The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed disappointment over the poor response to the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge Community Category, which closed on July 15 without attracting significant entries.
Tinubu made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, describing the outcome as discouraging.
She explained that the programme was designed to transform degraded community spaces into environmentally friendly public areas.
Despite the low participation, the First Lady encouraged Nigerians to take part in the second phase of the RHI Green Nigeria Challenge Community Category before the December 20 deadline.
The RHI Green Nigeria Challenge is a nationwide environmental competition launched to promote tree planting, environmental cleanliness and sustainable practices across the country.
The initiative features three categories with cash prizes of N20 million for households, N50 million for communities and N100 million for the best-performing state.
“The RHI Green Nigeria Challenge Community Category, which aimed to transform degraded community spaces such as dumpsites, landfills, and abandoned areas into green parks, gardens, and other eco-friendly spaces, officially closed on July 15.
“Unfortunately, no significant entry was received.
“The Household and State categories of the Green Nigeria Challenge remain open until December 20. We encourage households and states to participate,” she said.
According to the First Lady, entries for the next phase should be submitted through the Offices of the First Lady in the various states of the federation.
Tinubu also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the remodelling of the Abuja City Gate and urged state governments to replicate similar initiatives in support of environmental sustainability.
“I commend the FCT Minister 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.
“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.
“Together, let us go green today for a greener tomorrow,” she said.
She urged Nigerians to participate in the initiative by visiting the programme’s website for more information and submissions.
