The League of Queens International Empowerment, a non-governmental organization, has donated waste disposal containers to some schools in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital.
The gesture, according to the group, was part of their activities to mark this year’s World Environment Day, with the theme, ‘Solutions to Plastic Pollution.’
Program coordinator of the group, Miss Queen Fabian Asanga, while presenting the items to aid in proper waste control management in schools, said it was their token of support towards keeping the environment clean and healthy.
Asanga said the League of Queens International Empowerment is an association of young women, which aims to promote women’s rights and that of the girl child in the society.
She said the World Environment Day has been celebrated since 1973 and has often been used to create awareness on the need to preserve the environment, to avoid erosion control problems and incessant flooding which impact negatively on the environment and those living in it.
The leader of the group noted that the choice of Adiaha Obong Secondary School, Eniong Offot, Uyo, in particular was very strategic, considering their focus on young women and their wellbeing, and thanked the principal of the school for the opportunity given them to impact positively on the life of the school.
In separate remarks after receiving the donated items, the vice principal (Administration) of Adiaha Obong Secondary School, Mrs Angela Ita, and the head teacher of Saint John’s Primary School, Eniong Offot, Uyo, Mrs Anastesia Jimmy, both appreciated the gesture from the group and promised to make good use of the items donated.
They also used the occasion to advise citizens and residents of the state, not just schools, to see the need to keep their environment clean at all times, by not dumping their waste in the gutters and water ways, in order to guard against airborne diseases and malaria parasite.
On her part, Miss Emmanuella Linus, one of the students of Adiaha Obong Secondary School, Uyo, said the students were grateful to League of Queens International for the visit to create awareness on this year’s event of World Environment Day and contributions made to help keep their school environment clean, and prayed God who sees their hearts to bless and reward them.
Other members of League of Queens International Empowerment who accompanied the program coordinator on the visit were: Idorenyin Anieting, Itohowo Francis, Edidiong Job, Jessica Emmanuel among others.