LAWMA mobilises youth for cleaner environment

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has embraced youth sanitation advocacy by launching an initiative tagged ‘LAWMA Cares and Lagos Youth Initiative’.

Speaking during the launch of the initiative recently at LAWMA Headquarters, Ijora-Olopa, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that the LAWMA CARES and Lagos Youth Initiative was aimed at equipping young people with knowledge and skills to support responsible waste management and advance Lagos’ circular economy vision.

LAWMA Director of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, disclosed this in a recent statement.

Gbadegesin, who spoke through LAWMA’s Executive Director, Finance, Kunle Adebiyi, stated that they took off with about 60 youths drawn from the National Youth Council of Nigeria, National Association of Nigerian Students, Lagos Watch Alliance and Youths for Sustainability.

He said that the initiative was designed to deepen youth participation in waste management through knowledge sharing, engagement, advocacy and collaboration.

“The idea is to expose young people to waste management operations, waste-to-energy, circular economy, composting, recycling and the roles expected of LAWMA and citizens in achieving a cleaner Lagos,” he said.

According to him, LAWMA was also committed to creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs to participate in emerging green industries while also partnering with youth and community organisations to promote sustainable waste management practices.

He added that the initiative would provide a platform for young people to engage with LAWMA, share ideas and raise concerns on waste management, while also strengthening communication and collaboration between the Authority and youth organisations.

The LAWMA boss urged the participants to take the message of responsible waste management to their communities, schools and social networks, stressing that sustainable waste management requires the active participation of citizens.

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He said that LAWMA would continue to strengthen waste collection, enforcement, recycling and resource recovery, while working with stakeholders to develop practical solutions to the State’s waste management challenges.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Dr Gaji Tajudeen, represented by the Director, Scientific, Mrs Yewande Obasa, commended LAWMA for engaging young people in the State’s environmental agenda.

He urged the participants to become ambassadors of the Cleaner Lagos vision by promoting responsible waste disposal and environmental awareness among their peers and in their communities.

Earlier, the Chairman, NANS Lagos Chapter, Comrade Quadri Odewunmi, reaffirmed the commitment of the participating youth organisations to supporting LAWMA’s efforts, pledging to mobilise young people for clean-up activities, advocacy and grassroots sensitisation.

The participants also engaged LAWMA management in discussions on waste collection, enforcement, community monitoring, illegal dumping, the activities of scavengers and cart pushers, recycling and material recovery facilities, circular economy and stronger partnerships with community and youth organisations.

As part of the next steps, the participating organisations are expected to expand advocacy and clean-up activities across their structures. At the same time, LAWMA will facilitate periodic training and engagement, visits to its facilities, youth-focused communication channels and recognition of impactful youth-led environmental initiatives.

The initiative will also explore opportunities for community-based circular economy solutions, alongside wider stakeholder engagement and media advocacy to amplify youth participation in environmental management.

LAWMA remains committed to working with young people as strategic partners in promoting responsible waste management and achieving a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos.