On February 28th 2025, “A Clean Up Exercise” was mobilized by Hon. Derin Phillips in partnership with The Caise Foundation and Green Janitors at Obada Market Obalende. A movement with a team of volunteers who rolled up their sleeves, cleaned up the market, and sparked something even bigger: a renewed sense of community responsibility, to send a message that ‘This community matters’ ‘The people matter’ and the places we live and work in should reflect that.
Dr. Derin Phillips was in the midst of it all, not watching from the sidelines but leading the charge, sleeves rolled up, sweeping, lifting, clearing, talking to traders, listening, reminding everyone why this mattered. This wasn’t about a one-day clean-up, It was about the kind of environment people deserve to live and work in. The energy was infectious, some came ready to work, others joined in as they saw the momentum build; a trader who had watched from a distance eventually grabbed a broom. A young boy, no older than ten, picked up a plastic bottle and tossed it in the right place.
The Caise Foundation and Green Janitors had made this possible, but it was the people who gave it life. This wasn’t just about picking up waste it was about picking up responsibility. A cleaner market meant healthier food, a better shopping experience, fewer floods, and, more importantly, a shift in mindset. Because when you see something change before your eyes, when you’re part of the change, you no longer wait for someone else to do it next time. You take ownership.
By midday, this incredible work had showed off the streets that had been buried under layers of dirt now stretched wide and clean. Piles of plastic, once scattered carelessly, were sorted and packed for recycling. People stood back, looked around, and smiled because they had done this together.
Dr. Derin Phillips didn’t just organize this; he was part of it. Not a figurehead, not a distant supporter, but a man in the thick of it, proving that leadership isn’t about titles it’s about showing up, about action, about reminding people that their community is worth fighting for. And today, they had fought for it with their own hands.
A cleaner market wasn’t the only thing left behind that day. A shift happened, a realization spread among those who witnessed it that if they could do this in a few hours, imagine what could happen if they committed to it every day? This isn’t just about Obada Market, it’s every street, every community, every space that deserves better. And this is just the beginning.
The question is no longer, “Who will fix this?” but We will Together.
Here’s how YOU can be part of the change:
✔ Volunteer – Be part of our next clean-up and help transform another community.
✔ Educate – Start conversations about environmental responsibility in your own neighborhood.
✔ Support – Through donations, partnerships, or simply spreading the word, your help matters.
Because a cleaner Lagos is possible, only if we all take responsibility.
Want to get involved? Contact us today!
🌍 Website: https://derinphillips.com/
📸 Instagram: @derin.phillips
📧 Email: campaign@derinphillips.com