As part of efforts to develop actionable solutions at the grassroots’ level to combat plastic pollution, the SDA and U-Recycle under African Youth for Environment (AY4E) Fellowship organised a two-day boot camp for students in secondary schools in Lagos.
The training according to the organisers, was to provide necessary skills and knowledge on how to create tide-turning project solutions aimed at reducing plastic pollution, mitigating climate change and advancing ocean conservation.
The seasoned changemakers and professionals educated the students on the fundamentals of how to create meaningful positive change in their schools and communities for the environment as well as create a platform to access global opportunities to advance their personal development.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS who was represented by Prof. Oluwole Familoni charged the participants to make use of what they have learnt at the camp in their everyday practice as environmental advocates.
He bemoaned the attitude of humans regarding pollution. He said plastic pollution and climate change are inseparable emphasizing that the issues are intertwined and each makes the other worse.
The Professor of Chemistry encouraged the younger students to develop a positive attitude towards their environment thereby becoming catalysts for change in the fight against plastic pollution.
The Sustainable Development Advocates (SDA), owned by Messrs Taiwo Adebiyi, is the first registered club in the University of Lagos solely on the SDGs advocacy and implementation since its inception in 2019 while the U-recycle managed by Miss Seyi Moejoh and Miss. Fathia Bello as co-Founder has been enjoying funding from the National Geographic Society grant with focus on influencing positive behavioural changes towards tackling issues of plastic pollution in Nigeria.
