In celebration of World Environment Day 2025, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), has launched a large-scale environmental campaign featuring the planting of 2,500 trees and a statewide plastic cleanup initiative.
The event, held at Government Secondary School Kundila in Tarauni Local Government Area, marked the beginning of a series of coordinated environmental activities, including a symbolic road walk and trash pick-up drive at key locations throughout the state.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Rahma Rihood Mohammed Farah, UNICEF Kano Chief of Field Office, emphasized that the activities are part of UNICEF’s global Green Rising Initiative, which empowers youth to take meaningful climate action through volunteerism, skills development, and environmental advocacy.
Mr. Farah drew attention to the alarming scale of plastic pollution—over 400 million tons of plastic are produced annually, much of which contaminates rivers, oceans, soil, and even food supplies.
He noted the disproportionate impact on children, citing risks such as chemical exposure, respiratory problems, and long-term health effects.
“As the UN agency for children, UNICEF is committed to fostering a clean and sustainable environment where every child can thrive,” he stated.
Representing the Kano State Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahiru Muhammad Hashim, Special Adviser on Environmental Sanitation Alhaji Abdullahi Sule Bichi stressed the importance of joint action in addressing plastic pollution.
He noted that pollution appears in various harmful forms—from microplastics and water contamination to marine debris and abandoned fishing gear—posing serious threats to ecosystems and human health.
He reaffirmed the Kano State Government’s dedication to environmental sustainability under the leadership of Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.
He also praised UNICEF and its partners for their continued support and collaboration in advancing eco-friendly initiatives.
World Environment Day 2025 in Kano was marked with community-based activities aimed at promoting awareness, responsible environmental behavior, and sustainable development.
Reporting by Khadijah Aliyu