NOA AND SWEEP FOUNDATION SENSITIZE LAGOSIANS AGAINST WASTE DISPOSAL

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Georgina Ibijoke Sanwo Olu had commended participants of a one-day “Walk Against Waste” for embarking on the exercise as a way to continually sensitize the people and create awareness on the dangers of improper disposal of waste to the personal hygiene of the people, environment and even to economic growth of the state. She called on residents of Lagos State to support efforts of the government to engender clean city and financial benefits in recyclable waste. The First Lady made the call after a three hours walk that terminated at the seat of Government in Alausa, Ikeja on Tuesday the 8^th of September, 2020.

Earlier while flagging off the road-walk at Obafemi Awolowo road, in lkeja, the Director, National Orientation Agency, Lagos Directorate, Mr. Waheed Ishola said that the walk is primarily to sensitise and educate the people on proper handling and disposal of their waste. He noted that studies had shown that Lagos with the highest population of people in the country, generates a very huge amount of waste, which if properly collected, handled and harnessed can yield a massive economic income for the government. He urged the people to see waste disposal as part of their civic responsibilities which must be done properly for ease of recycling instead of the indiscriminate ways of disposing same at all available water-ways, drainages and street corners. He further empahised that because of the coronavirus pandemic, it is of utmost importance for everyone to key into the proper environmental sanitation procedure, by disposing our waste properly so as to curtail the spread of the virus. The Director promised to work with SWEEP and make available all Agency’s platforms for mobilization and sensitization of the people because Cleanliness is next to godliness and a better Lagos is the dream of all.

In his welcome remarks, the President/CEO, Statewide Waste and Environmental Education Foundation (SWEEP) Amb. Obuesi Phillips said that the walk is to raise a strong voice of awareness against waste disposal in the city and Lagos at large. He noted that the government alone cannot manage it if the people are not properly sensitised on the disposal, handling and collection of waste; hence, the awareness campaign “Walk Against Waste”. He called on everyone in their little sphere of influence to join hands with the government in making sure that their waste is properly handled by making use of the various waste bins installed by the government. He further used the occasion to commend the various corporate organizations like NOA, YALI, LAWMA, Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council (LSCDAC) and PMAN for their support to the walk.

Other speakers at the walk were: Alhaji Amusat Azeez, Chairman, Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council (LSCDAC), Ms. Ruhamah Ifere, Coordinator, Young Africa Leaders Initiative, Lagos Network (YALI), Mr. Oluwakemi Sulaiman, AGM, Special Services, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Tee Mac and Uncle Obi both of the Performing Musician Association of Nigeria (PMAN) amongst others.