Commemorating World Environment Day 2025
Theme: "Beat Plastic Pollution"
Date: June 5, 2025
Commemorating World Environment Day 2025: Tackling Plastic Pollution Through Partnership and Action
In celebration of World Environment Day 2025, HealthMedic Support Initiatives (HMSI), in collaboration with Greenvest Environmental Initiative, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Benue State Council on Climate Change, held a series of impactful activities under the global theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution.”
The event, which spanned across two local government areas — Makurdi and Gwer-West in Benue State, was centered on reducing plastic waste through innovative and community-driven approaches, while promoting environmentally sustainable practices among rural farming communities.
Empowering Local Farmers Through Education and Action
As part of the commemoration, HMSI and partners engaged farmers’ cooperative societies across selected communities with awareness campaigns focused on zero-waste plastic dumping and climate-resilient practices.
In a keynote sensitization address, Dr. Aondofa Daniel Mailumo, Director General of HMSI, emphasized the need for collective responsibility in combating environmental degradation. He called on farmers and residents to adopt sustainable waste management behaviors that protect their environment while also contributing to economic empowerment through waste-to-wealth initiatives.
“It is not enough to wait for policy changes or government interventions. Every community must take ownership of the fight against plastic pollution. It begins with us — in our homes, on our farms, in our marketplaces,” said Dr. Mailumo.
Promoting Reforestation and Climate-Resilient Agriculture
In a complementary effort to enhance land sustainability and support climate mitigation, Greenvest Environmental Initiative, in partnership with HMSI and IFAD, spearheaded the distribution of 500 palm seedlings to five cooperative societies across the two LGAs. This initiative is aimed at:
• Promoting reforestation and tree planting.
• Supporting sustainable land use and agroforestry practices.
• Improving the long-term climate resilience of farming communities.
The palm seedlings are expected to serve not just as environmental assets but as future sources of income and biodiversity protection in the region.
A Call for Global Solidarity
This year’s World Environment Day serves as a wake-up call for international cooperation and grassroots action. The plastic pollution crisis is not a localized issue — it is a global health, environmental, and economic threat. Now more than ever, there is an urgent need for cross-sector partnerships and community-led interventions to address the plastic menace and safeguard the well-being of current and future generations.
Join the Movement
We thank all our partners, stakeholders, and community leaders for their commitment to a cleaner, healthier environment. HMSI remains steadfast in promoting public health, environmental sustainability, and community resilience — because a healthier planet means a healthier people.
Together, we can #BeatPlasticPollution and build a future that prioritizes Health for All.
Follow our progress and get involved:
🌐 www.hmsi.org | 📧 info@hmsi.org | 📍 Benue State, Nigeria
