Professor Babagana Zulum, Borno State Governor has launched the largest tree-planting campaign in the history of Nigeria at Kawuri Village in Konduga local government area of the state. The 2024 tree-planting exercise with 10 million assorted seedlings is aimed at controlling desertification in the state.
Professor Zulum at the kick off ceremony said that in addition to planting trees, his administration had launched several initiatives to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere, listing the initiatives to include the procurement of electric vehicles and gas cylinders for distribution to deserving communities.
He said he had also established an agency for the Great Green Wall to address the problems of desertification and maintain the ecosystem, while assuring his commitment to protecting Borno’s degrading environment which, he noted, had resulted in low rainfall.
He called on the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Bukar Tijani to work with the State House of Assembly to develop measures that would address the flaws in the existing law on the environment.
Engr Emet Kiose, Commissioner for Environment, in his remarks called on non-governmental organisations, clubs, associations and the general public to collect assorted seedlings from the ministry for planting.
Saleh Abubakar, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) who was represented by Hajiya Habiba Usman, Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, described Governor Zulum as a champion of the environment. Abubakar further said that his agency is happy to note that Borno is the first state in the country to domesticate the GGW Act by establishing the state agency and appointing the pioneer Director General.
“Thus, the NAGGW is glad to be part of the tree-planting campaign, as this not only complements the agency’s interventions, but also shows the Borno State Government’s commitment to addressing environmental challenges associated with land degradation and climate change,” Abubakar added.
The kick-off ceremony was graced by the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) Deputy National Chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori; House of Representatives’ member, Bukar Talba; representative of the Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Askira; Secretary to the State Government, Tijani, the Head of Service, Barrister Malam Fannami and other senior government officials.
