Introduction
It was truly a momentous milestone for the Preserve Our Roots team on March 1, 2025! We celebrated the official launch of our first Pilot Sustainability Park, based on the G.R.E.E.N. (Growth, Recycle, Educate, Empower, and Nature) model, at Bethesda School in Ikota, Aja, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria.
The need for a greener environment and a sustainable future is one of the many causes that fuels the actions of the youth involved in Preserve Our Roots.
Park Ideology and Design
The park’s design was planned out and materialised by Mr. Gabriel Aigbokhaode and his team of carpenters and welders. The park featured a climbing wall, a set of swings, a slide and a beautiful mural portraying a rainforest.
The team ensured that the park embodies the principles of sustainability and the utility of Nigeria’s own natural resources to achieve self-reliance as a nation. True to these principles, the park’s materials were largely sourced from recycled metal playground parts, used shipping crates and wood harvested from indigenous trees.
The park also prioritizes the importance of recreation in nature and its beneficial role in child development. It is surrounded by coconut trees, planted by the children with the help of the Preserve Our Roots Team, for the advantages the flora adds to the environment and to serve as a reminder for the children of the value of nature.
Sneak a Peak Behind The Scenes
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The Park’s Purpose
This park is one of many initiatives by Preserve Our Roots aimed at promoting the value of sustainability in Nigeria. It is strategically located within a school in an underserved community, with the goal of instilling the principles of sustainability in the minds of the youth in an environment of education and empowerment.
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The Day to Remember
The launch was a resounding success! The ceremony began at 10:15 AM, starting with the opening remarks, a vote of thanks, and an inspiring commencement speech which set a lively tone for the rest of the day. Representing our team that day were Amara, Funmise, Harmony, Omotola, Oreofea, Idy and Kishi. Commemrable and uplifting, the team did an excellent job ensuring that everyone enjoyed the event. The panelists included Desmond Majkodunmi (founder of Lufasi Park), Uche Pedro (founder of BellaNaija) and Orondaam Otto (founder of Slum2School) and other important figures from the Advisory Board of Preserve Our Roots and donors to the Sustainability Park.
The Panel Session
Kishi Adebayo moderated a panel session featuring our special guests from the advisory board and donors of the sustainability park as the panelists.
We didn’t neglect to make time for the children of couse. It was a blast interviewing and engaging with them!
They also had some things of their own to share with us too.
In fact, there was a student who had drawn a coloured plan of the park’s layout, which he started and completed the day before and presented to the panelists during the students’ presentations.
-Harmony Asasa
Our special guests were kind enough to share their own words of wisdom and inspiration.
The students loved the event. They danced, played and paid careful attention to what was said, which was quite impressive.
“They loved repeating after the speakers (at the speaker’s request) and they especially loved Mr Desmond Majekodunmi’s song “You can not plant cassava and harvest cocoyam.”
-Harmony Asasa
Official Park Opening
The Climax of the event: A countdown to our Launch as the student’s did a run in!
Final Interviews
We rounded up with a final interview with Uche Pedro (founder of Bella Naija)and Orondaam Otto (founder of Slum2School Africa) who graciously shared their advice for the Preserve Our Roots team and their insights on youth empowerment.
She (Uche Pedro) gave interesting insights to her delight in Amara’s work and that of Preserve Our Roots and how thrilled she was to donate to the Park’s building. She also talked about Bella Naija’s inclusion of sustainability and climate consciousness in its focus list. She also encourages all young people, especially girls to believe in themselves and work at their dreams to make it a reality. Tough times will come when you will doubt yourself but consistently affirming yourself helps with keeping confident.
-Funmise Oshikanlu
The Impact and the Future
This is a symbol of the potential impact that youth-led initiatives (like the works of Preserve Our Roots) can have in shaping the future of a more sustainable and environmentally conscious Nigeria. It simultaneously serves as a bold call to action to inspire and challenge the youth to take action to make an impact towards the future they desire.
I was really struck by how passionate each speaker was and it felt like everyone was connected by a shared purpose, even though they had different visions. But what moved me the most was the kids. Seeing the pure joy on their faces, the way they smiled so brightly, was incredibly touching. It wasn’t just emotional, it made me even more determined to create opportunities for children like them
-Harmony Asasa
You really should have been there! But no worries, we’re not stopping here. This is neither the beginning nor the nor the end of the story of impact and change!
Written and edited by Alexis Keke
March 1, 2025