ABIA NYCN LAUNCHES ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION AND SANITATION CAMPAIGN, TARGETS CLEANER COMMUNITIES

By Enyinnaya Nwaigwe

The Commissioner for Environment and Urban Renewal, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, has commended the leadership and members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Abia State Chapter, led by Comrade Smith Sylvanus for initiating a campaign aimed at positioning Abia State as a leading destination for environmental innovation and sanitation.

Mr. Ogbonna gave the commendation while flagging off the Abia Youth Environmental Innovation and Sanitation Campaign, organised by the National Youth Council of Nigeria, (Abia State Chapter), in Umuahia, under the theme: “Clean Abia, Green Abia: Empowering Youth for Environmental Innovation and Sustainable Communities.” noted that the initiative alignes with the state government’s efforts to sustain environmental cleanliness and promote a healthier environment for residents.

The Commissioner disclosed that Abia State has rancked second position nationally in the revised 2026 State Performance Index Report on Environment, from 28th position in the previous ranking, attributing the improvement to the various environmental sustainability initiatives of Governor Alex Otti’s administration.

He further revealed that the Governor had approved the establishment of a nine-member Tree Planting Committee, which he chairs, to drive the state’s greening initiatives and promote environmental sustainability and pledged his ministry’s collaboration with the Youth Council to ensure the success of the campaign and other initiatives aimed at keeping Abia clean and green.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, commended the State Youth Council for its commitment to environmental sustainability and pledged his ministry’s support for the campaign.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Smith Sylvanus, said the campaign was designed to complement the environmental sustainability efforts of Governor Alex Otti’s administration and assured that the initiative would be extended to all the 17 local government areas of the state adding that the youths under his leadership would take the lead in promoting a cleaner and healthier Abia.

Comrade Sylvanus also disclosed that the Council would establish a platform to promote youth economic empowerment through waste-to-wealth initiatives as well as embark on a tree-planting exercise to preserve the state’s natural vegetation and promote a greener environment.

The event featured a practical demonstration of environmental sanitation along some roads and streets in Umuahia, the state capital by the Commissioners for Environment and Urban Renewal, Sports and Youth Development, leaders of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, and members of voluntary youth organisations, including Man O’ War, Royal Rangers and the Nigerian Girl Guides Association, among others.