Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged young people across the country to embrace self-reliance and take the lead in protecting the environment.
She gave the charge yesterday during the launch of the Environment Club and Environment Society at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Her message was clear that young Nigerians must be proactive and they must not sit back and expect government to provide every solution.
According to her statement, Nigerian youths shouldn’t “Don’t depend on the country to give you what you need.”
The event, held at the Banquet Hall, brought together several high-profile attendees. Wives of state governors were present.
Top members of the National Assembly and senior government officials also joined. The wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, attended as well.
The programme is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative and is backed by the Federal Ministry of Environment.
It is designed to build a network of young people who will push environmental awareness and climate-friendly actions in schools and communities.
Speaking at the ceremony, UNDP’s resident representative, Elsie Attafuah, described the project as more than a club. She called it a platform for youth-driven innovation.
Attafuah said the new clubs will inspire clean-energy ideas, climate campaigns, waste management projects, and other environmental solutions. She also pledged UNDP’s continued support.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abba Lawal, highlighted why this effort matters. He stressed that a clean environment is tied to public health.
Mr Lawal listed global challenges such as plastic pollution, especially in waterways, as threats that require urgent action.
The new structure places secondary schools under the Environment Clubs and tertiary institutions under the Environment Society. Students will participate in activities such as:
According to the first lady, the aim is to groom young people who understand climate issues and can lead sustainable practices in their communities.
The initiative is also expected to help students develop practical skills that can improve their future livelihoods.
At the event, the First Lady praised a spoken-word performance by Esther Abraham from Government Secondary School, Mabushi.
She later unveiled the handbook for the clubs and decorated the Minister of Environment as the National Environment Marshal.
In her remarks, Senator Tinubu reminded the youths that the future of the environment lies in their hands.
She encouraged them to organise shoreline clean-ups, speak up on climate issues, and lead campaigns in their schools and neighbourhoods.
Remi Tinubu insisted that Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in global environmental efforts.
The First Lady ended by urging them again not to rely solely on government support, saying: “Don’t depend on the country to give you what you need.”