From JOHN FWAH, Kaduna
The Special Assistant on Climate Change to the Kaduna State Governor, Yusuf Amoke Idris, has graduated with distinction from Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, after completing a six-month postgraduate programme in Environmental Management.
The programme was offered through the university’s Centre for International Postgraduate Studies of Environmental Management (CIPSEM), an institution supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNESCO and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment.
According to a statement, the 49th edition of the programme brought together mid-career professionals from 21 developing countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania for training in environmental governance, climate action and sustainable development.
Participants completed more than 266 lectures across 35 environmental subject areas, alongside 133 academic assignments, field excursions within Germany and an independent research project.
Idris graduated with a final grade of 1.3 on the German academic grading scale, a classification described by the university as “Very Good,” which is broadly comparable to a First-Class degree in the Nigerian grading system.
Speaking after the graduation ceremony, Idris dedicated the achievement to Nigerians committed to national development through knowledge and public service.
“This achievement is dedicated to every Nigerian who believes that our country can become better through hard work, integrity, knowledge and selfless service. Nigeria’s success is a personal responsibility for all of us,” he said.
He said the knowledge acquired during the programme would be applied to strengthening climate resilience, environmental sustainability and green development initiatives in Kaduna State and across Nigeria.
Idris also thanked Governor Uba Sani for supporting his participation in the programme, saying the training would contribute to improving climate policy, environmental governance and sustainable development in the state.
He added that the successful completion of the programme reinforces Kaduna State’s commitment to building institutional capacity and promoting evidence-based approaches to addressing climate change and environmental challenges.