The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, conducted a comprehensive environmental and safety sensitization programme for senior secondary students of NINLAN Demonstration Secondary School, Aba.
Addressing the students, lead facilitator Mr. Emmanuel Oludayo emphasized that safety begins with personal responsibility and an informed mindset. He urged the students to develop habits that support their wellbeing and contribute to environmental protection.
Mr. Oludayo described NESREA as the “police of the environment,” explaining that the agency is mandated to enforce national environmental standards and regulations across the country.
Also speaking, Assistant Director Mr. Obinna Ojuri highlighted NESREA’s vision of a cleaner, healthier Nigeria and its mission to inspire individual and collective action toward a sustainable society. He explained the components of the environment, distinguishing between the green environment—plants, animals, and other living organisms—and the brown environment, which covers pollution control and human activities.
Mr. Ojuri further educated the students on waste management, identifying solid, liquid, and gaseous waste as the three major categories requiring proper handling.
In her presentation on personal hygiene, Dr. Shine Alex outlined essential daily practices that help prevent disease transmission. She encouraged students to bathe with antiseptic soap, brush their teeth twice daily, keep their nasal passages and ears clean, and maintain short, neat fingernails.
She also advised on proper coughing and sneezing etiquette, urging students to use tissue paper or cough into their elbows when tissues are unavailable. Dr. Alex emphasized regular changing of underwear, especially for female students, and described handwashing as one of the most effective health protection habits.
On plastic waste, Dr. Alex warned against indiscriminate disposal of plastic bottles, noting the environmental and health hazards they pose. She encouraged students to embrace recycling as a practical solution.
The session featured an interactive segment, during which students asked insightful questions and demonstrated strong engagement with the topics discussed.
In support of the initiative, the school announced the formation of an Environmental Club, which aims to promote cleanliness and environmental stewardship within the school community. Several students registered immediately.
Speaking after the event, Miss Harbor Onyinyechi and Miss Emmanuella Chinedu, both SS1 students, expressed their excitement about the knowledge gained and pledged to uphold proper hygiene and environmental consciousness.
The programme ended with expressions of appreciation from students and staff, who described the sensitization as both timely and impactful.
