UNICEF, Gombe, ACReSAL collaborate, organize quiz to create climate change awareness among children, students 

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Gombe Commissioner of Education, Professor Aishatu Maigari presents a gift to the winners of the quiz competition 

By Akanji Alowolodu, Gombe 

Bauchi Field Office of United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), on Monday, organized a quiz competition for secondary school students in Gombe State to create awareness on climate change among them. 

The inter-school quiz competition was organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Education and the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) Project.

The competition which was in commemoration of the 2023 World Children’s Day, focuses on climate change education and was aimed at developing the children’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards sustainable climate actions in the state.

Speaking at the event, the Officer In Charge (OIC) of the UNICEF Bauchi field office, Dr Clement Adams explained that the event was organized as a part of efforts to safeguard the environment for future generations. 

Adams also revealed that the quiz competition was a platform for the children to have fun and showcase their excellence in critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills.

He stressed that having been exposed to issues of climate change as taught in the class, the quiz competition was just to help them have better understanding of the subject matter through the questions and answers. 

The UNICEF Officer in Charge then psyche up the students not to be afraid of given wrong answers but ensure that they attempt to answer each questions.

In her remarks, Gombe State Commissioner of Education, Prof. Aishatu Maigari, commended UNICEF for partnering the State Government in implementing projects and programs that are aimed at ensuring a better future for children in the state. 

The Commissioner assured that Gombe State is opened to more partnerships especially in the areas of conducive and safe schools environment that will enhance effective learning. 

Aishatu explained that the state government has in the past few years, invested in various areas of the state’s economy, especially the education sector, which she said has led to significant improvement in the performances of the students at national examinations.

She said that, “UNICEF has been a good partner for us and we assure you that Gombe is open to more partnerships in whatever area you can think of, we have things going on in Gombe and I believe that is why you choose to flag off this event today in Gombe.” 

The Commissioner while urging students selected for the quiz competition to participate freely, told them to feel relaxed and enjoy the atmosphere not minding what the outcome will be.

At the end of the competition, Government Girls Mega College (GGMC) Doma emerged winners after answering the highest number of questions correctly. 

Other schools were, Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Gandu which came second and Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Gombe which came third.

Each of the three secondary schools that participated in the competition was represented by a team of three students.

Shortly after the quiz competition and the emergence of GGMC Doma as the winner, the students expressed their joy and gratitude for winning the competition, citing the importance of education for their personal and societal development. 

They also acknowledged the role of their teachers, parents, and peers in supporting their academic and moral growth.

UNICEF’s activities to commemorate the 2023 World Children’s Day also featured a tree planting campaign among children with the planting of several trees in Government Science Secondary School Gombe.

On his part, the Gombe ACReSAL Project Coordinator (PC), Sani Adamu Jauro commended UNICEF for the collaboration, stating the project has been engaging children across schools in the state on the need to preserve the environment. 

He also said that the  plan is to catch them young and instill the habits of tree planting among the students and other children across the state for a healthy environment.