By Daniel Karlmax
Environmental stakeholders and enthusiasts in Kaduna State have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting environmental literacy and awareness through advocacy and practical initiatives aimed at addressing the effects of climate change.
The stakeholders made the commitment during the launch of a tree-planting initiative and establishment of a Climate Club at Narayi LEA Primary School in Kaduna.
The programme, themed “Planting Trees, Nurturing Minds and Building a Climate-Resilient Future,” was organised by a education consultancy in collaboration with the Kaduna State Climate Change Accountability Mechanism (KADCCAM) and the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), Kaduna.
In her keynote address, the Director of JoBulb Edu Consult, Ms. Joyce Ajeji, highlighted the importance of trees in mitigating the effects of climate change and creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
She explained that trees serve as windbreaks, help improve air quality through oxygen production, and provide economic benefits to communities.
Ajeji said the initiative was designed to expose learners to contemporary environmental challenges and equip them with practical knowledge on how to respond to them.
She stressed that education should go beyond the four walls of the classroom, noting that learners should acquire practical skills that would enable them to understand and respond to real-life challenges.
According to her, education should be properly positioned to serve the needs of communities by equipping young people with knowledge and skills that can help them become self-reliant rather than depending solely on government for employment
“With this knowledge, after graduation, if they look around, they can add value to their various communities by imparting the knowledge they have gained,” she said.
Ajeji described the tree-planting initiative as the maiden climate-related project of JoBulb Edu Consult, explaining that the organisation had previously engaged in awareness campaigns, seminars, collaborations, school competitions, and cultural activities aimed at keeping students informed about national and global developments.
In a goodwill message, the Co-Chair of KADCCAM, Mr. Ibrahima Yakubu, said the initiative formed part of the organisation’s broader efforts to promote environmental protection and sustainability in the face of global climate challenges.
Yakubu described the students as the “destiny of the nation” and urged them to take responsibility for maintaining the trees planted in their school.
He also pledged KADCCAM’s commitment to rewarding students who demonstrate outstanding efforts in climate adaptation and mitigation through their respective climate clubs.
The traditional ruler of Narayi Community, who was represented by Mr. Wyorkson Joseph, urged the pupils and students to take ownership of the project and ensure that the trees survive.
He assured the school and residents of the traditional council’s support, promising that measures would be taken to prevent the destruction of the trees.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by the heads of the participating schools, religious leaders and representatives of the Interfaith Mediation Centre.
The speakers expressed their commitment to strengthening environmental protection initiatives and promoting greater awareness of the need to safeguard the environment from degradation caused by human activities.
The organisers said the establishment of the Climate Club would provide students with a platform to continue learning about climate change, environmental conservation, adaptation and mitigation while encouraging them to take practical action within their schools and communities.
Editing By Godwin Duru
