The Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, has launched the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge in Jigawa State, calling on residents to embrace tree planting as part of efforts to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability.
The initiative also featured the inauguration of the Jigawa State Governance Structure for the Green Nigeria Challenge, Environmental Societies in tertiary institutions and School Environmental Clubs across the state.
Hajiya Nana urged households to participate actively in the initiative by planting sustainable, drought-resistant tree species, including Neem (Dogonyaro), Moringa, Date Palm, Mango, Guava and other indigenous trees capable of restoring the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change.
“It is now my singular honour and privilege to formally inaugurate the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge, the Jigawa State Governance Structure, the Environmental Societies, and the School Environmental Clubs in Jigawa State.
May this initiative contribute significantly to building a cleaner, greener, healthier and more sustainable Nigeria for the benefit of present and future generations,” Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima said.
She explained that the programme is designed to nurture a new generation of environmentally conscious Nigerians who will champion biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, climate action and responsible natural resource management.
According to her, the Green Nigeria Challenge was first launched on September 10, 2025, at the State House as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to promoting environmental conservation and climate resilience.
Hajiya Nana noted that the Environmental Societies established in tertiary institutions would spearhead environmental advocacy, reforestation programmes, clean-up campaigns and other initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable ecosystems and advancing sustainable development.
Speaking at the event, Governor Umar Namadi emphasised that achieving climate resilience requires the active participation of citizens, particularly young people, whom he described as custodians of the state’s environmental future.
Governor Namadi disclosed that nearly 3,000 students have already been mobilised into conservation teams across senior secondary schools, while six Environmental Societies have been established in tertiary institutions to champion tree planting, biodiversity conservation, environmental sanitation, recycling and erosion control.
To encourage innovation and grassroots participation, the governor announced a ₦50 million grand prize for outstanding Environmental Societies and youth organisations participating in the Green Nigeria Challenge.
Governor Namadi also directed State and Local Government Marshals to provide mentorship and technical support to the newly established Environmental Clubs and Environmental Societies. He added that implementation of the programme would be monitored through geo-tagging technology and the Survival Rate Index (SRI) to ensure accountability and measurable environmental outcomes.
Source: The Guardian
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