- Preventing Floods Starts With You, Lagos Tells Coastal Resident
- Sojinu warned about harmful human activities
- Gaji says situation calls for urgent and coordinated action
The Lagos State Government on Thursday emphasized that lasting solutions to flooding in floodplain communities can only be achieved when residents adopt positive behavioral changes, Eko Hot Blog reports.
Speaking at the 2025 Coastal Community Advocacy Programme held at the Ikorodu Local Government, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji, highlighted that every individual has a significant role to play in preventing floods and ensuring the safety of coastal communities.
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The Permanent Secretary, who spoke through the Director, Environmental Education Unit, Mrs. Mosurat Banire, highlighted the theme of the programme, “From Awareness to Action: Enhancing Coastal Safety through Environmental Education”, noting that it strikes at the heart of various environmental challenges that directly affect the flora and the fauna.
“As we engage in today’s programme, let us move beyond discussions, let’s all walk the talk, imbibe attitudinal change, commit to sustainable actions in our lifestyles, influence others and be a change agent”, he said.
Dr. Gaji Omobolaji explained that Lagos, being a low-lying coastal state, is especially susceptible to flooding due to increased rainfall, rising sea levels, and poor waste disposal practices. He noted that these challenges put coastal areas at greater risk than ever before.
He pointed out that the effects of these issues are already evident, and the situation calls for urgent and coordinated action not only from government agencies but from all community members. He stressed the importance of community and stakeholder involvement.
According to him, community environmental advocacy goes beyond raising awareness. It drives behavioral change, empowers people with practical knowledge, and builds a sense of collective responsibility. It also helps residents understand flood risk management and early warning systems.
He added that environmental advocacy encourages good practices such as keeping drainage systems clear, minimizing plastic use, and strengthening collaboration between the government, local associations, and civil society to build long-term resilience.
Dr. Gaji emphasized that the state government continues to invest in drainage improvement, shoreline protection, and public education.
However, these efforts must be matched with commitment from the communities.
He also highlighted that preventing floods and ensuring ecosystem sustainability in coastal communities depends on market vendors avoiding indiscriminate dumping of waste, artisans refraining from building on flood-prone areas, and residents adopting sustainable sanitation and hygiene practices throughout the state.
Earlier in her welcome speech, the Deputy Director of Environmental Education, Mrs. Olufunke Olaleye, stated that flooding is now one of the most urgent environmental challenges faced by coastal communities around the world, including Lagos.
She noted that in recent times, several areas in the state have experienced flooding not only due to climate change but also because of human activities such as poor waste management, unregulated urban development, blocked drainage systems, and neglect of environmental laws.
The guest speaker, Dr. Olasunkanmi Sojinu, Director of the Environmental Assessment Department, in his presentation titled “Man and His Environment – The Siamese Twins,” emphasized that Earth is the only planet that supports life and is humanity’s only home.
He warned that harmful human activities—such as burning refuse, air pollution from industries, generators, and vehicles, improper waste disposal, tree cutting, open defecation, and obstructing drainage systems—pose serious threats to the environment.
