As part of efforts to combat plastic pollution and promote recycling, Kreative Arts for Community Empowerment (KafComE) held its Global GreenGrants Fund (GGF)-supported Arts for Environmental Community Awareness Campaign.
The campaign, which featured a rich blend of arts, music, film screenings, stage plays, poetry, dance drama, and hands-on activities, took place at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, and extended to Ifako Oworonshoki community, Monkey Village community, and several secondary schools in Lagos.
The campaign highlighted environmental education and action programmes to be undertaken for a plastic-free environment in the various communities.
The closing event featured the Ecozone Club Environmental Reporters Award, where Ambassador Willie Workman Oga, founder of KafComE, was honored with the Award of Excellence in Environmental Leadership by the Ecozone Environmental Student Reporting Club.
The award was presented by Anthony Oligbo, founding lecturer of the club, alongside Dr. Alexander Akhigbe, a facilitator, and a staff member of the institute.
Key facilitators of the campaign included Ambassador Oga; Prof. Nkechi Onyeka Jaivbo-Ojigbo, an educationist and author; Abirero Idogho Ohwobete, a climate activist and physio expert; and Dr. Akhigbe, founder of African Cleanup Initiative.
According to Oga, the campaign focused on three thematic areas: the 3 Rs of waste management — Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle; plastic pollution and understanding how plastic waste harms the environment, waterways and health; and tree planting and peace building.
The tree planting advocacy emphasized the importance of trees for clean air, shade, and climate resilience, with a practical planting session undertaken during the campaign.
Participants were also educated on recycling plastic bottles for self-sustainability, with students taught simple, safe ways to turn plastic bottles into useful items like planters, pencil holders, and small income-generating crafts.
In each of the communities and schools visited, the organization inaugurated Community Environmental Youth Vanguards to monitor, collate pet bottles and encourage a plastic pollution-free environment.
“This programme aligns with Nigeria’s environmental education goals and will equip students and communities with practical knowledge they can apply at home and in their various communities in protecting and ensuring a greener and healthy environment,” Oga said.
He thanked Global GreenGrants Fund for its instrumental support of the campaign, noting that it has created a positive response in changing the mindset of individuals in handling the environmental effects of plastic pollution and recycling in Nigeria.
