NGO Pushes for children inclusion in fight against environmental degradation 

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

In a bid to fight a successful war against environmental degradation, A Calabar base non governmental organization, “Safe the Earth Initiative”(SEI) has adopted a catch them young approach through the establishment of environmental friendly clubs in primary schools in Akpabuyo local government Area of cross river state 

She said the organization secured a grant from their partners, Global GreenGrants, to establish environmental club in schools to create the awareness through children in primary schools. 

According to the project coordinator, Victoria Ukpong, she said “Safe The Earth Initiative” with support from Global GreenGrants Fund aims at changing the mind set of the people on the environment 

She stressed further that the establishment of environmental friendly club is basically among children of primary schools where children would be thought on how best to be environmental friendly from an early age and to let them know the importance of preserving our environment and the need to cultivate the habit of planting trees in the environment 

Ukpong said the organization has decided to start the club with Jehovah Shalom Primary School, Esuk Ekpo Eyo for obvious reasons and being situation in a coastal environment, which they intend to move to another school in the next two days until they meet their target.

“Children in the club would serve as environmental ambassadors to reach out to others and even the elderlies, propagate the environmental club in schools in their communities, even in churches”.

She  disclosed that the NGO has over the years partnered with several other organizations to implement activities on environmental education and people centered projects, maintaining that safe the earth initiative (SEI) is to work for the sustainability of rural communities to promote and protect the environment 

 The children, thirty of them who were selected from primary four to primary six expressed appreciation to the NGO for choosing them as the pioneer members of the club.

In a separate interview with one of the children, David Okon, a primary 5 pupil of Jehovah shalom primary school, Esuk Ekpo Eyo said he was happy to be a member of the club and being the first club in his life promised to be a good and committed environmental ambassador.