By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA Lagos
An official of Lagos State government has described circular procurement as a cornerstone of sustainable practices that focuses on purchasing goods and services designed for durability, repairability and recyclability.
Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Titi Oshodi, made the description at the year 2024 Circular Exchange Lagos event which was held on February 1, on the theme, “Reflect, Learn and Build.”
Oshodi said that organizations can significantly reduce waste, conserve resources, minimize their environmental footprints and build business opportunities for local entrepreneurs by adopting circular procurement principles.
According to the special Adviser, this year’s event serves as a platform for reflection, learning and advancement following a year of collaborative efforta with diverse partners through the circular business platform to cultivate the circular economy business landscape in Nigeria.
The 2024 Circular Exchange Lagos event convened stakeholders, academia, policy makers, small and medium scale enterpreneurs (SMEs) and organizations to advance the circular economy ecosystem in Lagos and Nigeria.
“The convening also served as a platform to celebrate sterling achievements of players in the circular ecosystem, evaluate milestones, and set new goals towards more circular Lagos,” the organizers wrote in a statement titled “2024 Circular Exchange: CBP, LBSSC, Others Promote Innovation and Entrepreneurship Opportunities for the Circular Business Ecosystem.”
The organizers stated that the event also afforded attendees and stakeholders an opportunity to network with industry leaders, take learning from circular champions and collectively address challenges within the circular economy value chain.
They pointed out that with a focus on fostering opportunities for circular business and investment, promoting sustainable practices and driving policy changes toward a circular economy in Nigeria, the event sought to brainstorm and strategize on accelerating sustainability goals for socio-economic impact on the sub-region.
“Attendees had the chance to delve into focus points such as identifying challenges and opportunities specific for developing the market for circular businesses in Nigeria, exploring tools and learning experiences developed by the circular business platform and its partners, as well as showcasing local initiatives driving circular economy practices,” the organizers explained.
The Circular Market Debrief Panel session of the event focused on leveraging tools to support local innovation and entrepreneurship.
There was an Ecosystem Report Session during which Christopher Nwogwu, founder of Greenpreneur, facilitated discussions that were aimed at encouraging ecosystem improvement, exploring solutions and outlining the overarching vision for 2024 in driving ecosystem achievement.
On the the occasion, the President of Waste Managers of Nigeria, David Oriyomi, said, “Once waste is properly collected, the environment is better for it, and there is always a nexus between our well-being and our environment. Once your environment is clean and waste is effectively collected, then you have what is called a prehealthcare service.”
Panelists, including Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesi, Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), shared insights on how to achieve 100 per cent plastic neutrality, and emphasized the responsibility of individuals for effecting change.
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