ministry of the Environment, Governor Ambode said indiscriminate falling of trees in Lagos State is a crime and anyone caught will be prosecuted.

    Dignitaries at the event were the Council Manager, Mrs Florence Peters, Oba Isaac Olayemi, Oba Akinwnmi Fatai and Alhaja Tawakalitu Koyawola, among others.

  • Environment: What Masari must do

    The need for proactive measure to control the myriads of environmental challenges bedeviling Katsina state and the political will to confront it has for long been the yearnings of the stakeholders in the state. Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari assumes the office of governor at a critical time when the state needed everything to be done from patriotic point because much is expected from his administration.

    Environment is our only heritage, protecting it is a very serious business which must be given priority in governance. As a Federal Environmental Enforcement Officer working in the state, I had the privilege of observing, participating and executing Environmental Management and Protection Activities organized by the state Environmental Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs) such as KTSEPA, Department of Forestry etc  either as a representative of my agency or as a keen stakeholder. I will in the preceding paragraphs present the blunt matter-of-the-fact assessment of the success recorded in the state and what is still needed to be done to get the state to the Promised Land.

    Governor Masari must first of all give all necessary support to the Ministry of Environment to enable the ministry deliver its mandate. The yearly raising of assorted seedlings by Katsina State Afforestation Project Unit (KTAPU) must be sustained. The governor must go beyond raising seedlings to massive planting of trees to arrest the desert encroachment threatening the state. Since the beginning, trees have furnished us with two of life’s essentials: food and oxygen. As we evolved, they provided additional necessities such as shelter, medicine, gum, raw materials and tools.

    The Department of Forestry which is currently under the office of the Deputy Governor must be empowered as an agency of the Ministry of Environment to undertake the following activities: Conservation and improvement of genetic resources of forest trees and eco-system for the state’s economic development; Improvement of silvicultural practices relating to forest trees of economic importance; Forestry education and training; Forestry extension and dissemination; and any other problem relating to forestry flora and fauna.

    All these parastatals must be placed under the Ministry of Environment for effective coordination. Katsina State being one of the 11 frontline states greatly swallowed by desertification (according to Federal Ministry of Environment, 43% of the landmass and population of these states is already affected), her vulnerability has exposed the urgent need to consolidate the ministry in order to have a common front to fight this monster of desertification gradually taking control of the state on a daily basis.

    The State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has over the years sustained the end of the month environmental sanitation exercise in order to improve the environment, keep the state clean and enhance the health status of the people. The agency encouraged families and people in the state to clean their homes and the environment at the village, community and state level. Non-Governmental Organisations, Community Based Organisations, Tipper Drivers Associations etc were supported with working implements, tools and logistics to participate in the exercise.  I have as a member of the State Monitoring Team, gone round during the exercise to see how these organization/associations puts into good use these working implements given to them.

    SEPA adopted a new concept of waste recycling as a means of utilizing the generated waste for other socio-economic activities such as farming, tree planting, source of raw materials to local industries etc. In the year 2013, an estimated 498 tons of sorted organic manure was sold to farmers and over one million naira was generated as revenue by the agency. This is in line with environmental management of Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle.

    Two mechanized street sweepers vans were deployed by SEPA to complement the existing effort of manual street sweeping exercise being carried out. This helped in keeping Katsina metropolis and other major towns clean and tidy. The agency engaged the services of labourers, both males and females in street daily sweeping exercise in the 34 LGAs of the state. This serves the dual purpose of keeping the state clean and reducing the unemployment in the state. This particular exercise has been commended by virtually every environmentalist in the state.

    Governor Masari must consider the need to maintain the current tempo of keeping the capital city and major towns clean and beautiful. Considering the fact that Katsina is the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, the inflow of visitors to the state will double if not triple. This will be further compounded by the fact the present governor was Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. We cannot afford to disappoint the citizen visitors; the state must be kept safe, healthier, clean and beautiful. The state must keep its name for heritage and hospitality.

    I have in the past three years taken time to observe and assess the comment and responses of most officials on working visit to Katsina State. Their rating of Katsina being one of the cleanest states in the country is a thing of pride and a pass mark to the state and must be maintained. The common sight of huge heaps of garbage in open spaces found along major cities in the country has long been forgotten in Katsina State. This well organized, prompt and constant sweeping and clearing of weeds from major roadsides and other public places has helped to keep the street clean, tidy and free from sand, polythene and debris is marvelous and needs to be maintained.

    Another milestone attained by relevant state agencies is in achieving a three-year flood-free record in the state. Of course, this is as a result of prompt and timely silt removal, evacuation of drainages, clearing of gutters, drains and water ways that has helped in free flow of water especially during rainy season, This particular exercise and the periodic fumigation exercise of the state capital, villages and towns have greatly assisted in the roll back malaria programme.

    The governor must consider the urgent need to review all obsolete environmental laws to effectively suit the realities of the day. For instance, the efficacy of a fine charged in the 70s and 80s cannot be effectively applied on an offence committed in the current reality of our time today. This clearly calls for the need to review such laws. The governor must encourage the speedy review and passage of such laws by the House of Assembly within the shortest possible time.

    SEPA should be empowered to carry out efficient and effective inspection and enforcement of environmental standards, monitor pollution in the environment, conduct research and demonstrations and assist local governments in their pollution control efforts. The agency must carry out premises inspection, house to house inspection, market inspection, hospital/clinic inspection, food and food premises inspection, industries inspection etc. The manpower and other resources constraints impeding the conduct of these inspections must be addressed.

    SEPA must sustain, re-jig and retool its environmental awareness creation activities. Sensitization which plays a very important role in environmental protection should be taken to educational institutions, markets, associations, households and facilities. The agency must take this exercise to a higher level through radio, television and other electronic media. The public should be informed on why it is important to redeem the environment by keeping our surroundings clean, not dumping refuse in drainages and water ways, using waste bins, disposing waste properly and replacing a felled tree with at least three other stakes of tree. Religious leaders and heads of institution in our mosques, churches and institution of learning should admonish their faithful and the students on the need to redeem the environment.

    The 20 lock up shops constructed by SEPA opposite Katsina state Hajj Camp to check indiscriminate hawking should be constructed in other strategic points all over the state. This is certainly a good innovation aimed at controlling street hawking.

    The 5 Roll On – Roll Off trucks and over 100 pieces of containers recently acquired by SEPA must be well utilized.  These trucks should be used for moving the containers to major dump sites in the major cities of the state, namely Katsina, Daura and Funtua. The 100 containers should be placed in identified indiscriminate dumpsites all over the state. This is a good innovation, considering the large number of waste generated caused by an increase in economic activities in the State.

    Environmental protection is a responsibility of all because a cleaner and healthier society is a wealthy society! The governor must sustain and maintain the current tempo already attained in the state, at the end day, posterity will hold only him accountable for all the achievements recorded during his reign.

     

    • Ahmed, an Environmental Enforcement Officer, writes from Katsina.

     

     

  • Amuwo Odofin seeks cleaner environment

    Amuwo Odofin seeks cleaner environment

    The Deaconess Modupe Ojodu-led administration in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State has called for cleaner, greener and safer environment.

    The local government, during the de-silting and clearing of drainage should not be a one-off exercise, but a continuous effort at saving the environment from environmental hazards.

    The local government, through its Environmental Services and Waste Management Department de-silted, cleared drainages and overgrown weeds at 21 Road, First Avenue, Second Avenue and Festac Link Road.

    It cleared blocked manholes at Fourth Avenue and 21 Road at Festac Town to prevent flooding.

    The perennial exercise was meant to protect the environment against natural disasters.

    The Head of Department, Environmental Services and Waste Management in the local government, Mr. Adeyemi Tella, frowned at the way residents abused the environment.

    He said the residents dumped refuse indiscriminately, burnt bush, among others, leading to the imbalance of the ecosystem.

    Tella urged the residents to beautify and enhance the aesthetics of their environment by clearing tertiary drainage, dispose their wastes properly and patronize PSP operators.

    He urged them to pay their waste disposal bills and desist from indiscriminate felling of trees.

     

     

  • NGO teaches pupils to care for environment

    In celebration of this year’s World Environmental Day, the Conservative Environmental Growth and Development Centre (CEGDEC) took out time to visit Oke-Afa Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, Jakande Estate, Isolo to educate the pupils on the need to take positive environmental actions.

    Addressing the pupils at the school’s assembly, the Founder, CEGDEC, Mrs Olayemi Maryam, urged the pupils to adopt an eco-friendly sustainable lifestyle.

    “Do an inventory of your energy usage, your consuming habits and your reliance on unsustainable products, make a list of ways you intend to curb your unsustainable activities and habits and replace them with sustainable ones, and set yourself a timeline to meet, with harder changes at the end of the timeline,” she said.

    She further said Nigerians had not been paying attention to their environment, which has created a lot of concern for environmentalists.

    She advised the pupils to read the labels of origin and manufacturer of goods they buy.

    “Are they certified as sustainable? Are they organic? For example, organic cotton clothing causes much less environmental damage than conventional cotton-growing methods; are they sustainably obtained? Such as with obtaining fish, are they locally made?  Don’t shoot down the people who are trying to make improvements, instead, get involved and help them,” she added.