By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB) has inaugurated the Greening Schools and Climate Change Education Intervention to plant 10,000 trees across 276 public schools.

The programme, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) aims to provide climate change education to more than 20,000 learners across the state’s 23 local government areas.

It was inaugurated on Thursday at LGEA Primary school, Kinkinau, in Kaduna.

Kaduna State Gov. Uba Sani described climate change as one of the greatest challenges confronting society, citing rising temperatures, flooding, erosion, deforestation and irregular rainfall.

Sani was represented by his Adviser on Domestic Affairs, Isa Lawal.

He said education remained the most effective tool for building resilience and equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to address environmental challenges.

According to him, the intervention aligns with his administration’s SUSTAIN Agenda and Nigeria’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.

‘’Participating schools will establish environmental clubs, school gardens and nurseries to promote practical environmental learning.

‘’Teachers will receive climate-smart education training; pupils will participate in sanitation campaigns, recycling, water conservation, rainwater harvesting, debates, quizzes and essay competitions, ‘’ Sani said.

The governor commended UBEC for initiating the programme and sustaining its partnership with Kaduna in strengthening quality basic education and environmental sustainability.

He urged teachers to integrate climate education into classroom instruction and encouraged pupils to nurture every tree planted and become ambassadors of environmental protection.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of KADSUBEB, Mr Mubarak Muhammad, said the intervention reflected the government’s commitment to providing quality, inclusive and climate-resilient basic education.

He said the board had developed a comprehensive implementation framework to ensure effective delivery and sustainability of the programme.

According to him, the initiative will strengthen climate literacy, improve environmental practices and create healthier learning environments across participating schools.

Muhammad said KADSUBEB would work closely with the Ministries of Education and Environment and development partners to ensure the trees survived.

On her part UBEC Executive Secretary Aisha Garba described climate change as one of the defining challenges of the modern era.

Garba, represented by Aisha Danja, said environmental sustainability education was essential for raising responsible and resilient future generations.

She reaffirmed UBEC’s commitment to supporting similar initiatives nationwide.

Also, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Education, Prof Abubakar Sambo, described the programme as a strategic investment in the future.

Sambo said that schools should become centres where pupils learned and practised environmental conservation.

Sambo, was represented by Mukthar Maude, Director Schools, Kaduna State Ministry of Education.

The Chairman of Kaduna South Local Government, Mr Rayyan Hussein, announced plans to plant 130,000 trees across the area’s 13 wards to complement the state’s environmental campaign.

He said the initiative would improve air quality, reduce flooding, protect farmlands and provide long-term economic and environmental benefits.

In his remarks, the District Head of Tudun Wada, Alhaji Tahir Mahmood, welcomed the programme and pledged community support to ensure the trees planted within his domain survived. (NAN)