By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
In a bid to promote cleanliness and community service, the Young Christian Workers Movement of Nigeria (YCW), Apapa Deanery has conducted a cleaning exercise at Boundary Market to encourage residents of the area to engage in cleaning their environment.
The chairman of the Deanery Clean-Up Committee, Prince Innocent Ihedioha said the initiative had been planned five years ago, adding that this year’s execution involved collaboration with LAWMA and the local government for necessary permissions.
He also highlighted that the funds for the clean-up were raised through donations from friends and parishioners, revealing that the original plan was to clean from Boundary roundabout to the former Coca-Cola office, but they redirected their efforts to other areas, including Mba Street, Alayabiagba, and Tolu Medical, ending the clean-up at the local government area.
He promised that the group would continue this annual programme next year, reflecting their commitment to community service and cleanliness.
Similarly, Mr. Felix Yohanna, the Deanery Coordinator of YCW, emphasized the positive impact of the clean-up on the Christian community, stating that the association has over 10,000 members in Lagos, with more than 1,000 in Apapa Deanery alone.
He encouraged all Nigerians to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in their environments.
Earlier, members of the group, armed with brooms, shovels, baskets, and other tools, undertook this initiative as part of their annual social responsibility efforts.
Several market women expressed gratitude for the clean-up. Iya Boluwatife, a tomato seller, praised the workers for their efforts, highlighting that a clean environment helps reduce the spread of cholera. She also called for government support, especially for widows in the market.
Isiaka Abudalo, chairman of the Butchers Association of Boundary Market, appreciated the Catholic Church members’ work, noting that it had been a long time since such an initiative took place. He remarked that the arrival of the young workers alleviated the burden of cleaning the market from those who usually handle it.
Mama Tolani, a vegetable seller, urged the youth to avoid conflicts in the upcoming week, praising the Catholic group for their peaceful and helpful efforts.
Mr. Basil Ozoemena, Chairman of the Laity Council of Apapa Deanery of YCW, explained that the clean-up was motivated by the recent spread of cholera in Lagos State. “We want to lay a foundation that people will follow,” he said, emphasizing the importance of a clean environment in preventing disease.
Ozoemena acknowledged the efforts of the local government but urged more community involvement in keeping the surroundings clean. The group had informed the local government of their plans and provided their own cleaning tools for the exercise.