June 03, (THEWILL) – The tranquil expanse of the Lekki Urban Forest and Animal Sanctuary Initiative (LUFASI) Park in Lagos transformed into a vibrant green haven on May 27, 2025, as more than 2,000 children from over 45 schools across the state converged to celebrate both International Children’s Day and the International Day for Biodiversity. With the theme “Harmony with Nature, Sustainable Development”, the dual celebration, deemed the largest ever held at the park, brought together young learners, environmental advocates, educators, and development partners in a unified call for action on climate change and sustainable living.
The park reverberated with joy and purpose as children took centre stage, delivering captivating, dramatic performances, cultural dances, and impassioned spoken word pieces. Their presentations not only celebrated the innocence and creativity of childhood but also reflected a deepening awareness of environmental issues among Nigeria’s young generation. The atmosphere of the day was charged with excitement, but also emphasised by a shared concern for the future of the planet.
In a gesture that pointed out the symbolic and practical significance of the event, 100 solar lamps were distributed to deserving students as tokens of hope and empowerment. The lamps, provided by the Women in Renewable Energy Association (WIRE-A) in collaboration with the Smiling Simon Greenbuild Foundation, served as reminders of the importance of access to clean energy and education.
Dr Anita Nana Okuribido, the President of WIRE-A, ably represented by Lady Isioma Fidel-Ewerem, Member of the Board of Trustees, delivered a stirring keynote address that challenged the audience to look beyond celebration to action. Fidel-Ewerem stressed the urgent need to embed environmental awareness in youth development strategies and to empower children as active participants in climate solutions. “Let this day not just be a celebration, but a call to action. We must raise a generation that doesn’t just read about climate change but actively works to reverse it”, she declared, drawing loud applause from the gathering.
WIRE-A, alongside EvaCheck, a technology-driven platform focused on environmental compliance and sustainability, partnered with LUFASI Park to deliver technical support, advocacy, and community outreach aligned with the theme of the event. Their presence stressed the rising importance of innovation, collaboration, and youth-centred environmental programs in tackling the global biodiversity crisis.
The host of the day and environmental custodian of LUFASI Park, Mr Desmond Majekodunmi, welcomed the participants with heartfelt gratitude and a passionate plea for deeper environmental consciousness. In his address, Majekodunmi drew attention to the real and present threats facing ecosystems across Africa, highlighting the disappearance of Lake Chad as a sobering example of unsustainable human activity. “Sustainability means continuing what gives us life. You can’t eat if you destroy your land. Places like Lake Chad, once abundant, are now barren. Through every child, every event, we sow seeds of environmental consciousness,” he said.
He emphasised that the experience of being immersed in nature, touching the soil, seeing the trees, and learning about animals, was a vital step in nurturing future custodians of the Earth. “They came here to celebrate their day, but they leave here as ambassadors for our environment,” he added, calling for more support for eco-parks and educational green spaces across the country.
Another powerful voice at the event was Lady Isioma Fidel-Ewerem, WIRE-A Intergovernmental and International Team Lead, who spoke with deep emotion about the importance of the day’s activities. She explained that the donated lamps symbolised more than just light; they represented hope, dignity, and the limitless potential of Nigerian children. “These lamps we’ve donated are more than light, they are a symbol of renewed hope, confidence, and belief in the dreams of these children”, she said.
Lady Fidel-Ewerem used the platform to call for more inclusive and sustainable policies that prioritise youth education, green infrastructure, and renewable energy. She urged Nigeria’s government and private sector to recognise the power of grassroots advocacy and invest in platforms like LUFASI Park that combine conservation with community impact. “The government must invest in supporting initiatives like LUFASI. We need advocacy in every language, on every platform. Let us act as if there is no tomorrow, because without sustainability, there won’t be one”, she warned.
The day’s celebrations were also used to announce that many of the participating schools would be inducted into WIRE-A “Green Young Stars Club,” a pioneering initiative aimed at grooming a new generation of climate-conscious leaders. The club will serve as a platform for environmental education, clean-up projects, school gardens, climate literacy programs, and peer advocacy campaigns. “Transformation starts in the mind. After today, these children will not be the same. They are the future governors, astronauts, engineers, and above all, caretakers of the Earth.”
The success of the event was a product of seamless coordination between LUFASI Park and its strategic partners. EvaCheck, the digital environmental compliance platform, lent credibility and structure to the event’s green messaging. The Smiling Simon Greenbuild Foundation, known for promoting sustainable housing and green living, reaffirmed its commitment to integrating clean energy with education.
Parents and teachers who accompanied the children expressed satisfaction with the experience, noting that such interactive outdoor programs leave a deeper and longer-lasting impact than classroom-based lectures. Several school administrators requested more regular engagements at LUFASI and similar green spaces to reinforce environmental education in the school curriculum.
As the sun began to set over the tree-lined park, many of the children could be seen posing with their new solar lamps, hugging their classmates, and reflecting on the day’s activities. The laughter, the songs, the storytelling, and the sheer joy of being close to nature created an unforgettable atmosphere of learning, celebration, and advocacy.
LUFASI Park’s 2025 Children’s Day and Biodiversity Celebration has been described by stakeholders as a watershed moment for youth-centred climate engagement in Nigeria. It succeeded not just in drawing a crowd but in inspiring a movement, one that places children at the heart of environmental stewardship and the pursuit of a sustainable future.
As environmental threats grow and the call for climate justice becomes louder, events like this offer a blueprint for how Nigeria can raise a generation of informed, empowered, and active citizens. The legacy of May 27, 2025, at LUFASI Park will live on in the young minds it touched and in the ecosystems they are now inspired to protect.
Different winners emerged across the various categories, including painting competitions from both secondary and primary schools. There were also impressive presentations by the participating schools, all of which reflected the theme of the day.
However, the turning point of the event came when Michael Chidozie, a Senior Secondary School Three student from Formidable Intellect School, emerged as the overall winner in almost all the categories. He was presented with a trophy and several other notable gifts by the organisers, the Jurist and major sponsors.
In a quiet yet powerful display of devotion, Muslim participants took time to observe their prayers amid the lively celebration, an act that many fun seekers admired as a display of deep religious commitment and discipline.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
