As part of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness among young Nigerians and build their capacity on how to live sustainably, the Federal Government has launched the Eco-schools initiative, targeting schoolchildren in Abuja, the country’s capital.
This programme, which is being implemented by the Department of Climate Change (DCC) of the Federal Ministry of Environment, was unveiled on Thursday, January 16, 2025, during a two-day climate change awareness workshop organised by the department in Abuja. Additionally, a handbook was provided to the students to serve as a guide and promote knowledge sharing.
Environmental education is a critical solution to the global climate crisis; hence its integration into the school system cannot be overstated. This is why a number of organisations, most notably the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), are working to provide technical help to Nigeria’s government and to assist states in developing climate-responsive education sector strategies.
Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, the director overseeing the DCC, said it is extremely imperative to empower the next generation with the required skills to help them come up with innovative solutions that address the climate crisis and foster environmental stewardship.
The director, who was represented by Dr. Aliyu Musa Yanure, added that the launch of the scheme represents the government’s commitment to improving climate literacy among students and other citizens across the nation.
“We will empower our students to become champions in their communities, driving initiatives that have a positive impact in their lives,” Dr. Abiola-Awe stated.
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, the Secretary for Health and Environment for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), expressed his satisfaction that his organisation was included in the process due to its connection with the FCT development plan.
According to him, the FCT administration has identified tree planting as a way to promote sustainable environmental management and raise awareness among Nigerians and corporate entities. He noted that secondary schools under the FCT are enlisted as the pivotal drivers of this noble campaign.
“We currently have green champions drawn from 40 schools and hope to expand it further to other schools in the FCT,” Dr. Fasawe said.
This Eco-Schools initiative is being supported by the European Union, UNICEF, Save the Children International, and the FCT secretariat. It is an intervention tool that the DCC aims to cascade not only in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) but also to all the area councils in FCT, namely Kwali, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari, and Abaji.
Students engaged in an interactive session where they learnt about the handbook’s contents, played the Play, Learn, and Act Now (PLAN) game, and asked questions on climate change.
By Nsikak Emmanuel Ekere, Abuja
