Sanwo-Olu urges stakeholders to join efforts to make the environment safe

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, called on stakeholders, environmentalists, and young persons to join in the effort to make the environment and the world green, habitable and safe.
 
The Governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello at the launch of the “Trees from Art in Lagos State”, held at Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos, said the Government cannot achieve all these alone. 
 
He urged everyone to brainstorm on the ways effects of climate change can be mitigated and how to ensure that the environment is clean, green and free of harmful toxins.
 
Sanwo-Olu spoke further saying, “In the words of Bill Gates, climate change is a terrible problem and needs to be solved. While we cannot and should not continue to fold our hands and watch our societies deteriorate as a result of climate change, we should take time to acknowledge those taking deliberate actions to sensitise us and proffer solutions to this challenge”. 
 
He noted that the Government has focused on initiatives, programmes and policies that will protect the environment and also reduce the impact of climate change in the State, Country and the world at large.
 
Acknowledging that climate change has led to more unprecedented variation in weather patterns globally, as exemplified in the repetitive Sahara Dessert Snowfall, Sanwo-Olu maintained that everyone cannot continue to ignore or deny the harsh realities climate change is having on the environment, weather, agricultural sector and all other spheres of life because the effects are visible to all.
 
He stated that each year, different testaments prove that government needs to do more to address climate change, adding that since 2008 the State has observed July 24 as Tree Planting Day in Lagos. 
 
The Governor explained further that through the initiative millions of trees have been planted and an increasing number of people are being enlightened on the need to embrace the culture of tree planting for a sustainable and healthy environment. 
 
He stressed that the Government has actively ensured that all drainage channels are cleared for the free flow of water to reduce flooding and its devastating effects. 
 
“I am particularly thrilled with this ‘Trees from Art in Lagos State’, initiative because it is in sync with the ‘Naija Climate Now’ plan to support Climate Change Adaptation, Green Entrepreneurship, and Environmental Education in Nigeria”, he said.
 
He said the initiative will also begin with Climate Education and the Planting of 100,000 trees in secondary schools.
 
Expressing appreciation to Solution17 for Climate Action and the delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria for partnering with Lagos State to launch the initiative, Governor Sanwo-Olu also acknowledged the efforts of the founder of Nike Art Gallery, Nike Davies-Okundaye and other personalities in the art and green energy space.
 
The Governor said the initiative will be a perfect opportunity to get the young adults to take action and responsibility for the environment while helping to restore green life quality in school communities and reducing the effects of climate change in society.
 
He envisaged that the initiative will mobilise young people and inspire them to care better for the environment while preparing them to become green innovators, creators and technologists for climate change.