The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) has approved a new round of project preparation grants and set aside more than $70 million for 18 new projects in 21 countries, including 13 Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. The approvals keep the momentum for the less than one-year-old fund housed at the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to put nature on a path to recovery before 2030.
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson
The resources will fund action on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (the Biodiversity Plan) in Angola, Belize, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Fiji, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mozambique, Nauru, Palau, Peru, the Philippines, Samoa, Senegal, South Africa, Suriname, and Tonga.
GEF CEO and Chairperson, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, celebrated the announcement during the week of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). “The approval of these grants shows the new fund commitment to allocating resources efficiently to impactful projects that will promote inclusiveness. We are part of the Plan,” said Rodríguez in a reference to this year’s IDB theme, which is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity.
The projects will advance many of the Biodiversity Plan targets – particularly 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 13, 18, 19, 22, and 23 – and have high outcome targets for enhancing biodiversity, including support to more than 8 million hectares of terrestrial and marine protected areas.
The second round of preparation grants includes projects from six GEF implementing agencies: the Asian Development Bank, Conservation International, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, and WWF-US.
In March, the GBFF approved a first round of preparation grants for four projects totaling nearly $40 million in Brazil, Gabon, and Mexico. Together, the two rounds set aside $110 million for 22 projects in 24 countries, with 35 percent of this funding expected to support action by Indigenous Peoples and local communities for biodiversity. GBFF resources are allocated in a country-driven manner to projects through consecutive selection rounds open to all eligible countries.
The GBFF was launched in August 2023 during the GEF Assembly in Canada to support the Biodiversity Plan. So far, it received contributions from six countries: Canada, Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has paid N300 million as compensation to property owners affected by the state government’s urban renewal programme.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State
Oyebanji, represented by his deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, distributed the cheques to the beneficiaries in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Monday, May 20, 2024.
The governor noted that the disbursement followed his government’s desire not to subject property owners to undue bottleneck before been compensated.
“The beneficiaries are property owners at Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti, a slum within the capital city where an Ultra-Modern Central Business District and Modern Park will be constructed,’’ he said.
The governor said though the property were acquired in determination to rid Ekiti of slums and shanties, the payment of compensation is to the original landowners.
“One of the cardinal objectives of my administration is transformation of urban slums into a befitting central hub that will boost economic opportunities, and this spurred us to acquire Atikankan and Igbehin area.
“The proposed project will be one of the major trading hubs in the state where government, private individuals, business and corporate organisations can buy and sell goods and services in a decent and more coordinated manner.
“The projects will have impact and improve the living standards of the people as it is capable of generating employments for the youths.
“Let me reiterate that none of the developmental projects, well-structured crops and property in the affected area will be demolished without payment or full compensation to the beneficiaries of such property,’’ he said.
Earlier, the Head of Service, Mr Sunday Komolafe, described the proposed Central Business District and Park legacy projects as facilities that would add aesthetic values to Ado-Ekiti and upscale the state economically.
Komolafe said that the government shared the pains of those who lost their property and businesses to the construction of the facilities but clarified that the urban renewal policy was initiated in public interest.
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) says it will start visiting eateries, restaurants, and hotels, to ascertain their level of compliance to regulatory hygiene standards.
General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Tunde Ajayi
The General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Tunde Ajayi, said this during the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) Continuing Medical Education (CME) event, on Monday, May 20, 2024, in Lagos.
The event was held in commemoration of World Family Doctor Day, celebrated annually on May 19 globally.
The theme for this year’s celebration, “Healthy Planet, Healthy People”, seeks to draw action for family doctors, healthcare professionals, and communities worldwide to recognise and respond to the health challenges posed by climate change.
Ajayi affirmed LASEPA’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws to ensure citizen’s well-being through safe and clean operations that protects public health from food and water borne diseases.
According to him, food hygiene can be observed through kitchen operations, such as cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene, noting that many restaurants have poor hygiene levels.
He noted that this had resulted in sickness for many unsuspecting citizens, worsening morbidity and mortality among citizens.
Ajayi said that there was need to know the level of e-coli in their wastewater, heavy metals in their portable water, noting that the agency conducts all these tests.
“Over the next couple of months, we would strengthen monitoring and compliance to ensure quality standards.
“Nobody should just wake up and pull water from the well and use it to cook for the public,” he said.
He advised the physicians to investigate the correlation between water, food and air quality and prevailing health conditions of patients presenting at health facilities.
Ajayi stressed that the environment has a direct impact on those living in it and could cause health problems like respiratory diseases, heart disease, and some types of cancer.
He stressed the need for organisations and individuals to collaborate and leverage on collective knowledge and innovation that would improve the environment and health of citizens.
Also, Dr Atinuke Onayiga, Chairman, Health Service Commission (HSC), said an unhealthy environment jeopardises the realisation of universal health coverage by compounding the existing burden of disease and worsening barriers to accessing health services.
Onayiga commended family doctors for their dedication to providing patient-centred care, in spite the challenges of the health sector.
Similarly, Dr Sixtus Ozuomba, Chairman, SOFPON Lagos, said climate change was impacting health in a myriad of ways, from extreme weather events, disruption of food systems and increases in diseases.
“Growing up, we know when to expect rain and dry season, but nowadays, it’s hard to predict, we have had rain falling on Christmas day.
“It shows that we have abused the planet and nature is taking its toll on us by hitting back and also showing in diseases, not just respiratory diseases, but communicable and noncommunicable diseases, even leading to emergence of new infections.
“The world hasn’t recovered from the effects of COVID-19, even diseases that are endemic to our country like the Lassa fever, meningitis and others are taking their toll on us and our health system,” Ozuomba said.
Ozuomba stressed the importance of instilling a culture of environmental consciousness among citizens to foster a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment.
The event started with tree planting at General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, and featured a medical outreach programme at Itire/Ijesha Community, Lagos.
The German Government is into partnership with Nigeria to combat climate change and related issues in the country, the Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Annett Gunther, has said.
Annette Gunther, German Ambassador to Nigeria
Gunther, who said this in an interview on Monday, May 20, 2024, in Abuja, added that the perennial floods in parts of Nigeria is a global challenge, aggravated by the climate change phenomenon.
She noted that all hands must be on deck to tackle the root causes of climate issues, adding that decarbonisation, and zero emissions would help to solve the problem not only in Nigeria but globally.
The ambassador added that Nigeria has an ambitious goal in its energy transition plan, developed under the previous administration to ensure zero emission until 2060, adding that, if properly implemented, it can be impactful.
She said that “in our cooperation talks, we are interested in how to help Nigeria to achieve that goal.
“We therefore have opened a hydrogen diplomacy office called German-Nigerian hydrogen diplomacy office where experts organise meetings, conferences, discussions and bring together stakeholders in the area of renewable energies and particularly on hydrogen.
“Even though gas is currently the primary source of energy and power, we have to chart the way forward. We need to have these discussions to reach our climate goals earlier or as soon as possible.’’
The envoy explained that weather had become unpredictable and difficult for agriculture to thrive.
“In our development cooperation, we have programmes to support farmers in developing drought resilient crops.
“We are also aware that the effect of climate change reduces the sources of income for people, as well as durable land for farming,’’ the ambassador said.
Gunther further disclosed that plans were underway to address the issue of shrinking resources, as the German Government work toward mediating conflicts between communities.
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) has begun the training of farmers in Sokoto State on best agricultural practices and proper utilisation of livelihood packages to mitigate climate change.
Gov. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto of Sokoto State
The Project Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Gatawa, said this at the inauguration of the training exercise on Monday, May 20, 2024, in Sokoto, the state capital.
Gatawa said 5,000 hectares of arable land was earmarked on the project with focus on restoring optimum land fertility, forestation and other productive activities in Sokoto State.
He said the exercise was part of the initiative to reinvigorate the land productivity and provide alternative livelihood to the communities as well as to protect forest resources from extinctions.
“We organised the training for the local communities surrounding the project areas on best utilisation of livelihood packages provided by the project.
“The concept was conceived under the project’s component to engage stakeholders comprising traditional and religious leaders, key community members and farming communities on special ecosystem forest management,” Gatawa said.
He explained that economic trees, herbal medicinal trees and those providing shelters and other importance to the environment would be planted and nursed.
“It is an activity under the project that is focused on ensuring the integrity of the ecosystem is maintained, to enable the environment to benefit from the critical functions it serves in the area of dryland management,” he said.
Earlier, the State’s Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Nura Tangaza, underscored the importance of the project toward restoring environmental productivity.
Tangaza, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Mr Mustapha Alkali, urged the participants to avail themselves of the opportunity towards improving their social and economic status.
He said the benefitting communities would be exposed to Crop Production Management, Sustainable Practices, Climate Change Adaptation, Livestock Management, Data Management and Use, Farming Business and Marketing.
The District Head of Shuni, Alhaji Harande Muhammad, enjoined the farming communities to protect the environment to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change on the ecosystems.
The World Wildlife Crime Report 2024 was launched on Monday, May 13, 2024, by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, Austria. This is the third report in a series following the 2020 and 2016 publications.
CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero
The report provides an updated focus on trends in the illegal trade in wildlife species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It presents a systematic analysis of wildlife crime harms and impacts, probes the factors driving wildlife trafficking trends, and takes stock of current knowledge about the effectiveness of the different types of interventions being pursued to resolve wildlife crime.
CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero, in congratulating UNODC and all those involved in the launch of the report, remarked: “World Wildlife Crime Reports are uniquely insightful and are a powerful tool to inform responses to the devastating consequences of wildlife crime. Data-driven research is crucial and forms a strong foundation for policymaking. This research drives factual decision-making, and targeted interventions to combat this global threat that affects people and planet.”
New emphasis in this edition is placed on the assessment of the causes and impacts of wildlife trafficking and associated crime at a global level. The findings of the report reinforce a critical message that the factors driving trafficking from source to end markets vary enormously between different illicit wildlife commodity sectors.
It stresses the importance of using solutions which can be tailored and the potential for ongoing wildlife crime research to assist these efforts by gaining insights into criminal structures, financial incentives and evolving demand patterns of trafficking chains.
The seizure data in the report documents illegal trade in 162 countries and territories during 2015–2021, which impacted around 4,000 plant and animal species – 3,250 of which are listed in the CITES Appendices. In many cases, illegal trade appeared to have contributed to local or global extinctions of species, disrupted ecosystems, and undermined the many socioeconomic benefits that people derive from nature.
Case studies on specimens of species affected by illegal wildlife trade were included for live orchids, dried seahorses, rosewood timber, African elephant ivory, African rhinoceros horn and pangolin scales.
The data in the report is largely derived from the available national annual illegal trade reports, which CITES Parties are required to submit each year. This data is included in the CITES Illegal Trade Database and hosted by UNODC on behalf of the CITES Secretariat. The dissemination platform for the database allows illegal trade data to become an accessible and valuable resource for CITES Parties, who use the data to guide their decision-making and support the development of targeted and evidence-based responses to combat wildlife crime.
CITES plays a crucial role in combating wildlife crime as the primary legal framework for regulating international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants listed in the CITES Appendices. CITES works closely with UNODC, along with INTERPOL, the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the World Bank Group, as part of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC).
ICCWC works to strengthen criminal justice systems and provide coordinated support at the national, regional and international level. The World Wildlife Crime Report 2024 will be an important resource in the work of ICCWC and for CITES Parties globally and will inform global research and analysis studies undertaken by ICCWC.
President Bola Tinubu has established a committee to oversee Green Economic Initiative, being a strategic move to ensure advancement of his administration to tackle challenges of climate change in Nigeria.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria
Mr Segun Imohiosen, Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), made this known in a statement on Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Abuja.
The committee, chaired by Tinubu, has Balarabe Lawal (Minister of Environment) as Vice-Chairman, Ajuri-Obari Ngelale (Special Adviser) as Secretary/Special Presidential Envoy, and Lazarus Angbazo (CEO, InfraCorp), Salisu Dahiru (DG/CEO, NCCC), Michael Ohiani (CEO, ICRC), and Aisha Rimi (CEO, NIPC) as members.
Others are Aminu Umar-Sadiq (CEO, NSIA), Yusuf Maina-Bukar (CEO, NAGGW), Abdullahi Mustapha (CEO, ECN), Abba Abubakar Aliyu (CEO, REA), Uzoma Nwagba (CEO, CrediCorp), Khalil Halilu (CEO, NASENI), Fatima Shinkafi (CEO, SMDF), Bala Bello (Deputy Governor, CBN), Lolade Abiola (UN SE4ALL), Teni Majekodunmi (NCCC Adviser), Representative of Federal Ministry of FCT, and Representative of Federal Ministry of Finance.
Included in the team are Representative of Federal Ministry of Power, Representative of Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Representative of Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and Representative of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The rest of the members are Representative of Federal Inland Revenue Service, and Representative of Nigeria Customs Service.
According to Imohiosen, the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions, established by the President, will coordinate and oversee all policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.
“This is to remove the constraints to coordination, foster a whole-of-government approach to climate-action programmes, provide an efficient governance architecture.
“And ensure that all relevant institutions in the sector are plugged into the president’s vision and are collectively implementing the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ on climate action,” he said.
Imohiosen stated further that the Presidential committee shall, among other functions, identify, develop, and implement innovative non-oil and non-gas climate action initiatives.
He listed other functions to include:
Coordinating all activities of relevant federal institutions toward the attainment of all agreed climate action and green economic objectives and non-oil/non-gas ambitions of the federal government.
Collaborating with all relevant government, sub-national governments, non-government, and civil society entities toward attainment of the climate action objectives and ambitions of the Federal Government.
Collaborating with national governments and multilateral institutions toward the attainment of the climate action objectives and carbon market ambitions of the Federal Government.
Monitor, evaluate, and guide the progress of all climate action and renewable energy projects and activities of the Federal Government.
Track and guide the implementation of initiatives and developments conducted by the Energy Transition Working Group and supervise the work of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
Prepare a half-yearly green ambitions update, covering all associated climate action achievements of the Federal Government.
Imohiosen stated that Tinubu had also appointed Chief Ajuri Ngelale as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action.
“Ngelale will retain his role as the Official Spokesperson of the President and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, while serving on the committee.”
He said that Tinubu remained committed to achieving Nigeria’s green economy objectives on the path of a just energy transition while unlocking new investments in this critical sector that is central to the nation’s economic future.
In what looks like an historic milestone for global public health, State Parties on Saturday, May 18, 2024, agreed in principle on a large, ground-breaking package of amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005). These amendments build on over 300 proposals made by countries in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (WGIHR) Co-Chair, Dr Ashley Bloomfield of New Zealand (left) and Dr Abdullah Assiri of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
They set out to improve the ability of countries to prepare for, detect and respond to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEICs), and will be part of a package to be put forward to the World Health Assembly (WHA). The WHA takes place from May 27 to June 1, 2024. Negotiators will meet again next week to wrap up their work on the few remaining issues that need to be finalised.
The IHR, which were first adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1969 and last revised in 2005, were conceived to maximise collective efforts to manage public health events while at the same time minimising their disruption to travel and trade. They have 196 State Parties, comprising all 194 WHO Member States plus Liechtenstein and the Holy See. These Parties have led the process to amend the IHR through the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (WGIHR). Saturday marked the end of the resumed session of the eighth meeting of the WGIHR.
“The International Health Regulations have served the world well for nearly 20 years but our collective experience in using this vital tool for the management of multiple public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, has demonstrated important areas in which they could be strengthened for the benefit of all 196 State Parties,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“This is historic. Countries have come together around improved international mechanisms to protect every person in the world and future generations from the impact of epidemics and pandemics, with a commitment to equity and solidarity. I thank all the Member States for their unswerving dedication,” he added.
WGIHR Co-Chair, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, of New Zealand, said: “It has been a long but very productive and gratifying process to achieve consensus on the majority of the proposed amendments. This shows the importance the world places on being able to prepare effectively for and respond better to epidemic and pandemic threats, and that there is strong international consensus on how to go about international public health protection.”
Fellow WGIHR Co-Chair, Dr Abdullah Assiri, of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said: “Amending the International Health Regulations reflects the critical need to bolster our collective defences against current and future public health risks, all whilst firmly adhering to the principle of national sovereignty and respecting equity. Today, we have coalesced around a robust set of amendments which will make international cooperation more effective and easier to implement.”
A potential new pandemic agreement and the amended IHRs would be complementary international instruments designed and negotiated by Member States to help countries protect their peoples better from future pandemic threats. The IHRs focus on building countries’ capacities to detect and respond to public health events which could take on international dimensions, whilst the draft pandemic accord focuses on a coordinated international response to pandemics, with equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics at the centre.
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) on Thursday, May 16, 2024, released its Annual Report for 2023, revealing the critical need to transform urban development and bring cities and local leaders to the fore in the battle against challenges such as rising living costs, climate change, unaffordable housing, and the lack of basic services.
Michal Mlynár, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Acting Executive Director of UN-Habitat
These challenges, including more frequent and severe climate shocks such as deadly heatwaves in India, cyclones in Mozambique, and earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, compounded with economic challenges, lead to devastating consequences for the most vulnerable. In 2023, this included 2.8 billion people being affected by housing inadequacy – 1.1 billion of which lived in slums and informal settlements – and 2.2 billion people who lacked safely managed drinking water services.
Traditional paradigms no longer fit
“The traditional paradigms of urban development no longer fit the complexities of today’s world. We need a new approach to planning, building, and managing cities,” said Michal Mlynár, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Acting Executive Director of UN-Habitat.
This approach, outlined in UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025, works under four thematic areas to reduce inequality, promote prosperity, act for climate and nature, and respond to crises. In 2023, of 110 sampled projects, more than half contributed in an integrated way across at least three thematic areas of the strategic plan.
UN-Habitat’s impact in 2023
In 2023, the second United Nations Habitat Assembly reaffirmed the commitment to adequate housing as a fundamental human right by adopting a historical resolution on housing, in addition to nine other resolutions notably aimed at transforming informal settlements, accelerating localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, preserving urban biodiversity, and crafting guidelines for people-centred smart cities.
In addition, UN-Habitat collaborated with partners to advance sustainable urbanisation in over 90 countries. From Bolivia to Burkina Faso and from Thailand to Tunisia, UN-Habitat worked to towards a more equitable and sustainable world. In 2023, UN-Habitat’s impact included:
958,000 people benefiting from improved connectivity and green mobility
395,000 people benefiting from the rehabilitation of 40 public spaces globally
Over 280,000 people in poor and vulnerable communities gaining increased access to basic services and sustainable mobility
Over 88,000 households in partner countries with increased secure tenure rights to land documentation
162 countries reporting having national-level urban policies. Countries supported by UN-Habitat in 2023 include Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Cameroon, Comoros, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Islamic Republic of Iran, Mozambique, Nigeria (state-level), Paraguay, and Senegal.
25 countries supported in collecting data on the Sustainable Development Goals and implementing the globally harmonised approach to defining cities and human settlements endorsed by the UN statistical commission in 2020.
Collaborating for equity and sustainability
Looking ahead, the UN Summit of the Future and the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum, to be held in September and November 2024, respectively, will provide an opportunity to explore and plan how world leaders can collaborate with local government, stakeholders, and citizens to ensure sustainable development responds to local needs.
“Our future is undeniably urban, and the time for action is now. By strengthening the voices of cities in global discourse and driving change on the ground, we lay the groundwork for a more equitable and sustainable world,” said Mlynár.
Nehemiah Jacob approaches waste-filled areas with a new perspective since he came in contact with the Foundation for a Better Environment (FABE). The final year student at Aguda Senior Grammar School, Surulere, Lagos, says he now thinks “of ways to transform waste into wealth.”
Students from Victoria Island Junior Secondary School after their planting vegetables in their new eco-garden made from old tyres, plastics, sacks and compost
But this was not always the case.
Nigeria produces the largest amount of solid waste in Africa and approximately 70 per cent of it are plastics. In general, it is estimated to be around 32 million tonnes annually with only about 20 to 30 per cent being collected and managed properly.
Lagos State alone generates about 14,000 tonnes of waste per day with about 20 per cent of it being plastics. Only about 70 per cent isbeing disposed of properly while the rest ends up in illegal dumpsites, streets, canals, drains and waterways, asreported by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). The repercussions include environmental pollution, degradation and other climate change issues.
This became a burden for Mrs Temitope Okunnu, an environmental sustainability advocate, who believes that behavioural, attitudinal and mind-set change is a crucial first step in building environmentally conscious citizens. Motivated by the desire to be a catalyst for change, she set out on a mission to nurture an eco-conscious generation across Africa. This led to the creation of Foundation for a Better Environment (FABE International) in 2016, which kicked off with a focus on schools.
“Our vision is very simple – to create an eco-conscious generation across Africa and we are focused on creating that attitudinal, behavioural and mind-set change,” she says.
Upcycling
At the heart of Okunnu’s Eco School Programme are the five Rs, which are: refusing, reducing, reusing or upcycling, rotting or compost and recycling.
“We use all the waste around the school and home to teach the teachers and students upcycling, recycling, composting and sustainability. And this is well embedded in the school curriculum,” she says.
“So, we teach the students how to make art, such as frames, decorative materials, crafts such as ottoman seats, lamps, and upcycled eco-garden or zero-waste garden from waste.”
The upcycled garden is made from different kinds of waste which are converted to functional products of high environmental and economic value. From there, PET bottles and tyres are transformed into planters while bamboo and tyres are also used for fencing and barricades. Kitchen wastes or rot are used as organic fertilisers and manure in the garden.
Making art
When FABE introduced its programme in Jacob’s school, he eagerly became part of the recycling team with a focus at making ottomans.
They started by picking and gathering plastics and other recyclable materials with the aim of turning them into something valuable. “The waste we cannot recycle, we use them as manure for our garden,” he explains.
Recently, Jacob crafted ottomans from plastics and cake boards gathered from his mother’s catering supplies. Other waste products he uses are cartons, fabrics, and foam. So far, he has sold five artworks.
“Sixteen inches ottoman is from N7,000 to N8,000 while 14 inches is from N5,000 to N6,000 per piece,” he explains, adding that this has empowered him and lessened his parents’ financial burden.
Other students, like Gloria Ndum and Fareedat Yahaya, both in their third year at Victoria Island Junior Secondary School, planted their first batch of vegetables in April 2024.
They reflected on how the experience has broadened their understanding on how waste materials such as old tyres, plastics, and sacks could be repurposed to cultivate crops at home.
Education and advocacy
The foundation hopes to reach 1,000 schools by 2030.
“We have reached over 200 public and private schools in Lagos, Ogun, and Akwa Ibom states,” Okunnu says.
In November 2023, during the unveiling of the October 2023 Cadre Harmonisé analysis on food insecurity, it was revealed that in 2024, Nigeria is expected to see about 26.5 million people grappling with high levels of food insecurity. Several factors have been identified as contributing to the problem. These include poverty, climate change, conflict, population growth, inadequate policy implementation, ineffective agricultural methods, post-harvest losses, and insufficient funding allocated to agriculture, among other issues.
Okunnu says with the zero-waste eco-garden, one does not need to have vast land to plant.
“With waste materials such as old tyres, sacks, plastics, paint buckets; you can grow your own food like yam, vegetables, root crops etcetera. So, everyone should have this kind of skill.”
The eco-garden also brings about various learning outcomes for the students, she points out. Agriculture can be taught with practical examples in the garden. “Because we realised that most schools are just teaching agriculture in the classrooms, meanwhile it should be more of an outdoor process.
“So, we see this as a learning laboratory and instructional material for agriculture, geography for science students to learn about nature, art, biodiversity and environment. With this, they are able to understand concepts in the classroom, carry over the knowledge to their homes and communities. That way, the knowledge is spreading, there’s behavioural change and sustainability.”
The long journey home
Mrs Asanya Ekpenyong, a biology teacher at Aguda Senior Grammar School, Surulere had struggled to involve students in environmental conservation efforts before FABE’s intervention. Now an Eco-Coordinator of Eco Schools Project, she says the comprehensive education on recycling, composting, upcycling, gardening and organic farming has empowered students to become stewards of the environment.
The provision of recycle bins by FABE has facilitated proper waste disposal, significantly enhancing the cleanliness of the school environment. This, she explains, has encouraged them to sort their waste from source.
“The establishment of an eco-garden on our premises has contributed positively to our environment, providing a space for cultivating crops and vegetables,” Ekpenyong says.
“We are getting organic food from our farm with no artificial additives or preservatives. All the manure is from the waste we generate in the school. With the prices of food items in the market, we are able to use the little we grow on the farm for ourselves in our homes.
“Sometimes, we sell the farm produce, especially the vegetables, at a reduced price while other times, we share with the students and teachers for them to use at home.”
At home, Ekpenyong manages her own farm using the techniques she has learned. In addition to this, she makes ottoman seats with plastics for sale.
“Past and present students have embraced these practices beyond the school. So this initiative by FABE has been of great impact to our lives,” she adds.
But one challenge she encounters is in maintaining the garden. Instances of vandalism and theft pose a threat to the eco-garden’s security. Then there is the waterlogged nature of the school compound and inadequate irrigation during vacations which present obstacles to crop cultivation.
Chidimma Nwobodo, a chemistry teacher who is also an Eco-Coordinator at Olomu Community Senior Secondary School, Ajah, shares the same enthusiasm as Ekpenyong. She recalled how they often waited anxiously for waste collection trucks, sometimes in vain for an entire term.
“With our new approach, where every item, from PET bottles to eggshells, sachet water nylons, and cartons holds value, waste accumulation has significantly reduced,” Nwobodo says. This does not only minimise waste but also reduces the school’s expenditure on waste disposal while simultaneously generating wealth for the institution.
“Recently we harvested our vegetables from our eco-garden and everyone in the school was excited to patronise us. We have a treasury where the money is kept and registered for accountability.
“Our recycling efforts are proving to be financially rewarding, as students channel their creativity into crafting various decorations using materials like plastics, cotton bud sticks, cartons, and bottle caps,” Nwobodo adds.
Some parents misunderstand the mission
The foundation sometimes must contend with government bureaucracy and students’ parents.
Okunnu points out that some think their children are being turned into scavengers. “Also, some of the teachers are not able to understand how to relate what we’re teaching them to their [students] studies. We have been advocating for environmental education to be included in the curriculum in schools. In Lagos state, it has started and there are recycling clubs supported by the state government.
“Another challenge is bad soil for the garden. Loamy soil is good for planting and what we have mainly in Lagos is sandy and clay soil, which is not good for planting, so sometimes we travel as far as Ijebu-Ode to buy soil.”
But this challenge came with a discovery.
When they realised that there was a lot of money expended in buying soil, the foundation found solutions to amend the soil. “So whatever bad soil we have, we can amend it and it will still produce the same results as a loamy soil,” she says.
“We also have government bureaucracy to deal with. Initially we were in private schools because we had a hard time getting into public schools. But it is a lot easier now and we’re into both public and private schools.”
Ensuring Continuity
Designated teachers, called Eco Coordinators, and students, referred to as Eco Ambassadors, play pivotal roles in driving these environmental initiatives.
Annually, outstanding schools are recognised with the Eco School of the Year Award, honouring those who excel in all recycling, upcycling and gardening activities. Teachers and students who exhibit exceptional enthusiasm for the programme are also recognised.
“Our Eco Ambassadors serve as mentors, imparting their knowledge to fellow students, thus nurturing future leaders in the environmental sustainability space,” Okunnu explains, adding that the project has helped to reduce the amount of pollution around schools.
Learning from them, carpenters around are incorporating PET bottles into their carpentry work.
Parents too have started growing their organic food with no chemicals added. “They now have healthy eating habits, there’s a lot of greenery and conservation,” she says.
Partnerships with organisations like the Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation, Coca-Cola Foundation, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance and FundQuest continue to strengthen FABE’s efforts. Some of them render support in various activities run by the foundation. Others assist in terms of recycling or during the annual graduation and award ceremonies. “The Eco schools programme is gaining more recognition across schools in Lagos State. However, we don’t have enough finances to reach as many schools as we would want to, so we are open to more financial support and grants.”
By Adebola Adegoke
This story is with the support of the Solutions Journalism Network and the collaboration of the Nigerian Health Watch
