TGED Foundation Uses Football to Spur Climate Action in Ekiti Schools  

By Joseph Sunday 

In a bid to blend sports with sustainability, the Triple Green Environmental Development (TGED) Foundation has taken climate awareness directly to students in Ekiti State through its “Kick for Planet” initiative, while expanding its Greener Minds Club to more schools.

As part of activities to mark 2026 World Environment Day, the foundation staged a youth-focused climate action event at Florence Court International School, Ado-Ekiti. The highlight was a charity football match between students of Florence Court International School and Fonop Academy, designed to spark conversations on environmental sustainability and inspire young people to champion climate solutions.

Florence Court International School clinched a 3-1 victory over Fonop Academy. But according to organisers, the real win was beyond the scoreline — the event aimed to instill environmental responsibility and a culture of sustainable living among students.

TGED Foundation Founder, Mr. Oluwaseyi Ebenezer, said climate action must become part of daily life, not just conference talk. Through programmes like the Greener Minds Club and Kick for Planet, he explained, the foundation is equipping young people with practical knowledge and skills to lead environmental change in their schools and communities.

The event also saw the official expansion of the Greener Minds Club to Fonop Academy. The club, first launched at Florence Court International School in 2024, has been driving sustainability leadership, environmental awareness, and hands-on climate action among students.

Furthering its school greening campaign, TGED distributed 113 tree seedlings to six schools — one primary and five secondary — to bolster environmental restoration and climate resilience efforts across Ekiti. The effort feeds into the foundation’s broader goal of planting 250 trees in schools statewide.

Ebenezer commended the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment, Ekiti State Forestry Commission, and GADEF for supporting the initiative with tree seedlings. He also acknowledged contributions from the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), individual donors, and other partners.

During the event, Greener Minds Club members led peer-to-peer climate awareness sessions and environmental education activities. Four students received Environmental Stewardship Medals and Certificates of Recognition for their dedication to caring for trees previously planted on their campuses.

A former student leader was presented with the Greener Minds Pioneer Leadership Award for helping establish and grow the club, while the club coordinator was recognized for consistent mentorship and advocacy. To aid ongoing conservation work, TGED also donated watering cans and gardening gloves to the club.

The programme drew participants from NESREA, the Ekiti State Ministries of Environment and Education, the Forestry Commission, school administrators, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders in youth development and environmental sustainability.