The Lagos State government has received support from the Kokun Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, for its clean environment and market initiative. The state also called on market traders and residents to adopt good environmental sanitation and hygiene practices.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, made the call while hosting the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Kokun Foundation, Mr Olukokun Adepeju, at the Alausa Secretariat. Adepeju led a group of widows and volunteers on a road show and sensitisation visit to highlight the importance of environmental cleanliness.

Wahab emphasised the importance of collaboration between the government and residents in achieving a sustainable environment. “The Clean Market Initiative, I am glad Kokun himself led this march. We as a government can’t do enough without the residents’ support. So I implore you all to keep doing this until we get all our people on the same page with the government on environmental hygiene. Cleanliness is next to godliness. That’s what all our religious books tell us,” he said.

He reiterated the administration’s commitment to promoting a clean and healthy environment, reducing the risk of disease outbreaks, and encouraging community participation in waste management. According to Wahab, residents must make cleanliness a way of life by maintaining their homes, surroundings, and drainage systems while ensuring proper waste disposal.

“Residents should refrain from dumping waste on roads, road medians, open spaces, or canals and avoid open urination and defecation,” Wahab said, adding that offenders would be prosecuted under state environmental laws.

He also urged traders to relocate their goods from roadways into markets to create a cleaner, safer, and flood-free environment.

On behalf of the government, Wahab expressed gratitude to the Kokun Foundation for its efforts. “Words alone are not enough to express how we feel about this cleanup market sensitisation initiative. So, on behalf of everyone here, I want to say thank you very much, and don’t let it stop here. Keep sending the message across to everyone you know about maintaining good environmental sanitation practices,” he said.

In response, Adepeju commended the government’s commitment to maintaining a sustainable environment. He noted that the Foundation had visited several markets to educate traders on environmental cleanliness and responsible waste disposal.