The Non-Governmental Organization Jody Kingsman Services (JKS) has called on residents to take personal responsibility in maintaining a cleaner environment.
The appeal was made on Saturday by Ms. Shalom Asaah, founder of JKS, during the second edition of a community cleanup exercise in Ifelodun, Ogba, a suburb of Lagos. The initiative, tagged “Cleaning Can Be Fun,” seeks to promote climate action and environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, Asaah emphasized that environmental cleanliness begins with personal discipline and conscious daily habits.
“Until each person understands that keeping our environment clean is a personal duty, nothing will truly change,” she said.
Recalling lessons from her upbringing, Asaah recounted how her mother taught her proper waste disposal, even in public spaces:
“Growing up, my mom used to tell me, if you eat something in a bus, don’t throw it out the window; put it in your bag until you see a dustbin. That habit stuck with me,” she added.
The “Cleaning Can Be Fun” initiative was launched in February in Oworonshoki after the JKS team observed poor sanitary conditions in the area.
“We saw so much dirt in the communities and realised the need to do something—not just to clean, but also to educate people and raise awareness,” Asaah explained.
She stressed that as recycling becomes a growing part of Nigeria’s environmental culture, it is vital for citizens to take cleanliness seriously.
“If we all become more conscious and intentional, it will benefit us individually, in Lagos State, and across Nigeria,” she said, expressing gratitude to community members who participated in the cleanup.
Also speaking, Mr. Lawrence Bassey, a resident of Ifelodun, thanked the NGO team for their efforts and pledged to sustain the initiative by encouraging the community to regularly maintain cleanliness in their environment.
The exercise also included a medical outreach to elderly residents, conducted by a team of medical personnel from the Red Cross Society.
