GGPI Founder Ladi Jatto Launches Educational Support, Distributes 15,000 Writing Materials to Kogi Students
arr. Ladi Ahmed Jatto, founder of GGPI, has launched an educational intervention for 12 secondary schools in Kogi Central, providing 15,000 writing materials, scholarships, reusable sanitary products and climate education.
Barr. Ladi Ahmed Jatto, founder of the Global Green Pillars Initiative (GGPI), has launched an educational support programme for 12 secondary schools across Kogi Central Senatorial District, combining the distribution of 15,000 writing materials with scholarships, menstrual hygiene assistance and environmental education.
The intervention is designed to ease the financial burden on parents, improve students’ access to learning resources, support adolescent girls and promote environmental responsibility among young people.
The programme was officially flagged off at GYB Model Science Secondary School in Okene, where Jatto emphasised the importance of investing in education while encouraging students to adopt practices that protect the environment.
She explained that the provision of writing materials would help students meet some of their basic academic needs, while the scholarship component would offer additional support to beneficiaries across the participating schools.
According to Jatto, the initiative reflects her commitment to improving educational opportunities and nurturing a generation that understands the importance of environmental sustainability.
A major component of the programme is the distribution of reusable sanitary products to adolescent girls who face difficulties affording disposable menstrual pads. Jatto said the washable products can be used for between 12 and 15 months, helping to reduce the financial pressure on families and minimise menstrual-related challenges that may affect school attendance.
She added that reusable sanitary products could also help reduce waste generated by disposable alternatives, contributing to cleaner school environments and more responsible waste management.
Beyond the immediate educational support, the initiative promotes awareness of climate change, plastic pollution and sustainable living. Students are being encouraged to reduce their use of single-use plastics and consider biodegradable alternatives as part of efforts to protect the environment.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Jatto stressed that environmental consciousness should be developed early, with schools playing a central role in teaching children to care for their surroundings.
“This is a personal mission for me, among several others I have undertaken over the years to make our environment friendly and healthy. I believe that true environmental change must start with our young people. If we teach a child to plant and nurture a tree today, we are raising a generation that will protect the earth tomorrow,” she said.
The programme also includes the planting of economic trees such as mango, cashew, moringa and orange in participating schools. The initiative seeks to promote environmental conservation while demonstrating the potential benefits of trees for nutrition, soil protection, biodiversity and future income generation.
Jatto explained that trees absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, help prevent soil erosion and contribute to water conservation. She also noted that tree cover could provide shade and create cooler surroundings, making school environments more comfortable for learning.
“When tree planting becomes a culture in secondary schools, we will no longer need to enforce environmental protection; the children themselves will become its protectors,” she added.
The intervention covers secondary schools in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene and Ogori-Magongo Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Samson Ibenu of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project educated students on environmental protection and the effects of climate change.
Ibenu introduced the students to the principles of the 3Rs—Reduce, Reuse and Recycle—explaining how the practices could help minimise waste, conserve resources and encourage more sustainable habits in schools and communities.
Interactive sessions also formed part of the programme, giving students the opportunity to engage with facilitators and learn practical ways to protect their immediate environment.
The Principal of GYB Model Science Secondary School, Yusuf Hussein, commended the organisers for bringing educational assistance and environmental awareness directly to students. He expressed appreciation for the intervention and its potential to support learning while encouraging responsible environmental behaviour.
The flag-off ceremony featured a symbolic tree-planting exercise involving Jatto, teachers, students and GGPI volunteers. Green Clubs were also inaugurated in participating schools to sustain environmental education and encourage students to take an active role in keeping their school environments clean and healthy.
Through the combined provision of learning materials, scholarships, reusable sanitary products and climate education, the Global Green Pillars Initiative seeks to strengthen school participation while promoting environmental responsibility among young people in Kogi Central.