The Lagos-based Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st Issues) on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, took its pet project, the Environmental Bees Club, to Progress College located in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area of the state.
Simileoluwa Adewale, Facilitator of the project, in his remarks noted that it is essential to engage the pupils at a tender age so that they can be great ambassadors of environmental sustainability in their various areas even outside the school premises.
Speaking on the significance of the project, the Facilitator said: “Environmental Bees Club is aimed at raising awareness of environmental issues and ways we can solve them. These kids have an active role to play in the environment we live, hence the launching of this programme in the school.”
In his submission, Bamidele Ogundele Esq, the Supervisor of Education in Ojokoro LCDA, lauded the organisers of the project especially as it empowers the children in the area of converting waste to wealth.
“This is a very educative programme and I want to encourage the organisers to consider taking this wonderful initiatives to public schools as well so that children of those schools can also be beneficiaries of this, ” he advocated.
On his part, Jamiu Odebiyi, the Supervisor for Environment, Ojokoro LCDA, congratulated the management of Progress College for being the trail blazer of environmental advocacy among the schools in Ojokoro.
On the recent ban of styrofoam materials across Lagos State, Odebiyi said: “It is a very good move by the state government because according to findings, it takes about 1000 years before styrofoam materials can be decomposed and the flames coming out when burning it is hazardous to humans. Even at the level of our LCDA we also did some programmes sensitising people at the grassroots on the need to be on the same page with state government on the issue.”
Mr. Otuokpa Prince Joe, Principal, Progress College, in his remarks was full of praise to C21st Issues for choosing his school as the pioneer beneficiary of the programme in Ojokoro LCDA.
He said: “The lectures given by the speakers were very expository and it opened our eyes to the importance of waste recycling and waste management. I also want to appreciate Ojokoro LCDA for donating this wonderful waste bin to the school, this shows the importance they attach to maintaining cleaner and safer environment in the community.”
By Ajibola Adedoye
