By Uchechi Afonne
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has urged technical students to embrace sustainable cooling practices to protect the ozone layer and environment.
LASEPA made this known in a statement issued by its Head of Public Affairs Unit, Mr Adesoye Oyelami, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.
The statement followed an Ozone Layer Protection Training and Sensitisation Workshop held at Lagos State Technical College, Obafemi Awolowo, Ikorodu, on Thursday.
The workshop was organised as part of activities marking the 2026 World Ozone Day, with the theme: “Global Action for a Cooler Planet.”
The theme highlights 10 years of sustainable cooling under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
LASEPA’s General Manager, Dr Babatunde Ajayi, represented by Mrs Adedayo Adebayo, Director, Environmental Sustainability Unit, said cooling systems were essential to everyday life.
Ajayi said the agency was at the college to equip students with knowledge of environmentally responsible practices in the cooling sector.
He said refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners supported food preservation, healthcare, vaccine storage and thermal comfort.
According to him, the growing demand for cooling made sustainable technologies and environmentally responsible practices increasingly important.
Ajayi urged the students to become ambassadors of environmental sustainability by sharing knowledge from the workshop with their families and communities.
“We are here to impart knowledge and teach you best practices in the cooling sector,” he said.
“Global action is not limited to one person, an individual or a company. It starts from all of us,” he said.
The Principal of the college, Mr Babajide Soewu, commended LASEPA for exposing students to ozone protection and sustainable cooling practices.
Soewu said the programme would broaden students’ understanding of environmental responsibilities and emerging practices in the technical sector.
He urged the students to apply the knowledge gained and provide feedback to the school on lessons learnt from the programme.
Mr Adeyinka Adebiyi, Director, BIMSUL Consults and Safety and Health Expert, also addressed the students on occupational safety in the cooling sector.
His presentation, titled “Working Safely for a Cooler Planet,” focused on safe practices for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) practitioners.
Adebiyi emphasised the need for technical personnel to protect themselves, their colleagues and the environment while carrying out their duties.
The Chief Revenue Officer of Global Koolboks Ltd., a sponsor of the programme, commended LASEPA for taking the awareness campaign to technical students.
The company demonstrated an energy-efficient freezer powered by solar energy and battery storage during the practical session.
Students also participated in a battery assembly exercise aimed at exposing them to technical components used in sustainable cooling systems.
The winning team received a one-month internship opportunity and ₦20,000 cash prize.
The second and third-place teams received ₦10,000 and ₦5,000, respectively. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma