News
September 11, 2025 by
Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
• From left: Wife of Deputy Senate President, Hajia Laila Barau; House of Representatives Speaker’s wife, Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas; wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima; the First Lady, Senator Tinubu; Mrs. Mbah; Ambassador AbdulRasaq; wife of Imo State governor, Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma; and wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila, during the ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday.
First Lady unveils N20m cash prize for best-performing household
Enugu State has won N100 million in the “Green Nigeria Challenge” organised by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Mrs. Tinubu presented the cheque yesterday to the wife of Enugu State governor, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, during a ceremony at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
She named Enugu the “Model Green State” for its early achievements in maintaining a clean environment.
The presentation was held during RHI’s quarterly meeting of state coordinators and governors’ wives, with the theme: Go Green Today for a Greener Tomorrow.
“They earned it. It’s not only in planting trees, but also in environmental cleanliness. If you go to Enugu, it is clean. When the Enugu State governor’s wife sees anything the governor doesn’t want to see — any litter around — they call and fix it immediately. I think that’s the best way to go,” Mrs. Tinubu said.
The Green Nigeria Challenge is a nationwide competition designed to promote tree planting and environmental cleanliness among households, youth groups, communities, and state governments.
It offers a grand prize of N20 million for the best-performing household, with additional rewards for exemplary communities and states.
The competition is divided into three categories.
The Household Category targets 11 northern states prone to desertification, where families are encouraged to plant at least one tree to qualify.
The Community Category invites local governments, youth groups, schools, and NGOs across the country to reclaim degraded or abandoned spaces and turn them into green areas.
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The State Category will see states — except Enugu, which has already been recognised — compete based on the extent of tree coverage along major roads and within neighborhoods.
The First Lady explained why she organised the competition, saying: “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 had the energy – and people have to see you do what you want them to do. It’s more appealing and attractive that way.”
Mrs. Tinubu also drew from her international exposure, recalling her recent trip to the G20 Summit in Brazil with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“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,” she noted.
The First Lady added that similar efforts were underway in states, like Lagos, and encouraged schools to form environmental clubs to drive youth participation.
Mrs. Tinubu emphasised the need for collaboration, saying her office had been working closely with the Ministry of Environment and organiaed learning visits to Ghana.
She announced plans to recognise the gardeners who maintain the Presidential Villa’s grounds, saying: “The Villa has to be given a prize. They’ve been keeping the gardens beautifully. Even the flowers in my waiting room come from the Villa gardens. They’ve done well, and we have to commend them.”
The wife of Kwara State governor and Chairperson of Governors’ Spouses’ Forum, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, said: “We have commissioners, the State Houses of Assembly, religious leaders, traditional leaders, local governments, CSOs, and school children involved.
“We make sure everyone is part of this effort.”
She stressed that sustained sensitisation remained important to achieve the objective of the competition.
She added: “We do jingles on TV, radio, and other platforms so people know the good work being done.”
Also, the wife of Enugu State governor, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, thanked the First Lady for honouring Enugu as the Model Green State.
“My husband’s tireless efforts and proactive leadership have made Enugu, not just about planting trees but also about sanitation and cleanliness. We will not relent. We’ll continue pushing to be the role model for other states,” she said.
The RHI Green Nigeria Challenge will run until 2026, with key submission deadlines already set.
Families, schools, communities, and state governments are encouraged to participate by registering at: www.rhinitiative.org.