Something remarkable happened at the heart of the bustling Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA). Over 150 market women, residents, and community leaders gathered for the second phase of the Momentum Support Initiative (TMSI) Climate Workshop. The focus? Waste management. The goal? A cleaner, healthier environment for all.
The scene at the LCDA Secretariat was one of determination and hope. Attendees began the day by completing a pre-test questionnaire, an exercise that revealed just how much or how little people understood about proper waste management.
The air was solemn yet charged with purpose, especially after an opening prayer led by one of the market women, whose voice carried the weight of a community longing for change.
For many, this wasn’t just another workshop. It was an opportunity to speak up. And speak up they did. Participants shared vivid accounts of their struggles, overflowing bins left untouched for weeks, markets filled with refuse, and the choking smoke from burning trash. These weren’t abstract problems; they were everyday realities.
The team from TMSI listened. Then they acted. The Communication Officer took the stage to address these concerns head-on, providing practical advice on proper waste disposal, highlighting the dangers of burning refuse, and encouraging residents to engage actively with waste management authorities. “Change doesn’t happen by staying silent,” they said. “Your voices matter, and you have platforms to be heard.”
This wasn’t mere talk. Solutions were woven into every part of the day. Participants were shown how to leverage community meetings, customer care lines, and stakeholder forums to hold the waste management authority accountable. The workshop wasn’t just about education it was about empowerment.
The presence of 10 local government executives, including the Chairman of Igando-Ikotun LCDA, gave weight to the event. The Chairman’s words resonated with the audience: “Cleanliness is the backbone of community health. We are committed to supporting you in making Igando-Ikotun a model for effective waste management.”
Perhaps the most touching moment came during a panel discussion featuring a LAWMA sweeper and an officer from the Lagos State Environmental agency. Their stories painted a vivid picture of the challenges waste management workers face daily. But they didn’t stop at the challenges they shared actionable solutions, emphasizing that when communities and authorities work together, real progress can be made.
The day ended with a renewed sense of purpose. The TMSI Climate Workshop wasn’t just a meeting it was a movement. It reminded everyone in that hall that change starts with them. It’s in the choices they make, the conversations they have, and the pressure they apply.
For Igando-Ikotun, this is just the beginning. The road to a sustainable environment may be long, but with initiatives like TMSI leading the charge, the community is one step closer to making it a reality. And as one market woman put it so simply yet powerfully, “We are ready.”
