By Awwal Umar Kontagora In a bid to instil an early appreciation for the environment and promote its preservation, the Regional Centre for E...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
In a bid to instil an early appreciation for the environment and promote its preservation, the Regional Centre for Expertise (RCE) Minna has successfully conducted its third cohort of the Green Fingers Programme (GFP).
The Green Fingers Programme is designed to educate children aged 4-10 about the causes and effects of environmental degradation due to human activities and to teach them how they can help mitigate these negative impacts.
At the closing ceremony of the 2024 edition, Dr. Francis Gana, the Chairman of the occasion and former Rector of Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru, as well as a member of the RCE Minna Board of Research, highlighted that the programme focused on tree planting and encouraged children to start their own gardens as a means of combating climate change.
Dr. Gana urged parents to ensure that the knowledge their children have gained is put into practice at home. He emphasized that supporting this practical application would contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and align with the Green Economy vision of the current administration.
Hon. Maurice Magaji, the state Commissioner for Land and Survey, who was the special guest at the event, noted that climate depletion has resulted from poor environmental management. He praised the programme for bringing children together to learn about environmental appreciation, viewing it as a positive step toward adopting best environmental practices for a brighter future.
Hon. Magaji stressed that addressing climate change is a collective responsibility and emphasized the importance of passing on environmental stewardship to future generations.
Dr. Abdul, Coordinator of RCE Minna, revealed that since its recognition in 2011, the centre has collaborated extensively with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to promote sustainability. He stated that the Green Fingers Programme aims to raise awareness about environmental sustainability through tree planting and to instil the values needed for a healthy environment now and in the future.
Dr Abdul also pointed out that we rely on the environment more than it relies on us and suggested that planting trees in place of traditional birthday celebrations could significantly help in addressing environmental degradation.
He further explained that the Green Fingers Programme supports the African Union’s Agenda 2063 by introducing its fundamental aspirations to children who are expected to be key contributors by 2063.
Miss Martha Ogar, the chief tutor of the Green Fingers Programme, shared that her passion for working with children made it easy for her to effectively teach them about environmental best practices.
The 2024 Green Fingers Programme, an environmental summer school for children, was held in loving memory of Arch. Hassana Gambo, who passed away in March this year and was instrumental in founding the programme.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of quotes by the late Arch. Hassana Gambo in her memory, tree planting activities by the children in groups, a visit to the Bridget Aisha Lemu Conservatory and Children's Park located in the Three Arms Zone area, and the honoring of some RCE Minna members for their contributions to the centre and to humanity.
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