By Bukola Afolabi
The annual Felabration kicked off with a debate/symposium on October 14th, 2024 which focused on the topic: THE GEOPOLITICS OF AFRICA AND CLIMATE CHANGE.
Different speakers from different sectors were invited to discuss and express their views on the topic. Laila Johnson Salami who was the moderator anchored the debate/ symposium.
The first speaker Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi (Chairman, Lekki State Urban Forest & Animal Shelter Initiative) spoke about the increasing eradication of trees and erosion in our Lagos coast and the country at large. He emphasized that it has wrecked our agricultural system. He admonished that people should stop perpetrating nature. He quoted a line in felas song saying ” Water e no get enemy” which means we shouldn’t fight nature rather we should appreciate nature.
The second speaker Mrs. Titilayo Oshodi (Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Climate Change and Secular Economy), focused on the aspect of “circular economy as a pivot for climate change”.
She emphasized that climate change has become a phenomenal global issue. Furthermore, she laid emphasis on the bad effects of climate change on our lands and it effects on individuals. And she also pointed the efforts of the government with their collaboration with different sectors (sme”s, health sector) to combat waste.
The third speaker Mr. Seyi Okunuga ( Sector Lead, Renewable Energy, Sterling Bank), who represented Mr. Dele Faseemo (General Manager, Corporate & Investment Banking, Sterling Bank ) focused on encouraging plantation of trees. He said “We are killing what gives us life”. He also stated the efforts of Sterling Bank in establishing “syterling One Foundation” and have planted over 10,000 trees in 24 schools across Nigeria and continuing.
He stated their focus and mission which is “HEART” which stands for Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation. They have also established a 17 story building in Marina Lagos that has been Solarised and operating off the national grid.
The fourth speaker Mr. Ademola Ogunbajo (Executive Vice President, Oando Clean Energy Ltd.) representing Mr. Adewale Tinubu (Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC) admonished Africans to curate their own energy mix and not being dictated by the global north. He also admonished that Africans should set a timeline for the energy transition that works for the peculiarity of our land.
He also spoke of their involvement in producing clean energy with “OANDO CLEAN ENERGY LIMITED” which is to design climate friendly energy.
In collaboration with the Lagos State government they created a sustainable mode of transportation which is creation of electric buses.
At the end of the symposium prizes were given to individuals that participated in the art competition before the symposium with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners going home with a whooping sum of N250,000, N500,000 and 750,000 naira respectively.
