The Ondo State Government has reinforced its commitment to environmental sustainability, pledging strategic collaboration with the African Cleanup Initiative (ACI) to deepen public awareness and citizens’ participation in environmental protection programmes.
This followed a courtesy visit by the Ondo State chapter of the African Cleanup Initiative (ACI) to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, in Akure.
Leader of the delegation, Mrs Favour Adefemi, said the visit was aimed at securing partnership with the ministry to strengthen advocacy, grassroots mobilisation and media engagement on environmental issues across the state.
Adefemi described the African Cleanup Initiative as a non-governmental organisation committed to proper waste management, recycling, climate change awareness and the promotion of healthier communities.
She noted that although the organisation has operated nationally for years, its Ondo chapter, established only a few months ago, has begun interventions targeted at improving environmental sanitation and sustainable living.
She stressed that achieving a cleaner environment requires collective responsibility, warning that government efforts alone would be insufficient without sustained public enlightenment and active citizen participation.
According to her, the group plans to roll out full-scale operations in September, with programmes including environmental education in schools, advocacy visits, community clean-up exercises and recycling campaigns across the state’s 18 local government areas.
Adefemi identified key environmental challenges confronting the state to include declining participation in monthly sanitation exercises, indiscriminate waste disposal, blocked drainage systems and poor waste management practices.
She appealed to the ministry to provide robust publicity and communication strategies to drive behavioural change and greater public involvement.
Responding, Ajanaku commended the initiative, describing environmental cleanliness as central to public health and sustainable development.
He noted that the group’s objectives align with the development agenda of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in promoting a cleaner and more habitable environment.
The commissioner assured the delegation of the ministry’s readiness to partner with the organisation in mobilising residents and amplifying environmental advocacy through effective information dissemination.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Lanre Akarakiri, described the initiative as timely and worthy of support from all stakeholders, reiterating the ministry’s commitment to collaborations that promote public enlightenment and community development.