THE Ondo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting environmental sustainability through strategic partnerships, saying a clean environment as fundamental to healthy living and sustainable development.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, who stated this during a courtesy visit of the state chapter of the African Cleanup Initiative (ACI), led by the Team Lead, Favour Adefemi, commended the Initiative for its commitment to environmental sustainability, noting that its vision aligns with the state’s developmental agenda under Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, particularly in fostering a cleaner, healthier and more habitable environment.
Ajanaku assured the delegation of the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with it in mobilising residents, promoting environmental sanitation and supporting advocacy programmes capable of influencing positive behavioural change.
The commissioner said effective information dissemination remained a critical tool in achieving environmental sustainability, pledging the ministry’s support in publicising its activities across the state.
Also speaking, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Lanre Akarakiri, described the Initiative as a timely intervention deserving the support of all stakeholders.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to partnering with organisations focused on public enlightenment and community development.
Earlier, Adefemi sought the ministry’s collaboration to strengthen public awareness and encourage citizens’ participation in environmental protection programmes across the state.
Adefemi said ACI is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting proper waste management, recycling, climate change awareness and healthier communities.
She stated that although the organisation has operated nationally for several years, the state chapter was established only a few months ago and has already commenced activities aimed at improving environmental sanitation and sustainable living.
She said achieving a cleaner environment requires collective responsibility, noting that government efforts alone would not be sufficient without sustained public enlightenment; hence the organisation is seeking the ministry’s partnership in driving grassroots advocacy, media campaigns and awareness programmes in local languages to encourage responsible environmental practices.
Adefemi disclosed that ACI would officially launch its full-scale operations in September this year with environmental education campaigns in schools, advocacy visits, community cleanup exercises and recycling programmes across the state’s 18 local government areas.
She identified declining public participation in the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, indiscriminate refuse disposal, blocked drainage channels and poor waste management practices as some of the major environmental challenges confronting the state.
The ACI team lead appealled for publicity support and communication strategies from the ministry to inspire greater public involvement in safeguarding the environment.
