Lagos State is to include environmental education into the curriculum as part of plans to ensure environmental sustainability, it was learnt.
Special Adviser to the governor on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, at a stakeholders’ engagement yesterday, noted environmental innovation would address challenges the world is facing.
He noted engaging stakeholders is crucial in attending to the complex and dynamic environmental problems which require flexible and transparent decision-making.
“Innovation has always been the driving force behind progress, and it is no different when it comes to tackling environmental issues. Today, we have the opportunity to harness the power of innovation to address climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and other pressing environmental concerns…”
Permanent Secretary (Environmental Services), Gaji Omobolaji, represented by Director of Sanitation Services, Hassan Sanuth, noted stakeholder support is not a one-time event but a continuous process.
“Regular interactions, feedback loops, and effective communication are essential to maintain momentum and ensure long-term commitment. By involving stakeholders, we can secure their ownership and facilitate implementation of expanded environmental education and innovative solutions in schools”, he noted.
Gaji added: “Every stakeholder brings unique perspectives, expertise and resources to the table. By harnessing our collective power, we can drive change and overcome the complex environmental problems in our society.
‘’To embark on a successful journey of collaborative engagement, there is need to establish an inclusive and transparent platform for dialogue, open discussions and exchange of ideas to build relationships and lay the foundation for a well-grounded partnership…”
Director of Environmental Education Unit, Mrs Monsurat Banire, said the stakeholders’ engagement was to bring all on board to share knowledge, design programmes and take actions to make the state sustainable for everyone to live in.
She said: “The government doesn’t work in isolation but tries to bring partners on board to understand what we are doing and why we need their support.
“We are expanding our environmental programmes to involve more pupils in primary and secondary schools, and so we need partners and sponsors… We need people to have a change of attitude and cultivate the right etiquette so we can sustain efforts at keeping our environment healthy and livable”.
Mrs Banire also hinted that plans are on to inculcate the expanded programmes into the school curriculum to give the programmes greater footing for the coming generations.
She added: “When the Environmental Bees Club was launched in 2021, we introduced the non-examinable manual as a unique way of teaching the pupils. It was also done during the extra-curricular activities. But now with the expansion, and in partnership with the six educational districts, Ministry of Education and other relevant MDAs, we are looking to making it a part of the school curricular so that it will be a continuous learning for the pupils.
