The just concluded second edition of the Environmental Sustainability Conference, Expo, and Awards (ECOSEA), celebrated five outstanding individuals for their exceptional impact on environmental sustainability in Africa.
The event, which took place last Thursday at Muson Centre Onikan Lagos, saw Peju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation also recognised as the sustainability champion of the year in the Not-for-profit category.
Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head of Group Sustainability at Access Corporation, was recognised as the sustainability champion of the year in the financial category while Victoria Nwadoka emerged as the sustainability champion for the food and beverages category.
For the Extractive industry and FMCG categories, Igazeuma Okoroba, Group Head of Sustainability at Dangote Plc and Godfrey Adejumoh, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Unilever respectively.
In his welcome remarks, the Convener of ECOSEA and Publisher of Impact Reports Africa, Mr Joshua Ajayi, praised the sustainability experts and professionals for their continuous push for a sustainable environment pointing out the historic agreements reached in COP28.
In his words,” It is quite soothing to note that all the campaigns and advocacies from different parts of the globe have not been in vain”.
Speaking of the platform, Mr. Ajayi said “Our goal shortly for ECOSEA is to create an annual platform that would steadily become the largest foremost thought-leadership platform that champions the cause of environmentally sustainable actions in Africa.
“We also want to create an aspirational space where people will gather annually to showcase innovative and environmentally friendly products, services, and initiatives. We equally want to be the most prestigious recognition platform for champions of environmental sustainability in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa while serving as a tool of inspiration to others”.
The top 20 companies were also recognized for their giant contribution to environmental sustainability, they include; Sahara Group, Access Bank, Rite Foods, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Friesland Campina, Arla Foods, Lafarge, and International Breweries amongst others.
The event had a unique gathering of sustainability professionals and experts who dissected topics such as “Solutions to pollution: Nexus between public policies and private sector interventions and Climate actions: Influencing behaviour and private sector interventions”.
