Radio IITA has extended the impact of its 2025 Children’s Day celebration by visiting six schools across Oyo State to present prizes and certificates to participating pupils. The visits also came with a special invitation for students to join the IITA Forest Center’s #IbadanBirdClub, an opportunity for young people to learn more about nature and science outside the classroom.

Schools visited included Aunty Jay, British African International, Cedarville, Solid Tower, King’s International College, and Heroic Innovators School. Radio IITA’s Lead, Dajie Odok, delivered greetings from IITA Director General, Simeon Ehui, and Head of Communications, Katherine Lopez. She congratulated the students for their active participation and creativity during the Children’s Day activities.

The original Children’s Day event was held on May 27 at IITA headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria. Pupils had the chance to tour research facilities, plant seeds, and learn about biodiversity, climate-smart farming, and food security. Sessions on wildlife conservation, led by Mark Ofua, introduced students to animals like pangolins and pythons and explained their roles in nature. Competitions such as quizzes, spelling bees, debates, and poetry encouraged students to share ideas and show their skills.

During the event, Ehui reminded everyone that children are key to a better future and that investing in their education helps tackle poverty, hunger, and environmental problems. Katherine Lopez also spoke about helping young people understand how science affects daily life and how they can build careers that solve real-world challenges.

For many pupils, the experience left lasting lessons. Oni David of Cedarville said he learned new ways to plant crops and the importance of protecting animals. Orooluwa Odugbemi of British African International discovered how nematodes affect farming and promised to be a “food hero” by making good food choices. Balogun Adedayo of Solid Tower was inspired by lessons on pest control and conservation during a visit to IITA’s lake area.

Radio IITA’s follow-up visits are helping to keep this learning alive. By giving young learners more chances to engage with nature through the #IbadanBirdClub, the project is nurturing a generation that understands sustainability, food security, and the need to care for the environment.

Contributed by Anu Oyeleye