By Grace Ademulegun
Government Secondary School (GSS), Gwarinpa Life Camp, Abuja, was recently in a festive mood as students, educators, and environmental advocates gathered for the 2024 Green Christmas Debate and Choral Competition.
The event was organized by the GapThinkers Youth Centre, in partnership with C-Circle Foundation for Sustainable Health and Environment, Naturenews, ITV, and 5Amas Foundation.
The Green Christmas sought to create environmental awareness and inspire sustainable practices during celebrations while fostering inclusivity, creativity and critical thinking; celebrate the essence of christmas and community; and, also, officially launch the Gapthinkers Youth Centre.
This year, the competition embraced a historic milestone by including students from schools for the deaf, a move that highlighted the importance of social inclusion.
The debate revolved around the topic, “Is it possible to have sustainable practices during celebrations?”, aligning with the theme Green Christmas, which aims to address the environmental impact of festivities.
After rigorous discussions, GSS Kubwa emerged as the winner with 77 percent, followed by GSS Gwarinpa Life Camp, 60 percent, GSS Gwagwa, 57 percent, and JC Best International School, 50 percent.
Students from GSS Kuje, representing schools for the deaf, debated a separate topic: “Is our society built to eliminate barriers to social inclusion for people with special needs?” The opposing team won the debate, with their arguments highlighting systemic challenges and potential solutions.
The audience’s understanding was aided by a sign language interpreter.
Although the School for the Blind, GSS Kwali, was invited to the event, they were unable to attend due to transportation challenges caused by their driver.
The debates offered practical solutions for more sustainable Christmas events, including:
Reducing Waste: Opting for reusable gift wraps, digital greeting cards, and proper waste disposal.
Others were: Minimizing Food Waste: Storing food properly to prevent spoilage and composting leftovers; Energy Efficiency: Using energy-saving LED lights and turning off decorations when not in use; and Eco-Friendly Transportation: Walking, biking, or carpooling to reduce carbon emissions.
The rest were: Supporting Sustainable Brands: Choosing gifts from ethical and eco-conscious companies; and Experiences Over Things: Gifting meaningful experiences rather than physical items.
In all of the points mentioned, the students emphasized the importance of making conscious choices to the effect of environmental sustainability.
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The event also featured a lively choral competition, where students performed both traditional and contemporary Christmas carols. Solo performances, dances, instrumentals, and poetry further showcased the students’ creativity and talent, adding a festive touch to the day.
The competition marked the official launch of the GapThinkers Youth Centre, an initiative dedicated to nurturing young minds through educational, cultural, and social activities. The unveiling of the center’s logo symbolized its commitment to empowering youth and driving societal change.
Dr. Chimere May Ohajinwa, an environmental toxicologist, public health expert and founder of GapThinkers Youth Centre and C-Circle Foundation, addressed the students, emphasizing the importance of social inclusion for individuals with disabilities. She explained that inclusion involves creating a society where everyone, regardless of their abilities, feels valued and respected.
“Social inclusion means ensuring that people with disabilities are treated with empathy and patience while challenging stereotypes and prejudices,” Dr. Ohajinwa said.
She also underscored the transformative power of debate competitions in equipping students with critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork skills.
“This debate broadens children’s knowledge of environmental issues, climate change, and their impacts while preparing them for leadership roles. Debates help students articulate their views respectfully and consider other perspectives, fostering open-mindedness and a sense of responsibility,” she added.
Students and teachers were recognized for their participation, with all students receiving branded exercise books and certificates. Teachers were specially appreciated for their efforts in guiding and preparing the students.
The event also featured creative activities where students crafted gifts using recyclable and biodegradable materials, reinforcing the importance of environmental responsibility.
Dr. Ohajinwa expressed satisfaction with the progress made since the last debate in June 2024, noting improvements in the students’ performances and their enthusiasm during the event. She announced plans for C-Circle Foundation to host annual nationwide debate competitions to further environmental awareness among young people.
According to her, 14 schools were invited to participate in the competition, primarily those that had participated in previous debates. However, only six schools were able to attend, as many were writing exams.
The participating schools included Government Secondary School (GSS) Kubwa, GSS Gwarinpa, GSS Gwagwa, JC Best International School, and GSS Kuje, representing special needs students.
Supported by NatureNews, ITV, 5Amas Foundation, and Root TV, the 2024 Green Christmas event successfully fostered a deeper understanding of sustainable practices while promoting inclusivity and creativity.
As the event concluded, the message was clear: with conscious efforts, celebrations can be both joyous and environmentally friendly, ensuring a greener and more inclusive future for all.
