Enugu Trains 40 Climate Champions to Drive Climate Education in Secondary Schools

The Enugu State Government, in collaboration with development partners, has trained no fewer than 40 Climate Champions to spearhead climate education campaigns in secondary schools across the state.

The training, organised by the Office of the Senior Adviser to the Governor on Climate Policy and Sustainable Development, in partnership with the Office of the First Lady and the State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, received support from the UNICEF Enugu Field Office.

The week-long programme, held at the Enugu State Secretariat and the ICT Centre of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, combined four days of virtual sessions with a final in-person engagement.

Participants, aged between 18 and 25, including 20 teachers were equipped with knowledge and practical tools to deliver climate education using a newly developed Climate Education Manual tailored to both global and local realities.

Speaking at the closing session, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu, said early climate education was critical to building a generation capable of addressing environmental challenges.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ozoemena Ezeh, Ugwu noted that exposing young people to climate knowledge at an early stage would promote sustainable lifestyles.

Also speaking, the Senior Adviser to the Governor on Climate Policy and Sustainable Development, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, urged the trainees to translate their knowledge into action.

Okereke said the champions were expected to stimulate interest, inspire behavioural change, and nurture climate-conscious students across schools.

He commended Gov. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for supporting climate-friendly policies, including investments in Green Smart Schools.

The APC Youth Leader in the state, Hon. Basil Ojengwa, said empowering young people with climate knowledge aligned with the administration’s green agenda.

According to him, the initiative will promote informed decision-making and responsible environmental practices.

In his remarks, the Director of Climate Change in the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Arum Nnamdi, emphasised the need for practical teaching approaches, including storytelling and relatable examples, to enhance student understanding.

Similarly, the Ministry of Education, represented by Mr. Arum Sopuluchukwu Emmanuel of the Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovation (CELI), reaffirmed its commitment to advancing climate education through experiential learning models.

The training also featured a practical session by Dorsky Art World, which exposed participants to creative recycling techniques, particularly converting plastic waste into art.

Some participants described the training as impactful, noting that it enhanced their capacity to deliver engaging and relatable climate lessons.

The trained Climate Champions are expected to commence school-based engagements across the state in the coming weeks.