2022
Earth Day is an annual environmental event to call our attention to the plight of degradation caused by humans majorly. Halocene is the right word attributed to man's impact on the earth.
As part of the global event, we decided to host a Clean-the-World and Earthday is Everyday meetup pioneered by Ermest.
On Friday April 26th, was dedicated to commemorate the Earth Day by environmental groups and green advocates including Local Guides in Lagos. Venue was the popular Kids Beach Garden, Elegushi in Lekki City, Lagos.
It was a convergence of top flight environmentalists, government agencies and volunteers from different parts of the State.
Part of the agenda included a general introduction of individuals and organizations, clean up pattern, competition, recycle methods, sustainability, refreshment, idea exchange/networking and award of certificates.
The elegant Doyinsola, who is Nigeria's prominent Marine Life Protector Extraordinaire welcomed volunteers at the Kids Beach Garden. She highlighted how the Kids Beach is maintained and open to the public for free but users are invited to donate trees to the beach or volunteer hours to clean the shoreline.
She gave a hint on how they have been able to save several turtles including humpback turtles around the Lagos coastline communities in the last one year.
Doyin also informed us that more sea creatures are dying of plastic wastes which are mixed in their foods. She advocated for the recycling , resuse and reduction of non degradable susbstances especially plastics in our homes.
In line with the waste sorting pattern, the clean up was set as a competition between volunteers divided into groups. All the groups after a signal embarked on picking footwares in a time space of 10mins. Some independent accessors were picked to count the items for each group and give a report. At the end of the count, group three recorded 749 footwears and automatically won the game.
Trash bags used for picking and sorting were different in color. This is to enable recyclers identify and arrange appropriate wastes easily. A special sorting depot is located within the beach which allows various recycling agencies take delivery of wastes.
Bottles, plastics, footwares and other items can been seen heaped in large sacks awaiting the recycling process.
It was a short but rigorous excercise. Volunteers proceeded to the canopy for refreshment and interaction with stakeholders. I spoke about Local Guides Programmme and how we are using the Clean The World meet-ups to help protect the earth especially the water bodies. We pledged to help recyclers, environmental NGOs to map their offices and collection points free upon request, as part of Local Guides support for a sustainable environment.
Registered volunteers were issued certificates of participation. About 50 persons including men, women, children and families took part in the cleaning activities.
On our way home, just at the end of the street, we had to visit the popular Nike Art Gallery. Fellow Local Guides were visiting for the first time. We were welcomed by the Founder and Curator Chief Mrs. Nike. She commended the effort we put in cleanning the beach as it attracts local and international tourists. One could see some new creative artworks outside and inside the gallery. The atmosphere was inspiring as usual. Someone was inspired to host another meetup here. Looking forward to this.
Just like every other Local Guide activity, you get to meet LGs attending their first meet-up , induct new ones and experience something unique and motivating. Hannah was attending her first meetup,after she saw the announcement on Connect and decided to show up.
@Vera_chidera @Hannah_Ishola @Olumide1 were on hand to put intending LGs through and help explain the programme too. About seven persons joined the Local Guides Programmme at the meetu
Clean the World - Earth Day meetup was a fantastic experience for us! Always remember the 3Rs- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle your waste
P.S
And good enough, I assisted two Local Guides to make their application videos at the beach
