Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — As part of its activities to mark the 2023 World Clean-up Day, TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc. has planted 114 trees and collected 4,706kg of wastes in three states across the country, to mitigate climate change.
Over 100 staff of TotalEnergies’ service stations and 330 students volunteered in the activities, together with operatives of FRSC, Nigerian Police Force, and officials of the Ministries of Education and Environment, among other participants across six locations in the selected states, namely Edo, Lagos and Kano.
The beneficiary secondary schools include, Obele Community High School, Surulere, Lagos; Gbaja Boys Senior High School, Lagos; Idia College, Benin City, Edo State; Emotan College, Benin City, Edo State; Mario Tijani Girls Science College Kano; and Government Boys Technical College, Kano.
Speaking, the Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc, Dr. Samba Seye, said the clean-up and trees planting activities were imperative to mitigate the impact of climate change and safeguard the environment, in commemoration of the World Clean Up Day.
Seye disclosed that the company was also carrying out awareness creation on the journey towards a circular economy and sensitizing communities on the need to protect the environment and ultimately, leave behind a sustainable world for future generations.
He said, “The 2023 World Clean-up Day is a clarion call to action for Nigerians to make the planet safe. The objective of this initiative was to meet some of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by demonstrating TotalEnergies’ commitment to protecting the environment and promoting climate actions while provoking environmental consciousness among our communities and young persons.”
The TotalEnergies Marketing boss further said the mitigation of climate change through tree planting was necessary as the company was transforming towards cleaner energy sources.
“We are constantly embracing initiatives that support biodiversity and environmental preservation. More than ever before, there is heightened need for environmental consciousness as the climate beckons for action from every individual. We are therefore intentional in creating necessary awareness and implementing actions that protect the environment.”
Also, the Deputy Director, Conservation and Ecology, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Olabode Adeola, said, “We are harnessing the power of the people to clean up the earth. If we treat our environment well, it will treat us well. This change must begin with us.”
The World Clean-up Day is an annual global social action programme aimed at combating the global solid waste problem, It is celebrated annually in September and brings together pro-environment enthusiasts worldwide to clean up and care for their communities.
