The Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and key local partners, has extended its grassroots outreach to promote environmental sustainability and distribute learning kits to 300 out-of-school children across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The campaign which hosted events across three key locations: Zone A at RCM Pilot Primary School, Tordonga (Katsina-Ala); Zone B at the Ter Makurdi’s Office (Makurdi); and Zone C at RCM Primary School, Engila (Agatu) is designed to raise climate awareness and boost school enrollment.
At each host site, 100 identified out-of-school children were presented with learning kits under Project BRACE-UP, while participants engaged in tree-planting exercises to promote long-term environmental sustainability.
The joint initiative organised by UBEC, Benue SUBEB, Benue Links Nigeria Limited, and the Makurdi Local Government Council brought together traditional rulers, local government officials, education leaders, religious heads, School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), and community representatives.
Delivering an overview of the initiative, Dr. Steve Ahile representing the Director-General of the Benue State Council on Climate Change, Dr. Daniel Mailumo outlined the pressing realities of climate change.
He urged schools and communities to adopt routine tree planting and sustainable eco-practices.
Addressing the educational aspect of the campaign, Comr. Patricia Gbuuga, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at Benue SUBEB, noted that Project BRACE-UP was established to identify, enroll, and support out-of-school youth.
She revealed that the program has successfully integrated 500 children back into basic education to date.
In her keynote address, the Executive Chairman of Benue SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, aligned the outreach with Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s broader vision for state development.
She emphasised that schools must serve as central hubs for climate action and behavioral change.
Dr. Adagba highlighted SUBEB’s ongoing ecological initiatives, which include planting 80 trees across 40 schools, launching Greening Clubs in 20 schools, and training 80 teachers across the three senatorial districts in climate education.
The Voice reports that goodwill messages were delivered by the General Manager of Benue Links, Comr. Alexander Fanafa, and the Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Council, Hon. Joseph Keffi, who both commended the state government’s ongoing interventions in the basic education sector.
The campaign also received strong backing from traditional and religious figures, including Mue-Ter Masev (Chief Clement Kurugh), Mue-Ter Ipusu (Chief Bernard Ayolave), the District Head of Agatu (Chief Jibrin Abubakar), the Chief Imam of Agatu (Ochepo Mohammed), and the Vice Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (Rev. Terwase Ugbede).
