Fajana Mary Olamide has emerged winner of the second edition of the Inter Tertiary Institutions’ Environmental Summit Debate competition by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA with the argument that State agencies can effectively manage cross-border environmental pollution if they work collaboratively.
The student of Lagos State University, LASU alongside Yakub Abdullah Eniola (1st runner-up) and Daniel Oluwatise Akinkuowo (2nd runner up) both from the University of Lagos, UNILAG argue for and against the theme: “Combatting Transboundary Pollution in Lagos State; A City Level Intervention or National Effort?”.
The competition, featured participation from universities across the state, with entries drawn from 14 institutions and assessed anonymously by professors before 6 finalists emerged for the grand debate.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Tunde Ajayi, said the initiative forms part of the agency’s broader strategy to deepen environmental awareness among students and encourage advocacy on emerging environmental issues, including transboundary pollution and electronic waste management.
According to him, the debate was designed to stimulate conversations around critical environmental challenges confronting Lagos State, particularly pollution arising from industrial activities and the movement of waste across state and national boundaries.
“As a state, we believe responsibility is best taken by the agency closest to the source of pollution, but there is also a clear role for the federal government, especially in areas of exclusive jurisdiction,” Ajayi said.
He noted that engaging students through intellectual platforms such as debates would help nurture a new generation of environmental advocates and sustainability champions.
Ajayi added that the agency intends to expand similar initiatives to secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the state as part of efforts to promote environmental consciousness among young Nigerians.
Earlier, the Lead Judge of the competition and former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, commended LASEPA for creating a platform that highlights the importance of collaboration between state and federal institutions in addressing environmental challenges.
He praised the participants for demonstrating strong analytical and critical-thinking skills while discussing issues surrounding environmental governance and policy implementation.
According to him, sustainable solutions to environmental problems can only be achieved through coordinated efforts involving all levels of government and relevant stakeholders.
Blacktalker reports that more than 400 students participated in the essay competition that preceded the debate. The process produced 20 finalists and eventually six debaters who competed in the grand finale of the second edition of the Inter-Tertiary Institutions Environmental Summit Debate Competition, popularly known as LASEPA Debates.
