- As AKSG Celebrates 2022 World environment day
As the Akwa Ibom State Government joins other nations of the world to celebrate the 2022 Annual World Environment Day, the Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Sir Charles Udoh, has called on all to safeguard and protect the Environment for our collective interest.
To this end, the State Commissioner for Environment has urged all to embark on activities geared towards erosion control to forestall environmental degradation, as the houses, roads and landed properties owned by the people can be swept away by flood if they failed to safeguard and protect the environment.
“Our environment is what we have. noting that, since Environment is everything that we have. The roads and houses we live in can disappear if our environment is not protected. Erosion and flood can sweep all of them away”, Sir Charles Udoh reiterated.
The Commissioner who was speaking at the Conference room of the Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals, Tuesday during the two days celebration of the 2022 World Environment Day disclosed that, the World Environment Day is marked annually on 5th June, stating that, the Day was first celebrated in 1974 by UN General Assembly at the Stockholm Conferene.
He said the World Environment Day was created as a platform to raise awareness on global environmental issues to promote health and peaceful existence in a safe environment.
Sir Udoh said, as part of activities to mark the 2022 World Environment Day celebration, the Akwa Ibom State Government was organising a Quiz Competition for Schools in the State with the global theme, ”Only One Earth” in partnership with Mfon Edet Educational Foundation.
He therefore implored parents and caregivers to teach their children at an early age to appreciate the environment they live in and urged the participating students and pupils to utilize the knowledge and exposure gained at the competition to become good environmental ambassadors to their schools, communities and the State at large.
In addition, Sir Udoh charged the participants to see themselves as environmental advocates in their respective schools by educating their families and friends on what they need to do, to better the environment.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Nsudoh Nsudoh had welcomed the participating Schools to the event, hinting that, they are the torch bearers on Environmental protection and flood control for having been identified in the crowd to represent their schools.
He urged them to do their very best, intimating that, as children something should spur them up and that they can only get to the limelight by hard work.
Mr Nsudo, encouraged the Teachers to take great care of the Pupils / Students by leading them well as no one knows what they will become in future.
“Nobody knows tomorrow. Any of them may become the first Female President of Nigeria”, the Permanent Secretary reiterated.
On her part, the Director, Climate Change and Awareness, Mrs. Ini Umoh, remarked that, the aim of the competition was to sensitize children and catch them young on issues involving the Society emphasizing that, if we don’t take care of the Society, we fail to take care of our existence.
Speaking, the CEO, Mfon Edet Educational Foundation, Mrs. Mfon Edet, appreciated the Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals for the support and collaboration, saying that the partnership is geared towards a campaign on ‘environmental protection through the “catch them young-drive,” that will permeate the homes, schools and the society at large.”
Among the participating Schools in the Primary school category were: St. Mary’s Catholic school, Obio Offot, Uyo, St. Peter’s Primary School Ikot Ambang, Ibiono Ibom and Government Primary School, Ibiaku Itam ll in Itu LGA
At the end of the Competition, Government Primary School Ibiaku Itam ll, emerged winner with 16points. St. Peter’s Primary School Ikot Ambang Ibiono came 2nd with 12points while St. Mary’s Catholic school Obio Offot took the 3rd position with 10points
In the Secondary School category, the schools that participatd were: Community Secondary Commercial School, Ibiaku Itam, Itu, Offot Ukwa Secondary School Obio Offot, Uyo and the Apostolic Church Secondary School, Nsit Ibom.
At the end of the competition, Community Secondary Commercial School Ibiaku Itam took 1st position with 30points, Offot Ukwa Secondary School Obio Offot took 2nd position with 29points while the Apostolic Church Secondary School, Nsit Ibom took 3rd position with 27points.
High point of the event was the presentation of customised school bags to winners in both Primary and Secondary school categories.
