Hope Aglow Charity Foundation, in collaboration with the United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNA Nigeria) and Brigham University, marked World Environment Day 2026 with a nationwide environmental campaign. Over 500 trees were planted, and hundreds of students engaged in climate action activities across Lagos, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Campaign Theme and Activities
The initiative, held under the theme "Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future," combined tree planting, environmental sanitation, waste reduction advocacy, and climate education. The day culminated in an international webinar featuring experts from Nigeria and abroad.
Lagos Outreach
Speaking during the Lagos outreach at Obele Community High School, Surulere, President of UNA Nigeria, Prof. Remi Olutimo, described trees as critical to combating environmental challenges. "Trees are Nigeria's first line of defense against erosion, heat stress, and air pollution," he said, urging students to become custodians of the environment. Students learned about deforestation's impact on flooding and rising temperatures before participating in a "One Student, One Tree" exercise using climate-resilient species.
Rivers State Program
In Rivers State, the program at Government Secondary School, Eneka, focused on climate change realities in the Niger Delta, including flooding, biodiversity loss, and threats to livelihoods. Chairman of Climate Action and Sustainable Development Goals at UNA Nigeria, Prof. Cynthia Obiorah, charged participants to become advocates for environmental sustainability. Students were inaugurated as Environmental Ambassadors, indigenous seedlings were distributed for home planting, and over 300 reusable water bottles and color-coded waste bins were donated to discourage plastic pollution and encourage waste segregation. "Be the solution to plastic pollution. A clean environment is a healthy future," Prof. Obiorah said.
Brigham University Abuja
At Brigham University in Abuja, students embarked on a campus-wide clean-up exercise and planted ornamental and shade trees as part of the "Think Green Before You Act" campaign. Participants were encouraged to embrace energy conservation, reduce plastic consumption, and adopt responsible waste management practices.
International Webinar
The day's activities climaxed with an international webinar that brought together climate experts, policymakers, and technology leaders. Speakers included Prof. Obiorah, Prof. Olutimo, Chairman of the International Artificial Intelligence Association, Amb. Dr. Rui Dai, and Senior Observer at United Nations Climate Change Conferences, Dr. Tong Xu. The panel session, titled "How Humanity Must Lead Climate Action," emphasized combining scientific innovation, effective policies, and grassroots participation to tackle environmental challenges.
Contribution to SDGs
Organizers said the program directly contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, including Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water, and Life on Land. Reaffirming their commitment, Hope Aglow Charity Foundation and UNA Nigeria stressed that climate action must move beyond annual celebrations to sustained community engagement. "World Environment Day is not just a celebration; it is a call to duty," the organizations said.
