The 3rd Delta State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Summer Camp 2026 has entered its third day in Asaba, following two days of intensive experiential learning, leadership engagements, excursions and practical activities designed to help children understand sustainable development beyond the classroom.
The week-long residential camp brings together over 150 children aged 7–15, including children with special needs, in furtherance of the global SDGs commitment to Leave No One Behind.
This year’s edition is being held in honour of Her Excellency, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, First Lady of Delta State, in recognition of her commitment to the welfare, inclusion and empowerment of children, particularly children with special needs.
The camp was officially declared open by the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development, who performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony and engaged the children on leadership, youth development and their responsibility in building the future of Delta State.
In keeping with the camp’s experiential learning model, the children have also engaged directly with key government and community leaders. These included a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Delta State; a visit to the Executive Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Olorogun Innocent Esewezie; and an engagement with the Honourable Commissioner for Technical Education.
The campers also interacted with a representative of the Director-General of the Delta State SDGs Directorate, seasoned education professional Ms. Bukola Obute, and officers of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (Man O’ War), who led sessions on citizenship, patriotism, discipline, integrity, teamwork and leadership.
On Day Two, the children visited Nelson Mandela Gardens, Asaba, where they had a memorable encounter with renowned environmentalist and explorer Dr. Newton Jibunoh, OON. Through stories from his historic journeys across the Sahara Desert, Dr. Jibunoh challenged the children to embrace courage, resilience and environmental responsibility.
The visit culminated in the planting of an SDG Commitment Tree, providing a practical connection to SDG 13 – Climate Action and SDG 15 – Life on Land.
Back at the camp, the Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning, Hon. Sonny Akporokiamo Ekedayen, engaged the children on planning, vision, collaboration and the importance of understanding sustainable development in preparing for their future.
The campers also participated in an interactive emergency response and crisis-preparedness session led by Dr. Abigail Mkperedem-Hassan, equipping them with practical safety and life-saving knowledge.
Speaking on the progress of the camp, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals and Convener of the Summer Camp, Lady Diana Eyo-Enoette, said the initiative was deliberately designed to make sustainable development practical and relatable to children.
“We don’t want our children to simply memorise the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We want them to experience what the Goals mean in everyday life. When a child meets a public servant, learns emergency response, plants a tree, understands inclusion or discovers the value of responsible citizenship, the SDGs stop being numbers and become a way of thinking and living.”
She noted that the programme reflects the people-centred development philosophy of the administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, by exposing children to leadership, education, health and wellbeing, environmental responsibility, inclusion, citizenship and partnerships.
The first two days have already demonstrated the interconnected nature of SDGs 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16 and 17, while giving the children opportunities to learn directly from leaders, professionals and institutions contributing to Delta State’s development.
Activities continue throughout the week, with further leadership engagements, practical learning sessions, recreation and other experiences designed to inspire a new generation of socially responsible and development-conscious young Deltans.
We are not simply teaching children about the future; we are preparing them to help build it.
This is M.O.R.E Through SDGs developing people, building responsible citizens and leaving no one behind.
