The community category of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge has ended without attracting any significant entries, according to Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the First Lady disclosed that the category officially closed on July 15, 2026, despite offering a ₦50 million cash prize to encourage environmental restoration projects across the country.
She explained that the competition was created to inspire communities, local governments, schools, youth organisations and non-governmental organisations to reclaim degraded public spaces by converting dumpsites, landfills and abandoned areas into parks, gardens and other environmentally friendly locations.
"Unfortunately, no significant entry was received," Mrs Tinubu stated.
Despite the outcome, the First Lady praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for the transformation of the Abuja City Gate, describing the project as an example of the type of environmental renewal the competition was intended to encourage.
"I commend the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON for remodelling the Abuja City Gate, which has become a notable landmark and a clear example of the kind of environmental transformation the Community Category was designed to promote," she said.
Mrs Tinubu also appealed to state governments to prioritise cleaner and greener environments by improving waste management systems, maintaining drainage channels and preventing plastic waste from blocking waterways to reduce the risk of flooding.
"I encourage other States to emulate this example by investing in cleaner, greener communities, ensuring proper waste disposal, and keeping drainage channels free of plastic waste and other obstructions to help prevent flooding," she added.
She announced that the Household and State categories of the Green Nigeria Challenge remain open until December 20, 2026, and urged eligible participants to submit their entries through the Offices of the First Ladies in their respective states.
"The Household and State categories of the Green Nigeria Challenge remain open until 20th December, 2026. We encourage households and States to participate.
"Entries should be submitted through the Office of the First Lady in the respective States," she said.
The Renewed Hope Initiative Green Nigeria Challenge is a nationwide environmental campaign established under the leadership of the First Lady to promote tree planting and restore degraded ecosystems across Nigeria.
The initiative consists of three categories. The Household Category is open to households in 10 frontline northern states comprising Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara. Successful participants stand to win a ₦20 million prize for outstanding tree-planting initiatives.
The State Category is open to every state except Enugu, which has already been recognised as the Renewed Hope Initiative's Model Green State. It carries a top prize of ₦100 million for exceptional state-wide tree-planting efforts. Entries for both categories will close on December 20, 2026.
The Community Category, which has now closed, was open to local governments, communities, schools, youth groups and non-governmental organisations in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with a ₦50 million cash prize offered for outstanding environmental transformation projects.
ADEOLA KUNLE
No comments:
Post a Comment