A non-governmental organisation, Clean Ecosystem Foundation, has commenced the establishment of an environmental change initiative, the Environmental Clubs, in secondary schools in Delta State.
A week-long sensitisation programme for the exercise ended in Asaba, the State capital on Tuesday.
During the period, the Foundation launched the Environmental Clubs at Master Care International School in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area; Government College, Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area; and Beach Secondary School, Koko in Warri North LGA, among others.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Club at Master Care International School, the Director of Communication and Advocacy of the Foundation, Timothy Emorhakpor, noted that, “Members of the club are expected to serve as environmental change agents in line with the vision of the Foundation.”
He added, “The Club is to champion a greener future, one community at a time, by creating a world where every community could thrive in a clean, safe and sustainable environment.”
Emorhakpor expressed concern that the lack of implementation of environmental policies and laws had led to environmental disasters such as climate change, ozone layer depletion and loss of certain species.
He said, “The establishment of environmental clubs in schools is a crucial step towards achieving this mission, as it would inspire and educate the next generation to become environmental ambassadors.
“Through education, mobilisation and direct action, the NGO aims to empower individuals and organisations to join hands in tackling climate change and environmental hazards.
“By encouraging young people to become environmental ambassadors, the Foundation hopes to create far-reaching awareness and inspire them to lead lifestyles that are harmonious with the environment.”
Addressing students of Beach Secondary School in Koko, the duo of Emorhakpor and the Foundation’s Director of Programmes, Akpobi Elvis, reiterated, “The need for young minds to be involved in practices that would protect the environment”.
“We may not be able to completely stop all the negative occurrences affecting the environment, but we could consciously lead a lifestyle that could protect our environment from destruction”, they emphasised.
They said, “Natural disasters that could adversely affect the environment may occur, but our desires to live better and comfortable lives have affected our environment more negatively.
“Here in Nigeria, there are a lot of policies and laws that have been made to protect the environment, but lack of decisive implementation has been responsible for most of the environmental challenges we have been facing as a people.”
Also, at Government College, Ughelli, representatives of the Foundation charged the students to become environmental transformational agents noting that “It has become imperative for young people to be involved in the fight against environmental degradation so that as they grow up, they will never depart from it.
“We believe that if young minds like you are encouraged to become environmental change agents and you grow up with such mindset and are allowed to serve your local, state or Federal Government in such capacities as Councillors, Council chairmen, Commissioners, Ministers, Legislators, Governors, Ambassadors or even President of this country, you would understand the urgent need to formulate and implement environmental laws and policies that would protect the environment from destruction.”
Highlights of the inauguration exercise included the establishment of the environmental club and the distribution of free notebooks to members of the club in each of the schools.
The Foundation concluded the week-long sensitisation programme with a courtesy visit to the Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Ejiro Jamani, in his office in Asaba during which the Commissioner lauded the Foundation “for taking the bold step in establishing the Environmental Clubs in the state.”
The Commissioner, while assuring the team of his ministry’s readiness to partner with the Foundation, remarked that “The initiative aligns with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda.”
“We are planning to activate Mobile Courts that will try environmental offenders and make them do social works when they are found guilty.”
