In the words of Bill Gates, “Climate Changes are a terrible problem and it absolutely needs to be solved”. While we cannot and should not continue to fold our hands and watch our societies deteriorate as a result of climate change, we should take time to acknowledge those taking deliberate actions to sensitize us and proffer solutions to this challenge.

I appreciate Solution 17 for Climate Action and the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria for partnering with us in Lagos State to launch this “Trees from Art in Lagos State” Initiative. I also commend and acknowledge the efforts of the founder of Nike Art Gallery, Nike Davies-Okundaye, other distinguished personalities in the art and green energy space, and everyone else here present for making out time from your busy schedule to be here today.

We cannot all continue to ignore or deny the harsh realities climate change is having on our environment, weather, agricultural sector, and all other spheres of life because the effects are obvious and visible to all. Each year, we keep seeing different testaments that prove to us that we need to do more to address climate change leading to more unprecedented weather patterns; an instance of which can be seen in the now somewhat repetitive Sahara Desert Snowfall.

I am particularly thrilled with this “Trees from Art in Lagos State” Initiative because it is in sync with the Najia Climate Now plan to support Climate Change Adaptation, Green Entrepreneurship, and Environmental Education in Nigeria. This initiative will also begin with Climate Education and the Planting of 100,000 trees in secondary schools. This will be a perfect opportunity to get our young adults to take action and responsibility for the environment while helping to restore green life quality in school communities and reduce the effects of climate changes in our society.

It is heartwarming that this initiative is aimed at mobilizing young people as it will nurture them to care better for the environment while preparing them as green innovators, creators, and technologists for climate change.

As a government, we have been giving attention to initiatives, programs, and policies that will protect our environment and also reduce the impact of climate change on our State, Country, and the world at large. For instance, since 2008, we have observed July 24 as Trees Planting Day in Lagos. Through this initiative, millions of trees have been planted and an increasing number of our people are being sensitized and enlightened on the need to embrace the culture of tree planting for a sustainable and healthy environment, we have also been actively ensuring that our drainage channels are cleared to ensure free flow of water to reduce flooding and its devastating effects.

While we are brainstorming on ways, we can mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure our environment is clean, green, and free of harmful toxins. You will agree with me that the Government cannot do it all alone. I will therefore use this opportunity to call on stakeholders, environmentalists, and all our young persons to join in this effort to make our environment and our world safe, habitable, and green.

Thank you all for your attention, I wish you a pleasant afternoon.     

Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu,

Governor, of Lagos State, Nigeria

7th April 2022.