LAGOS/Nigeria: In a significant move towards bolstering environmental sustainability efforts, the Lagos State Government has expressed its commitment to collaborating with Ekiti State.
This partnership was announced during a meeting with a delegation from Ekiti State’s Environment sector. The news was disseminated through an official statement signed by Kunle Adesina, Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Environment & Water Resources in Lagos.
Commissioner for the Environment in Ekiti State, Mrs. Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, led the visiting delegation, and they were warmly received by their Lagos State counterpart, Tokunbo Wahab.
Wahab emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing in the development of any aspiring state. He attributed Lagos’s success in the environmental sector to the dedication of its leadership.
He acknowledged that while many people embrace the campaign to sanitize the environment, there are some who resist change and continue to tolerate a dirty and disorganized environment. He highlighted the synergy between various agencies under the Ministry’s supervision, urging Ekiti State to replicate such cooperation.
He further outlined the determination of the present administration to transform Lagos from a state with a dirty environment to a mega and smart city. He likened this transformation to a necessary reset for a child used to sweetened milk, explaining that leadership involves guiding individuals toward their betterment.
Enforcement, he stressed, is a critical component for achieving set goals, as it can sway residents toward embracing change. Without proper enforcement of laws, development remains stunted.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, welcomed the Ekiti delegation and expressed hope that the visit would facilitate knowledge exchange between the two states. He emphasized that Lagos could learn from Ekiti’s challenges and successes, especially considering the unique challenges faced by Lagos in terms of land mass, migration, and population.
Mrs. Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, the Commissioner for Environment in Ekiti State, commended Lagos State for its remarkable achievements in the environmental sector. She expressed confidence that the knowledge gained from Lagos would greatly benefit Ekiti State’s environmental initiatives.
The delegation from Ekiti State aims to learn from Lagos in areas such as Solid Waste Management, Recycling, Waste Water Management, Environmental Regeneration, Conservation, and Climate Change. After their initial meeting, they proceeded to visit various agencies under the Ministry to further their knowledge-sharing experience.
This collaboration between Lagos and Ekiti States is a promising step toward achieving greater environmental sustainability and fostering development in both regions.
