Ecology: Seven Lagos Pupils Set For Ghana Tour

Seven pupils from Lagos State are to go on ecological tour of Ghana for their excellent performances and contributions to environmental issues, Mrs Adetokunbo Agbesanwa, has said.

Agbesanwa, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Babatunde Fashola on School Advocacy and Environment, made this known in an interview with newsmen on Saturday in Lagos.

She said the pupils, aged between eight and 13 years, would  embark on the tour on May 31.

Agbesanwa said Lagos State Schools Environmental Advocacy Programme (LSEAP), in collaboration with Aero Contractor, a leading Airline in Nigeria, were the official sponsors of the tour.

The governor’s aide described the trip as an incentive for the pupils who performed brilliantly in various competitions on environment-related issues.

“These children are from public schools and from not well-to-do backgrounds; they have done excellently well.

“Recently, Ghana has been receiving visitors who are interested in the vegetation and the nature reserves where, within relatively short distances, one can experience tropical forests, marine and savannah ecosystems.

“These natural resources and other features that form the basis of the country’s ecotourism are enormous and have added economic and social value to the standard of living of the people,” she said.

Agbesanwa said the six-day eco programme to Ghana would enable the children to learn and know the latest ways of combating environmental hazards.

“ The short distance is to enable the children to have a feel of the latest innovations and strategy of combating environmental challenges in Africa and West Africa as a whole,’’ she said.

Agbesanwa expressed gratitude to the sponsor, Aero Contractor, for the support and encouragement of children in the promotion of environmental and education programmes.

“ The private sector sponsorship of such things should be encouraged because the state government cannot do it all alone, corporate bodies should invest in such course.

“The children interested in environmental issues should be encouraged to be more concern about how to preserve and care for our mother nature and reduce effect that may affect it,’’ she said.

The source reports that children, who have been identified as champions and veritable agents of change for their peers, were being encouraged by LSEAP to go for school exchange programmes and eco tours abroad.

This is to broaden their knowledge and make them more informed agents of change in their schools and communities.

In October 2012, 10 children selected as champions from both the public and private schools and five officials were sponsored by the state government on tour of Germany.

The source reports that children, who benefited from the programme, are currently leading the environment-related clubs in their schools and local government areas to combat climate change.