By ibrahima
Nigeria – Three environmental NGOs, African Climate Reporters, Teku International Farm, and Beyond the Border of Disability, have taken campaign to students of Kaduna State Rehabilitation Centre to educate them on the importance of tree planting.
Addressing the students recently in Kaduna, one of the Team Leads, Founder of Teku International Farm, Mallam Ibrahim Salisu, said there was need to sensitize Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) due to their peculiarities which have made them worst hit by environmental degradation and challenges.
He said the group decided to come to the school with some tree seedlings and will together with the students plant them, and also teach them ways to take care of the plants in other to protect their environment, saying trees play very important role in the life of humans and other living organisms.
“We also want to educate you on the dangers of global warming, deforestation, bush burning and effects of desertification,” he added.
In his remarks, Dr Piman Hoffman of African Climate Reporters said PLWDs are worst hit by climate change and all the challenges associated with environmental degradation like pollution, floods and other natural disasters.
Hoffman added that it was time to recognize PLWDs in the fight against climate change in the country, pointing out that climate change and environmental degradation has affected lives of this group of persons, yet no one is talking about it.
“We came as a team to share these trees to change the environment of the school. This is the first time we are coming to school of people with special needs to educate them on issues related to environment,” he said.
Also speaking, National President of Beyond the Border of Disabilities, Comrade Rilwanu Abdullahi, said it was time to include PLWDs in the fight against climate change and environmental challenges.
“PLWDs are being left behind and they are the worse hit by all forms of natural disasters. We need to include them in raising more awareness on environment and global warming,” he urged.
Responding, the Director of Kaduna State Rehabilitation Board, Mallam Haruna Yakasai, expressed delight over the efforts of the NGOs.
He disclosed that it was the first time any NGO would visit the centre to educate students with special needs on issues related to climate change and environmental challenges.
A student of the school, Paul Moses, also expressed satisfaction over the efforts by the NGOs to come and educate and enlighten them on climate change and environment degradation, and most importantly as sign language was used to communicate with them.
