Education and Awareness
NCF's Workshop on Environmental Education 2009-Photo speak
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NCF's Workshop on Environmental Education 2009
A two Day workshop organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation was held at the Lekki Conservation Centre /NCF headquarters on the 12th and 13th of November 2009. In all a total of twenty-nine conservation club educators drawn from Lagos state participated in the workshop.
The aim of the workshop was to build teachers’ capacity for a more effective management of the environment by equipping them with necessary skills for coordinating conservation/nature clubs, as well as infusing environmental education into the school curriculum. The workshop was used to create networking opportunities for sharing information among club coordinators. It also availed participants with the knowledge and skills required for using conservation clubs and its activities as a clearing house for linking African children to the global environmental community.
Workshop Proceedings
The workshop was declared open by NCF education adviser DR. Babatunde Lawal who expressed high optimism in the success of the 2 day workshop. He also laid emphasis on the importance of the workshop especially in promoting Environmental Education in the schools.
The first session commenced with the familiarization of the participants with the objectives of the two-day workshop which include:
- Refresh our thoughts on the concepts and the demand for environmental education.
- Improve skills necessary for facilitating EE with conservation clubs.
- Acquire skills necessary for promoting practical delivery of EE in their respective schools.
- Identify the concepts for establishing and running school conservation clubs.
The First technical session titled “Background /importance of Environmental Education in Nigeria’’ facilitated by Anu Akinola (Coordinator, Education unit NCF) was characterised with plenary and syndicate sessions as a participatory format was adopted in the presentation of papers. During the session, a test of environmental knowledge was administered on the participants using a twelve-item questionnaire.
An analysis of the participants performance in the test showed that while a very low percentage of the participants demonstrated a very high level of environmental literacy, some of them were found to be environmentally literate with very few found to be environmentally illiterate.
At the end of the session, participants were able to:
- Define Environmental Education and its characteristics.
- Identify components of EE.
- Identify and explain the principles of EE.
- Outline various importance of EE.
The Second session was facilitated by Dr. Babatunde Lawal titled “Strategies for promoting activity based Environmental education among school children”. It was characterised with plenary and syndicate sessions as participants were divided into three groups to discuss an activity based programme for environmental education for children in public schools.
The objectives of the session are:-
1. To understand the features of an activity-based environmental education and what is expected of the teacher utilising such approach with school children either in the four walls of the classroom or outdoor.
2. Discuss effective environmental education as one that moves away from teaching and learning approaches based solely on the transmission of knowledge to that which encourages the development of qualities.
3. Introduce the clubs in Nigeria to the Wildlife Club of Africa and the CHM portal.
The syndicate session involved participants in activities such as:
· Identify advice you could give to your friend newly elected commission on how to improve environmental education
· Suggest environmental education based activities that will be child centred.

The third session was also facilitated by Dr. M.B. Lawal with the title “Constraints to effective promotion of environmental education in schools”. Participants at the end of this session were able to identify the factors constraining effective promotion of EE in Nigerian schools, and also identified their roles as teachers and club coordinators in addressing these constraints.
The last day of the workshop started with a review of the previous day’s sessions which was done by Dr. M.B. Lawal to energise the participants. This was followed by a session facilitated by Mrs. Lawal (an education officer in NCF) on “skills required for establishing and running school conservation clubs”. It was an interactive session where two of the participants shared their experiences and benefits (both direct and indirect) in running the
conservation club in their respective schools. Participants were grouped into six districts for easy networking and monitoring among schools.
The last session was facilitated by Anu Akinola. She intimated the participants about the Wildlife clubs of Africa and the Clearing House Mechanism (its benefits and expectations).
The session also witnessed the launching of the “Nature’s roost” (supported by the Wildlife clubs of Africa),an electronic resource centre established for connecting Nigerian children to other African and the global conservation communities at large for the benefit of nature and people.
NCF E-LIBRARY ‘NATURE’S ROOST’ OPENS FOR CHILDREN

Birdlife Africa - Jensen Foundation and CAPLC supports the establishment of an Electronic Library called the NATURE’S ROOST.
The Nature’s Roost was established to strengthen conservation efforts among children and increase their access to relevant information on the environment.

The E-library is well equipped with soft and environmental books and information. It has four computers with internet access. The room facilitates e-learning among children.
Beautifully painted and decorated by CAPL (makers of Dulux), Nature’s Roost is open for the use of conservation club members and their coordinators.
World Environment Day 2009
The Nigerian Conservation foundation joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2009 World Environment Day with activities including the Flora and Fauna Dress and “Pass It On” an awareness campaign competition on Friday 5th June 2009.
This years WED with the theme: “Unite to combat climate change –Your planet needs you” was well attended with about 600 children with 110 teachers and about other 130 guests who included NCF members, NCF Council members, Dignitaries from the Federal and State Ministries of environment. The event started with an opening remark by the Executive Director NCF –Prof Emmanuel Obot and then a welcome speech by Bridg.Mobolaji Johnson.
The opening speech was given by the 1st lady of Lagos state Mrs Abimbola Fashola who was ably represented by Dr. Mrs Bola Babalola.
Goodwill messages followed by NBC- NCF’s over 10 years supporter of the fancy dress competition represented by Mr. Utibe Uko - NBC Communications Manager .
The competition commenced in earnest starting with the colorful 5-7years category ,followed by the 8-11 years ,12-14 years and then 15-18 years .
Find bellow details of result
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2009 FLORA & FAUNA DRESS COMPETITION RESULT
5-7 Year Category
| Name of School |
Total Mark Obtained |
Position |
Corona School, Apapa |
80.50 |
1st |
Corona School, Ikoyi |
78.75 |
2nd |
Rotoy primary School Victoria Island |
70.25 |
3rd |
8-11 Year Category
| Corona School Ikoyi |
71.00 |
1st |
Corona School Gbagada |
70.50 |
2nd |
Edidot Nur/Pry School Ajah |
69.00 |
3rd |
12-14 Years Category
Edidot College Ajah |
57.75 |
1st |
Deo potential College |
57.50 |
2nd |
Aunty Ayo Girls School Ikoyi |
50.50 |
3rd |
15-18 year Category
| Aunty Ayo Girls School Victoria Island |
56.25 |
1st |
Lagos State Model College Badore |
53.00 |
2nd |
Eric Moore School Surulere |
49.50 |
3rd |
Winners of 2009 pass it on awareness Campaign
| Corona School Ikoyi |
28/30 Marks |
1st |
Kinderville International School |
23/30 Marks |
2nd |
Turon School |
22/30 Marks |
3rd |
Good Learning School Gbagada |
18.5/30 Marks |
Ingenuity prize |
Trophies and Prizes were awarded after the announcement of the winners. The programme came to a close with a vote of thanks from NCF membership Adviser Mrs Bunmi Obidare. The event had good media coverage. In attendance were the Guardian Newspaper, punch, the Nation, Business day, financial standard, Rhythm FM, NTA, Nigerian Tribune, Champion, The compass, Business times and Silverbird TV.
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- 3rd Category Winner of the Flora&Fauna Dress Competition, Edidot College Ajah,
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| Winner of the "Pass It on" Awareness Campaign, Corona School, Ikoyi at their presentation . |
| 4th Category Winner of the Flora&Fauna Dress competition,Aunty Ayo School V.I. recieving their gift from Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi |
Pupils at the WED enjoying the tasteful delights of Indomie