Lagos State – Page 4

LAWMA, W.E.S.T. PARTNER ON WASTE MANAGEMENT TRAINING FOR YOUTHS

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has joined forces with the Waste and Environmental Sustainability Team (W.E.S.T) and the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), to drive an innovative waste management initiative, known as “The Waste Academy 1.0”. It is scheduled to run from August 21st to 31st, 2023, at the Pedro Primary School, Famous Bus Stop, Lagos.

The broad initiative is timed to coincide with International Youth Day, and aims to empower young individuals, with crucial skills in waste management and environmental sustainability.

Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, underscored the significance of the programme, in shaping the next generation of environmental stewards, noting that instilling “green skills” in young minds, could lead to lasting positive changes in waste management practices and environmental preservation.

According to him, “Supporting the Waste Academy 1.0 shows LAWMA’s commitment to nurturing a culture of environmental responsibility and waste management excellence. This initiative aligns seamlessly with our broader mission of cultivating a greener and more vibrant Lagos. It is in line with the mission and vision of LAWMA ACADEMY, established to raise and build young minds, such as the convener, who happens to be a product of the Academy, into opportunities in waste management, become environment ambassadors and continue to advocate for positive environmental consciousness”.

“It is no more news that waste is a resource, Nigerian youths should carve out a niche for themselves in this creative industry and provide sustainable waste management solutions with the avalanche of raw waste materials that can be upcycled into something more valuable. Planet 3R, Waste Museum and a host of other creative individuals, have sprung up through initiatives such as this. This is indeed a laudable initiative”, he noted.

He therefore urged young people to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the event, for learning, collaboration, and making meaningful contributions to a sustainable future, adding that the program promised to equip the youth with essential skills, that could have a lasting positive impact on their communities and the environment.

Convener of the programme, Suliyat Ogun, herself a graduate of the LAWMA Academy and Senior Special Adviser on Environmental Health to the Chairman of Bariga LCDA, is the driving force behind the initiative. With a profound understanding of waste management, she aims to provide a platform for young people to channel their creativity and innovation towards addressing pressing environmental challenges.

The Waste Academy 1.0 comprises a diverse range of activities designed to engage and educate participants, including: arts and crafts, field trip and excursion, film and documentary screenings, networking opportunities, upcycling workshops, exhibition and community engagement.

The programme promises to offer a lasting experience, equipping youths in the state with practical knowledge and hands-on expertise in waste management, to foster a culture of environmental responsibility.

A beneficiary and secondary school student, Temilola Olukunle, commended the convener, noting that he had found a new promising career path, while a youth corp member, Mrs. Ojomu Taiwo, disclosed that the event had raised her hope of venturing into the business of recycling.

LAWMA Academy, which is the educational hub of the Authority, came into being three years ago, saddled with the specific responsibility of teaching waste management and environmental sustainability, to the children and youth, with the aim of making environment ambassadors of them.

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LAWMA ACADEMY ORGANISES SUMMER SCHOOL FOR PUPILS

LAWMA Academy, the educational arm of Lagos Waste Management Authority, has organised a four-week summer school, for children aged 8 to 12, with the aim of teaching the younger generation the fundamentals of effective waste management. The four-week programme began on 31st July 31, 2023, at the Authority’s headquarters, Ijora-Olopa.

Commenting on the programme, the managing director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, noted that the summer school was organised to educate the younger generation, on the need to imbibe the culture of proper waste management, to teach arts and crafts, upcycling, as well as expose them to indoor and outdoor sports, field trips, among other activities.

He said,
“The Summer School programme is designed to educate children from the tender age on the concept of waste management and environmental sanitation, raising ambassadors for a cleaner and healthier environment with seasoned facilitators in a conducive learning environment. This will serve to train youngsters as conscientious environmental activists while also providing other enjoyable learning opportunities.”

Dr. Gbadegesin advised parents and guardians to always take advantage of the extended school holiday to enroll their children and wards in the summer school, adding that those who could not participate physically could join online.

The Academy’s team lead, Mrs. Elizabeth Ademola, noted that the summer school was designed to simplify the concept of waste and environmental management for children, to ensure that each child had sufficient and holistic knowledge of environmental sustainability practices.

Since inception, hundreds of pupils in the state have benefited from the LAWMA Academy’s summer school, acquiring essential waste management and environmental knowledge in the process. This year’s summer school is the third edition.

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LAWMA ORGANISES MEDICAL CHECKS FOR SWEEPERS

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has organised a free medical screening, for over 1000 sanitation workers (street sweepers) at the Authority’s headquarters, Ijora Olopa.

Speaking at the event, the Acting Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, noted that the exercise was a testament to the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, to prioritise the wellness of LAWMA sweepers.

He said, “Your well-being is our priority. Whatever happens to your health, will affect us in one way or the other. Therefore, we don’t want any ill-health to befall you. Today, your blood pressure, sugar level, urine and eye and hepatitis will be checked for proper diagnosis. The aim of this is to manage the health of our workers and detect early health issues.

Our sweepers are our heroes, we need to take good care of them. We have over 16,000 of them who keep Lagos clean everyday. Our aim is to ensure we capture all of them in this screening exercise and there will be followups. Some will be administered for consultation, some will be for referral, some will be given medications. All of these is to ensure their health is properly managed. We appreciate the Governor for his consistent support”.

The Medical Director of LAWMA, Dr. (Mrs.) Modupe Okoh, noted that the medical screening exercise was a demonstration of the state’s commitment to the welfare of LAWMA’s workforce, adding that early detection of diseases would go a long way in helping to manage the health of sweepers who work tirelessly.

One of the beneficiaries, Nafisat Rahman, appreciated the state government for the medical checks. In her words: “We do spend a lot on hospital bills, but with this kind of initiative, it will reduce it and we will be more aware of our health status. I want them to continue with this kind of exercise”, she said.

Another beneficiary, Godwin Imeh, said the medical screening exercise was a nice initiative. He encouraged the Authority to continue to prioritise the welfare of sweepers.

In attendance at the event were members of LAWMA’s management staff.

The medical outreach for LAWMA’s sanitation workers is a continuous exercise, with sweepers in other districts in the state set to benefit from the health screening.