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Tag: environmental

  • Group begins environmental boot camp for youths

    Group begins environmental boot camp for youths

    An environmental sustainability non-governmental organisation (NGO), ÈKÓ EnviroTalk, yesterday flagged off a five-day summer boot camp to educate youths about environmental sustainability.

    The summer adventure aims to help participants build green skills and lead the change for a better planet through interactive workshops and seminars, field excursions, and advocacy trainings

    Participants were drawn from the age range of 13-25 years.

    Speaking at the virtual opening ceremony convened in Lagos, Programme coordinator ÈKÓ EnviroTalk, Mr Lasisi Adedoyin, said the summer camp aimed to groom environmental sustainability champions.

    He said the 2025 Young Leaders for Sustainable Environment Programme (YLSEP) cohort will have the opportunity to build the skills and connections that will drive positive changes in their communities.

    He said the contributions will align with the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 11, 12, 13, and 15 for Quality Education; Sustainable Cities and Communities; Responsible Consumption and Production; Climate Action and Life on Land.

    He thanked the event sponsor, Gracefield Island and partners, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Centre for 21st Century Issues for their support towards the pursuit of environmental sustainability goals.

    Adedoyin assured the 2025 cohort that the programme will be an unforgettable week of learning and of taking bold steps towards a sustainable future.

    He said ÈKÓ EnviroTalk believes that young people can drive real change, adding that the mission is to make environmental issues understandable with actions through science communication and community-based projects.

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    He said the group is dedicated to nurturing a new generation of sustainability leaders, especially through knowledge products like this summer camp, creative competitions and youth empowerment initiatives.

    Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Office of Environmental Services, conveyed the ministry’s appreciation for the opportunity to partner with the NGO on the timely initiative.

    Represented by Mrs Ilori Temitope, said his ministry was deeply committed to promoting eco-conscious practices, strengthening climate education and empowering young people to build greener and more resilient communities across Lagos.

    He assured the organisers of the ministry’s continued support while thanking ÈKÓ EnviroTalk for its commitment to mentoring and nurturing young change makers.

    He explained that the programme aligned with the state government’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ development agenda saying that sustainability is not solely a government mandate.

    We must actively include the youths in shaping solutions, driving climate action and championing the course by spreading the sustainable messages within their respective domain, she said.

    He commended ÈKÓ EnviroTalk for its dedication to environmental education and advocacy towards empowerment of the next generation of leaders for building a more sustainable environment. Your passion and innovation are exactly what we need to chart a smart city of Lagos and a healthier planet.

    “As we gather here today, we cannot ignore the pressing challenges facing our planet. The climate crisis is no longer a distant concern; it is a daily reality from unprecedented flooding and plastic pollution to extreme heat, poverty and food insecurity; the signs are staring at us.

    “But alongside these challenges, we are also witnessing the rise of a new wave of courageous, visionary youth leaders like those gathered here who are choosing action over apathy.

    “I strongly believe that the participants of this program are part of the rising force that represents urgency, courage and the ability to reimagine what sustainability means in real and local terms,” he said.

    Oreoluwa Babajide, who delivered a goodwill message on behalf of Gracefield Island, outlined environmental challenges and how the bootcamp will provide long-term solutions.

    She urged the participants to continue being worthy environment ambassadors.

    Miss Gbemisola Akosa, CEO, Centre for 21st Century Issues commended the participants while reeling out interventions of her organisation towards environmental sustainability.

    She explained how the 2025 cohort would shape environmental sustainability actions that would make a positive impact to transform the world.

    The 25 cohort members drawn from across the nation took turns to list their expectations for the five-day event in order to be able to support and give back to the environment.

  • HOMEF urges policy overhaul to tackle Nigeria’s environmental, climate crisis

    HOMEF urges policy overhaul to tackle Nigeria’s environmental, climate crisis

    The Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey, has urged the federal government and stakeholders in the environment sector to critically examine and reform relevant national policies to address the deepening environmental, climate change, and socio-ecological challenges confronting Nigeria.

    Bassey made the call during the 2nd Nigeria Socio-Ecological Alternatives Convergence (NSAC) held in Abuja, noting that the convergence is focused on reviewing national frameworks as Nigeria’s social and environmental fabric faces increasing pressure.

    “The clarion call for action is urgent and critically existential,” Bassey said. “Nigeria understands that the struggle for change is not a sprint but a long-term, systemic overhaul rooted in accountability and justice.”

    He decried the continued delay in the universal adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Mother Earth and called for the recognition of ecocide as an international crime under the Rome Statute—alongside genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

    Citing evidence of ecological destruction in Nigeria, Bassey referenced the 2011 UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland and the 2023 Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission Report titled Environmental Genocide.

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    He also noted that the Delta State House of Assembly is currently working on legislation to recognise the personhood of the River Ethiope.

    “The vision of NSAC is a Nigeria where ecological integrity, social justice, and economic well-being coexist,” he said. “We must birth a Nigeria where the rights of nature are respected, where communities control their resources, and everyone enjoys clean air, safe water, and a healthy environment.”

    Key demands of the NSAC Charter include access to water as a human right, recognition of the rights of nature, inclusive policy development, a just energy transition, job transitioning, agroecology, biosafety and biosecurity, banning of GMOs, halting deforestation, and protection of wetlands.

    Also speaking at the event, environmental analyst Prof. Emmanuel Oladipo stressed that sustainable use of Nigeria’s natural resources is crucial for national development. He called for proper valuation and integration of the country’s environmental assets into the overall development planning process.

  • Ladipo auto spare parts market holds environmental sanitation

    Ladipo auto spare parts market holds environmental sanitation

    The leadership of the auto spare parts market, Ladipo Automobile Spare Parts Market, Mushin, Lagos at the weekend held an environmental sanitation with a word to its members to continue to keep the market clean.

    During the exercise,  the warehouses, units, and plazas in the market were shut from 7 am to noon to ensure compliance.

     The Chairman of the market’s Environmental Sanitation Committee, Mr. Chinoso Chufo, said the cleaning, which is held once every two months in obedience to the state Ministry of the Environment’s directive to keep the market clean, was the first in the year.

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     He added that the exercise entitled: ‘Special Environmental Day’ is different from the government’s order to clean markets on Thursdays.

      With the day held, he said, “We want the government to know that we are law-abiding people.”

    Chufo also said the traders would sustain the sanitation tempo, ando keep the market clean to attract more customers.

  • Nesrea seals 15 facilities in FCT for violating environmental laws

    Nesrea seals 15 facilities in FCT for violating environmental laws

    The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), yesterday sealed a total of fifteen facilities in the Federal Capital Territory FCT for various forms of environmental crimes.

    The Director General NESREA, Professor Aliyu Jauro said the facilities were sealed for failing to abate their environmental infractions after series of compliance concern notices had been issued to them.

    According to him, “The Agency had followed due process in clamping down on the establishments, again before enforcement, we embarked on compliance monitoring and issuing the necessary warning to defaulting facilities.

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    “Some of their offences include not conducting Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Audit and these are some of the measures which had been put in place to safeguard the environment.”

    Prof. Jauro frowned at the high level of non-compliance in the construction sector, where 12 facilities were sealed, pointing out that the refusal of developers to adhere to regulatory provisions had led to loss of lives and properties, assuring that the exercise will be replicated in all States of the Federation.

    The NESREA boss urged Nigerians to abide by environmental regulations and report offenders.