UNICEF, in collaboration with the Katsina State Government, has trained approximately 80 young people on plastic waste management, climate change, and the benefits of tree planting as part of an effort to involve youth in environmental protection.
The two-day workshop, themed ‘Youth Action on Climate Change: Tree Planting and Plastic Waste Management’, was held in Katsina and brought together various stakeholders. It was organised through the Katsina State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development.
Stella Ifeoma Okafor-Terver, a UNICEF-WASH Officer from the Kano Field Office, stressed the vital role that young people play in safeguarding the environment. She also highlighted the health dangers posed by open defecation, linking it to illnesses such as cholera, polio, and diarrhoea.
“Youth are key to achieving and maintaining an open defecation-free environment in Katsina and across Nigeria,” Okafor-Terver stated.
She introduced the Youth Opportunity Marketplace (YOMA), a digital platform designed to provide climate-focused skills and entrepreneurship training for young people. Participants were encouraged to register on the platform to gain access to further development initiatives and engagement opportunities.
Okafor-Terver explained that the training was not only intended to increase youth involvement in climate-related programmes but also to support their personal growth and entrepreneurial pursuits.
“Our goal is to help youths recognise their potential and view climate action as a path for innovation, growth, and positive impact,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Muhammad Rabi’u, called on the participants to lead climate action efforts and address broader development challenges.
“Youths are tomorrow’s leaders—use the lessons learnt here to help tackle global warming,” Rabi’u told the attendees.