Vice President's Wife Launches ₦50 Million Environmental Prize for Youths in Jigawa

News in Brief:

—Nana Shettima inaugurated the Renewed Hope Initiative Green Nigeria Challenge in Jigawa, encouraging tree planting and environmental conservation.

—Governor Umar Namadi announced the ₦50 million prize for outstanding environmental groups while reaffirming the state's commitment to climate resilience and sustainability.

The wife of Nigeria's Vice President, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, has launched the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge in Jigawa State. It calls on households, schools and communities across the country to embrace tree planting and environmental conservation as practical solutions to desertification and climate change.

Representing the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the inauguration on Tuesday, Shettima said the Go Green Today for a Greener Tomorrow initiative will inspire collective environmental action.

Challenge Targets Climate Action

Shettima described Jigawa as one of Nigeria's frontline states confronting the devastating effects of desertification and urged every household, community, school, youth organisation and local government to support the campaign by planting drought-resistant tree species such as neem, moringa, date palm, mango and guava.

She noted that establishing environmental clubs in secondary schools and environmental societies in tertiary institutions would nurture a new generation of environmentally conscious Nigerians. These groups will be capable of leading endeavours for tree planting, recycling, reforestation, erosion control and plastic waste reduction.

According to her, the programme is expected to strengthen climate resilience, conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable development across the country.

The Vice President's wife further emphasised that involving young people is central to the initiative's success. She called for equipping students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to champion environmental protection within their communities.

Shettima also commended the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Jigawa State Government for supporting the implementation of the Green Nigeria Challenge.

Jigawa Government Announces ₦50 Million Incentive

Speaking at the event, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi reaffirmed his administration's commitment to environmental sustainability, describing the Green Nigeria Challenge as an important component of the state's Climate Change Policy and overall development agenda.

The governor disclosed that nearly 3,000 students have already been mobilised into conservation teams across secondary schools. Meanwhile, six Environmental Societies have been established in tertiary institutions to drive grassroots environmental action.

To encourage active participation, Namadi announced a ₦50 million prize for outstanding youth groups and environmental societies participating in the challenge.

Namadi also commended the Federal Government's ongoing social intervention programmes, noting that the distribution of food items came barely 24 hours after the First Lady launched the North-West National Community Food Bank Programme in Jigawa State.

According to him, the intervention will provide relief to thousands of vulnerable households while complementing the state's existing social welfare initiatives, including the Pay Less subsidised food scheme, Ramadan feeding programme, cash grants and agricultural empowerment programmes.

He reaffirmed the state's commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government to strengthen food security, expand social protection and advance environmental sustainability across Jigawa State.