… expands greener minds club in Ekiti
The Triple Green Environmental Development (TGED) Foundation has leveraged the power of sports to promote environmental sustainability and climate action among young people in Ekiti State, as part of activities marking the 2026 World Environment Day.
The initiative, tagged “Kick for Planet,” brought together students of Florence Court International School and Fonop Academy in a charity football match aimed at raising environmental awareness and encouraging youth participation in climate action.
The event, held in Ado-Ekiti, combined sports, environmental education, tree planting and student leadership activities under the Foundation’s flagship Greener Minds Club programme.
Although Florence Court International School secured a 3-1 victory over Fonop Academy in the football encounter, organisers stressed that the true success of the event lay in its environmental impact and the message of sustainability it delivered to participating students.
A major highlight of the programme was the expansion of the Greener Minds Club to Fonop Academy, extending the reach of environmental education and student-led climate initiatives to another school community in the state.
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The Greener Minds Club, established by TGED Foundation at Florence Court International School in 2024, was created to nurture environmental consciousness, sustainability leadership and practical climate action among students.
As part of its ongoing school greening campaign, the Foundation also distributed 113 tree seedlings to six schools, comprising one primary school and five secondary schools, to support environmental restoration and climate resilience efforts across Ekiti State. The initiative forms part of TGED Foundation’s broader target of planting 250 trees in schools across the state.
The Foundation commended the support of the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment, the Ekiti State Forestry Commission and GADEF for providing seedlings that are contributing to greener and healthier learning environments.
It also acknowledged the continued collaboration of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Ekiti State Office, as well as individual donors and supporters committed to advancing environmental sustainability.
Students who are members of the Greener Minds Club played a central role during the event, leading peer-to-peer climate discussions and environmental awareness activities that showcased the effectiveness of youth-led environmental education.
In recognition of outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship, four students received Environmental Stewardship Medals and Certificates of Recognition for their dedication to nurturing trees previously planted within their school environment.
The Foundation also presented the Greener Minds Pioneer Leadership Award to a former student leader whose contributions were instrumental to the establishment and growth of the club.
Similarly, the club coordinator was honoured for exceptional commitment to mentoring students and promoting environmental awareness within the school community.
To further support environmental activities within the schools, TGED Foundation donated watering cans and gardening gloves to aid tree maintenance and encourage continuous care of the newly planted seedlings.
Speaking during the event, the Founder of TGED Foundation, Oluwaseyi Ebenezer, underscored the need to move climate action beyond discussions and translate it into practical daily activities.
She said, “Climate action must move beyond conversations and become part of everyday life. Through initiatives such as Greener Minds and Kick for the Planet, we are empowering young people to understand environmental challenges, take responsibility and become champions of positive change within their schools and communities.”
The programme attracted representatives of NESREA, the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment, the Ekiti State Ministry of Education, the Ekiti State Forestry Commission, school administrators, teachers, parents and other stakeholders committed to environmental sustainability and youth development.
The Foundation noted that the Kick for Planet initiative aligns with its commitment to advancing environmental education, climate action and community-driven sustainability programmes across Nigeria.
