LAWMA tasks faith leaders on sanitation at annual Ramadan lecture
Religious leaders have been urged to take a more active role in promoting environmental sanitation through the integration of waste management messages into regular sermons.
A statement from the Director Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, the call was made at the 5th Annual Ramadan Public Lecture organised by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) at its headquarters in Ijora-Olopa on Tuesday.
In his remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin described the annual lecture as a platform for moral reflection and civic responsibility, urging residents to extend the discipline and virtues of Ramadan to environmental stewardship and desist from indiscriminate waste disposal.
He noted that a clean environment directly impacted public health, productivity, and overall wellbeing, stressing the need for stronger collaboration between government and faith-based institutions in advancing sanitation advocacy.
Speaking through the Executive Director, Finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, he stated that linking environmental responsibility to religious teachings strengthened public understanding and improved compliance with sanitation regulations.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Tajudeen Omobolaji Gaji commended LAWMA for sustaining the initiative and promoting environmental consciousness through faith-based engagement.
Delivering the lecture, the National Missioner of the Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahman Olanrewaju Ahmad, emphasised that cleanliness and responsible stewardship were fundamental Islamic principles while describing environmental sanitation as both a civic duty and an act of faith.
He proposed that religious institutions should maintain covered waste bins within their premises and develop structured environmental guides to support sermons, positioning faith leaders as strategic partners in driving behavioural change and community mobilisation.
The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, who was represented at the event by Whitecap Chiefs, commended LAWMA for sustaining the annual lecture, while special prayers were offered for the Authority, Lagos State and the nation.
