By Abbas Nazil
The Osun State Government has marked World Cleanup Day 2026 with a major street-cleaning exercise from Ayegbaju Market to Old Garage in Osogbo, bringing together government agencies, residents, volunteers, private waste operators and community groups to tackle improper waste disposal.
The exercise, led by the Office of the Director-General and Special Envoy of the Governor of Osun State on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, covered one of the state’s busiest commercial corridors as part of efforts to improve environmental cleanliness and public order.
The initiative was organised in collaboration with the Unofficial Aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Osun Waste Management Agency, the Ministry of Environment, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Recyclers Association of Nigeria, Trash Must Go and Rehoboth Waste Management Services.
Community mobilisers and concerned residents also participated actively in the exercise, helping to clear waste and draw public attention to the need for collective responsibility in maintaining a clean environment.
The Office of the Director-General and Special Envoy said the cleanup should not be regarded as a one-off activity, stressing that it represents the beginning of sustained action to address improper waste disposal across Osogbo and eventually the wider Osun State.
It said concerns raised about the sustainability of the exercise had been noted, adding that the government was committed to subsequent cleanups and the development of a continuous cycle of community sanitation, recycling and environmental action.
According to the Office, the success of the initiative would depend on the continued participation of residents, government institutions, private-sector operators, community organisations and other stakeholders.
It called on citizens to take responsibility for their surroundings by disposing of waste properly, supporting recycling initiatives and participating in future community-led environmental sanitation exercises.
The Office also acknowledged the contribution of security agencies that supported the exercise and helped provide a safe and orderly environment for participants and road users.
The agencies included the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Federal Road Safety Corps.
Media organisations including Rave FM, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation and Afinju FM were also commended for amplifying the environmental message and documenting the cleanup exercise.
The participating government agencies reaffirmed their commitment to improving waste-collection systems, addressing indiscriminate waste disposal, promoting recycling and strengthening collaboration with communities across the state.
The World Cleanup Day exercise, according to the Office, demonstrated the importance of partnerships between government institutions, communities, civil society organisations and private waste-management operators in addressing environmental challenges.
The Office said the collaboration would continue beyond World Cleanup Day as part of broader efforts to promote a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Osun State.
Residents were consequently encouraged to sustain the momentum generated by the exercise by keeping public spaces clean, embracing responsible waste disposal practices and supporting future environmental initiatives across Osogbo and other parts of the state.
The Office urged citizens to see environmental cleanliness as a shared responsibility, stressing that sustained individual and collective action would be necessary to achieve lasting improvements in waste management across Osun.
