Oando Foundation Promotes Environmental Education in Lagos
In furtherance of its commitment to promoting environmental education and sustainable action for pupils in target schools and their host communities in Lagos State, the Foundation
Oando Foundation has extended the scope of the third phase of the Clean Our World (COW) Project in partnership with the Japanese Chemical Company, Sumitomo Chemical .
It is estimated that Nigeria generates over 32 million tons of solid waste annually of which over 30 per cent is plastic. According to the Foundation, education is an essential element of the global response to environmental sustainability with direct benefits in behavioural change, as well as improvement in learner achievements.
It noted that when environmental education is integrated into the curriculum, pupils are more enthusiastic and engaged in learning, which improves learner achievement in core academic areas.
“Creating awareness on recycling, environmental responsibility and sustainability will help explain, inform, motivate, persuade, and encourage beneficiaries in target schools and communities to embrace behavioral changes necessary for long-term impact,” it said.
Head of Oando Foundation, Adekanla Adegoke, said: “Implementing the third phase of the COW project with support from our partner, Sumitomo Chemical and other stakeholders has been remarkable.
“We are consolidating on the gains of earlier project phases, introducing tailored climate action lessons alongside other sustainability-focused environmental activities. Our aim is to equip these children with requisite knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully towards a cleaner world,” she said.
According to her, Oando Foundation continues to witness significant improvement in overall awareness and adoption of sustainable waste management and eco-conscious practices, with evident benefits at school and community levels.
She explained that for sustainability of the project’s gains, Oando Foundation is working with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board and GreenHub Africa Foundation (GHAF) to develop a Climate Action Environmental Education Syllabus and Lesson Plans to aid state-wide deployment of environmental education lessons using edutainment.
Also speaking, Head Teacher of Ajibola Ayedere Primary School, Okunade Deborah, said: “Before now, most of these pupils are usually idle when they are at home. The upcycling skills, which they have learned during this project has empowered their minds. Now, they have relevant activities to keep them busy.
“We thank Oando Foundation and GreenHubAfrica Foundation for focusing on these children and fortifying them with hands-on activities. They are now becoming innovative with things that they would have thrown away in the past.”
On her part, Mrs. Ajibola of Dele Ajomale Primary School in Oshodi-Isolo Council, who also spoke on the impact of the project, said: “The kids now appreciate the value that they can get from recycling. They have taken it as a culture to bring plastic bottles to the school and ensure that they are properly collated for collection.”
Launched in October 2020, the COW project aims to improve environmental education and recyclable waste management in target schools and their host communities across Lagos State with the knowledge of plastic recycling and waste management, whilst encouraging the adoption of eco-conscious lifestyles.
