Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed disappointment over the absence of significant entries for the Community Category of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge, which closed on July 15.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, Tinubu described the outcome as disappointing, noting that the category failed to attract meaningful submissions despite its goal of transforming degraded community spaces into green public areas.
She, however, urged Nigerians to take advantage of the second phase of the Community Category before the final deadline of December 20.
The RHI Green Nigeria Challenge is a nationwide environmental competition launched by the First Lady to encourage tree planting, environmental cleanliness and sustainable community development across the country.
The initiative offers cash prizes of N20 million for the Household Category, N50 million for the Community Category and N100 million for the best-performing state.
“The RHI Green Nigeria Challenge Community Category, which aimed to transform degraded community spaces such as dumpsites, landfills and abandoned areas into green parks, gardens and other eco-friendly spaces, officially closed on July 15.
“Unfortunately, no significant entry was received.
“The Household and State categories of the Green Nigeria Challenge remain open until December 20. We encourage households and states to participate,” she said.
Tinubu explained that entries for the next phase should be submitted through the Offices of the First Lady in the various states.
She also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for the remodelling of the Abuja City Gate, describing it as a model of environmental transformation.
“I commend the FCT Minister for remodelling the Abuja City Gate, which has become a notable landmark and a clear example of the kind of environmental transformation the Community Category was designed to promote,” she said.
The First Lady urged state governments to replicate similar initiatives by investing in cleaner and greener communities, ensuring proper waste disposal and keeping drainage channels free of plastic waste and other obstructions to reduce the risk of flooding.
“Together, let us go green today for a greener tomorrow,” she added.
She encouraged interested participants to obtain more information and participate through the Renewed Hope Initiative website at www.rhinitiative.org
