The Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (ODSUBEB), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has concluded a five-day capacity-building workshop for over 200 teachers and education stakeholders under the Greening Schools and Climate Change Education Initiative (GSCCEI), culminating in the official launch of the Greening Schools Tree Planting Campaign and the distribution of tree seedlings and agricultural inputs to participating schools across the state.
The five-day workshop, held at the Domus Pacis Pastoral Institute, Conference and Retreat Centre, Igoba-Akure, equipped participants with practical and theoretical knowledge in climate change education, environmental sustainability, agricultural entrepreneurship, and climate-smart agricultural practices.
The programme culminated in the launch of the Greening Schools Tree Planting Campaign at St. James’ Mega Primary School Hall, Irowo, Akure, where beneficiary schools received tree seedlings and agricultural inputs to commence the establishment of tree nurseries, school gardens, and other environmentally sustainable projects.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, described the initiative as timely and strategic, noting that climate change remains one of the greatest global challenges requiring practical and collective action.
Professor Ajibefun, in a statement by the Head, Media and Publicity Unit of ODSUBEB, Banjo Egunjobi, stressed that schools have a vital role in nurturing environmentally responsible citizens, adding that climate education must go beyond classroom instruction to practical activities such as tree planting, environmental conservation, and sustainable school gardening.
He urged beneficiary schools to make effective use of the tree seedlings and agricultural materials provided under the programme, emphasising that the success of the initiative would depend on the commitment of school administrators, teachers, and pupils to nurture the trees to maturity.
In her address, the Permanent Secretary of ODSUBEB, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, described the initiative as a major milestone in the Board’s determination to build environmentally friendly schools while equipping learners with practical knowledge and skills required to tackle climate change and environmental degradation.
She explained that the programme, formerly known as the Agricultural Education Training Programme (AETP), has been repositioned and rebranded as the Greening Schools and Climate Change Education Initiative (GSCCEI) in line with global best practices and contemporary educational priorities.
According to her, the initiative integrates climate action, environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, food security, ecological restoration and green entrepreneurship into the basic education curriculum.
Princess Bayo-Ilawole observed that climate change remains one of the greatest environmental challenges confronting humanity, with its effects evident in rising temperatures, flooding, prolonged drought, biodiversity loss, declining agricultural productivity, food insecurity, desertification and erosion.
She stressed that schools occupy a strategic position in preparing future generations to become environmentally responsible citizens capable of promoting sustainable development and building resilient communities.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that participants received intensive practical and theoretical training on climate change mitigation and safeguard measures, tree nursery establishment and maintenance, orchard development, school gardening, vegetable production, poultry farming, fisheries and aquaculture, alongside other environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.
She urged participants to replicate the knowledge acquired by establishing school gardens, tree nurseries, environmental clubs and viable agricultural enterprises capable of promoting food production, entrepreneurship education, environmental sustainability and community economic development.
Princess Bayo-Ilawole expressed appreciation to Governor Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering commitment to educational development and the timely release of counterpart funds that facilitated the successful implementation of the programme.
She also commended the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, for her visionary leadership and sustained support towards improving the quality of basic education through impactful interventions such as the GSCCEI.
Expressing optimism about the programme’s long-term impact, she said the initiative would contribute significantly to greener schools, increased environmental awareness among learners, improved agricultural productivity and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the education sector.
Delivering her goodwill message, the Ondo State Coordinator of UBEC, Mrs Olanike Adams, described the Greening Schools and Climate Change Education Initiative as a strategic intervention designed to integrate climate change education into the basic education curriculum while promoting environmentally responsible attitudes and sustainable practices among pupils and students.
She stated that the programme reflects UBEC’s commitment to equipping young learners with the knowledge, values and practical skills required to address environmental challenges and contribute meaningfully to sustainable national development.
Mrs Adams noted that schools remain one of the most effective platforms for nurturing environmentally conscious citizens from an early age, adding that education remains the most effective tool for promoting environmental awareness, behavioural change and environmental stewardship.
One of the resource persons, Professor Gideon Adedayo of the Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), who delivered a lecture on Climate Change Mitigation, Resilience and Safeguards, described climate change as one of the most critical environmental challenges confronting the world today.
He explained that increasing extreme weather events, rising temperatures, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation continue to threaten agriculture, food security, water resources, public health, infrastructure and economic development.
Professor Adedayo advocated sustainable forest management, renewable energy adoption, climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity conservation and responsible natural resource management as practical solutions to mitigate climate change, while urging governments, educational institutions, private organisations and citizens to work collaboratively in protecting the environment.
Earlier, the Director of Academic Services, ODSUBEB, Mrs Foluke Fajana, described the workshop as a practical and result-oriented capacity-building programme designed to equip participants with the technical knowledge and hands-on skills required to successfully implement the Greening Schools and Climate Change Education Initiative in their schools.
She disclosed that each beneficiary school is expected to establish a functional tree nursery, develop a school garden and initiate at least one viable agricultural enterprise capable of serving both educational and economic purposes.
Speaking on behalf of participants, Dr Aina Benjamin expressed appreciation to the Ondo State Government, UBEC and ODSUBEB for organising what he described as an eye-opening and impactful training programme.
He assured that participants would effectively apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the workshop to promote environmental sustainability, establish climate-friendly practices in schools, educate learners on responsible environmental behaviour and contribute meaningfully to reducing the effects of climate change across Ondo State.
The workshop attracted participants from across the education sector, including Education Secretaries from the various Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs), head teachers of public primary schools, school administrators, classroom teachers, agricultural instructors and other key stakeholders in basic education.