The Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st), in collaboration with the Air Quality Monitoring research group at the University of Lagos, RAD Environmental and Climatic Protection (RENACLIP) Foundation, the United States Consulate Nigeria, and the University of Lagos Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development, organized a webinar on September 6th, 2023, to promote clean air in Nigeria. The event was held in celebration of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.
The main objective of the webinar was to raise awareness about air pollution in Nigeria, educate participants on its adverse effects, and highlight the benefits of ensuring clean air. Experts and participants from diverse backgrounds, spanning academia and civil society, joined together to address the issue of air pollution.
The webinar commenced with Ms. Titilope Akosa, the Executive Director of the Centre for 21st Century Issues, welcoming the participants and expressing gratitude for their presence. Prof. Taibat Lawanson, a co-director of the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development at the University of Lagos, moderated the first session, providing an overview of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies and its significance. This annual occasion, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, intends to emphasize the importance of clean air and the impact of air pollution on human health, and ecosystems, as well as its disproportionate effects on women, children, and older individuals. She also gave a brief overview of Air quality status in Nigeria and Lagos State. The webinar aimed to raise awareness, foster understanding, and encourage partnerships for addressing air pollution.
During the presentations, Prof. Jimmy Adegoke, Senior Adviser of the Climate Change and Green Growth Department at the African Development Bank Group, discussed the challenges and opportunities for sustainable solutions in achieving clean air in Nigeria. He emphasized the need to transition from a fossil fuel-based society to cleaner energy alternatives, such as solar systems. Prof. Rose Alani, Associate Professor and Lead of the Air Quality Monitoring Research Group at the University of Lagos, explored the topic of reimagining progress and outlined strategies that communities can adopt to ensure cleaner air, including the promotion of renewable energy sources and the reduction of reliance on fossil fuels.
Tribe Elyon, Chairman and Co-founder of Renaclip Foundation, spoke about collaborative initiatives for clean air, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships. He highlighted successful initiatives, such as clean cooking solutions, proper waste management, cleaner urban transportation, and industrial emission control, and stressed the significance of a supportive framework, capacity building, transparency, and community engagement.
A panel discussion, moderated by Funmi Eyeoyibo, Chief Operating Officer of Eqoaqua, focused on defining an effective framework for tackling air pollution in society. Beto Lugo, an environmental justice organizer and founding member of the California environmental Justice Network, discussed how communities can drive policy change through science, emphasizing grassroots-level actions and community-led solutions. Additionally, Wasiri Mainasara, #UrbanBetter Disruptor and Cityzens4CleanAir Run Leader, highlighted opportunities to advance clean air and climate action specifically in Lagos State, sharing experiences of using physical activity and data collection to advocate for healthier climate-resilient public spaces.
During her session, Ms. Titilope Akosa emphasized the importance of full and equal participation of women in addressing air quality issues. She advocated for the involvement of women in the use of air quality sensors, data collection, and decision-making processes to effectively tackle these concerns, specifically mentioning clean cooking solutions as a means to reduce health risks for women.
At the conclusion of the presentations, participants recommended the integration of community-led research into academic research for policymaking purposes. They also emphasized the need for increased collaboration between Civil Society Organizations and the government to ensure better air quality by creating and implementing appropriate policies. Furthermore, raising awareness about the effects of air pollution and encouraging responsible environmental practices were seen as vital.
Innie Essien of Renaclip Foundation delivered the vote of thanks, expressing appreciation for everyone’s contributions and encouraging continued efforts to maintain a clean environment while raising awareness about the impact of air pollution on the air we breathe.
Watch the Webinar Here
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