By Felicia Imohimi

The GreenHubAfrica Foundation, an NGO, has unveiled a Climate Action SuperHeroes (CASH) Youth Network, a digital-first platform, to train and empower 50,000 young change makers on climate-smart innovation and circular-economy enterprises.

GreenHubAfrica, which promotes environmental sustainability, inaugurated the network on Saturday in Abuja at the commemoration of the 2025 World Environment Day and Exhibition popularly known as WEDex.

Mr Henry Bassey, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, identified the vision and mission of the foundation as a greener and more sustainable continent.

Bassey said waste management value chain had huge employment and empowerment opportunities adding that youth engagement in the sector had huge economic benefits.

He said the organisation’s 2024 CASH school outreach topped performers list as participants continued to demonstrate the knowledge they acquired through the programme.

Bassey said WEDex, which started as a virtual event in 2020 due to restrictions of COVID-19 lockdown, had become a movement.

He identified 2025 edition of WEDex as another milestone after five years of COVID-19 devastation.

Bassey said WEDex had grown to become a highly sought after platform with annual events on the platforms including webinars, podcasts and outcome capture sessions resulting in documented blueprint to climate action from the young and old.

“In 1972, the United Nations designated June 5 as World Environment Day, marking the start of a global movement to raise awareness and accelerate action for the protection of our environment.

“WEDex 2025 stands not merely as an event, but a movement—a bold expression of action and accountability.

“What once began as a webinar series during lockdown has matured into a one-day, high-level engagement that merges conversation with consequence.

“The platform will focus on unpacking thought leadership Ideas to deliver solutions that overcome complex environmental challenges, through practical reforms,” he said.

Dr Efegbidiki Okobia, President, Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), identified plastic pollution as the second municipal solid waste challenge regarding waste management in the country.

Okobia said that waste management was a crisis that required the concerted efforts of all and sundry to put a stop to plastic waste.

The president, who identified the private sector as key in ending plastic waste in the country, urged the government to give the sector the opportunity and enabling environment to thrive.

“So, if we must put a stop to plastic pollution, we must look at where the gaps are; if you separate your waste, you separate your recycled waste from your biodegradable, who evacuates them?

“Where are they evacuating them to? Is it the recycling facility? Or is there a landfill site? That is the challenge; so, we should not just go on to speak about plastic pollution.

“We should look at how we can cover those gaps, and make it work; those in the government, private sector and civil society groups, we must come together,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Environment Day is commemorated annually on June 5.

The theme for 2025 is “Beat Plastic Pollution”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo