The Dawn Project Honours Young Nigerians for Creative Climate Solutions at 2025 Prize Giving Ceremony

The Dawn Project, a creative environmental awareness initiative founded by Dr. Pamela Ajayi, has celebrated the ingenuity of young Nigerians who are using art, innovation, and storytelling to champion climate action and sustainability. The recognition came during the 2025 Dawn Project Prize Giving Ceremony, held in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The annual event, which harnesses the power of creativity to inspire environmental consciousness, brought together students, educators, policymakers, environmentalists, academics, and corporate partners.

This year’s competition, themed “Generation Restoration: Shaping Our Future,” invited participants to express their vision for a sustainable planet through poetry, essays, innovations, music, and photography.

Organised in partnership with LUFASI Park, Punch Nigeria Limited, Swift Networks, Bridge Clinical, Ecobank, and others, the ceremony also saw the unveiling of new student ambassadors dedicated to promoting sustainable practices within their schools and communities.

One of the project’s key advocates, Mrs. Angela Emuwa, Chairman of Punch Nigeria Limited, was recognised for her continued support of The Dawn Project’s mission to blend creativity with environmental advocacy a collaboration that reflects the growing synergy between the media, private sector, and civil society in driving sustainability awareness.

This year’s edition attracted over 1,000 entries, carefully reviewed by a panel of judges drawn from diverse professional and academic backgrounds. The judges were later honoured with certificates of appreciation for their service and commitment.

The atmosphere was electric as students from secondary schools across Lagos gathered to celebrate the power of creativity in environmental stewardship.

Dignitaries in attendance included Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of Nigeria’s former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health; and Dr. Tomi Coker, Ogun State Commissioner for Health symbolising a growing alliance between government, the private sector, and creative advocacy groups in advancing sustainability.

In her keynote address, Mrs. Osinbajo urged the younger generation to view environmental care as both a responsibility and a legacy. Using the metaphor of an orange seed, she highlighted how small, deliberate actions can blossom into transformative change.

“Each seed in an orange has the potential to become a tree,” she said. “Our actions today will determine what kind of world we leave behind for the next generation.”

She reminisced about her childhood, when access to fresh fruits and natural gardens was common, lamenting how urbanisation and neglect have eroded such experiences.

We must teach the next generation that seeds are important and require care, she added, calling for renewed environmental consciousness.

In his remarks, Prof. Abayomi linked environmental degradation to public health, reiterating the World Health Organisation’s position that human well-being depends on the planet’s health.

“If the environment is sick, we will become sick physically and psychologically, he said, urging a mindset shift toward sustainable living.

Similarly, Dr. Tomi Coker commended The Dawn Project for its creative approach to climate advocacy, aligning its impact with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those on climate action and quality education.

Founder Dr. Pamela Ajayi reaffirmed her commitment to using art and storytelling as tools for change. Policy alone cannot solve the climate crisis, we need creativity, empathy, and community participation,” she stated. Through its blend of artistry, education, and collaboration, The Dawn Project continues to position young Nigerians at the forefront of the movement for a greener, more sustainable future.