Why I floated pro-environment group —Jide Kosoko

Veteran actor, producer and director, Jide Kosoko, has floated a pro-enviroment group, Environment Monitoring Volunteers, a voluntary grassroots environment, health and security advocacy support group.

Kosoko, who was appointed an environment ambassador of Lagos State in 2009 by the then state governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, in an interview with journalists, said the Environment Monitoring Volunteers is a voluntary group that will bring together Nigerians who are passionate about clean, safe, healthy and secure environment.

Kosoko said: “The group seeks to liaise with government at all levels through relevant agencies in helping to instill the culture of cleanliness, proper care for the environment, healthy practices and ensuring that our communities are safe and secure.”

Speaking further, he said the group seeks to carry out its objectives from the ward level through education, enlightenment and serving as ‘brothers’ keepers’ by giving timely information to security agencies on suspicious activities and persons.

The veteran actor explained that he had been actively involved in environmental issues for the past 10 years when Fashola appointed him an environment ambassador.

According to him, his active involvement in environmental issues led the United Nations Children and Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to commission him to produce and direct an environmental issue based docu-drama entitled ‘Battle for Life.’

He revealed that the group whose membership cuts across every strata of the society, has already attracted key individuals in different professions, who are passionate about the vision and objectives of the group.

Prince Kosoko further explains more on the mode of operations of the group: “We shall coordinate periodic voluntary clean up exercises in markets, motor parks and other public places.”