As part of measures toward galvanising and mobilising young people toward a green environment, the Centre for 21st Century in partnership with Community Action Against Plastic Waste has launched an eco-friendly club tagged Green Club in Damiland School, Ogun State.
The event which was held in commemoration of World Environment Day had over 100 students from the school, and featured a seminar, on the planting of varieties of trees and a talk on the management of waste products.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of LASPARK, Mrs Adetoun Popoola said there is only one planet earth and everyone, including young people need to take care of the environment.
Popoola noted that tree planting helps to beautify, health and webbing and mitigate the growing effect of climate change.
While informing that tree planting is one of the cheapest nature-based climate action solutions, the LASPARK General Manager disclosed that there will be ceremonial Tree Planting at designated locations which will be done by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hazmat as well as their wives.
She added that trees will also be planted simultaneously across all 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas, the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the Environmental Agencies of the State Government.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the Centre for 21st Century, Titi Akosa said that the green club is an initiative of the Centre for 21st Century Issues under its Climate Action Project, designed to get young people engaged in action towards advancing environmental sustainability in Nigeria.
Akosa said “as a strong instrument of change in any society, young people will form different groups in selected private secondary schools, colleges and higher education. A member of the Green Club will be called, Green Champions and Green Ambassadors.
“They will be empowered through group discussion, training, seminars and debates, to be able to get engaged in several activities geared towards advancing climate action and global environmental sustainability. It will be a forum through which young people, particularly students can reach out to influence, and engage their peers, parents and communities to promote sound environmental behaviours,” she added.
She added that the club in each school will be made up of teachers, who coordinate the activities and motivate students.