The maiden edition of the Green Schools Debate Competition in Akwa Ibom State Public Schools is slated to commence on Thursday 13th June 2023 at the Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The debate which is the initiative of the African Centre for Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development with support from German organizations; Sports for Future and Zenaga Foundation gGmbH will have 29 public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State compete for the prize.
According to a statement signed by Unyime Robinson, Country Director, Green Schools Project/Executive Director, African Centre for Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, the Green Schools Debate competition is part of the implementation of the Green Schools Project in Nigeria to create awareness on climate change impacts and how to chart a pathway for sustainable, resilient and low carbon development in Nigeria.
The statement noted that topics on environmental management issues have been selected for the debate and winners (students and the schools) will go home with various prizes.
The statement said that the Green Schools Project in Akwa Ibom State is in the fourth-year implementation with the full complement of Government participation.
It noted that so far 29 Schools have benefitted from the Project with over 20,000 fruit trees planted and solar lamps PV installed in schools.
Part of the statement read “Given the numerous requests from schools and communities for participation in the project, sixteen (16) additional schools have been selected making a total of forty-five (45) schools participating in the project in the State. The long-term vision is to see the expansion of this project to all schools in Akwa Ibom State.
“The fourth edition of the Green Schools Project will be flag-off at the Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The highlight of the flag-off will feature the grand finale of the 2023 Green Schools Debate Competition.”
The statement added that the objective of the project is to promote sustainable actions that enhance natural resources management and environmental sustainability in Africa.
It said that it includes a strategic combination of environmental protection/conservation, agricultural land management, renewable energy, sports and community-led adaptive livelihood initiatives.
The statement stated that the implementation involves the inauguration of Green Champions, planting of fruit trees of various species and establishment of a tree nursery for project sustainability.
It offered insight into the fact that the cumulative impacts of the project aside from the contribution to the global climate actions are also the transformation of attitudes and behavioural change of the students toward the environment.
According to the statement, the schools also benefit from the upgrade and provision of sporting facilities and installation of PV lighting solar energy as well as training on waste recycling.
The cumulative impact of the project highlighted by the organisation includes the reduction of carbon emissions by protecting natural habitat and improving air quality, improved sustainability literacy among schools; leveraging on interdisciplinary instructional practices, reduced food insecurity and its accompanying health implications in schools, and an empowered generation of social entrepreneurs & intrapreneurs.
