18/06/2025
A healthy environment is crucial for human well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and social health, as well as economic prosperity. This saying is apt as Ibeju-Lekki Local Government today hosted the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in Epe Division for this year’s World Environment Day celebrations with the theme: *Ending Plastic Pollutions.*
The host Local Government Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa agreed that plastic pollution is indeed a major problem as he emphasized that if the source of a problem is known, then the solution is near while pleading with the audience to go back to their respective LGAs and LCDAs to campaign massively against the use of synthetic polymer which is a major cause.
Speaking further, Hon. Olowa talked about the attitude of the people towards waste disposal which seems like an ingrained culture because as a people, we generate excess everyday. He called on the people to take environmental sanitation with all seriousness while also calling for continuous support for the government at all levels.
In his welcome address, the representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Bolaji Fasasi, admitted that Plastic waste is one of the greatest pollutants of our environment which causes damage to public health and marine life. These factors, he said, pose great health risks and compromises the ecosystem which has great impact on the young and elderly.
The Managing Director of Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who represented the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Hon. Wahab Tokunbo, posited that the surge in population has led to commercial rise as Lagos State being the financial hub of the country sits on a small portion of land, accomodating a large number of people, leading to challenges of environmental sustainability.
Speaking further, he also enlightened the audience that plastics take 500 years to decompose which contributes to environmental degradation, but the Lagos State Government is leading the campaign to champion zero waste in its ecosystem.
The highlight of the event was presentation of awards for cleanliness to various CDAs as Adekunle Raheem Street, Epe came 3rd with the award presented by the Secretary to the Local Government of Lekki LCDA, Hon. Tosin Osinnuga, Divine Estate, Bogije came second as the award was presented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Fasasi and Michael Otedola Housing Estate, Odo-Iragushi, Eredo came first with the Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa presenting the award.
However, the Environmental Champions Award for the year went to the host Local Government, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government which was received by Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa.
Students of Ibeju High School also put up brilliant performance, highlighting the need for a plastic pollution free environment.
Other dignitaries in attendance includes, the Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Abisola Azeez, the Council Manager, Mr. Abiodun Oladipupo Otinwa, the Head of Department of Environmental Services, Mrs. Mary Akinola, Director, Admin and Human Resources, Mr. Sotubo Adeyemi Oladipupo, representatives of CDC, the National Youth Council (NYCN) amongst other dignitaries.
