Some stakeholders in Rivers State are urging for the support of the state government and multinational companies for the success of the on going Cleanup Nigeria Campaign.
The campaign, funded by the United States Mission in Nigeria is being implemented by a team of young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and its Alumni in four states, of southern Nigeria.
The states are Lagos, Oyo, Enugu and Rivers.
Speaking with newsmen at a stakeholders and volunteers training programme in Port Harcourt, they said the programme needs the support of government to succeed in the state.
Speaking with The Tide, one of the stakeholders, Mr Kingdom Nwanyanwu said the campaign was part of the effort by the group to stop the habit of indiscriminate refuse disposal which is common in the urban area.
According to him, “the objectives of the CNC project are: to stop the habit of indiscriminately littering the environment, change the behaviour of Nigerians permanently by spotlighting the problem of littering and offering solutions to the waste problems of Nigeria.”
He said the team aims to build the campaign into a national civic movement and groups to make the country waste free.
Nwanyanwu said it is the wish of the group to organise and implement a national clean-up campaign that will involve community members, schools and government institutions with a view to inspiring and educating Nigerians on the importance of clean environment to human health and a strong economy.
He said, the group aims to achieve this through regular sensitisation programmes in market places and other places of importance.
He said the campaign will also be taken to both public and private schools in form of quiz competitions, adding that prizes will be given to participating schools.
Nwanyanwu who is the team leader, said the success of the campaign will depend on the support of the government, public spirited individuals as well as corporate organisations.
He said the first phase of the campaign will end on the 5th of June, 2021 with a cleanup exercise.