… unveils Artnovation to boost climate change awareness among youths

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled a series of mitigation plans to ameliorate the effects of climate change and to ensure that the state remains at the forefront of climate action in the country.

This is part of the current administration’s commitment to sticking to working closely with experts, organizations, and the global community to combat and mitigate

This commitment was restated recently at the 10th Summit of the Association of Lagos State Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (ALARHOSPS) with the theme: “Climate Change: Man, Nature, and Threat to Life: Lagos State, a Case Study” which was held at the government secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, noted that Lagos State, as a dynamic and vibrant hub as well as a littoral state, faces unique challenges when it comes to climate change.

He added that the complex interplay between urban development, population growth, and environmental preservation demanded innovative solutions and decisive action.

“In addition, the state was willing to build resilient infrastructure in all public spheres that will see an immediate response to climate threats, ensure that the state has resilient communities, and be able to protect the vulnerable groups in our society”, he stated.

Besides, he stated that part of the 38 projects in the Climate Change Plan was to build an 18-kilometer embankment and sea walls, which would protect over 2.7 million people, 700,000 of whom were vulnerable populations, through more strategic partnerships.

In his goodwill message, Lagos State Head of Service (HOS), Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said that Lagos is a beacon of proactive change and a model for responsible coexistence, with its environment becoming a testament to the present administration’s commitment to safeguarding life on earth.

The HOS added that in combating the challenges of Climate Change in the state, the administration of Sanwo-Olu unveiled a five-year Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2020-2025 with the ultimate goal of achieving a zero-carbon Lagos with the expectation of transforming the state into an emission-neutral city by 2050.

“As responsible inhabitants of this planet, we have moral obligations to address the challenges posed by climate change, as it is crucial for us to take immediate and collective action to put in place measures to mitigate its impacts and create a more sustainable future”, Muri-Okunola assured.

In a related development, the government is set to improve awareness of climate change among students and Nigerians with the Art for Climate Change Project tagged Artnovation initiative.

The awareness initiative is set to kickstart a series of events, including a co-creation innovation hub, live marathon painting events, dialogue series, and exhibitions.

The Permanent Secretary, of Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Omobolaji Gaji, revealed this during a news conference on the unveiling of the Art for Climate Change Project.

The state government is collaborating with the Creative Youth Community Development Initiative – Solution 17 for Climate Action, and New York University, Abu Dhabi, to create more awareness on climate change, through the ArtNovation initiative.

Gaji said also said that climate change awareness and action would be promoted through an artistic expression project tagged: ”Art for Climate Change”.

The permanent secretary said the Art for Climate Change was a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between New York University (NYU), Abu Dhabi and the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) UAE.

According to him, the MOU aims to enhance the role of higher education institutions in knowledge-sharing, climate action, and youth engagement, in the lead-up to the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

”This is expected to increase the contribution of youths toward an inclusive and solutions-oriented climate conference”, Gaji noted.