By Celine-Damilola Oyewole
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has lamented the absence of significant entries for the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge Community Category, which closed on July 15.
The First Lady, in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, said there was “no significant entry” submitted, an outcome she described as disappointing.
She said the programme was aimed at transforming degraded community spaces into green public areas.
She, however, encouraged Nigerians to participate in the second phase of the RHI Green Nigeria Challenge Community Category before it officially closes by December 20.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the RHI Green Nigeria Challenge is a nationwide environmental competition launched by Tinubu to promote tree planting and environmental cleanliness across the country.
The programme features three categories with major cash prizes: N20 million for households, N50 million for communities and N100 million for the best-performing state.
“The RHI Green Nigeria Challenge Community Category, which aimed to transform degraded community spaces such as dumpsites, landfills, and abandoned areas into green parks, gardens, and other eco-friendly spaces, officially closed on July 15.
“Unfortunately, no significant entry was received.
“The Household and State categories of the Green Nigeria Challenge remain open until December 20. We encourage households and states to participate,” she said.
According to Tinubu, entries for the next phase should be submitted through the Office of the First Lady in the respective states across the country.
The First Lady further commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for the remodelling of the Abuja City Gate, and urged other states to emulate the initiative in promoting a greener Nigeria.
“I commend the FCT Minister for remodelling the Abuja City Gate, which has become a notable landmark and a clear example of the kind of environmental transformation the Community Category was designed to promote.
“I encourage other states to emulate this example by investing in cleaner, greener communities, ensuring proper waste disposal, and keeping drainage channels free of plastic waste and other obstructions to help prevent flooding.
“Together, let us go green today for a greener tomorrow,” she said.
She urged Nigerians to participate by logging into www.rhinitiative.org. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)