Governor issues stern warning at unveiling of Borno State’s 2024 tree-planting initiative which aims to have 10 million saplings in the ground and flourishing by the end of December.

To control desertification and address environmental challenges associated with land degradation and climate change, the Borno State government has issued a strong warning to citizens to stop cutting down trees.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum was speaking on Tuesday, August 6, at the unveiling of the state’s 2024 tree-planting initiative – the largest campaign of its kind in Nigeria’s history – at a ceremony held at Kawuri Village in the Konduga Local Government Area.

The aim is to plant 10 million assorted drought-resistant seedlings throughout the state by the end of December.

Desertification – the loss of vegetation cover and therefore of food for livestock and humans – in the state is a major concern.

Climatic variability, deforestation, extensive cultivation, overgrazing, cultivation of marginal land, bush burning, fuel wood extraction, faulty irrigation systems and urbanisation have been identified as the main causes of desertification in Borno State.

Zulum said his administration had launched several initiatives to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere, one of which was the establishment of the Borno State branch of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), which was working to address the problem of desertification and to maintain a healthy and thriving ecosystem.

Another was the government’s procurement of electric vehicles and gas cylinders for distribution to deserving communities.

He gave assurances that his administration was committed to protecting the state’s environment, the degradation of which had resulted in low rainfall.

He said citizens needed to stop cutting down trees to help put an end to desertification, which was a major environmental concern.

He directed Bukar Tijani, the secretary to the government, to work with the Borno State House of Assembly to develop measures that would address any flaws in existing environmental laws.

In his welcome address, Emet Kiose, the commissioner for environment, appealed to non-governmental organisations, clubs, associations and the public to collect the seedlings from the state ministry and to plant as many trees as possible.

Hajiya Habiba Usman, the NAGGW’s director of planning and policy coordination, speaking on behalf of the national director-general, Saleh Abubakar, described Zulum as an environmental champion, noting his administration’s significant achievements in addressing environmental issues.

“The agency is elated and happy to note that Borno is the first state in the country to domesticate the GGW [Great Green Wall] Act by establishing the state agency.

“The NAGGW is glad to be part of the tree-planting campaign as it 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.”

Usman Aliyu, director-general of the Borno State branch of the agency, told RNI that in the past four months, the governor had directed the Ministry of Environment to produce 10 million drought-resistant seedlings of different species and varieties to populate the state.

Communities, schools, offices and housing estates throughout Borno State were encouraged to take part in the initiative and to plant as many trees as possible.

“Some of the seedlings were given to individuals and communities, who will be responsible for taking proper care of the trees. They will take ownership of the saplings and ensure that they are kept safe and nurtured.

“Our target is to see 10 million drought-resistant saplings planted and flourishing before the end of December.

“The agency will take responsibility for the saplings that are not individually owned and are not being cared for by community institutions,” Aliyu said.

High-profile guests at the unveiling included Ali Bukar Dalori, the deputy national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Bukar Talba, a member of the House of Representatives, Abdullahi Askira, deputy speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Bukar Tijani, secretary to the state government, and advocate Mallam Fannami, the head of the Borno State Civil Service.

FALMATA MOHAMMED ALI