Enugu State has emerged as Nigeria’s cleanest state, clinching the N100 million Model Green State Award, as First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, unveiled the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The challenge, a nationwide environmental competition, is designed to encourage households, communities, and states to embrace tree planting and environmental cleanliness.
Presenting the cheque and plaque to Enugu’s First Lady, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, Mrs. Tinubu commended the state for setting a national standard in environmental management.
“They earned it. It is not only in planting trees, but in environmental cleanliness. If you go to Enugu, Enugu is clean,” she said.
The first lady praised the proactive approach of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration in sustaining a clean and green environment.
“When she sees anything that the governor doesn’t want to see—any litter around—they call and fix it immediately. And I think that’s the best way to go,” she added.
Explaining the motivation for the initiative, Mrs. Tinubu drew from her personal history.
“As a biologist, I’ve always loved to go clean. During the time my husband was governor of Lagos State, I used to go clean clogged drains. I was young, and I used a lot of energy. People have to see you do what you want them to do. And it’s more appealing and attractive that way.”
She also linked the project to global climate action efforts, recalling discussions at the recent G20 Summit in Brazil.
“One of the things they are going to be looking at is plastic waste. Every country is buying into it, cleaning their oceans and waterways because the fauna in the sea is being affected by waste dumped into the sea,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu disclosed that RHI was working closely with the Federal Ministry of Environment and had begun plans to establish environmental clubs in secondary schools and environmental societies in universities.
Speaking after receiving the award, Mrs. Mbah thanked the first lady, her husband, and the people of Enugu for their collective efforts.
“First, I want to thank the first lady and the mother of the nation for recognising Enugu State as a green and clean state. I also want to thank my husband, the governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for his tireless effort to keep Enugu clean and green.
“The key to keeping the state clean and green is not just by giving instructions, but also by being proactive, moving around, carrying out inspection, and doing all the needful. They had actually helped in making Enugu State clean.
“I promised Her Excellency, the First Lady, that we will not relent. We will keep pushing to remain that role model state,” she said.
The RHI Green Nigeria Challenge is divided into three categories: Household, Community, and State. It offers prizes of N20 million for the best-performing household, N50 million for the best community, and N100 million for the best state. Enugu has already been honoured and is exempted from further state-level competition.
Entries close in 2026, and participants are encouraged to submit via www.rhinitiative.org.
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