The Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, has charged the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Abia State Chapter, to ensure that environmental cleanliness is extended to all nooks and crannies of the state to promote environmental sustainability and support the state government’s environmental agenda.
Mr. Ogbonna gave the charge on Thursday during the flag-off of the “Abia Youth Environmental Innovation and Sanitation Campaigns”, organised by the NYCN Abia State Chapter at the Youth Council Hall, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, School Road Secretariat, Umuahia.
The Commissioner emphasised the need for a collective commitment to environmental sanitation, noting that Abia State must strive to attain a leading position in environmental cleanliness across the country.
He urged the youth to take ownership of environmental protection by mobilising their peers and communities to maintain clean surroundings, prevent indiscriminate waste disposal, keep drainage channels free of refuse, and embrace environmentally sustainable practices.
Mr. Ogbonna further stressed that the campaign should go beyond the flag-off ceremony to achieve practical results at the grassroots, particularly across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state. He noted that active youth participation would strengthen the efforts of the Abia State Government under Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti to promote environmental sustainability and improve the quality of life of residents.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Hon. Nwaobilor Ananaba, expressed the ministry’s readiness to support youth-led initiatives aimed at promoting environmental cleanliness and climate-related engagements across the state’s Local Government Areas.
Hon. Ananaba stated that collaboration between the youth, relevant ministries, and other stakeholders was necessary to sustain environmental awareness and sanitation activities and advance the state’s sustainable development objectives.
He encouraged young people to deploy their creativity, energy, and innovative ideas towards addressing environmental challenges in their communities, assuring them of the ministry’s support for initiatives that contribute to a cleaner and healthier Abia State.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the NYCN, Abia State Chapter, Comrade Smith O. Sylvanus, said Abia youths were ready to partner with the Ministry of Environment and the state government to achieve the vision of a “Clean Abia, Green Abia.”
He explained that the campaign was designed to empower youths through environmental innovation and promote sustainable communities, adding that young people had a vital role to play in advancing sanitation, climate awareness, and responsible waste management.
Comrade Sylvanus also highlighted the potential of the circular economy, particularly the conversion of waste into wealth, as an avenue for youth empowerment, employment creation, entrepreneurship, and financial independence.
He noted that waste materials could become valuable economic resources when properly collected, sorted, recycled, and reused, thereby reducing environmental pollution while creating livelihood opportunities for young people.
The NYCN Chairman called for stronger collaboration between the youth, government agencies, communities, and private-sector operators to ensure the success of the campaign and establish sustainable environmental practices across the state.
The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs. Justina Oluchi Eboh , who is also the caretaker Commissioner of the Girls Guild, Commandants of various paramilitary organisations and other stakeholders, who lent their support to the initiative.
Obioma Chidimma Success,
Public Relation Officer,
Ministry of Environment.
