In a concerted effort to advance the vision and mission of the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has charged Chief Mrs. Tosin Aluko Ajisafe, the Commissioner for Environment, to lead a high-level delegation to the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. The aim is to closely examine the operational strategies and practices that have yielded success in Lagos and to replicate them in Ekiti State.
Chief Mrs. Aluko and her team embarked on this insightful journey and were warmly welcomed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources.
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Environment elaborated on the purpose of their visit, emphasizing that their mission was to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience held by the Lagos State Government. They sought to learn from Lagos’ achievements in environmental stability, climate management through forest regeneration, effective drainage and channel maintenance, environmental protection, conservation of natural resources, and the prevention of environmental degradation, among other areas.
Aluko emphasized that adopting best practices from the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources would undoubtedly have a positive impact on the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment.
In his welcoming address, Dr. Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, commended Governor Oyebanji for recognizing the value of understanding operational successes in his ministry. He noted that the visit showcased the great strides Lagos State has made in environmental management.
Mr. Tokunbo Wahab encouraged the Ekiti State team to feel at ease asking questions and seeking clarity on any issues of concern during their visit.
The Ekiti State delegation conducted a comprehensive tour that included meetings with the Permanent Secretary and directors from various departments such as the Office of Drainage Services, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Lagos State Parks and Garden Agency (LASPARK), Departments of Nature Conservation and Ecology Department, Climate Change & Environmental Planning, and Environmental Assessment Department.
Additionally, the team visited various laboratories including the Water Laboratory, Toxicology Laboratory, Waste Water Laboratory, Microbiology Laboratory, and the Sensitive Laboratory of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The delegation from Ekiti State comprised high-ranking officials, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Babatunde Alokan, Dr. Akinyemi Akinyugha, Project Coordinator of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Engr. Ayoola Osalusi, General Manager of the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority, Mr. Kayode Adunmo, and Mr. Tunde Balogun, Director of Environmental Health and Sanitation. The official tour continues, aiming to bring valuable insights back to Ekiti State.
