Lagos, German consul support group’s climate action in schools
Published By: Paul Dada
The Lagos State Government through the Office of the Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy and the Germany Consul General in the state have thrown their weight behind Lightout Highschool Initiative, LHI campaign on climate action and recycling to public schools.
The campaign was held at Ireti Grammar School and Falomo High School in Ikoyi in the form of a concert to sensitise students on recycling, using art and entertainment to drive the message.
Founder of Lightout Highschool Initiative, who also is a musician, Akinade Ibuoye, also known as Gaise baba disclosed that this edition is the 22nd, a major milestone in partnership with an international organisation, solely aimed at sensitising students on benefits of climate actions and recycling.
According to him, “there is actually more than climate action, it is just that this edition is built around climate action and recycling.
“As a musician who is conscious of the environment, conscious of my community, my nation. I want to sensitise other young people to make right decisions, make the right choices, that’s why we started this. We started in 2017, actually. We’ve gone to federal government schools. We’ve gone to private schools. Now we are going to Lagos State public Schools as well. We actually started from my alma mater, King’s College, in 2017.
“We’ve done 21 editions. This is our 22nd edition. This is the first time that we’re having partnership from an International organisation like the Consulate General of Germany. So it’s actually great to see the German consulate believe in what we’re doing and help us do better at it.”
The founder stated further “We promote values like delayed gratification to tell young people that you don’t have to get rich quick. You can wait. You can put in the work. There is value in hard work. Don’t do get rich quick. We tell them there is no need to do like Yahoo, Yahoo and all of that. You can actually put in the work and the wealth that you build lasts longer that way.
“We also promote abstinence; to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies. We are trying to reduce that. So we tell them that the best way to avoid that is to actually abstain until your marriage.”
Gaise baba lauded the Lagos state government support through the Office of the Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Mrs Titi Oshodi and, as well as the Education District III of the Ministry of Education.
In her remarks, the Program Officer at the Consulate General of Germany in Lagos, Udochukwu Okeahialam said:”this project speaks to the need to channel the energy and curiosity of our younger generation into productive, transformative activities. Through this initiative, we have seen students engage with vital issues such as climate change, environmental sustainability, and the importance of recycling-issues that are not only critical for Nigeria, but for the world.
“The Climate Action and Recycling Campaign Project is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-specifically, SDG 3 on good health and well-being, SDG 4 on quality education, and SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production. These goals remind us that sustainability is not a one-dimensional issue.
“Protecting our environment, improving our health, and promoting education are deeply interconnected challenges that require innovative, inclusive, and lasting solutions.”
