The Chief Executive Officer of the Global Green Pillars Initiative (GGPI), Chief Ladi Ahmed Jatto, has flagged off the distribution of writing materials and reusable sanitary pads to students in Kogi Central, alongside tree planting in schools across the district.

The exercise, held at GYB Model Science Secondary School, Nagazi, featured the distribution of 15,000 copies of writing materials and reusable sanitary pads to schoolgirls.

Speaking at the event, Jatto, who is also the State Project Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), said the initiative is to raise awareness of environmental protection among young people.

“We intend to catch them young. We believe they will disseminate the information to their younger ones,” she said.

Jatto said the writing materials would support students, while the reusable sanitary pads would help reduce menstrual hygiene costs and waste associated with disposable products.

She urged students to learn about climate change and environmental protection from an early age and to use biodegradable materials as alternatives to plastics.

The Director-General of the Kogi State Climate Change Agency, Michael Ajibade, described environmental degradation and climate change as global challenges and urged students to adopt sustainable practices.

The principal of GYB Model Science Secondary School, Nagazi, Mallam Yusuf Hussein, and one of the students beneficiary, Musa Zahra commended Jatto for the initiative and impact .

The exercise also featured the planting of mango, cashew and moringa trees by Jatto and her team, supported by some students, teachers and volunteers.

The trees are expected to provide shade, nutritional benefits and future economic value to the schools.