Environmentalist advocates clean, greener city

The way to a greener Lagos and healthy city is for people to cultivate the habit of planting species of trees that are suitable for the environment. This was disclosed by an environmentalist and floriculturist, Olusola Adekoya, (Shodex) when he led a campaign for clean and greener environment to Greenland Estate, Mende, Maryland. Apart from his team cleaning the estate, it also gave out trees to pupils drawn from different schools in the neighbourhood. The campaign was part of activities marking his 54th birthday.

Adekoya, who is the founder of Shodex Garden, Town planning way, Ilupeju, Lagos said the campaign is borne out of a desire to see a country free of health challenges arising from climate change.

“Our NGO, Nature protection and environmental improvement initiative (NAPEIN) has a clear vision to campaign, raise awareness, build capacity, mobilise people and work in conjunction with government and other stakeholders. We are also in aligning people with the idea of changing the world by being environmentally conscious.”

Citing the example of Singapore, he said, “the country was able to achieve a clean environment within five years, and today, it is one of the best environment-friendly countries in the world today. What we need to do as Lagosians is to partner with government and corporate organisations in sensitisation. The government should do a lot of orientation and awareness, starting from schools, so that Nigerians would know the importance of a clean environment.

“As individuals, we must cultivate the habit of planting flowers in our houses no matter how small the compound may be.”

While commending former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola for his effort in tree planting, he urged Nigerians to see it as a personal responsibility. He, however, said that the task of a cleaner and greener city is a tripartite approach that would involve the government, corporate organisations and individuals working together.