By Awyetu Asabe Hope
Children under the Child Rights Advocacy Club in Mashi Local Government Area have called on authorities to urgently address worsening environmental and climate-related conditions threatening their safety and education.
The pupils made the appeal during an advocacy visit to the Mashi Council Chairman and the District Head on Sunday, warning that deteriorating school environments now pose serious risks to their health, learning, and overall well-being.
The initiative, supported by Save the Children International under an Education Cannot Wait-funded project, brought together young advocates speaking on behalf of children across affected communities.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria, the children highlighted how climate change, coupled with poor environmental practices, has made many schools unsafe and unconducive for learning.
Speaking during the visit, A’isha Mutaka called for the provision of safe and reliable water sources in schools, particularly during flooding periods.
She stressed that access to clean water is critical to protecting students’ health.
The children also demanded improved sanitation facilities, including clean and functional toilets with hand-washing stations, to curb open defecation and prevent disease outbreaks.
Halimatu Yusuf urged authorities to strengthen waste management systems and rehabilitate drainage infrastructure to reduce flooding and environmental hazards around schools.
On environmental sustainability, Salamatu Mohammed advocated tree-planting campaigns and stricter enforcement against deforestation to create cooler, greener, and safer school environments.
Similarly, Abdulhamid Surajo emphasised the need for improved school security through fencing and the deployment of guards to prevent trespassing, grazing on school premises, and damage to school gardens.
He identified some of the most affected schools as Government Pilot Secondary School Majigiri, Afadu Primary School, and Doguru Primary and Secondary Schools.
Responding, the Mashi Council Chairman, Salisu Kallah, represented by his deputy, Jamilu Yusuf, assured the children that the council would take concrete steps to address their concerns, including enforcing existing bans on illegal tree cutting.
Also speaking, the District Head of Mashi, Kabir Aminu, called for the establishment of environmental clubs in schools and stronger community participation to tackle environmental degradation.
The advocacy visit also featured drama and artistic presentations by the children, highlighting issues of gender inequality and climate vulnerability.
