Foundation educates students on environmental awareness creation, plants 500 trees in Bauchi

By Abbas Shehu Bauchi

The National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Foundation has trained Secondary school Students to create environmental awareness, to address problems of deforestation, in Bauchi  State.

This was stated by the Managing Director NNPC  Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe said that the mission of the foundation is to support environmental sustainability.

The training session was held at the Government Girl's Day Secondary School Azare, Katagum LGA of Bauchi state.

MD Said the Students selected for the training were drawn from Girls secondary schools in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi state, where they received training on practical tree planting skills as part of activities marking the 2024 World Environment Day with the theme: "Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Residence".

Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe further said that the mission of the foundation is to support environmental sustainability through impactful initiatives such as reforestation, conservation and education.

She noted that, the foundation is planting 70 tree seedlings at the Government Girl's Day Secondary School Azare, Katagum LGA.

She  explained that the celebration of the World Environment Day is very important, as it reminds the stakeholders of their responsibility to protect the planet.

"We only have one Earth, our home. We must all join hands together to keep it clean, green, and beautiful", Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe said.

The MD who was represented by Engineer Mohammed Hashim Bawa, added that the focus of the tree planting is to inculcate practical, hands-on skills to ensure active participation in the tree planting exercise to instill a sense of responsibility and ownership towards environmental conservation.

She also said that the NNPC foundation is committed to continues monitoring of the plants at all locations to restore degraded lands, build resilience against drought and improved livelihoods.

While calling for planting of more trees to reduce carbon footprint, and conserve water, the MD advised against the use of plastics for sustainable living.

"Let's protect our wildlife and their habitats. Let's make a promise to ourselves and to future generations for a safe and sustainable environment." Arukwu further admonished 

She explained that the foundation is focused to engage students who are members of environmental clubs in secondary schools nationwide, adding that the foundation is ready to educate and empower young individuals to become champions of environmental preservation.

"We can make a difference, one small step at a time, with commitment and faith. Let's start today, and let's work together to create a better future for all. Let's make a promise to ourselves and to future generations for a safe and sustainable environment", she advocated.

Also speaking, representative of the District Head of Azare, Engineer Magaji Dahuwa, thanked NNPC foundation for selecting Azare for the environmental protection project and for targeting girls students to participate in the tree planting campaign which requires collective efforts to reduced the global warming.

While urging the participants to step down the knowledge they acquired to others within their reach, the District Head also advised them to put into practice, what they learnt by planting a tree in their respective homes and environment to achieve the desired objectives.