By Stanley Onyekwere
To help mitigate incessant and other effects of climate change, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Purple Hands Empowerment Initiative has stressed the urgent need to scale up tree planting culture and awareness especially among the youth in the society.
In particular, the NGO called for intensified tree planting campaign and support for similar initiatives that promote environmental sustainability.
This advocacy was made during the organisation’s 2023 tree planting campaign and inauguration of PurpleHands Environmental Care Club (PHECC) in Government Junior Secondary School (GJSS), Idu-koro, in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
According to the founder and president of the NGO, Brenda Max-Nduaguibe, noted that the exercise, sponsored by Green Belt Movement of Nigeria, was in commemoration of this year’s World Environmental Day, aimed at making a positive impact on the environment and raising awareness about the importance of protecting the planet.
She said: “In the month of June to commemorate the World Environment Day, we perform a simple yet effective way to combat climate change and preserve our natural resources.
“Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which helps to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute
to global warming. They also provide valuable habitat for wildlife, prevent soil erosion, and improve air and water quality.
“By planting trees today, we are not only helping to mitigate the effects of climate change, but we are also leaving a legacy for future generations. It is important that we continue to work together to protect our planet, to promote sustainability and to make a positive impact in our communities.
“I am particularly proud of the PHECC members who participate actively in club activities, the Club masters who selflessly put in time to mentor club members and the School Principals and Vice principals who supervise Club activities.”
The Founder adds: “Purple Hands Empowerment Initiative through PHECC has impacted 250 students across 4 secondary schools in the FCT namely; LEA Primary School, Igu Bwari Area Council, GJSS Karimo, GJSS, Kuchigoro, GJSS Durumi, respectively.
“In the three years of Launching PHECC 36 students have been offered scholarships. PHECC is a platform through which students are offered scholarships, incentivized and motivated to stay in school, encouraged to do well in their studies and dream of a better future.”
Also speaking, Programme Assistant, Green Bond Secretariat, Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, Bem Eunice Aunbur, said NGO’s initiatives are commendable as they were in line the Federal Government’s resolve towards improving the planet.
She opined that in order to attain the desired goals of efforts toward securing the environment, stakeholders like PurpleHands should be encouraged to not keep going on, but to widen its scope in the quest to mitigate flooding and other effects of the planet change.
For Principal of the School, Yinka Crown Oyegoke, the initiatives undertaken by the NGO were critical to the protection and preservation of the environment of the school and community at large.
He therefore assured that under his watch, measures will be put in place, in order to sustain and maintain the trees planted as well as ensure that more students and teachers imbibe the tree planting culture.
Highpoint of the event was the inauguration of the PHECC and tree planting exercise inside the school premises, by stakeholders who graced the occasion.
