CHAMPIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENT: A TRIBUTE TO REP 211 STUDENTS- BY DR. ADEBAYO BELLO

Exactly one week ago we held our project show in fulfillment of the requirements for the effective learning of the course-REP 211-ISLAM AND THE ENVIRONMENT! It was a glorious occasion with all of us appearing in our beautiful colours of Brown, White, Black and Blue! Each of the groups had worthy representatives who competed fairly and gloriously in presentation, poetry and debates. Many of us were wonderful participants who cheered enthusiastically while the program lasted for over three hours. 

We were intentional and deliberate in the choice of the four advocacy groups- Government, Citizenry, Civil Societies and Religious Organisations- to articulate all the issues relating to waste management in Lagos State traversing the five divisions of Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe. This is because of our fervent conviction borne out of our study that "No one is Innocent, Everyone is Guilty" in the indiscretional treatment of the environment!

On that day the four groups presented with so much finesse, debated with so much vigour and brilliance, rehased poems like accomplished poets and literary giants and cheered like Olympic spectators. YOU MADE ME PROUD AS A TEACHER and MENTOR! The joy you brought to my heart was unimaginable and indescribable! WE ARE ALL WINNERS and there is NO LOSER at this program! I want to commend Civil Societies Advocacy Group for leading the pack by winning the coveted trophy as Gold Medalists, thank you for being worthy ambassadors of this season 2 show. Citizenry Advocacy Group was exceptional in the poetry presentation and your achievement as the Silver Medalists is no mean accomplishment. Both Government and Religious Organisations Advocacy Groups competed fairly and I must tell you all that I am really very proud of you. 

To all of us, who participated behind the scene: those who traversed the length and breath of the State to curate all the pictures we used, those who designed the graphics, wrote the scripts, make the power point presentations and cheered enthusiastically throughout the program, you are all wonderful particularly in the opinion of the eminent judges and our distinguished special guests. We must all pat ourselves at the back that we have done extremely well and showcased what we are capable of doing as young minds in the defense of the environment. Just like the Season one produced Saidat who is currently leading the advocacy through ecopeace, it is gladden to report that a new student driven NGO for organised cleaning of the environment is already sprouting amongst us in this season 2. We can all see that we are not just PERFORMERS but ACHIEVERS!

I therefore want to congratulate all of us and urge us to make ourselves available, adorning our different colours and medals for our last class together on Wednesday 21 January where we would take memorable pictures to document our time together in this season. Attendance is compulsory and absenteeism would be frowned at. Once again, I want to thank you and I pray that may Almighty God present me with the opportunities to celebrate all of you in higher and more dignifying platforms!

Yours in the Cause of the Environment 

© DR MUSTAPHA ADEBAYO BELLO (Scholar and Environmentalist)

-Nigeria