Groups donate learning materials, plan trees in Nasarawa school

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) office in Nigeria has donated learning materials and planted trees in an effort at promoting climate change action in GSS Lafia South, Nasarawa State.

KOICA executed the projects in collaboration with the South Korea International Cooperation Association of Nigeria (SKICAN).

Mr Minjae Kang, Deputy Country Director representing the Country Director KOICA disclosed this in a statement.

KOICA said the two projects were in furtherance of the organisations’ annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with a focus on providing the necessary resources to enhance a conductive environment for learning.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the learning materials included whiteboards, desks, chairs, school backpacks, and mathematical sets, among others.

According to the country director, the donation was to support the education of the kids in the community towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 of Free education for all.

“We strongly believe in education which is a very important tool for mental construct and development of children.

“So it is part of what we invest in for the benefit of humanity.

“In the past 10 years, through its Official Development Assistance Programme in Nigeria, KOICA has implemented various educational projects including training of more than 2,000 Nigerians in Korea on Ph.D, master’s degree, and country specific short-term programmes,” he said.

Minjae noted that the CSR activity also focuses on promoting awareness of the effects of climate change and mitigation measures.

“We organise knowledge-sharing sessions for school teachers under the title of ‘Climate Change Actions’ to emphasise on the importance of healthy environments and enhance the performance, growth and development of children.

“The importance of tree-planting cannot be overemphasised.

“Trees absorb sound and reduce noise pollution. They provide natural cooling effects.

“Trees purify the air, they absorb pollutant gasses and also absorb odors and act as filter as little particles get trapped in leaves.

“We believe that tree-planting is a practical step towards mitigating climate change effects,” Minjae said.

Mallam Adamu Tanko, Principal of GSS Lafia South, expressed appreciation to KOICA and its alumni association for the visit and for providing support to the kids.

He pledged to ensure that the materials and trees are well maintained.

By Sarafina Christopher