The District Governor, Rotary International District 9110, Rotarian Ifeyinwa Ejezie has said that the enormous responsibilities to make the earth safer and more resourceful are in the hands of everyone, and not just the government.
She made this statement at the event to observe the 2023 World Cleanup Day organized by the Rotary District at Ojuelegba, Lagos on Saturday, September 16, 2023.
Rotarian Ifeyinwa Ejezie, while declaring open the activities to mark the day, reiterated the importance of environmental cleanup.
“The exercise will promote a better human health and improve the environment’s socio-economic values. The environment is our home, if the environment is not healthy, we will not be healthy either. More importantly, cleaning the environment is the key to the existence and survival of life on earth”, said DG Ejezie.
Praising the Lagos State Government for its contributions and efforts in ensuring a Cleaner and Greener Lagos, the DG said; “Lagos State government is trying its best in ensuring a better and cleaner environment and the government over the years has put much effort and resources in this regard which are visibly yielding results in many areas, however, the government cannot do it alone, people must also know that they have to play vital roles in keeping the environment safe and cleaner. We owe the earth great responsibilities to make it better. We need to know that it is not proper to throw waste indiscriminately, we should know that we have to be throwing away thrash in the proper bins to keep our surroundings clean. We must also understand how to reuse and recycle materials to reduce waste and pollution.”
In her remarks at the event, the Chairperson, Support the Environment Committee 2023-24, Rotarian Delight Sunday-Anicho, said the event is “an advocacy effort aimed at getting people to change their minds about how they deal with the environment which normally cause adverse effect, and the possibility of converting their waste to wealth.
“The earth is our home. Let us protect it, and earth is irreplaceable. Let us cherish it. Do not block the drains with waste. It is our collective responsibility and duty to prevent flooding and other environmental hazards”, Rotarian Sunday-Abuchi added.
Rotary International District 9110 comprises all the Rotary Clubs in both Lagos and Ogun States. This year's world cleanup Day’s theme is ‘Let’s Do It World’, for managing solid waste and cleaning up litter from forests, rivers, streets and beaches.
World Cleanup Day unites millions of volunteers, governments and organizations in 197 countries and territories, to tackle the global waste crisis and to help create a new, more sustainable world. This year’s event of Rotary International District 9110 World Cleanup Day was supported by the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Nigeria Police Force, among others.
The activities of the day saw Rotarians in their large numbers cleaning the streets of Ojuelegba to Tejuosho Market areas in Lagos.