The Lagos State Government has called on students and teachers to adopt responsible waste management practices and strengthen fire prevention measures to enhance safety in schools and communities.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, made the call during a sensitisation programme on sustainable waste management and fire prevention held for public secondary school students and teachers in Ikeja.
Alli-Balogun encouraged participants to evaluate their surroundings and identify creative ways to reuse waste materials, noting that proper waste reuse could help reduce environmental hazards and curb frequent fire outbreaks in the state.
He explained that converting waste into useful resources would not only promote sustainability but also address social challenges linked to poor waste disposal.
The commissioner stressed the importance of collective responsibility, calling for collaboration among schools, families and relevant government agencies to effectively tackle waste-related issues and fire incidents.
According to him, basic safety practices such as regular electrical inspections and careful handling of flammable materials could significantly reduce preventable fire disasters.
He added that the programme was designed to empower students to serve as safety ambassadors within their schools and communities, urging them to share the knowledge gained to promote safer and cleaner environments.
In a presentation on waste management, the Deputy Director and Head of LAWMA Academy, Mrs Bola Adewunmi, said both students and teachers had critical roles to play in building resilient communities through effective waste management.
Adewunmi noted that proper waste disposal helps maintain a clean environment, reduces pollution and limits the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid and malaria, while also supporting a healthy atmosphere for learning.
She explained that waste management had evolved from a linear system to a circular economy, where waste could be recycled into valuable products, creating wealth and business opportunities. She urged participants to adopt proper sanitation and disposal habits.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, encouraged students to take the lessons seriously and work collectively to maintain safe, clean and supportive school environments conducive to learning and development.
Also speaking, an Assistant Fire Officer, Mr Babatunde Oluwarotimi, stressed that prevention remained the most effective way to avoid fire incidents.
He explained that fire, though useful for daily activities, could become dangerous when mishandled, adding that most fire outbreaks were caused by overloaded electrical sockets, improper storage of flammable substances, faulty gas installations and unsafe generator use.
Oluwarotimi advised students and teachers to install gas cylinders outside buildings, ensure fire extinguishers were functional and unexpired, keep escape routes clear and memorise emergency contact numbers such as 112 and 767.