By Khadija Kubau
EDUMEDIA Climate Reform on Health Initiative (eMICH) has joined stakeholders and community members in Kaduna State to mark the 2026 World Cleanup Day, with a call for collective action to promote cleaner environments and healthier communities.
The cleanup exercise, held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, was organised under the theme, “A Cleaner Environment, A Healthier Tomorrow.”
The event brought together community members, volunteers, civil society organisations and environmental health stakeholders, including the Nigeria Red Cross, Kaduna State Coalition on Climate Change, Centre for Water and Environment, Eco-Health Limited and other participating organisations.
Speaking during the activity, participants emphasised the importance of community involvement in environmental sanitation, responsible waste management and public awareness on the health implications of indiscriminate waste disposal.
The programme commenced with light physical exercise and mobilisation, followed by waste picking and cleanup activities within the community.
Participants also sorted collected waste into categories, including plastic, sachet water waste and general waste, to demonstrate the importance of proper waste separation, recycling and disposal.
The exercise was complemented by public sensitisation, during which members of the community were encouraged to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse and embrace practices that promote cleaner and safer surroundings.
eMICH also used the occasion to highlight the connection between environmental cleanliness, disease prevention and community wellbeing, stressing that maintaining a healthy environment requires sustained action beyond one-day cleanup campaigns.
The initiative provided an opportunity for eMICH to strengthen collaboration with community members, volunteers and organisations working in the areas of environmental protection, climate action and public health.
The activity also gave participants practical experience in waste picking and sorting, while increasing public awareness of the importance of responsible waste management.
The organisation noted that community-led environmental initiatives can make health messages more practical and easier for people to understand and adopt.
eMICH reaffirmed its commitment to promoting environmental health, public awareness and community-driven action towards cleaner, safer and more resilient communities.
