BASEPA, BIK Foundation engage Bauchi Youth on World Clean Up Day

From David Kuvie Bauchi

The  Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with Barrister Ibrahim Kashim Foundation (BIK) has engaged youth in the state to clean the environment as part of community service to commemorate  World Clean-Up Day 2022

The activities marking the day flagged off at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Bauchi Saturday with a panel discussion on the significance of environmental sanitation and hygiene and the symbolic evacuation of refuse at Bakaro community refuse dumpsite later in the day.

The event also involved a door-to-door awareness campaign on environmental hygiene within the neighbourhoods in Bauchi  metropolis.

The youth were admonished to play a key role in evacuating waste in their communities for a better and a healthier Society.

Director General of BASEPA, Dr. Ibrahim Kabir, while declaring the discussion panel open, the explained the concept and importance of collaborative efforts in environmental protection saying such partnerships help a lot in managing environmental challenges.

 Kabir expressed his happiness with the collaboration between his BASEPA and the BIK Foundation to mark the day saying the partnership was timely.

“Generating a waste is inevitable but how  we manage it is the most important aspect as far as environmental protection is all about, especially in a day like this,” he said.

“We consider high waste collection centers in communities close by the side of the road, especially the one close to Bakaro Primary school. These require urgent attention, and that’s why we are here to clean up, and make sure that we evacaute all the waste with the support of our youth in active participation to mark the day.

“When Youths organisations began to understand the importance of environment and even trying to celebrate it in a colourful manner, it is a clear indication that we are beginning to get it right”

The DG then commended BIK Foundation and other partners for finding the environmental sector worthy of celebration and participation in the symbolic exercise.

He thanked officials of EHORECON, NAGGW, OXFAM and MEDA, the WEAID Initiative, Dan Garba and Haidar Care Foundations and the Bauchi State council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists that hosted the panel of discussion.

The CEO of BIK Foundation, represented by one of the Non Executive Directors of the Foundation, Rasul Muhammad Kashim said, the foundation is committed towards multi-sectoral improvement of the lives and well being of the people.

Kashim said the organization focuses on youths and women empowerment and the inclusion of people with disabilities among others in critical decisions making process and also deepening relationship and trust between government, organisations and communities.

“Waste generation has become inevitable and to address the issue, there is need to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure that our environment is clean for the betterment of all,” he said.

“This has informed the decision of KIB Foundation to celebrate the World Clean Up Day. Also, part of the activities earmarked are targeted towards sensitising the general public on the importance of cleanliness across the entire state”