Concerned about the alarming global warming and climate changes affecting people locally and globally, the Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi Foundation has moved to ensure a safe, sustainable, and livable environment using clean energy in Nigerian households.
The monarch, whose foundation partnered with Smart gas Nigeria, a technology-based gas distribution company to donate cooking gas to women of the lkate community in Lekki, Lagos, was represented by Chief Olalekan Bakare, the Aro of Ikate Kingdom at the ceremony. Oba Elegushi has continuously championed environmental and welfare projects for his people and society.
The monarch said to reduce climate change and global warming requires collective effort, government, and stakeholders support, through sound environmental management and waste disposal. He said the campaign will reduce global warming, promote health and longevity of his people.
Chief Executive Officer, Smart Gas, Dr. Yinka Opeke, said the country is faced with different environmental challenges that constantly threaten people’s livelihood such as flooding, which is caused by the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in water channels and drainages.
“Research indicates that a major hindrance to the adoption of cooking gas in Nigeria is the initial cost of acquiring these cylinders and burners because over 70 per cent of our people survive on less than two dollars a day. The foundation decided to fund the purchase and distribution of these burners fitted with three kilogramme cylinders to bring this campaign to their doorsteps.”
She said “Our objective is not just profitability but ensuring measurable social and environmental impact through the campaign, and to reinforce our ESG-focus as a company. While we have high expectations from government and leaders, we also have our part to play by cleaning our environment and transitioning to cleaner cooking alternatives.”
“We partner with community leaders, government agencies, corporate organisations, religious institutions and well-meaning individuals to donate prefilled cooking gas cylinders to underserved communities as a safer alternative to kerosene, firewood and charcoal. And by collecting their trash, we educate them on the importance of a cleaner and healthier environment for their families. ”
According to her, the initiative has opened opportunities for recycling companies and budding recyclers. The use of firewood and charcoal for cooking not only impacts our environment negatively due to emissions but also our health because of the smoke we inhale, and the most affected are women and children.
LAWMA Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegeshin, appealed to the people to clean their homes and environment. He said the LAWMA has over 420 Private Sector Partnership (PSP) in communities that manage different types of waste with a fee but observed that most persons don’t want to pay these operators or cart pushers for their services.
He advised them to stop dumping refuse and wastes indiscriminately on the streets, road medians, gutters among others and ensure people live a healthier and stylish life now and in the future.
Director Saheed Ademola Elegushi Foundation, Ms. Aiki Odiawa, disclosed that over 200 women and families have benefited from the scheme funded by the monarch. She added that the lkate women who received gas cylinders in the trash for Gas project will in turn empower their families and the world at large.
