The Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has commenced a two-day state-level step-down training on the Greening Schools and Climate Change Initiative (GSCCI) for education officers in Asaba.
The training, which began on Tuesday, September 8, and ends on September 9, 2026, is being held at the SUBEB Conference Hall, Mariam Babangida Way, off Okpanam Road, Asaba, under the theme: “Enhance the Implementation of Climate Change and Greening Curricular.”
The programme is designed for Desk Officers from the 25 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) and Special Programmes Officers across Delta State.
Declaring the training open, the Executive Chairman of Delta SUBEB, Hon. Barr. Samuel O. Mariere, represented by the Second Board Member, Comrade Onome Apkoghere, described climate change as one of the greatest environmental challenges confronting the world, with serious implications for public health, education, agriculture and sustainable development.
Mariere said challenges including environmental pollution, ozone layer depletion and global warming required urgent and collective action, stressing that schools had a critical role to play in raising a generation of environmentally responsible citizens.
He urged participants to promote environmentally friendly practices, including the recycling of waste materials such as sachet water nylon and plastic containers, while also raising awareness about the harmful effects of emissions from heavy-duty generators on human health and the environment.
The SUBEB chairman expressed confidence that the training would equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to promote climate change education and environmental sustainability in schools and communities.
According to him, participants are expected to gain practical knowledge on the implementation and monitoring of greening and climate change activities, as well as the use of appropriate procedures and checklists for documenting activities across schools.
In her remarks, the UBEC State Coordinator, Mrs. Sharon Dafilielo, conveyed the greetings of the UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, to participants.
Dafilielo said the Commission was committed to ensuring that knowledge gained from the training translated into practical action in schools, adding that monitoring teams would visit schools to assess the level of implementation.
In a goodwill message, the Owelle of Asaba Kingdom and Founder of the Green Energy Foundation, Chief Chukwuemeka Chukwurah, commended SUBEB for taking climate change education to the grassroots, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in future generations.
Chukwurah urged participants to ensure that climate change education went beyond classroom theory by translating lessons into practical environmental activities such as tree planting, community awareness campaigns and environmental conservation.
He also encouraged schools and communities to plant economically valuable trees, including mango and orange, as part of their greening efforts.
Also speaking, the Director of Special Programmes, SUBEB, Mrs. Sandra Ogini, described the workshop as an important step towards creating greener, healthier and more sustainable school environments.
Ogini appreciated the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for his sustained investment in the education sector.
The lead facilitator, Dr. Babalola Adeniyi of Dennis Osadebay University, delivered a technical presentation on the causes, effects and mitigation strategies of climate change.
He identified gas flaring, deforestation, bush burning and unsustainable agricultural practices as major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
Adeniyi urged participants to promote sustainable farming, waste recycling and afforestation, noting that trees play a critical role in absorbing carbon dioxide and improving air quality.
The Director of Teachers Professional Development, Mrs. Mary Eyagomare, charged participants to cascade the knowledge acquired during the training to teachers and learners in their respective schools.
The organisers said the training was expected to strengthen the capacity of education officers to integrate climate action into the basic education curriculum, support greening initiatives in schools, and develop effective strategies for monitoring and sustaining climate-related activities across Delta State.
