Environment Expert Charges UNILAG on Green Library

By Daniel Nnamani and Charles Maduka

Professor Arnold Mwanzu, an Environmental Expert and Associate Professor at Aga Khan University, has encouraged the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to implement measures and policies that will promote a sustainable library.

He made this charge while delivering a keynote address at a webinar organised by the Library and Information Sciences Department, UNILAG, to celebrate this year’s World Environment Day. 

Speaking on the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution,” Prof. Mwanza hinged his topic on “Eco-Conscious Librarianship: Eradicating Plastic Pollution and Achieving Planetary Health.”

He explained that green libraries are ones that actively promote sustainability through environmental policies and practices. 

“Adopting a green library will serve as a model of ecological responsibility and education,” he said.

Prof. Mwanzu further cited how countries like India, Kenya and Rwanda have implemented policies towards zero plastic usage. This, according to him, has contributed to the cleanliness and eco-friendly environment in those countries, especially Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city, which is one of Africa’s cleanest cities. 

On practical actions for green libraries, Prof. Mwanzu listed a ban on single-use plastic, provision of water refilling stations, promotion of reusable bags and containers and partnership in clean-up campaigns, as some of the measures that can help UNILAG remain eco-friendly. 

He added that African libraries can be made better by planting trees in libraries and it’s environs, promoting recycling, waste segregation and a strategic sustainability plan, which will be embedded in the policy of libraries across Africa. 

“We can also adopt the 3Rs of an eco-friendly environment, which are: reduce, reuse, and recycle, to promote this initiative”, he noted. 

Prof. Mwanzu also state that though funding is a problem, UNILAG has the brilliance, the voice, the vision to lead Nigeria’s libraries towards a zero-waste, climate-smart and health-secure future through partnership with NGOs and other organisations that are keen on a green environment. 

The webinar had in attendance the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, UNILAG, Professor Adelaja Odukoya, Head, Department of Mass Communication, UNILAG, Professor Oloruntola Sunday, Associate Professor Ibitayo Popoola, immediate past UNILAG Librarian, Professor Yetunde Zaid, Coordinator, Library and Information Sciences, UNILAG, Dr. Adefunke Alabi, students, among others.