Climate Change: LASG, FABE Conclude 2-Day Training for Students, Teachers

BY_ Babatunde Kaka

This is the time to Change our Mindset – PS, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.

In response to the raging challenges posed by climate change, the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources in collaboration with FABE International Foundation have concluded a two-day training for students and teachers in public and private institutions across the six education districts of the state.

The two-day workshop, which was aimed at promoting a change of mindset towards creating sustainable eco-solutions to solve environmental crises through upcycling, recycling, and gardening held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

Guests at the psychomotor-based training which held on Thursday 10th – Friday 11th June 2021 include; the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Office of Environmental Services (OES), Mrs Belinda Odeneye, Mrs Banire MA, Director, Environmental Education Unit (EEU), Mrs Olaleye OE, Desk Officers from the six Education Districts, representatives of Primary and Private Schools in Lagos State amongst others.

In her opening remarks, the PS, Mrs Odeneye charged participants on the need for man to maintain a symbiotic relationship with non-human nature.

“We need to change our mindset. If you’re going and you drop your nylon bag on the floor, will it disappear? If you drop it on the dumpsite, it does not biodegrade. So, this is the time to change our mindset and think out of the box and say, what can we use to replace plastic and PET bottles. What we’ve learnt is that the earth doesn’t need you and I but it is we that cannot do without the earth”

She also reminded the trainees of the importance of afforestation to the environment, noting that it inspired the year 2021 WED celebration where practical climate action activities were being explored.

“I am imploring you, our students, our children, our future that you learn upcycling, recycling, gardening in school, at home, even in your room. Be creative, be innovative and teach other people. For sound health, we’re planning our future,” she said.

She was sanguine that the training would help educate students and teachers on sustainable eco-solutions to climate-related issues. “I want you to pay good attention to all these things you’re being taught,” she averred.

Also speaking, Mrs Banire MA described the EcoschoolsNG Project as part of the Environmental Bees Club practical activities that was launched in February by Lagos First Lady, Dr Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.

The club, she said, serves as an umbrella for World Environmental Bees Club, where all environmental activities are harmonized in both Public and Private Schools. “We’re also imbibing into the spirit of every one of us into the Greener Initiative of the Lagos State Government. This project helps to make us conscientious and concerned adults in the society and most especially engaging the youths of today to protect the planets of tomorrow,” she stated.

According to her, the objective of the project- Upcycling and Recycling, lays emphasis on the effective use of 10Rs of waste management, formation of new products from old ones, reducing the waste in landfills, reducing the cost of waste management, economic empowerment, and poverty eradication in the society.

Mrs Temitope Okunnu, the lead facilitator of the training and founder of FABE International Foundation, thanked the Lagos State Government for the immense support. She further disclosed that the EcoSchoolsNG project started in 2017 and had the support of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources in 2018, and consequently, the Ministry of Education in 2020.

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Mrs Okunnu further described the project as an Eye-opener to nature-based, practical hands-on, individual solutions to the climate crisis.

Both students and teachers who participated in the training admitted that it was fun, informative, and enlightening. They promised to relay the knowledge garnered for the benefit of their respective communities.

Ronny Ikpoto

Edidiong-Ronny Ikpoto holds a First Class degree in Media Studies. He shares a healthy enthusiasm for journalism, social & literary criticism, and creative writing.