The United Nations Children Fund(UNICEF) in collaboration with the Kano state government and other partners have stormed streets and some schools in the state capital sensitizing students and residents on the need to keep a clean and healthy environment, advocating also for the use of reusable plastic.
Speaking after a road walk campaign exercise and tree planting exercises at Government secondary School Kundila in Kano on Wednesday, UNICEF chief of Kano field office, Mr. Rahama Farah, said over 400 million tons of plastics are produced annually and they constitute one of the biggest threats to the planet.
He explained that much of it ends up in rivers, oceans, soil, and in the food being consumed by humans, hence, the need to carry out these campaigns targeted at youths and students to be agents of social change in leading voices to raising awareness on environmental contamination and protection.
Farah said the campaign which involves picking of plastic trash and tree planting activities are part of the 2025 World Environment Day(WED) celebration which is aligned with UNICEF’s global Green Rising initiative aiming to mobilize youth-led climate action through volunteering, green skills development, and environmental advocacy.
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According to him, in Nigeria, the Green Rising initiative aims to plant 100,000 trees, recycle 100,000 kilograms of plastic waste, and mobilize 100,000 youth for climate action by 2025.
“This initiative directly contributes to Nigeria’s environmental sustainability goals, fostering climate-smart entrepreneurship among young people, particularly women.
“As the UN Agency for children, UNICEF is committed to initiatives and actions that ensure a sustainable and clean environment for children,” he said.
He further urged the young people to continue advocating for the use of reusable plastics, proper disposal of waste and educating their families and friends about plastic pollution among others with a view to building a cleaner and greener environment.
In his remarks, the Kano state commissioner for Environment and Climate change, Dr. Dahiru Hashim, emphasized on the need for collective action in addressing plastic pollution.
Represented by his special adviser on Environmental sanitation engr. Abdullahi Bichi, Hashim however called on the public to support the campaign for a sustainable practice to create a healthier future.