The united Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Katsina Government have sensitised residents on the dangers associated with plastic pollution and importance of planting trees in the environment.
The UNICEF Chief of Kano Field Office, Mr Rahama Mohammed-Farah, said on Thursday in Katsina that the sensitisation was part of the activities to mark the 2025 World Environment Day.
He said that theme for 2025 was titled: “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution.”
This year’s theme, he said, encouraged people to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic, and to find greener alternatives.
He said that plastic pollution was one of the biggest threats to the planet.
“Today, we will be engaged in tree planting and plastic trash picking activities in commemoration of the World Environment Day,” he said.
He said that the activities aligned with UNICEF’s global Green Rising initiative that aimed to mobilise youth-led climate action through volunteering, green skills development, and environmental advocacy.
In his remarks, the Director, Environment, State Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Nura Abubakar, said that the state government had been according priority to practices related to protection of the environment.
He said the ministry had provided vehicles and constructed refuse collection centres across the major cities and towns of the state for effective waste disposal.
Abubakar further said that the ministry had raised three million tree seedlings that would be distributed to residents.
Also speaking, the State WASH Facilitator, Mr Attah Samuel, urged people to inculcate the habit of picking plastic and polythene bags in their surroundings.
He said that during the road walk, the participants generated over 40 kilogrammes of plastic items within a short distance.
Samuel further urged the residents to inculcate the habit of planting trees in their environment because of their importance to human life.
Tree seedlings were planted at Barhim Primary School during the event.
NAN/Oyenike Oyeniyi