While Goal 6 of the SDG advances clean water and sanitation, Goal 11 advances the need for sustainable cities and communities. The event, which was in partnership with the Department of Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Council members, also featured members of the Sanctuary Keepers Unit of Covenant’s proprietor-base.

The Chair, CU-CDIIC, Dr. Tayo George, thanked the Management of the University for the support given to the initiative and resources committed into the exercise. She appreciated the outgoing Head of the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Administration, Mrs. Olasubomi Ayorinde, for being supportive from the day the idea was broached, and for the enthusiasm the Council Transition Committee Chairman, Alhaji Lawal, brought to bear on the plan since assumption of office.

Dr. George noted that the sanitation exercise was not going to be a one-off thing, adding that the committee would continue to look for means of helping to drive a sustainable clean and waste disposal habit in the community in line with the University’s quest to drive various SDG initiatives all through the current academic year.

The Chairman, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Council Transition Committee, Alhaji Wasiu A. Lawal, commended the University for the laudable Community Impact Initiative, noting that it was important that the environment be well cleaned. According to him, the cleanliness of Covenant University campus had become one that many institutions and organizations should model their environment after.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor AAA. Atayero, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Akan Williams, appreciated the readiness of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Council to partner with the University in promoting the UN SDGs, especially Goals 6 and 11 of clean water and sanitation, and sustainable cities and communities respectively.

He noted that all over the world, the tripod of operations of every ivory tower is to teach, research and drive community impact, with each frame of this tripod carrying equal weight in advancing the cause of knowledge.

Professor Akan posited that it was the quest for healthy environment and sustainable communities, that necessitated the sanitation exercise. “We desire that this partnership be sustained, because we are not comfortable seeing refuse all over the road enroute the University campus; that is why we think there is need to engage the Local Government Council with regards to waste management,” he stated.