Enugu wins First Lady N100m model green state award

L-R: Wife of the Deputy President of the Senate, Hajia Laila Barau; Wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas; Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima; First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Wife of Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah; Wife of the Kwara State Governor, Dr Olufolake AbdulRasaq; Wife of Imo State Governor, Chioma Uzodimma and Wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila, during the presentation of a cheque for N100m and award to Enugu State as Model Green State by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), at the unveiling of its Green Nigeria Challenge, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

FIRST Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday, officially launched the RHI Green Nigeria Challenge, a nationwide environmental competition aimed at empowering families, youth groups, communities and states to engage in tree planting and environmental cleanliness.

She launched it at the quarterly meeting with state coordinators of the RHI and wives of governors.

The initiative, under the banner, “Go Green Today for a Greener Tomorrow,” offers a grand prize of N20 million for the best-performing household, alongside significant rewards for community groups and states. At the launch event, the First Lady presented a N100 million cheque to Enugu State, recognising it as the Model Green State. “They earned it,” Mrs. Tinubu affirmed when asked about Enugu’s early recognition, adding, “It’s not only in planting trees, but in environmental cleanliness. If you go to Enugu, Enugu is clean.” She recounted a conversation with the wife of Enugu State Governor, praising the proactive approach to tackling environmental issues. “When she sees anything that the governor doesn’t want to see; any litter around, they call and fix it immediately. And I think that’s the best way to go,” she stated.

The RHI Green Nigeria Challenge is divided into three categories. The Household Category focuses on 11 northern states vulnerable to desertification, encouraging tree planting with a minimum of one tree per household to qualify. The Community Category invites local governments, youth groups, schools and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) nationwide to reclaim and transform degraded or abandoned spaces into eco-friendly areas.

Lastly, the State Category involves competition among states, excluding Enugu, which has already been rewarded based on tree coverage along major roads and inner streets.

On the motivation behind the initiative, the First Lady shared her personal history and inspiration: “As a biologist, I’ve always loved to go clean. During the time my husband was Governor of Lagos State, I used to clean clogged drains. I was young, and I used a lot of energy because the light they put in the State House was just too much, so I had to go out there,” she said.

She emphasised leading by example, saying, “People have to see you do what you want them to do. And it’s more appealing and attractive that way.”

Tags: