WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2023

REPORT ON THE COMMEMORATION OF WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2023

In the spirit of commemorating the World Environment Day on 5th June 2023, the Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Environment (NREE) of the International Law Association- Nigeria Branch in Partnership with Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (OGEES) and Triple Green Environment Development (TGED) organized a 2 day event to wit: an awareness campaign in Ado Ekiti, the state capital of Ekiti State and a Webinar with the title Solutions to Plastic Pollution.

The purpose of the campaign was to create awareness on the solution to plastic pollution in Ekiti State. It was an initiative carved out of the theme for the World Environment Day 2023 – “SOLUTIONS TO PLASTIC POLLUTION”.

The program kicked off at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Odo-Ado, where the brain behind the event, Oluwaseyi Ebenezer, Chairman of the Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law Committee of the International Law Association and the team lead of TGED Foundation gave the welcome address. She recognized all personalities and agency officials present and appreciated everyone who had come to participate in the program, especially the youths who are mostly the major victims of the effect of the plastic pollution.

After the short and soothingly-soft speech, the Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University; Professor Smaranda Olarinde declared the awareness campaign open while urging the members of the public to take environmental issues very seriously. Also, a  representative of the vicar of the Anglican Church, Odo Ado, the church that was used as a converging point commented on the importance of environmental awareness and commended the organizers for the program. 

The procession out of the Church premises began at about 8:40am. Participants went through Odo-Ado to Mathew street, Ado Ekiti. Many participants were carrying placards and banners with several inscriptions passing a message on the sanctity of the earth, the need to keep the environment clean, how to reduce plastic waste, what to do with plastic waste, the effect of plastic pollution, the longevity of plastics in the soil and many more. Members of the TGED foundation, ABUAD, and some organizations present wore branded T-shirts with “BEAT PLASTIC POLLUTION” in its front. The participants proceeded down to Ejigbo, Oke Isa and Oke Iyinmi junction, Ado Ekiti. Members of NYSC, TGED, OGEES and NESREA sensitized members of the public in a slowly moving truck through a public address system on the effects and solutions to plastic pollution in three different languages – English, Pidgin and Ekiti dialect. 

In attendance were persons from Afe Babalola University including the University’s Vice Chancellor – Professor Smaranda E. Olarinde, the Deputy Vice Chancellor – Prof Sylvester Ojo as well as Professor Sesan Fabamise from the University’s College of Law. Also in attendance were members from Triple Green Environmental Development (TGED) Foundation, the Institute of Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (OGEES), members of National Youth Service Corps, students of the Faculty of Law Ekiti State University, members of the EKSU LEO Club, students of Fountain School, Representatives of the Federation of Ekiti State Student Union (FESSU) EKSU chapter, representatives of National Environmental Standard Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the members of the Nigerian Police Force who coordinated the walk along the busy road.

The walk proceeded to and ended at Fajuyi pavilion, Ado Ekiti where various stakeholders in the environment sector in the State are gathered in commemoration of the World Environment Day 2023. General Managers, State Coordinators and members of environmental agencies, bodies and organizations in Ekiti such as the State Ministry of Environment, NESREA, Green Global, EKSWAMA and SEPA were present. Permanent Secretaries of various parastatals such as the ministry of Women Affairs, Housing, Urban and Rural Development, heads of market women and others were also present.

The Chair, NREE Committee of ILA Nigeria Branch, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Ebenezer urged Ekiti State Government to intensify efforts to save the environment and support the celebration of the World Environment Day every year. She asked for collaboration with the government because there are numerous local and international opportunities that can be leveraged on by the state government to actualize the dreams of an environmentally safe Ekiti State. 

THE WEBINAR: SOLUTIONS TO PLASTIC POLLUTION. 

On the 6th of June 2023 the NREE Committee of the ILA Nigerian Branch, in partnership with Afe Babalola University, Institute of Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development and Triple Green Environmental Development Foundation, organized a webinar with the theme: “Solutions to Plastic Pollution” in line with the theme of the World Environment Day 2023. 

The Webinar featured two sessions. First, is an interactive session with Prof. Christina Voigt – the Chairman, IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law, anchored by the Chairman of the NREE Committee of the ILA Nigerian Branch. During this session, the learned professor aptly uncovered practical ways to solve the menace of plastic pollution. She identified, in the course of her speech, that it is true that it can be practically difficult to explain important environmental concepts to people at the grass roots because of the technical and scientific terms used in the field. Also, she suggested that it is important to reach out to Government and decision makers to incorporate environment and climate change in the learning curriculum from basic to higher levels of learning. On circular economy, she explained that both the bottom up and top down approach should be explored.

The second session featured two speakers– Dr. Isa Elegbede and Dr. Adenike Akinsemolu. The session was filled with informative, educative and expository content on the possibilities of transcending into a circular economy. 

At the end of the session, questions were asked by the participants and answered by the speakers. Attendees include members of ILA, civil societies, Academians, students, members and officials of environment and climate related organizations and legal practitioners among others.

The webinar was highly educative and wide in scope as it discussed plastic pollution solutions both at local and international levels. 

INTRODUCTION

Earth Day is an international day devoted to our planet. It draws attention to the environment and promotes conservation and sustainability. World’s Earth Day is observed annually on 22^nd of April to create awareness among people about environmental protection. Every year the day is celebrated under a specific theme and this year’s theme is “Invest In Our Planet”. 

A clean environment is the key to the existence and survival of life on planet earth. Maintaining a clean environment reduces pollution, preserves our biosphere, protects endangered species and helps preserve the earth’s natural resources. A cleanup program cannot only reduce pollution, but by sorting neighborhood trash and recycling as much as possible can help to teach residents about recycling and other activities that will reduce the neighborhood carbon footprints. Cleanliness is important for it builds up a healthy environment that facilitates physical and mental well-being and growth. Every piece of trash that is taken away to be recycled or deposited in a landfill that is properly managed means there is one less dangerous item for birds, turtles or whales to swallow. Cleanups also restore these creature’s habitats. 

It is based on the foregoing that Triple Green Environmental Development Foundation (TGED Foundation) in collaboration with other stakeholders commemorate the World Earth Day 2023 with the theme “INVEST IN OUR PLANET” by organizing cleanup & sensitization programme at Oja Oba axis of Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. The program was aimed at educating and sensitizing the people and traders in the market on how to keep our environment clean. The sensitization was also taken to the car park (Old garage) whereby the group also sensitized the drivers on how to manage their waste.  Market women and road transport workers who have been identified as the highest generators of waste in Ekiti State were sensitized in different Nigerian languages on the need for a clean and healthy environment for the betterment of the people in Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole.

STAKEHOLDERS IN ATTENDANCE

• Ekiti State Waste Management Agency (EKSWAMA)
• National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA Ekiti State Office)
• National Environmental Safety, Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA Ekiti Office)
• Ado Metropolitan club
• Ekiti Unique Leo club
• Ekiti State University Leo club
• FESSU EKSU
• JCIN EKSU

ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT

• Awareness creation & Sensitization.
•  Clean-up activities.

WELCOMING ADDRESS/ GOODWILL MESSAGES

The programme started at 9am with Mr. Omojola Odunayo representing TGED Foundation Team Lead introducing the Foundation and explaining briefly the theme of the Earth Day 2023 to everyone present at the program. He also went further to thank everyone at the program for taking time out of their busy schedule to attend the program. This was followed by goodwill messages by the representatives of some of the invited organizations.

Mr. Akinola Gbenga from NESREA in his speech addressed the people and told them waste is not a waste until it is wasted. He said it is very important to dispose of our waste properly. A properly disposed waste does not only help the environment clean, it also helps build our mental health and keep us away from deadly disease. He went further to state that when waste is not disposed properly, it can leak harmful pollutants into the air, soil and water and this can cause environmental damages as well as impacting people’s health negatively. Indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainages also causes erosion and flooding when they block the drainages rendering us homeless. Proper waste disposal helps to prevent this. 

Engr. Olofin Olaleke, the Director of Operation of EKSWAMA, in his message, appreciated TGED Foundation for organizing the sensitization programme, he also acknowledged the organization present for the cleanup/awareness programme. He went further to explain why it is necessary to keep the environment clean and how to manage our waste by disposing of them appropriately to avoid erosion and contaminating the environment, preventing blockage of the drainages during the rainy season.

All the organizations that came for the programme moves round the market, clean it up and also sensitize the traders on the importance of taking care of their environment, encouraging them to always keep their environment clean and dispose of their refuse properly. 

Join Us AS We Celebrate World Environment Day 2023

World Environment Day is a global platform for inspiring positive change. It aims to inspire more people than ever before to take action to prevent the growing strain on planet Earth’s natural resources, halt the degradation of ecosystems, and restore them to achieve global goals.

It is our collective responsibilities to protect the earth. Only healthy ecosystems can we enhance people’s livelihoods, fight climate change, and stop biodiversity collapse.

Join us as we take action to tackle plastic pollution.

Date: 5th June, 2023

beatplasticpollution

WED2023

Join us on World Environmental Day 2023 for a virtual event focused on finding solutions to the global issue of plastic pollution!

LINK TO REGISTER:
https://bit.ly/ilawed2023

The year 2022 was a very impactful year for TGED Foundation. We were able to collaborate with both the state and non state actors as well as the academics to drive impacts and we are happy to be able to directly impact more than 5,000 beneficiaries across Ekiti State Nigeria through our various initiatives. Our initiatives ranged from tree planting, climate education, waste to wealth training, clean ups, road awareness sensitisation campaigns, advocacy visits, seminars and workshops.

We believe that this year 2023 will be more impactful than last year and more beneficiaries will be reached through our various initiatives. We want to say a big thank you to all our partners and donors. We also want to solicit for more support, donations and collaborations to enable us make 2023 a more impactful year.

At TGED Foundation, we believe that achieving a sustainable environment is everybody’s business because we only have one planet and thus, we all have a role to play.

INTRODUCTION

Tree planting remains a very important tool in keeping the planet healthy, its benefit to man and his environment goes beyond ventilating the environment , it also helps to distribute oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide and also serves as a home to different organisms on earth.
As the fight against climate change and deforestation continues, TGED Foundation in partnership with Ekiti Forestry Commission was present at the palace of His Royal Majesty Oba Adewunmi Daramola Oyinyosaiye Igbemo II to continue the Ekiti 5000 tree planting activity on the 23rd of August 2022, the tree planting activity is aimed at fighting the increased rate of deforestation and also fight climate change and global warming in the different parts of Ekiti state.

ANALYSIS OF THE PRESENTATION

The activity started with a welcoming speech by HRM Oba Adewunmi Daramola Oyinyosaiye Igbemo II where he expressed his gratitude to the members of TGED for bringing such activity into his community. He prayed and hoped that such tree planting activity will not only be of advantage to the vegetative aspect of the community, but also serves as a future investment for the future generation.

The tree planting activity continued with a speech by the team lead of TGED Foundation, Mr. Omojola Odunayo who expressed his pains for the rate at which deforestation has continued to prevail across different parts of Ekiti state. He warned that if such action persists, the effects will be very disastrous and lives will be in danger. In order to curb this incident, he urged everyone present to always plant trees.

After the speech, 100 seedlings were officially handed over to the Oba which comprises Afara and Gmelina species. The planting of the seedlings was practically done by the Oba himself , and assisted by the entire team of TGED foundation and other council of chiefs.
After the tree planting, TGED team Foundation thanked the Oba for his cooperation and urged everyone present to take the tree planting activity seriously . Some of the chiefs also encouraged others to put more effort in making Ekiti State a better and well afforested state.

STAKEHOLDERS PRESENT AT THE EVENT:

• Akapo Oro of Igbemo Alhaji Amusa,
• Chief Oladimeji OJo the chief of Ajigbotilu,
• Chief Aladejuyigbe E.O of Rotowa,
• Chief Adeusi Isaac,
• Chief Adeyemi Agamogo,
• Balogun Laisi Musa the vice chairman of Igbemo assembly among others

INTRODUCTION

Trees are rightfully called the ‘lungs of the earth.’ Life on earth would cease to exist if trees ceased to exist. This is because trees are responsible for sustaining the environment in several ways.Trees also release life-supporting oxygen and absorb harmful gasses like carbon dioxide during the process of photosynthesis. They also act as sponges by taking in toxic emissions and other pollutants, released into the atmosphere by industries and vehicles. The roots of trees help to bind the soil together thereby preventing erosion. The blatant and increased rate of deforestation is the primary cause of so many environmental problems in our environment. In addition to being the bearers of delicious fruits, trees are also the natural home of several species of animals, birds, and insects. Thus, the destruction of a tree implies the destruction of an entire ecosystem. It is however very saddening that trees are being felled in a very alarming way. Deforestation has become the order of the day and this is leading to serious environmental degradation. Sometimes it needs to be done and it has to be done fast. It is on this analysis that TGED team visited the palace of Ire Ekiti to donate 100 seedlings to be planted in the community and to sensitize and educate the stakeholders on the importance of trees.

ANALYSIS OF THE PRESENTATION

During the event, the Oba welcomed the team warmly and expressed his gladness for such an event. He further added that if such environmentally friendly activities in Ekiti state continues, Ekiti state will have a better vegetative environment like the city in Spain where he once visited some years ago. He also stated further that as a lover of trees, he will make sure trees are planted in his palace and within the community. He continued by telling his chiefs and other stakeholders present at the event that they should try and inculcate the habit of planting trees. He said the function of trees is not just to cut it down to make roofs, used for cooking, trees represent beauty, it is medicinal, it also protects the environment from erosion and other environmental chaos.

The program started with a speech by the Team Lead of TGED, Mr. Omojola Odunayo in which he stated that Ekiti state has long been affected by the impacts of deforestation and further expressed the need to adopt the habit of tree planting. This is because tree planting will help in the fight against so many environmental issues in the state. He further stated that the 5,000 tree planting initiative is to help in promoting afforestation and creating awareness across Ekiti state on the importance of tree planting and the negative effect of climate change. He stated that tree planting should not be a one-off thing, it should be a continuous exercise. By doing this, we are helping the environment get back to its sustainable form and it will also help the people of Ekiti State have a better afforested environment.

After the speech, the 100 seedlings were handed over to the Oba which comprises Gmelina and Afara species. After the presentation, there was a planting session where the king planted two of the seedlings together with his chiefs and TGED Foundation team lead.
In conclusion, the king once appreciated the Foundation for bringing such a wonderful program to Ire-Ekiti and prayed that God in his infinite mercy will continue to uphold the Founder and all the TGED team.

Also present at the event were:

High Chief Asaba Adelabu Adeyinka
High Chief Alawe Ologundudu Segun
Ajiboye F.A High Chief Ejelu
Kayode Abe, Eleekan Ire
Ojolo John, High Chief Ejio
Francis Adedipe, Oloja Oke
Ayeni John, High Chief Oniyein
Ajayi B.A, High Chief Olooro
Aliu Abdullahi, High Chief Olojoa Ire
Agbetuyi Francis, High Chief Arowa of Ire
Prince Adebuoyero Alonge
Olori Ebi
Other relevant stakeholders such as the town council members, community citizens were all present at the meeting. Various questions were asked which were all answered and they also contributed to the conversation.

INTRODUCTION
Tree planting remains the most reliable and best way of fighting climate change, global warming, and deforestation. It is the best environmental friendly action towards achieving a natural and a well ventilated planet. Trees have many importance on our planet, they help in the trapping of carbon dioxide and also release oxygen to our atmosphere.

In continuation of the fight against climate change and deforestation , TGED in collaboration with Ekiti Forestry commission visited the Royal Palace of the Oba of Ifaki, HRM Oba Adegbenro John of Ifaki, and presented 112 seedlings of indigenous trees which comprises of Gmelina and Afara species.

ANALYSIS OF THE PRESENTATION

Mr. Omojola Odunayo, the team lead of TGED appreciated the kabiyesi for welcoming the program in his town. He went ahead to address the people present explaining to them the reasons why tree planting is very important. He said that many people really don’t know the value of trees, the essence of planting trees and its usefulness to people and the environment. He further explained that trees do not beautify the environment alone, trees help clean the air, it produces oxygen, and some animals also depend on trees for survival. He stated further that trees serve as a form of investment for our communities and for the future generations. He urged the people to inculcate the habit of planting trees.
After addressing the people, he went further to officially hand the seedlings over to His Royal Majesty, the Onifaki of Ifaki Ekiti and urged him to use his position as the head of the community to encourage his people to indulge themselves in afforestation practices as this will not only benefits them, it will also serves as a gain to the future generations.

The Oba expressed his gladness and appreciation to the entire TGED team and encouraged everyone to put more effort in making our planet a safer one , stating that trees don’t only serve as lungs of the earth alone, they also help in making our environment beautiful and well ventilated.

After the presentation of the seedlings, the king and all his subordinates proceeded to the garden for the planting of the seedlings. The Oba ended the program with a word of thanks to TGED for not only initiating such a beautiful idea, but also helping the future generation in having a better and well afforested environment.
Also present for the program are:

1. Chief A.R Bello, the Aro of Egun
2. Chief Famoroti G., the Aro of Iwore
3. The palace workers.

The fight against climate change can not be overemphasized. It remains a continuous process towards achieving a better and healthier planet. Human beings, especially children, must be mindful of the various actions that are carried out in the environment. This is because if proper actions are not put in place , climate change will exacerbate the inequalities that children are already facing, and future generations will suffer the cause. Educating children on climate change is therefore very important as it will enable children to have the knowledge of climate change, its causes, effects and find ways of fighting it.
TGED continued her Eco Savers School Project(ESSP) , which is targeted at helping to achieve a well healthy and sustainable environment through educating people , especially pupils on climate change. The ESSP team visited FRESH Waters Nursery and Primary School Ado Ekiti on the 22nd of July 2022 to educate the pupils on climate friendly ways of living.

The program began with a presentation where the presenter explained that the planet is losing its qualities more rapidly than expected, which is mainly as a result of man’s activities and also due to the various changes that are occurring in his environment. He further urged the pupils to be very attentive to all that were being taught that day and to follow the steps in making our environment a better place to be.

A climate change educational video was played for the children ,this was to help in educating the pupils about how urgent it is for us all to come together and fight climate change. This was followed by a pre test and post test questions segment, whereby the pupils were tested on their knowledge of climate change . Thereafter, rooms were given for the children to ask various questions on how they can help the society in fighting climate change and also how they can help in spreading the news about climate change.
In conclusion, the pupils were engaged in a brief practical session which involves teaching them how to reduce the effects of climate change. The practical involves teaching them how to conserve water by switching off the tap when not in use, switching off the light, proper waste disposal methods and also composting.
Climate change education is important, this is because it plays a paramount role in raising awareness and promoting behavioral change for climate change mitigation.

Clean up activities remain an important tool in ensuring a cleaner and pollution free environment for every life on earth. It is an activity that involves the collaboration of different people with like minds to come together and keep the environment clean and healthy. Clean-up activities help to raise awareness about the scale of the litter problem and get people thinking about changing their behavior and actions towards their environment. Clean-up actions is an effective tool that brings communities together by enhancing social bonds, and also gives them an appreciative view of their common environment.

In the quest for a cleaner and healthy environment and to commemorate the World Clean Up Day 2022, TGED Foundation , in partnership with Ekiti State Waste Management Agency carried out an environmental cleanup activity on the 17th of September 2022 which involves the collaboration of various agencies such as, the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, National Environmental Safety, Regulations and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) , State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), Ministry of Health, members of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), Peace corps, Man O War, Plogging Nigeria, students from Fountain International School, Olaoluwa Muslim Grammar School, and many other individuals who volunteered to participate in the activity.

The activity started with an opening remark by the representative of the Governor of Ekiti state. In his speech, he emphasized on the need to keep the city clean, he further said that keeping our environment clean can help reduce the chances of different diseases such as cholera and dysentery, as well as typhoid, intestinal worm infections and polio from affecting our communities. At the same time, he urged the society and every single person to work hard and make a difference in our society.

The activity which started around 7:30am at Fajuyi park , involves a road walk to various targeted areas such as Ojumose , Ojo Oba, Old garage, Ijugbo. To make it more lively, many who were fascinated by the event joyfully joined in the clean up activity. The activity came to a conclusion around 12 noon, it lasted for about 5 hours.
Ekiti Clean up event directly impacted over 500 people as these people were all involved in the clean up and sensitization of the community. The participants of the event expressed their joy in participating in such an event and hoped to continue in such a healthy act of cleanliness. These participants also indirectly impacted over 3,000 people in the community as they continue to sensitize people along the road, marketplace, bus garages and homes using different sensitization techniques such as word of mouth, flyers, posters, music and public address system. Different native languages were also used to sensitize people on the day so as to make the event more impactful.