On May 27, 2025, more than 2,000 children from over 45 schools across Lagos State gathered at LUFASI Park to celebrate International Children’s Day and the International Day for Biodiversity. The event, held under the theme “Harmony with Nature, Sustainable Development”, was the largest of its kind at the park and aimed to promote environmental awareness and sustainable living among the youth.
The celebration featured cultural dances, drama performances, and spoken word pieces, with children taking the lead in showcasing both creativity and a growing understanding of climate issues. The festive atmosphere was filled with laughter and music, but also carried a serious message about environmental responsibility.
A highlight of the day was the distribution of 100 solar lamps to selected students. Donated by the Women in Renewable Energy Association (WIRE-A) and the Smiling Simon Greenbuild Foundation, the lamps symbolized both clean energy access and hope for a brighter future.
Lady Isioma Fidel-Ewerem, representing WIRE-A President Dr. Anita Nana Okuribido, delivered a keynote speech encouraging children to move from celebration to action. She urged the audience to see young people not just as learners but as leaders in the fight against climate change.
“We must raise a generation that doesn’t just read about climate change but works to stop it,” she said.
The event was co-organised with support from EvaCheck, a platform focused on environmental compliance, and the Smiling Simon Greenbuild Foundation, which promotes sustainable housing and clean energy. Both groups joined LUFASI Park to advocate for more youth involvement in conservation and eco-education.
Host and environmentalist Desmond Majekodunmi welcomed the children with a message about Africa’s ecological challenges. He cited the shrinking of Lake Chad as an example of environmental degradation and stressed the importance of educating children through real experiences in nature.
“Today they came to celebrate. Tomorrow, they will lead as environmental ambassadors,” Majekodunmi said.
WIRE-A also announced the launch of its Green Young Stars Club, a new initiative that will train students in climate literacy, school gardening, and peer-led campaigns. Several schools in attendance were selected to join the program.
Throughout the event, participants took part in various competitions, including art and public speaking, with prizes awarded to outstanding students. Among the winners was Michael Chidozie of Formidable Intellect School, who excelled in multiple categories and received a trophy and other gifts.
Parents and teachers praised the event for offering children a practical, engaging way to learn about nature. Many called for more frequent outdoor learning programs to complement classroom lessons.
Muslim participants were also seen observing prayers during the celebration, a moment that drew admiration from fellow attendees for its quiet expression of faith and discipline.
As the sun set over the forested park, children posed for photos with their solar lamps, marking the end of a day that combined learning, joy, and advocacy. Stakeholders hailed the celebration as a milestone in youth-led environmental action in Nigeria and a strong model for future initiatives.
With climate threats rising, organisers say events like this are critical in raising a generation ready to protect the planet. The legacy of the 2025 LUFASI Park celebration, they said, will be seen in the young minds it inspired—and the natural world they will work to defend.
