Francesca Odimgbe
Lagos State government had restated its commitment to the Public Private Partnership-model for sustainability of its projects and programmes in ensuring economic prosperity of the state thru the circular economy.
Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George emphasized at the launch of a new Circular Economy initiative ‘EcoNexus’, a drive aimed at reducing waste for environmental sustainability and economic makeover .
EcoNexus, officially unveiled at the weekend, was held at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, championed by the Office of the Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.
Mr George affirmed, “As governments, we realize we can’t do everything by ourselves. We know that working with the private sector is very, very important.
“As the state government, that’s one of the things we are very proud of in Lagos, active participation with the private sector. Especially with this circular economy and climate change, the private sector, they are part and parcel of what we do.
“So we need to ensure that at any point in time, we continuously work with them and ensure that we can exchange ideas. For the betterment of our citizens, as governments, we cannot do it alone. So definitely, the private sector is very important.”
The Commissioner said that previous Circular Economy initiatives like “the ‘Leave No One Behind’ and ‘EcoCirculate’ had demonstrated the power of the Public-Private collaboration in improving living standards and promoting sustainability, especially for marginalized communities. Expanding these efforts, EcoNexus will transform Lagos into a global leader in green innovation and sustainable urban development,” he said.
Introducing the EcoNexus initiative, the Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Mrs. Titi Oshodi said, “We aim to catalyze connections across sectors, aligning public policy with private-sector innovation. By working together, we can shape a scalable economic model that is sustainable, resilient, and adaptable to the socio-economic and cultural shifts happening around us.”
She stated that the initiative would enable ‘a vibrant movement that beautifully fuses style with sustainability’, revealing ‘Eco Fashion’ as a ‘challenge to rethink our consumption patterns and shows us that fashion can be a force for good.’
‘It’s particularly empowering for women and youth, who are at the forefront of this exciting change,’ she added.
She stated further “circular economy is at the heart of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda, particularly in areas like Health, Environment, and Economic Development. By integrating circular practices, we are addressing waste management, reducing pollution, and creating new job opportunities.”
