By Ayomide Otitoju
Rite Foods Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action through a series of educational and environmental initiatives held to commemorate the 2026 World Environment Day in Lagos and Ogun states.
The food and beverage company engaged students, teachers, and community stakeholders at Opebi Senior Grammar School in Ikeja, Lagos, and Moslem Primary School in Ososa, Ogun State, in programmes aimed at promoting environmental responsibility, sustainable living, and circular economy practices.
The outreach featured interactive sessions on waste management, recycling, water conservation, and environmental stewardship. Students also participated in tree-planting exercises designed to encourage afforestation, enhance carbon capture, and foster a culture of environmental protection among young people.
Speaking during the programme, tagged “Plant the Future,” Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Rite Foods Limited, Ekuma Eze, underscored the need to equip younger generations with the knowledge and values required to address environmental challenges.
He described climate change as one of the most pressing global issues and called for deliberate actions by organisations, communities, and individuals to safeguard the environment.
“Environmental sustainability begins with awareness and responsibility. By catching them young and teaching them the importance of protecting the environment, they become ambassadors of positive change within their homes and communities. We must therefore take intentional steps today to ensure we leave a healthier planet for future generations,” Eze said.
He also highlighted the company’s broader sustainability efforts, including the recently launched Waste-Is-Naira (W.I.N.) initiative in partnership with RecyclePoints. The programme allows residents to exchange used plastic bottles and beverage cans for cash while promoting responsible waste management and advancing circular economy practices.
Also speaking at the Ososa event, Rite Foods’ Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Manager, Timilehin Ajibola, stressed the connection between environmental sustainability, community development, and long-term business growth.
According to him, protecting the environment through simple actions such as proper waste disposal, water conservation, and tree planting is essential to building healthier communities and ensuring sustainable development.
“Our goal is to remain in business for the next century and beyond. Achieving that requires collective responsibility in protecting our environment through simple actions such as conserving water, disposing of waste properly, and planting trees that will benefit future generations,” Ajibola said.
A key highlight of the Lagos engagement was a practical recycling and sustainability session facilitated by Kazih Kits Limited, Rite Foods’ sustainability partner. The session exposed students to innovative ways of converting waste materials into useful products, demonstrating the economic and environmental benefits of recycling.
Chief Executive Officer of Kazih Kits Limited, Dr. Chinedu Azih, said recycling presents practical solutions to environmental challenges while creating opportunities for social and economic impact.
“Many of the materials people discard every day still have economic and social value. Through innovation and recycling, plastic bottles and product wrappers can be transformed into school bags and other useful products that support education, reduce pollution, and contribute to a more sustainable future,” she said.
Commending the initiative, Head Teacher of Moslem Primary School, Ososa, Lawal Oladele, described environmental education as critical to raising responsible future citizens.
He noted that the lessons learned by pupils would extend beyond the classroom and help promote environmental awareness within their families and communities.
Oladele also praised Rite Foods for championing the initiative and investing in environmental education.
The World Environment Day outreach forms part of Rite Foods’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework, which focuses on Education, Youth Empowerment, Environmental Stewardship, and Community Development (EYEC), while reinforcing the company’s commitment to driving climate action through awareness, education, and collective responsibility.
