Former beauty queen turned humanitarian, Ambassador Tomi Lydia Salami, is championing a new generation of environmentally conscious young Nigerians through her organization, Aurora International Charity Foundation (AICF). In partnership with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), AICF will host the 2nd edition of the Catch Them Young Environmental Awareness Convention on Tuesday, November 11, in Lagos.
With the theme “Our Lagos, Our Future: Inspiring Young Minds for Sustainable Change,” the convention aims to empower over 1,500 students from Lagos State public secondary schools, alongside teachers, eco-advocates, youth leaders, celebrities, policymakers, and sustainability experts. The event is designed to deepen environmental consciousness among young people, fostering leadership, innovation, and collective responsibility toward creating a cleaner, greener Lagos.
According to Ambassador Tomi Salami, who serves as the President of Aurora International Charity Foundation and Convener of the Convention, the initiative is “a bold call to action for young people to take ownership of their environment.” She emphasized that as Lagos continues to expand and experience increasing environmental strain, the time to cultivate responsible, informed, and proactive citizens is now.
“Lagos is not just a place we live in—it’s a legacy we are all responsible for,” she said. “If we truly want to protect our future, we must start by educating and empowering those who will inherit it. This initiative focuses on equipping students with the knowledge, creativity, and civic responsibility to safeguard our environment.”
This year’s convention promises an engaging lineup of activities including keynote sessions, eco-challenges, panel discussions, awards, and interactive climate education engagements. Participants will also enjoy storytelling sessions from environmental role models and innovators driving sustainable impact across Nigeria. Through these interactive segments, students will gain practical knowledge on waste management, climate adaptation, renewable energy, and eco-friendly living practices.
Ambassador Salami noted that the event is more than just an educational exercise, it’s a platform for nurturing the next generation of eco-leaders who can influence policy, design sustainable business models, and lead community-based environmental projects. “By investing in young minds, we are not only shaping tomorrow’s environmental leaders but also instilling values that promote civic responsibility and collective action,” she added.
A graduate of English from the University of Ilorin, Salami later pursued Fashion and Event Planning in New York. Her journey from pageantry to philanthropy began after being crowned MBGN Face of Select Pro (2012) and Miss Tourism Nigeria, where she represented Nigeria internationally in Thailand. Beyond her beauty queen titles, she has distinguished herself as a social entrepreneur, environmental advocate, and youth mentor.
In 2013, she launched the Kits for Kids Initiative, providing essential learning materials, such as school bags, books, sandals, lunch boxes, and stationery, to children from low-income backgrounds. Since then, her foundation has broadened its reach, carrying out impactful projects across Nigeria in the areas of education, environmental sustainability, women and youth empowerment, and public health.
Through the Aurora International Charity Foundation, Salami has successfully impacted over 30,000 individuals, driving awareness on clean energy, climate action, and environmental protection. Her tireless advocacy for sustainability continues to attract partnerships with government agencies, international organizations, and private sector leaders committed to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
This year’s convention builds upon the success of the 2024 debut edition, which convened nearly 1,000 students in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. The maiden edition received widespread commendation for mobilizing youth participation in sustainability efforts, and the 2025 event seeks to amplify that impact, expanding reach, engagement, and long-term environmental commitment among Lagos students.
By strengthening the link between education and environmental responsibility, Tomi Salami and AICF are helping to lay the foundation for a more informed, conscious, and active generation, one determined to ensure that Lagos remains not just a city of dreams, but a model for sustainable urban living in Africa.
