LAGOS – The Department of Conservation and Ecology in the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, on Monday said that environment conservation clubs should be established in all schools in the state, to ensure a healthy environment.
Mrs Titilayo Raji, Head, Department of Conservation and Ecology, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the inauguration of the conservation club at the Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba.
She said that the establishment of such clubs in Lagos State schools would further complement government’s efforts in ensuring healthy environment.
Raji described students as change agents and future leaders, who were in a better position to sensitise members of their families on the need to avoid depleting resources of their environment.
“We are advocating that students in schools in the state should form clubs such as the conservation clubs.
“These students are in a better position to understand what we are talking about.
“And in the long run, they are expected to relate this to their parents and other members of their families, on why they should be conscious of their environment.
“If people do not know much about what a healthy environment is all about, it will be difficult to practise it.
“For instance, getting students involved would go beyond here, as they will assist in the advocacy efforts by spreading the news to families and friends, on the need to reduce waste generation.
“This is because if these wastes are more, they will constitute danger to the environment; we should rather concern ourselves about reuse,” she said.
Earlier, the Principal, Rev. Chris Ugorji, said that there was the need for positive environment action by all, to preserve the planet Earth.
Ugorji said that the inauguration of the school’s conservation club was in line with the advocacy by the United Nations to raise global awareness of environment issues and to stimulate political attention.
According to the principal, the inauguration of the clubs in schools will ignite public action and personal commitment to environmental preservation.
“The theme for this year’s World Environmental Day is `Seven Billion Dreams; One Planet, Consume with Care’.
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“Considering the importance of this, especially in sensitising the youth, the newly-established conservation club of this college, with deep interest in environment matters, wish to create a forum.
“This forum will enable participants to deliberate meaningfully on how best to manage the earth’s natural resources responsibly, especially in these young minds,” Ugorji said. (NAN)
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