By Nneka Ibe
Enugu State has clinched the ₦100 million Model Green State Award, emerging as the cleanest state in Nigeria, at the unveiling of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The initiative, launched during the quarterly meeting with wives of state governors and RHI coordinators at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, is designed to promote environmental sustainability through tree planting and cleanliness among households, communities, and states.
With the motto “Go Green Today for a Greener Tomorrow,” the competition features three categories:
Households – minimum one tree planting per home (₦20 million prize).
Communities – reclaiming and transforming degraded spaces into eco-friendly areas (₦50 million prize).
States – large-scale tree planting and road beautification projects (₦100 million prize).
Presenting the award to Enugu, Senator Tinubu described the state as a model of environmental excellence.
> “They earned it. It is not only in planting trees, but in environmental cleanliness. If you go to Enugu, Enugu is clean,” the First Lady stressed.
She commended the proactive attitude of Enugu’s leadership, recalling her conversation with Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, wife of the state governor, who often ensures environmental issues are swiftly addressed.
Receiving the cheque and plaque, Mrs. Mbah thanked the First Lady for the recognition, while dedicating the award to her husband, Governor Peter Mbah, state agencies such as ESWAMA, and the people of Enugu.
> “The key to keeping the state clean and green is not just by giving instructions, but by being proactive. I promised the First Lady that we will not relent. We will keep pushing to remain a role model state,” Mrs. Mbah said.
Senator Tinubu, who has a background in biology, shared her lifelong passion for cleanliness, recalling her personal efforts in clearing drains during her husband’s tenure as Lagos State governor. She also linked the Nigerian initiative to global environmental conversations, including recent deliberations at the G20 Summit in Brazil on tackling plastic waste in oceans.
She revealed that the RHI is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Environment to establish Environmental Clubs in secondary schools and Environmental Societies in tertiary institutions, as part of long-term plans to build a culture of sustainability.
The Green Nigeria Challenge, which excludes Enugu from future state-level competitions after its victory, will run nationwide until 2026, with submissions open via www.rhinitiative.org.
