LAGOS HOST FIRST CIRCULAR ECONOMY HOTSPOT IN AFRICA

 



The Lagos State Government has launched the first-ever circular economy hotspot in Africa with the aim of building an economic system that is driven by innovativeness and sustainable consumption model to save the future generations of resource scarcity.


The two-day event with the theme: “Towards a Circular and Resourceful Economy: The Future Lagos”, is organized by the Lagos State Government and is taking place at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island. 


The event is geared towards pioneering the transformation of the current production order towards regeneration and sustainability.


At the unveiling of the unique initiative in collaboration with Circular Economy Innovation Partnership (CEIP) and African Circular Economy Network, 


Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated that the idea is aimed at engendering a new pattern of production and consumption that  encompasses producing, repairing and recycling of used materials, noting that the concept of circular economy is based on regeneration of products for continuing production in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner.Sanwo-Olu who disclosed that the event is coming at a time the nation is adopting a new process to free up its limited resources and optimally channel it towards addressing the different socio-economic needs of the citizens, revealed that core principle of circular economy encourages citizen’s engagements and partnerships to sustain a resilient socio-economic development for Lagos State.“


The Lagos Circular Economy Hotspot 2023 is of utmost importance, not only for Lagos and Nigeria, but for the entire sub-Saharan Africa. Developing countries like ours have contributed the least to global warming, but are suffering the worst impacts of climate change. 


We are also at a disadvantage when it comes to having access to the resources and strategies needed to fight climate change or adapt to its impact”, he acknowledged.While reiterating his administration’s commitment to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth through the encouragement of sustainable consumption and production patterns, the Governor disclosed that the “THEMES-PLUS Agenda”, the plus (+) that is developed to focus, on Social Inclusion, Gender Equality and Youth development will support the achievement of the Circular Economy Initiative.Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the State’s journey to circular economy began three years ago when Lagos brought stakeholders together on a roundtable to discuss options towards a resourceful and waste-free economy. 


He said a technical working group on “Circular Lagos” was set up in 2021 to coordinate and facilitate the development of the initiative, while supporting and monitoring the project implementation.


The Governor emphasized that the economic and commercial activities that abound in the State, along with its major link to international businesses and the outside world, has made Lagos a beacon of hope and prosperity that attracts a constant influx of people which translates to a constant growth in population.


He stated that the attendant pressure on our limited resources therefore require a deliberate shift from materialization to de-materialisation that will improve the state’s profile of compliance with SDG Goals 8, 9 and 12 on promotion of “inclusive growth, building a resilient infrastructure.Co-chairman of the Circular Economy Innovation Partnership, Mr. Bolaji Akinboro, said the concept of circular economy would allow the State to construct a new cycle of material use and save the future generations from scarcity.He said by the development, Lagos had set the pace for a new model of economy which would set new trends and standards in sustainability and lay the foundation for big businesses operating in Lagos to key into the new economic trend.Consular General of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Mr. Michael Deelen, congratulated Lagos for being the first sub-national to embark on a circular economic project, noting that it was time for Nigeria to have a change of perspective and expectations.Deelen, represented by Deputy Consular General, Ms. Leone Van der Stijl, observed that the climate change had been projected to become more severe and would hit a point where the planet’s ecosystem would no longer replenish the resources being used up.


The envoy said: “With 70 percent of Nigeria's population under the age of 30, the possibility of climate change tainting their future is exponentially higher. 


This simply means there will be more people living with more scarcity in the future from the scarcity we are creating today.“It makes sense to replace the current linear model of grab, use and dump to a circular model of feeding recycled materials back into the system. 


The Netherlands is willing to provide the knowledge and capacity needed to build the circular economic model


.”At the event, Lagos State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Netherlands Circular Hotspot on technical cooperation and knowledge exchange towards accelerating the implementation of policies that will promote circular economy.


The Event was attended by Honourable Members of the State House of Assembly, the Consulates of Netherland, Germany and Finland, Members of the Diplomatic Community, World Bank Group, Business Leaders, Top Government Functionaries, Non-Government Organisations, Corporate Bodies and Sustainable Development Advocates.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

More Than 2,500 Resdent Benefit From Ounje Onigbongbo Food Initiative**

Image
 ** The Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Oladotun Olakanle, recently organised the "Ounje Onigbogbo Food Initiative," aimed at providing support to the residents of the Onigbogbo LCDA. During his address at the event, Hon. Oladotun Olakanle noted that this was the fifth edition of the initiative. He remarked, "We are doing this to empower our people in these challenging economic times. This situation is not exclusive to Nigeria; it is a global issue. At the grassroots level, we are contributing our efforts to assist both the federal and state governments in ensuring the well-being of our people." Hon. Olakanle also highlighted the growing number of beneficiaries, stating, "This time, we have a much larger turnout than in previous editions. Initially, we had planned for 1,500 people, but now we have approximately 2,500 in attendance. I assure you that every individual present will be attended to."  He further ment
Read more

LASTMA Strengthens Traffic Management Plan Ahead of Ember Months

Image
  The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has intensified its preparations for the Ember months, implementing a robust traffic management strategy to ensure smooth vehicular movement and public safety during the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. During a strategic meeting held at LASTMA Headquarters, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, called on LASTMA officers to adopt proactive measures in anticipation of the increased traffic volume and illegal roadside trading typically associated with the festive season. These challenges, he warned, could disrupt the flow of both traffic and pedestrians across Lagos. Hon. Giwa emphasized the need for a coordinated response from LASTMA personnel, stating, "Our foremost priority is ensuring the safety and convenience of all road users in Lagos. LASTMA officers must remain ever watchful and decisive in addressing illegal roadside trading and other activities that could compromise traffic f
Read more

In it's attempt to get justice, convicted businessman, Abiodun Bolarinwa, has approached an appellate court to upturn his conviction.

  Bolarinwa in a five grounds appeal, urged the court to help determine if the lower court accord him fair hearing. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following the conviction of Abiodun by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of a Lagos Special Offences Court, sitting took possession of a property on 1A, Joke Ayo Street, Riverside Estate, Alagbado, Lagos. The anti graft agency also take possession of other assets in the property, including a Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, a black BMW car, a black Toyota Land cruiser car, and a white Toyota Hilux and handed the same property over to the victim, Mr. Bamidele Safiriyu Olusegun. Justice Taiwo had on July 8 2022 convicted and sentenced Abiodun to seven years imprisonment and ordered him to forfeit all the proceeds of the crime. Reacting to the taken of possession without due procedure, Mrs  Adetona Funke Adebowale, an octogenarian and mother of Bolarinwa, accused the EFCC, of forcefully taken possession of her family house jo
Read more