Public secondary school students in Lagos State will serve as model ambassadors for the global climate change advocacy being promoted by Access Bank, a major financial institution, and NerdzFactory Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to advancing gender equality and access to high-quality education.
An event to kick off the programme and introduce “The climate change and environmental sustainability clubs,” which would equip at least 2,000 students and teachers across 50 schools in the state, was held at the Lagos City College Hall in Yaba.
The event, which included the introduction of a competition for essays on climate change, was attended by students from ten schools in the Yaba axis on Wednesday.
Aje Comprehensive Senior High School, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Junior High School, Birrel Avenue Senior High School, Jibowu Junior High School, Wesley Girls Junior Secondary School, and Lagos City Senior College were among the schools represented.
Read also: Access Bank, Nerdz Factory Collaborate on Climate Change
According to Adetola Salau, Senior Special Assistant on Education to the state Governor, who spoke to the students, climate change is a serious issue that should be understood rather than denied.
In her words, “Since it is you and possibly your children who will be the ones dealing with the effects of climate change in about 30 years’ time, it is important for you to be interested and become engaged from now.”
The clubs, according to the organizers, are intended to promote STEM and green jobs among young people while educating teachers, students, and school administrators about environmental sustainability and climate change education.
Ade Olowojoba, the director of the NerdzFactory Foundation, spoke at the event as well and cited the present national flood disaster as justification for paying more attention to climate change issues in Nigeria.
He urged the students not to be passive about the environment but always take action, adding that: “No matter how little, every positive action for a better environment counts.”
The Head of Group Sustainability at Access Corporation, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, who also spoke at the event, noted that: “Climate change is the biggest threat facing humanity today, and Access Corporation remains committed to investing in climate change education to drive environmental sustainability.
The event was attended by representatives of the sponsor, Access Bank, the Lagos State Ministry of Education, the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), and the NerdzFactory Foundation team.
Story was adapted from ThisDay.
