SEYI FADORO
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide-Sanwo Olu, has taken environmental campaign to school communities to reiterate his government’s commitment to climate action and sustainable environmental education to actualise the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the state.
Creative Youth Community Development Initiative (CYCDI) created ‘Trees From Art-TfA’ in partnership with the Lagos State Government and the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria (AHK Nigeria) to champion climate education and the planting of 100,000 economic trees in Lagos secondary and technical schools.
TfA was launched by Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, on April 7, 2022, at Nike Art Gallery, Lekki.
In his goodwill message, the governor commended the initiative and used the opportunity to call on stakeholders, environmentalists, and all young persons to join in this effort to make the environment and world safe, habitable, and green.
The CYCDI CEO and Project Director, Foluke Michael, said that the Climate Action campaign began in January 2020 with Solution17 for Climate Action in Africa (CAA). The project was designed to spark creativity among young people in building the desired future through climate enterprises; the goal is to promote the natural environment, Green Entrepreneurs and prosperity in different communities.
The project, which produced 17 Climate Enterprises and 17 Climate Art, was launched by the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, on September 25, 2020.
In 2021, CAA scaled to Naija Climate Now with the support of the German Consulate, United Nations Information Centre for Nigeria and Sterling Bank Plc to develop solutions to climate adaptation, green economic recovery, and low-carbon development for Nigeria.
Trees from Climate Art, an offshoot of Naija Climate Now, was officially announced on November 1, 2021, at the Italian Consulate in Lagos during the unveiling of COP26 Virtual Climate Art Gallery. The event preceded Naija Climate Now Exhibition, hosted by Deputy British High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jones in October 2021.
TfA pilot phase began in February 2022 with School Inspection, Data Collation Activities, and set-up of the Creative Club50 in 40 approved schools in six Education Districts, with the support of the Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investments and Lagos State Ministry of Education.
“The pre-launch planting operation commenced on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. A total of 250 hybrid and traditional tress comprising Avocado, Tangerine, Orange and Mango were planted in Vetland Junior and Senior Grammar Schools, Lagos State Model Junior and Senior College and Caleb British International School”, Foluke added
TfA aims to mobilise young people creatively and innovatively to care for the environment whilst preparing them as green innovators, creators, entrepreneurs, designers and technologists for climate change. The project will introduce Hydroponics Farming and Entrepreneurship Education at the participating schools.
The Economic Trees will help restore life quality in school communities, contribute to the environment, reduce climate change, save water, purify the air, provide renewable energy sources, air conditioning, erosion control, reinforce soil and prevent water pollution.
Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, reiterated the ministry’s support for Solution17 projects in Lagos State through comprehensive school systems, sustainable education and climate-smart agriculture
At the event, Katharina Felgenhauer, Delegate of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria, stated that AHK Nigeria and its partners were pleased to be a part of the project and would continue to support it and the Lagos State Government THEMES’ agenda to build ‘A Greater Lagos’.
She confirmed the endorsement of the German Consulate in Lagos and the full participation and support of Weststar Nigeria Ltd. (Mercedes-Benz) and Big Dutchman Nigeria.
She said she was looking forward to onboarding more German companies in the coming weeks.
Managing Director of Big Dutchman Nigeria – a leading provider of innovative equipment for modern egg, poultry and pig production – Thomas Ogundiran, during his remarks, commended the initiative and its impact on enabling a more sustainable environment.
Speaking for Weststar Associates, distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, the Deputy Managing Director, Mrs Mary Ojulari pledged to continue to support initiatives that will foster growth, development and climate action.
TfA Innovation team is currently working to deploy an IoT device to monitor and evaluate the project.
The Device – DENTRA will be unveiled at the Lagos State Ministry of Environment by May 2022. Dentra incorporates cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence and leverages cloud computing. Dentra is an innovation from the Naija Climate Now, proudly supported by German Consulate in Lagos.
The event was also attended by Mrs Solape Hammond, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Investment, Mrs Adetoun Popoola; The General Manager of LASPARK; The German Consul General and Dr. Ngozi Omambala; the MD of NMO Management and other important dignitaries.
The TfA -Lagos is a step toward planting 10 million Economic Trees in Nigeria by 2030 in support of the net-Zero Agenda of the Federal Government by 2060.
