Èkó EnviroTalk, an environmental and science communication NGO, recently celebrated the achievements of schools participating in its Earth Day 2024 Youth Video Competition by awarding cash prizes and certificates to the winners at Ayedere Ajibola Senior High School in Ketu, Lagos. The competition was primarily aimed at raising awareness about the adverse impacts of plastic pollution and promoting the four pillars of waste management: reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover. Through this initiative, Èkó EnviroTalk engaged students from various schools within the state, encouraging them to voice their concerns and explore innovative solutions to pressing environmental issues, especially the growing menace of plastic waste.
Recognizing the hard work and creativity of participants, Odomola Senior Secondary School from Epe took home the grand prize of N250,000 for their exemplary project focusing on plastic pollution. The runners-up, Lagos State Model Senior College from Agbowa Ikosi and Abule-Eko Community Junior Grammar School from Ijede, Ikorodu, received N150,000 and N100,000 respectively. Èkó EnviroTalk’s spokesperson, Adedoyin Lasisi, underscored the importance of empowering the younger generation to become advocates for environmental sustainability, highlighting their partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and the Ministry of Education.
The initiative included a variety of programs aimed at enhancing students’ understanding of environmental issues and exploring creative ways to tackle them. One such program is the Green Challenge, which is an online environmental quiz competitive event for secondary school students. Furthermore, the organization regularly conducts youth video competitions, plastic craft contests, outdoor activities, and summer camps, focusing on promoting sustainable practices among youth. This year’s Earth Day theme directed the participating schools to devise creative ways to repurpose plastic waste into useful items.
In a statement regarding the award ceremony, Lasisi explained that the timing of the awards was impacted by school holidays, but with the resumption of classes, it was an opportune moment to reward the students’ efforts. The recognition meant not only monetary rewards but also encouragement to continue their environmental initiatives. Ajala Samuel, a representative from the winning school, articulated the pride of the students in their hard work, emphasizing their collection and repurposing of plastic waste as part of the project. He also highlighted the educational aspect of their participation, focusing on the significant impacts of plastic littering on their local environment.
The project that secured the top honor involved constructing a boat from recycled plastic, demonstrating a practical application of the students’ learning to address both plastic waste and potential flooding in their coastal community. Samuel expressed gratitude for the competition and acknowledged it as a powerful motivator for students, encouraging them to pursue innovative solutions to environmental challenges in their locality. The initiative not only celebrated the students’ creative endeavours but also aimed to inspire future projects that address sustainability and environmental health.
In conclusion, Èkó EnviroTalk’s Youth Video Competition provided an invaluable platform for students to engage with critical environmental issues. By fostering creativity and collaboration in handling plastic pollution, the competition nurtures future environmental advocates ready to tackle sustainability challenges. As students learn the importance of reducing plastic waste, they also gain confidence through recognition, likely to spur further initiatives and community outreach in sustainable practices, exemplifying the organization’s commitment to cultivating a culture of environmental stewardship among the youth.
