The advocacy for greener schools and communities has been taken to the grassroots across the three senatorial zones of Benue State.
The campaign, organised by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Benue Links Nigeria Limited and Makurdi local government council, was held in Zone A at RCM Pilot Primary School, Tordonga, Katsina-Ala; Zone B at the Ter Makurdi’s Office, Makurdi; and Zone C at RCM Primary School, Engila, Agatu.
The campaign, according to Msughter John Ataigbough
SA, Corporate Communications and Community Engagements, brought together traditional rulers, local government officials, education stakeholders, parents, religious leaders, opinion leaders, School-Based Management Committees and other community representatives to deepen grassroots ownership of environmental protection.
Giving an overview of the greening initiative, the Director-General, Benue State Council on Climate Change, Dr Daniel Mailumo, represented by Dr Steve Ahile, explained the realities and effects of climate change and emphasised the need for deliberate action to protect the environment.
He urged schools and communities to embrace tree planting and other practices capable of mitigating the effects of climate change.
Speaking on efforts to improve access to basic education, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Benue SUBEB, Comr. Patricia Gbuuga, highlighted the implementation of Project BRACE-UP, noting that the initiative was designed to identify, enrol and support children who are currently out of school.
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She disclosed that 500 out-of-school children had so far been enrolled through Project BRACE-UP and provided with learning materials.
The Executive Chairman of Benue SUBEB, Dr Grace Adagba, in her keynote address, connected the greening campaign to the broader vision of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, stressing that schools and communities must remain central to efforts to address climate change.
According to her, when environmental consciousness is instilled in children and reinforced within their communities, schools become powerful platforms for creating lasting behavioural change.
Dr Adagba recalled other greening interventions by Benue SUBEB, including the Tree Planting Campaign, under which 80 trees were planted in 40 schools; the establishment of Greening Clubs in 20 schools; and the training of 80 teachers from 40 schools across the three senatorial districts on greening schools and climate change education.
The General Manger, Benue Links, Comr. Alexander Fanafa and the Chairman, Makurdi Local Government Council, Hon. Joseph Keffi, also spoke at the event in Zone A and B respectively, lending their support to the campaign and lauding the achievements of Gov. Alia in education.
A major component of the campaign across the three zones was the provision of 100 school kits for out-of-school children for each zone identified for enrolment under Project BRACE-UP and the symbolic planting of trees. Notable speakers at the events were Mue-Ter Masev, Chief Clement Kurugh, Mue-Ter Ipusu, Chief Bernard Ayolave, the District Head Agatu, Chief Jibrin Abubakar, Chief Imam Agatu, Ochepo Mohammed, Vice Chairman CAN, Rev. Terwase Ugbede, as well as other religious leaders, and education stakeholders.