The year was 2016, early April or March ending (can’t pinpoint). I sha remember following Jenny (Jennifer Uchendu) on Twitter, seeing her updates on issues relating to Sustainability, on a new cool organization she called Sustyvibes and publicity for the First Susty Party. I signed up to attend simply because I just thought it would be cool to meet and interact with other people in a bid to solve my overly reserved nature.
But things took a twist when I attended. I came late so I had to stay in front – setup! I was forced to listen to everything going on. But right now, heaven knows I don’t remember jack from what was said except when Adesoji Adejolu (Mr Waste) held up an empty PET bottle and was arguing with us that it wasn’t waste and also how Jenny was tiptoeing all over the place. But I observed something really crucial – and that was the passion. Aside from football, I had never seen people collectively being passionate about a cause. So I decided to join Sustyvibes and learn more about Sustainability on my own so I could find out what made these people tick. I’ve had prior knowledge based on my Architectural background but it was just mere words to be thrown about during Jury so I could pass Design Studio.
But I realized quickly that I might not need to do any personal learning – all I had to do was listen. So in the following months of the first year, I found myself learning a lot about it. I began to see just how important the role we had to play was in aspects of advocacy and inspiring young people to take actions in favour of their environment.
I’d admit that initially, there was a bit of struggle with regards to embracing a paradigm shift that challenges young people to take action. This was even considering my background of growing up on the ‘streets’ where I’ve been taught that it’s the government place to solve all our problems, not ours. And even worse is the widely spread belief that one can’t amount to much or do much except you’re born into a wealthy home.
But two years later, I can say the journey has been exciting so far. I finally got to eat Ijeoma’s Banana bread too (apparently, the bread is also a Sustyviber – if you know, you know!) I was also invited last year to speak at UNILAG for a Stack Conference, and this year, I was a delegate at UNIBEN for a Cambridge University Lecture on Climate Change. I’ve also gotten to meet several cool people doing awesome stuff in Sustainability and had discussions with them with regards how Climate Action can be enacted in every sphere.
Even though joggling school, work and Sustyvibes hasn’t really been sexy (as all 3 are looking for time I don’t have), I’ve resolved to play my part everyday – as a member of the SustyVibes Community, as a volunteer, a Teamlead, and a Partner.
Hopefully, I’d become like Tamara so I could change it for people whenever they litter around me, or expand Eric and Tobi’s work on Stare Down On Pollution in my vicinity, or sacrifice some hours of the night to edit and manage content for the Sustyvibes site like Tairat.
It’s clear we’re making progress to ensure that everyone (especially millenials) are aware of their roles in creating a sustainable future for themselves and generations to come. And you know that feeling when you’re part of something important, and awesome, that’s how its like to be part of Sustyvibes.
And yeah, did I mention I got to meet Susan too?