By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government, through the Ministry of Housing and Environment has established Environment and Climate Change Clubs in all Secondary Schools in the State with the aim of exposing them to taking care of the environment at the youthful age.
The Club was formally launched on Wednesday at the premises of Government Girls College (GGC), Bauchi, by the Commissioner, Ministry of Housing and Environment, Rt Hon Danlami Ahmed Kawule, with the theme: Bauchi Climate Awareness Ambassadors: From Knowledge to Green Acton.
In his inauguration speech, the Commissioner of Housing and Environment, Rt. Hon. Danlami Ahmed Kawule, said that, “Today is not just another official ceremony on the calendar. Today marks the beginning of a vital movement. We are handing over the green torch of environmental stewardship to the most energetic, creative, and capable segment of our population, our youths.”
According to him,”The reality before us, my dear students and guests, we do not need to look far to see that our climate is changing. In Bauchi State, we feel it in the shifting patterns of our rainfall. We see it in the aggressive encroachment of the desert in our Northern borders. We witness it in the intense heatwaves and the devastating floods that periodically disrupt our communities and farmlands.”
He added that,”Environmental degradation is no longer a distant threat we read about in textbooks or watch on the news; it is a reality at our doorstep. It threatens our agriculture, our water supply, and the livelihoods of our parents.”
The Commissioner explained that, “As the Ministry of Housing and Environment, we can formulate policies, plant trees, and clean up waste. However, structural policies alone cannot win the war against climate change. To build a resilient and sustainable Bauchi State, we must win the hearts and minds of our people. And there is no better place to start than right here in our schools.”
“By launching these Environment and Climate Change Clubs, we are transforming our schools from spaces of mere academic learning into incubation hubs for green solutions,” he added.
He assured that through the clubs, the Students will learn the Power of Action, how simple habits like proper waste disposal and recycling can prevent choked drains and flooding, the gift of life, the vital importance of tree planting (afforestation) to combat desertification and give our planet room to breathe as well as Eco-Innovation, how to turn waste into wealth and advocate for energy conservation within your homes and communities.
Danlami Ahmed Kawule stressed that, “To my wonderful students, the pioneer members of these clubs: look at yourselves not just as students, but as Climate Ambassadors. You are the vanguard of a new, green Bauchi State.”
He also charged them not look down on their youthful ages saying, “A single tree planted by a student today will provide shade and clean air for generations tomorrow. A single voice speaking out against indiscriminate dumping of plastic can save an entire neighbourhood from disease. Be proud of this club. Run it with passion, with curiosity, and with dedication.”
“To our dedicated principals and teachers, we thank you for embracing this initiative. We look to you to nurture these clubs, guide these young minds, and give them the space to innovate,” he added.
He further said that, “On our part, the Bauchi State Ministry of Housing and Environment, under the visionary leadership of our Executive Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, remains fully committed to supporting this initiative. We will provide technical guidance, seedlings for your school and resource materials to ensure these clubs do not just exist on paper, but actively thrive..”
In his remarks earlier, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Environment, QS Yamai Mohammed,said that the idea is to teach the youths how to take care of the environment in order to have a beautiful scenery.
According to him, “We want to imbibe in the people, environmental management, in the young ones so that they will support the Ministry and the environment at large in order to make our environment conducive.”
He said, “Some of you are Science students. You might have been taught areas of science and biology. You have issues of desertification, you have issues of climate change. Just a short while, I had a teacher talking about the issue of climate change. So I believe the area that we are exploring is not new to our students.”
According to him,”One of the key activities is planting of trees, which, as the Governor commanded the Ministry that a 100 million have been brought. We have one of the importance of trees. I don’t have to tell you. One of which, which you had in your biology, under the importance of photosynthesis. You have the process whereby plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and produce oxygen for us. That is one of the importance of trees.”
The Permanent Secretary added that,”Another importance is that they inspire our environment, if you look through your window, you can see beautiful green trees there. If those trees are not there, the environment will not look good. And one of the advantages is that it provides shade for us living organisms, dwellers. So the importance of trees cannot be overemphasized.”
He said, “Today marks a turning moment. Today marks a turning in our state’s approach to environmental economy. We are not just announcing a school programme, we are planting the seed of sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and climate resilience in the most fertile ground possible, the mind of our youths.”
According to him, “As a Ministry and as a state, we are acutely aware of the environmental challenges knocking at our doors, from the advancing threat of desertification, to erratic rainfall pattern affecting our agriculture. The impacts of climate change are no longer distant theories. They are our current realities. ”
“We want to take government move of our environment as a strategic partnership with so many partners, NGOs, in working tirelessly to combat the challenges. The role of youths in environmental and climate challenge, this is where our young leaders come in,” the he said.
He explained that,”The establishment of this club is a strategic step to train the young leaders early, raise awareness, transitioning them to practical actions. Focus on tree planting, waste recycling, and water conservation, right in school compounds and communities, as well as engaging activities to inform our graduates in climate battle, who study the methods of environmental preservation pride in the groups and peers.”
As a call to action, the Permanent Secretary said,”So, our young students, look around you. The future belongs to you. By joining this club, you are stepping up to become protectors of your environment. Be proud, be active, and remember that every tree you plant, every drop of water you serve, every piece of waste you properly dispose of, makes a massive difference. Let us embrace this initiative not as one-off event, but as a long-term investment in a cleaner, greener, and healthier participation. Thank you all for your time.”
Also speaking, the Principal of GGC, Bauchi, commended the Ministry for the initiative saying that it will further complement the existing programme of the College on issues of environment.
She assured that all the trees planted to launch the Club in the College will be well taken care of and nurtured by the students for the benefit of the community.
The Commissioner of Housing and Environment, Rt Hon Danlami Ahmed Kawule presenting certification to the Principal, GGC, Bauchi
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