By: Theresa Donatus, Uyo.
The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has launched the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge in the state, calling on all 31 local government areas to intensify tree-planting and environmental beautification efforts as part of a nationwide campaign for environmental sustainability.
The flag-off ceremony, held on Wednesday along Clement Isong Road in Uyo, featured the symbolic planting of trees and marked the commencement of the state’s participation in the national initiative championed by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event, Lady Obareki said the programme was designed to promote environmental sustainability, improve public spaces and encourage communities to take ownership of their environment through tree planting, landscaping and waste-to-green projects.
She explained that the initiative was introduced by the First Lady of Nigeria and directed that it be implemented across all states of the federation.
Commending Senator Tinubu for spearheading the campaign, Lady Obareki described tree planting as a lasting investment whose benefits would extend to future generations.
“The trees we are planting today will stand as a legacy for future generations. I look forward to a time when we can drive past this road and proudly say, ‘We planted that tree right there,'” she said.
She urged residents to actively participate in environmental sanitation, beautification and tree-planting activities in their communities, stressing that environmental protection requires collective responsibility.
Lady Obareki also appealed to the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and the Wives of All Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (WALGON) in Akwa Ibom to mobilise local government chairmen and their spouses to replicate the initiative across all 31 councils.
She further encouraged participants to document their activities through photographs and videos for submission as part of the national Green Nigeria Challenge, expressing confidence that Akwa Ibom would emerge the overall winner.
The Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Nsikak Ekong, said tree planting contributes excessively to environmental conservation and human well-being, while the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, highlighted additional benefits including provision of shade, beautification of the environment and erosion control.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council and Chairman of ALGON in the state, Hon. Uwemedimo Udo, pledged that all local government councils would replicate the exercise in their respective areas.
The symbolic tree planting was carried out by Lady Obareki alongside the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Inibehe Silas; Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Nsikak Ekong; Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor; a representative of the Ministry of Works; President of the Commissioners and Special Advisers Wives Association (COSAWA), Dr. Bright Archibong; Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, Hon. Uwemedimo Udo; President of WALGON, Mrs. Akaninyene Udo; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agribusiness, Pastor Godwin Ukwat; representatives of the Rotary Club of Uyo District, GIFA, and the Federal Road Safety Corps.
The Green Nigeria Challenge is one of the flagship programmes of the Renewed Hope Initiative aimed at encouraging afforestation, environmental sustainability and community participation in creating cleaner and healthier communities across Nigeria.
