by Abdullahi Lukman
In a joint effort to tackle environmental challenges, UNICEF and the Katsina State government have trained 80 youths on plastic waste management, climate change, and the benefits of tree planting.
This was disclosed during a two-day workshop, themed: ‘Youth Action on Climate Change: Tree Planting and Plastic Waste Management’, which took place in Katsina, bringing together young participants and key stakeholders.
Organised through the Katsina State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, the initiative aimed to empower youth to become climate ambassadors in their communities.
UNICEF-WASH Officer from the Kano Field Office, Stella Ifeoma Okafor-Terver, stressed the pivotal role of youth in environmental protection and public health.
She highlighted the dangers of open defecation, linking it to diseases such as polio, cholera, and diarrhoea, and expressed hope that trained youths would contribute to achieving and sustaining open defecation-free status in Katsina and beyond.
Okafor-Terver also introduced the Youth Opportunity Marketplace (YOMA), a digital platform that equips young people with climate-related skills and entrepreneurship training.
Participants were encouraged to register on the platform to access further opportunities and support.
“Our goal is to help youths recognise their potential and view climate action as a path for innovation, growth, and positive impact,” she said.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Muhammad Rabi’u, called on the participants to take the lead in addressing climate change and broader development issues.
He urged them to apply the knowledge gained during the training to confront environmental challenges such as global warming.
“Youths are tomorrow’s leaders—use the lessons learnt here to help tackle global warming,” Rabi’u said.
