LAGOS GOVT LAUNCHES ARTISTIC INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A project called “The Art for Climate Change” has been started by the Lagos State Government with the intention of employing imaginative art to address climate concerns and encourage awareness and action via artistic expression.

In order to encourage climate change awareness and action via artistic expression, the Lagos State Government has partnered with the Creative Youth Community Development Initiative, Solution 17 for Climate Action, and New York University, Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Gaji Omobolaji, revealed that artists from Lagos will work with tech innovators, subject matter experts, students from New York University, Abu Dhabi, and the Universities Climate Network United Arab Emirates (UAE) to co-create creative solutions to issues surrounding important climate issues.

The Art for Climate Change project, according to Omobolaji, aims to increase awareness of the concept of environmental sustainability. He added that it will launch a series of events, such as a co-creation innovation hub, live marathon painting events, dialogue series, and exhibitions, with the goal of fostering discussions about the phenomenon of environmental preservation.

“It is our collective hope that this initiative will foster conversations about the role of art, culture, and citizenship development in addressing global challenges and shaping policies,” he said.

“The Art for Climate Change project will be building on a previous partnership of the Lagos State Government with The Vision of the Child (VoTC), through which the renowned Noble Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, mentored thousands of young artists, and poets between the ages 8 and 12 from 2012 to 2019. Notably, four award-winning VoTC artists will depict the tech-driven climate action solutions on 17 canvases in Lagos and NYU Abu Dhabi to promote COP28.

“These canvases and the projects they depict will be communicated in powerful storytelling via documentary, film production, music, and exhibition to create awareness and contribute to policy shaping and decision-making during COP28 and beyond.

“COP28 UAE will be held at the Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023. The conference is expected to bring together a diverse range of participants, including government officials, industry leaders, academics, experts, and youth, to assess the world’s collective progress towards meeting the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.”

Also speaking, Foluke Michael, CEO and Project Director of Solution17, revealed the schedules of events, which will include Pre-Art Novation 1 and 2 in Lagos, where artists and technologists will collaborate on ideas and brainstorm, a live painting marathon in physical spaces, a private exhibition, and special viewings, among other things.

According to Mrs. Abosede George, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos-based Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investments, SDGs speak to both people and the environment in a major way.

She pleaded with Lagos State inhabitants to pay heed to the tradition of fostering a sustainable environment for everyone’s safety.