Abia Government Seeks Establishment Of Environment/Climate Clubs In Schools

The Commissioner for Environment in Abia State, Philemon Ogbonna, has called on heads of government-owned and private tertiary institutions in the state to support the establishment of Environment/Climate Clubs and Societies in secondary and tertiary schools as part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability and strengthen climate governance.

Mr. Ogbonna made the call during a visit to the State Ministry of Tertiary Education, where he joined a meeting with heads of tertiary institutions across the state. He used the opportunity to sensitise the education stakeholders on the importance of engaging young people in environmental protection and climate action.

The Commissioner explained that the initiative followed a communication from the Honourable Minister of Environment dated March 31, 2026, regarding the establishment of Environment/Climate Clubs and Societies in schools. He noted that the initiative was launched at the federal level on November 21, 2025, by Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment.

According to him, the initiative is particularly important to Abia State following its remarkable improvement in the 2026 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking (SCGPRR 3.0), where the state moved from 28th position in the previous ranking to second position nationally.

He stated that the achievement had further heightened the state’s commitment to climate action, noting that Governor Alex Chioma Otti had called for the involvement of all sectors and stakeholders to sustain the progress and work towards attaining first position in the next national ranking.

“The clubs are designed to nurture environmentally conscious young people who are committed to environmental preservation and climate responsibility,” Ogbonna said, adding that it would promote knowledge of the circular economy, alternative livelihoods and environmental entrepreneurship, while creating opportunities for green jobs.

He further disclosed that institutions whose clubs demonstrate outstanding performance could have opportunities to participate in international climate conferences, including the Conference of the Parties (COP), as well as other climate-related engagements.

The Commissioner called on the management of tertiary institutions to collaborate with the Ministry of Environment and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate the establishment, coordination and effective operation of the clubs, and to promote tree planting, climate education and proper waste management.

In her response, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme-Uche, assured of an immediate positive response to the initiative, signalling the Ministry’s readiness to support efforts aimed at promoting environmental awareness and climate action within educational institutions.

The Commissioner was accompanied on the visit by the Head of Department of Climate Change in the Ministry, Mr. Chris Ike.

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