By Felix Kuyinu
The Lagos State Government has embarked on an initiative to ensure advancement in it’s vision to create resilience and sustainability alongside equitable and prosperous society.
The program billed to come up in second week of September was convened after a collaboration with Lagos State Safety Commission, LSSC, and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA.
The state’s Office of Sustainable Development Goals, OSDG, launched this year’s Lagos Sustainable Summit, an annual multidisciplinary forum, created to fashion to build sustainability in the metropolis.
During the event’s preview program held on Thursday at Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, the Special Adviser to the state’s Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sustainable Development Goals, Oreoluwa Finnih, informed that the initiative will sharpen the future of the state.
Finnih also disclosed that the upcoming event tagged “Building a Resilient and Sustainable Lagos” to be held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, would bring fresh impetus to the State Government’s drive to strategically reposition Lagos to become a resilient and sustainable city.
The Special Adviser mentioned that the event will host diverse range of stakeholders, including governmental bodies, private sector leaders, civil society organisations, and international partners who will converge to share ideas, generate fresh insights and collaborate on innovative solutions to address critical sustainability challenges.
The summit is expected to chart a course for Lagos to emerge as a pace setter for sustainable urban development anchored on social equity, economic prosperity and environmental stewardship.
According to Finnih, the OSDG, through the initiative, would oversee ethical business practices that must have positive social impact. She noted the importance of moral and social responsibilities in the quest of the initiative. According to her, taking such into consideration will help achieve economic growth in the state.
She said, “The Lagos Sustainability Summit would serve as a call to action and a roadmap guiding the State Government’s efforts to forge a prosperous, equitable and environmentally sustainable city where citizens would have the opportunity to succeed.
“As we stand at the forefront of a transformative journey, Lagos is launching a Sustainability Summit that stands as a testament to our collective resolve. The summit will focus on key areas that will demonstrate the Government’s commitment to sustainability, showcasing strategic initiatives and policies that reflect our dedication to sustainable development.
“Through the event, we will be fostering social cohesion by ensuring equitable participation of communities in sustainability efforts.
“We will be promoting ethical business practices that will enable positive social impacts, fair labour standards and community engagement initiatives that drive positive social impacts. The summit will enhance sustainable finance, while encouraging investments in projects that support the SDGs and integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria into financial decision-making.
“We seek to build resilient networks that support responsible waste management and local sourcing. and ethical labor practices.”
Finnih continued saying, “Human communities, more than ever, stood at crossroads, given the shift in global dynamics, impacts of climate change and technological advancement. This had been making cities devising innovative ways to make their communities thrive in emerging competitive environments.
“Lagos was faced with the choice to rise to the occasion in order not to be overwhelmed by global changes, creating a platform for innovation, adaptation and actions.
“The summit is not just about dialogues but about taking decisive actions that will shape the future of our city. This effort is not just for us, but for the children who will inherit this city and who will look to us, not just as leaders, but as guardians of their future.
“We would be worthy of their trust if we build a Lagos that is resilient, sustainable and above all, a city that is filled with hope,” Finnih concluded.
The General Manager, LASEPA, Babatunde Ajayi, uttered that the program was organized not only on intending to enhance sustainable business practices, but also to champion protection of the environment for the wellbeing of the city’s inhabitants.
Ajayi said that the youths in the state would be proud of the efforts being taken by the Lagos State Government to bequeath a sustainable city to them.
LSSC Director General, Lanre Mojola, said part of the targets of the initiative is channeled towards the government building a city with robust occupational safety and health standards.