11TH LAGOS PUBLIC RELATIONS STAKEHOLDERS CONFERENCE: EXPERTS DISCUSS WAY FORWARD ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

L-R: Mr Korede Oluwole, Publisher, EnvironmentNG; Mrs. Titi Oshodi, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Climate Change & Circular Economy; Olabamiji Adeleye, Conference Convener and CEO, Addefort Limited; Thelma Okoh, Council Member, NIPR; Mr. Tokunbo Philip Wahab, Commissioner for environment and water resources; Comfort Obot Nwankwo, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos Chapter, and Dr. Onoja Joseph, DG, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), at the 11th annual Lagos Public Relations Stakeholders Conference held on Thursday August 29, 2024.

Experts and delegates at the recently held 11th annual Lagos Public Relations Stakeholders Conference have underlined the role communication in the Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability crusade.

Tagged the August Gathering of Public Relations Solution Providers, the annual conference is a collaboration between Addefort Nigeria Ltd and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Lagos State Chapter.

The highly attended conference brought together various stakeholders across different sectors which include government, corporate organisations, environmental experts, NGOs, and media professionals to discuss the critical issues of climate change, environmental sustainability, and communication.
The Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Comfort Obot Nwankwo in her welcome address emphasized the need for public relations professionals to collaborate to advance the sustainability agenda in Nigeria and beyond.

According to her, At a time when the world is grappling with the unprecedented challenges posed by climate change, the role of communication in driving the sustainability agenda cannot be overstated. As public relations professionals, we are at the forefront of shaping narratives, influencing perceptions, and mobilizing actions that can lead to a more sustainable future.
On his part, the Conference Convener and CEO, Addefort Limited, Olabamiji Adeleye underlined the need for urgent and proactive actions to save the planet.
He explained that In line with the United Nations Sustainable Department Goals, we are concerned about the need to protect the planet from degradation, stakeholders commitment to sustainable consumption and production, managing natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations.
Addressing the conference, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State used the platform to call for more involvement of key stakeholders in the campaign to protect the environment.

The governor who was represented at the MUSON Center, Onikan, Lagos by Mr. Tokunbo Philip Wahab, Commissioner for environment and water resources, charged stakeholders present at the event to take personal responsibility for sustainability in their respective spaces, while also restating the governments commitment to collaborating with necessary stakeholders in combating the effects of climate change within the state.

According to him, “The reality of climate change is here, and its impacts are felt across the globe, and Lagos is witnessing her share of the devastating impacts. If we do not take urgent action, these events will only become more frequent and severe.”

On the theme of the conference, he noted that, “Communication is not just a tool; it is the foundation upon which we can build a sustainable future. It is the lifeblood of any society. I dare say that it shapes our perceptions, drives our decisions, and connects us across geographical, cultural, and social divides”.

On his part, while delivering his good will message, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy added that the state government will continue to sensitize citizens on the impact of climate change. He called for more collaboration from the institute and other stakeholders to support the governments effort.

Delivering his keynote address, Dr. Onoja Joseph, DG, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) urged PR professionals and the government to be proactive in addressing the challenges associated with climate change including leveraging effective communication strategies. He tasked PR professionals to break down the terminologies related to climate change; the environment and sustainability to enable citizens to understand the consequences of their actions to the environment.

He also called for storytelling, more sensitization initiatives, planting of trees, and collaboration to ensure that actions are taken and communities, where a sustainable project or trees are planted, see it as their own and protect it.

Experts at the panel session called for rethinking of the present communication campaign strategy on climate change, which has been treated as an abstract issue. It was agreed that communication should be able to connect social actions, behaviour and lifestyle to Climate Change. “We need to know that our actions have consequences”.

Public Relations professionals should tailor our campaign messages to align with the daily activities of our target audience; communicate that environmental degradation is cyclical and will inevitably affect us all; educate the public about Nigerian environmental conservation laws; highlight the consequences of both actions and inactions on the environment.

They also called for the domestication of solutions, reaching school children with the right messages, engaging traditional rulers, advocating that manufacturers develop sustainable products and packaging, and topics on climate change and the environment should be put in schools curricula.

The session was moderated by Mrs. Giniikanwa Frank-Durugbor, Head Corporate Communications, Lafarge Africa Plc.  The panelists are Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadri, DG, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) represented by Mr. Segun Alabi, Assistant Director, Corporate Affairs and Communications, MAN; Mrs. Chioma Afe, Director, External Affairs & Social Performance Seplat Enery Plc; Ms. Agharese Onaghise, Executive Director, Food & Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA); Mrs. Titi Oshodi, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Climate Change & Circular Economy; Mr. Oluwatosin Amida, HSE Adviser Environment & Compliance, First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company; Mr Korede Oluwole, Publisher, EnvironmentNG; and Engr. Lovelyn Okoye, Senior Sustainability Manager, Seven UP Bottling Company.
The Conference is the brainchild of Addefort Limited; a public relations and concept development firm. The event has in the past 11 years consistently enjoyed the collaboration of government, institutions and major corporate organisations in the country. it has evolved over the years to become a highly respected platform for stakeholders to interact, discuss and proffer solutions to the social, political and economic challenges plaguing our nation.