UYO
The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has flagged off the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI Green Nigeria Challenge in the state, calling on all the 31 local government areas to actively participate in the nationwide environmental sustainability initiative through tree planting and community beautification projects.
The exercise, which featured the planting of trees, is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s broader campaign aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, improving public spaces and encouraging citizens to take ownership of their surroundings through tree planting, landscaping and waste-to-green projects.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, along the Clement Isong Road, Lady Helen Eno who is the State Coordinator of the RHI, said the initiative was directed by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who mandated first ladies across the country to implement the programme in their respective states.
She commended the first lady for championing the initiative, noting that the benefits of tree planting would outlive the present generation and contribute to a healthier environment for years to come.
“The trees we are planting today will stand as a legacy for future generations. I look forward to a time when we can drive past this road and proudly say, ‘We planted that tree right there,'” she said.
The coordinator urged citizens to embrace the campaign by participating in environmental sanitation, beautification and tree-planting activities in their communities.
She particularly appealed to the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and the Wives of All Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (WALGON) in the state, to mobilise their respective Local Government Chairmen and their spouses to replicate the initiative across all the 31 local government areas in the state.
She also called on participants to document their activities with photographs and videos as part of the state’s participation in the national RHI Green Nigeria Challenge, expressing optimism that Akwa Ibom would emerge as the overall winner of the competition.
She appreciated all stakeholders and volunteers for their support and urged them to sustain their commitment towards building a greener, cleaner and healthier Akwa Ibom for future generations.
The Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Nsikak Ekong, said that planting of trees was not only beneficial to the environment but also to humans.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor, enumerated the benefits of tree planting to include provision of shed, beautification of environment and support of erosion control.
The chairman of Uyo Local Government Area and chairman of ALGON, Hon. Uwemedimo Udo, expressed his commitment to ensuring that the exercise is replicated in all the Local government reas in the state.
The symbolic planting of trees was performed by the coordinator alongside, Commissioner for women affairs, Mrs. Inibehe Silas, Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Nsikak Ekong, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor, a representative from the Ministry of Works, and the president of the Commissioners and Special Advisers Wives Association (COSAWA), Dr Bright Archibong,
Others were the chairman of Uyo Local Government Area,Hon. Uwemedimo Udo, President of Wives of All Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (WALGON), Mrs Akaninyene Udo, senior special assistant to the Governor on Agric Business, Pastor Godwin Ukwat, a representative of Rotary club Uyo District, team lead, Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), Pastor Anne Abraham and the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Akwa Ibom State, Felicia Kalu.