GGPI Distributes Writing Materials to Kogi students »

Barr. Ladi Ahmed Jatto, founder of the Global Green Pillars Initiative (GGPI), has Flagged off the distribution of educational support intervention for 12 secondary schools across Kogi Central, featuring the distribution of 15,000 writing materials, mathematical sets, scholarships for students, and the provision of reusable sanitary products for adolescent girls.

The intervention combines educational assistance with menstrual hygiene support and climate education as part of Jatto’s personal initiatives to improve school participation, promote environmental responsibility, and empower young people.

Jatto said the programme reflects her commitment to supporting education and building environmental awareness among students.

According to her, the distribution of 15,000 writing materials is intended to ease the financial burden on parents and support students’ learning, while the scholarship component is designed to provide additional assistance to students across the participating schools.

The programme also addresses menstrual hygiene challenges faced by adolescent girls who cannot afford monthly disposable pads, through the distribution of reusable sanitary pads and towels. Jatto explained that the washable products can be used for up to 12 to 15 months and are intended to help reduce menstrual-related barriers to school attendance, reduce waste at dump sites, and lessen the cost burden on parents.

Beyond direct educational support, the initiative seeks to improve students’ understanding of environmental sustainability. It encourages them to avoid single-use plastics and adopt biodegradable alternatives as part of efforts to reduce plastic pollution and promote responsible waste management.

Climate-friendly educational materials are also being distributed to strengthen environmental awareness and encourage students to adopt sustainable practices in their schools and communities.

Speaking at the programme’s flag-off ceremony at GYB Model Science Secondary School in Okene, Jatto said environmental responsibility must be cultivated from an early age, with schools serving as important platforms for teaching young people to protect their surroundings.

“This is a personal mission for me, among several others I have undertaken over the years to make our environment friendly and healthy. I believe that true environmental change must start with our young people. If we teach a child to plant and nurture a tree today, we are raising a generation that will protect the earth tomorrow,” she said.

The initiative will also feature the planting of economic trees, including mango, cashew, moringa, and orange, to promote environmental conservation while highlighting the potential benefits of trees for nutrition, soil protection, biodiversity, and future income generation.

Jatto explained that trees absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, help prevent soil erosion, and contribute to water conservation. She also highlighted their role in creating cooler environments that can improve conditions for learning.

“When tree planting becomes a culture in secondary schools, we will no longer need to enforce environmental protection; the children themselves will become its protectors,” she added.

The intervention covers secondary schools in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene, and Ogori-Magongo Local Government Areas of Kogi Central.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Samson Ibenu of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project educated the students on environmental protection and the effects of climate change.

Ibenu introduced the students to the principles of the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle – explaining how the practices can help minimise waste, conserve resources, and promote environmental sustainability.

The programme featured interactive sessions that allowed students to engage with facilitators and learn practical ways to protect their environment.

In his remarks, the Principal of GYB Model Science Secondary School, Yusuf Hussein, appreciated the organisers for the intervention, commending the initiative for bringing environmental education and learning support directly to the students.

The flag-off ceremony featured symbolic tree planting involving Jatto, teachers, students, and GGPI volunteers. Green Clubs were also inaugurated in participating schools to sustain environmental education and encourage students to take responsibility for their school surroundings.

Through the combined provision of learning materials, scholarships, menstrual hygiene products, and climate-friendly educational support, the programme seeks to connect school participation with environmental responsibility and sustainable living.