By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
In his determination to addressing the dire consequences of climate change orchestrated mostly by desertification, Sokoto state governor Ahmed Aliyu has flagged off the 2025 Tree Planting Campaign in Sokoto New City, Kasarawa.
The governor who decried negative effect of desert enchroachment in the state said his government through the Ministry of Environment, has procured both environmental and economic seedlings for distribution across the 23 local government areas of the state.
While directing all local government councils to not only hasten the collection of their allocations but also ensure its planting, the governor further appealed to them to sensitize their communities on the dangers of indiscriminate tree felling and the urgent need to stop the practice.
“Sokoto, as we all know, is located in the Sahelian region, making it prone to desert encroachment which is advancing at an alarming rate, thereby posing serious threats to our farmlands. We must therefore rise to this challenge.
“Where it becomes absolutely necessary to cut down a tree, a replacement must be provided, and concrete measures must be put in place to nurse and protect it.
As Muslims, we know the position of our religion on the benefits of tree planting and the eternal reward attached to it. In fact, planting trees can be regarded as sadaqatul jariyya, whose reward continues even after death.”Aliyu added
Governor Aliyu also lauded the effort of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (GGW) for allocating 450,000 date seedlings to Sokoto State as part of its contribution to combating desertification, mitigating climate change, and enhancing food security.
He explained that the seedlings would soon be made available for collection at designated nursery centers in Gundunga (Kware LGA), Goronyo town (Goronyo LGA), and Sanyinna (Tambuwal LGA).
The Governor added that the seedlings will be distributed to individuals, NGOs, government institutions, and public places such as markets, schools, mosques, and hospitals to ensure massive plantation across the state.
Aliyu also appreciated President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the Great Green Wall initiative, which is aimed at addressing climate change, erosion, desert encroachment, and other environmental challenges in the country.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Nura Shehu Tangaza, revealed that the Ministry has set a target of planting 500,000 seedlings across Sokoto State in 2025, adding however that, community participation is key to the success of the campaign.
In his remarks, the Director General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Dr. Saleh Abubakar, represented by the Director of Afforestation, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s land from desertification.
According to Dr Salah, the GGW initiative spans across 11 African countries and covers 11 states in Nigeria, adding that, Sokoto state remained commited to the success of the project in the state.
Welcoming participants at the event, the Chairman of Wamakko Local Government, Hon. Umar Ahmed, thanked governor Ahmed Aliyu for selecting his area to host the 2025 tree planting campaign and pledged the council’s support to ensure its success.
