Wednesday, June 7, 2017 turned out to be a day to remember as beneficiary organisations to the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) showcased in Abuja a range of successful initiatives being undertaken.
The GEF-SGP in Nigeria, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), provides grants as well as technical coordination support to poor, marginalised and vulnerable communities through national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs) to implement local environmental initiatives that also enhance their (the communities’) livelihood while achieving global environmental benefits.
The environmental benefits are in five focal areas of operations listed to include: biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, international waters and persistent organic pollutants.
Wednesday’s GEF-SGP Nigeria National Knowledge Fair and Exhibition featured:
- Exhibition of projects,
- Network and learning opportunities with environmental NGOs/CBOs,
- Success outcomes of waste-to-wealth at the grassroots,
- Ideas for businesses in the environment sector, and
- Ideas for corporate social projects.
Graced by dignitaries, the event also entailed partnership presentation, dance drama, dinner as well as presentation of prizes to winners of the programme’s Art and Essay Competition.
During the Art and Essay prize presentation, laptops printers, certificates and plaques were presented to the first winners in the various categories of the competition held as part of the activities of the Knowledge Fair.
Ashley Mofaz from Bellina College, Akoka, Lagos State won the first position for Junior Art category. Obinna Chidoka, Chairman, House Committee on Environment and Habitat, presented the Prize.
Caleb Nnamani of Eletu Odibo Senior High School, Yaba, Lagos, got the first position for the Senior Secondary School essay category. The presentation was done by Ms. Elizabeth Olofin, a member of the GEF-SGP Nigeria National Steering Committee.
Mr. Oladipo Osibo of the United Nations Development Programme, Nigeria, presented the prize award for the first position of the University Undergraduate Essay Category to Mrs. Funmilayo Adeagbo, a student of the University of Ilorin.
A cultural troupe entertained the guest with a Gbagyi dance, to create awareness of climate change and to further reiterate the message of “no indiscriminate cutting of trees”. Guests were later treated to a sumptuous dinner.
