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Tag: Tree planting

  • Training people to combat desertification in Nigeria

    Training people to combat desertification in Nigeria

    The Sahara desert is moving towards the South at the rate of about 0.6 kilometres per year. The result is that many lands that were formally good for planting and supporting diverse forms of agricultural and food production activities can no longer continue such support. 

    Nigeria is sorely affected by this losing about 35000 hectares of land annually in states to the north of the country like Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kebbi, Yobe and Zamfara.

    One of the efforts by governments to beat the rapid desertification and also boost food security while supporting the mist affected communities’ adaptation to climate change is the Great Green Wall. 

    Recently, the government of Nigeria reiterated its commitment to tackle desert encroachment in the country during the official flag-off of training for youths and women on various skills, under the National Agency for the Great Green Wall.

    Read also: Gombe losing 600m of land to desert encroachment annually, says GGP

    At the event which took place in Kano, the Minister of Environment, Mohammad Mahmud said his ministry is working towards ensuring that desert encroachment is completely addressed.

    Read also: How Gombe combats erosion, ecological problems through tree planting

    Mahmud noted that the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (GGW) is a collaboration of eleven African countries aimed at planting enough trees to curtail desert encroachment.

    He added that part of GGW activities includes youth empowerment, which is aimed at improving the livelihood of the people.

    According to the Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Garba Saleh the state is working on  distributing two million tree-seedlings to farmers and households in the state to plant as their own contribution to the fight against desertification.

  • Tree planting day: Rotary Club plants trees in schools

    Tree planting day: Rotary Club plants trees in schools

    The Rotary Club of Idimu High-Rise (provisional) District 9110 Nigeria planted trees in two elementary schools in Lagos to support basic education in the state.

    In each of the schools – Government Primary School, and Oreofe Primary School in Ikotun-Egbe area – half a dozen infant species of giant trees – Almond, Step, and Masquerade – were planted on dug and fertilised holes, as a means of reinforcement to the erosion-threatened citadels of learning.

    Read also: Group plants 12,000 trees in Jigawa

    The Supervising Officer and Chairman, Planet Earth Committee, Jelili Efedi, expressed that the club was consistent with the renewed global efforts targeted at stemming the catastrophic tides of climate change.

    He added that the tree planting was its efforts in line with International Tree Planting Day 2020 and its slogan ‘Supporting the Environment’. “Rotary Clubs across the world are expected to plant trees, gardens, beautify parks creatively, manage wastes, and support the coastal regions among others”.

    Efedi said: “For the public, because of the emergency of climate change, Rotary International has recently expanded its Areas of focus to accommodate what is now called ‘Supporting the Environment’ in a bid to support the environment.”

    Read also: Environmentalists urge Nigerian government to act with purpose

    Speaking also, the Charter President of the club, Bankole Adeshina, said the decision to plant trees inside the premises of the schools, was consistent with his administration’s determination to support basic education however possible.

    He further implored well-meaning Nigerians to, as a matter of priority, embrace tree planting, effective management of domestic wastes, and routine environmental sanitations as their indispensable contributions to global development.

    According to Adeshina, the challenge of flooding became too conspicuous to be ignored. “The three days back-to-back downpour in Lagos recently rendered many poor residents homeless, and destroyed many other means of livelihood, especially when the rain has not climaxed yet”.

    “The same can be said of the extremely blazing sun and the highly polluted air and environment.

    As a result, the president said, “We have an emergency on our hands. But we should not wait for every July 14, the International Tree Planting Day, to contribute our quotas.”

    For the club, the little they could do is plant trees more often, clean the environment, and find a more creative way to manage wastes. “This is for the good of all of us, for a healthy environment breads healthy inhabitants”.

    While lauding the efforts of the club, the Chairman, Egbe-Idimu Local Community Development Area, Kunle Sanyaolu, said giving its selfless contributions over the years, Rotary had proven to be a dependable ally in global affairs.

    “We are happy and grateful for this gesture, especially the choice of this school, for I know that when the trees survive, they will not only beautify the environment, but facilitate learning assimilation too,” he expressed.

  • Group plants 12,000 trees in Jigawa

    Group plants 12,000 trees in Jigawa

    The Green Network Initiative Forum in Jigawa said on Monday that it has planted 12,748 tree seedlings in some parts of the state to check desertification.

    The forum made the revelation during the flag off a fresh round of planting for its 2019 annual tree planting campaign with 500 seedlings at the palace of Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed.

    Other seedlings were planted around the palace, some at Gumel main graveyard, some in primary schools, along major roads, while others were given to interested individuals to plant on their farmlands and residences.

    The Coordinator of the Forum, Suleiman Tijjani, during the flag-off of the annual tree-planting campaign at Gumel Local Government Area of the state said the group targets strategic locations for its tree planting to ensure success.

    “This forum, since its creation in 2016, has been able to plant at least 12,748 assorted tree seedlings in schools, MDAs, health facilities, public buildings and strategic points to check desertification,” Tijjani said.

    “The forum has also conducted drain clearance in several parts of Dutse, the state capital in order to ensure a clean environment. So, we are gathered here in Gumel to flag off the 2019 tree planting campaign initiated by this forum.”

    He further described tree planting as vital for the environment, urging residents to avoid indiscriminate felling of trees, especially those by the roadsides.

    “You see, people must always protect their environment by planting more trees as they beautify as well as protect the environment. So the forum feels it should contribute its quota in protecting and beautifying the environment through the planting of trees, “Tijjani added at the flag off of the campaign tagged ‘One man, one tree’.

    “Therefore, the forum will remain committed through action, creating awareness and sensitisation through various means in making the environment clean and green.”

    He said that the forum also planned to further plant millions of assorted tree seedlings to assist in controlling erosion and desert encroachment in the state.

    The coordinator further stated that the major objectives of the forum were making societies clean and green through planting and protection of trees, environmental sanitation, creating awareness on the importance of trees and environmental sanitation.

    “We want also to see that individuals contribute their own quota in complementing governmental efforts in combating the menace of climate change, change in rainfall pattern, desertification, erosion, flooding and diseases associated to untidy environment,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Emir of Gumel commended the forum for the gesture, saying that it would go a long way in checking desertification in the area.

    “We are extremely happy with this tree-planting campaign. This is because desertification is what we are battling with because of our closeness to Niger Republic.

    “We are just 20 kilometres away from Niger republic and we are threatened by desert encroachment. However, these trees planted today will contribute immensely in tackling the menace,” the emir said.

    The monarch urged residents to take good care of the seedlings by nurturing them to maturity.

  • Gombe tackles desertification with 3G tree planting initiative

    Gombe tackles desertification with 3G tree planting initiative

    Volunteers in Gombe State on Wednesday began the planting of four million trees throughout the state to mitigate the menace of desertification.

    The initiative tagged ‘Gombe Goes Green, 3G initiative’ was flagged of by the state governor, Inuwa Yahaya.

    The governor noted at the flag off in Dukku Local Government Area of the state that over 86, 000 tree seedlings had been planted in nine local government areas and several nurseries established in various communities.

    He said deforestation, poor land use and other human activities were some of the major causes of flooding and erosion, which according to him, result in the destruction of agricultural lands, lives and properties of Gombe people.

    He stated that the project demonstrated his administration’s commitment to addressing the myriad environmental challenges affecting the State.

    “ Through 3G, we will continue to take necessary measures aimed at increasing the adaptive capacity toward reducing the negative impact of flood and erosion on the populace.

    “ There will be awareness creation and sensitisation geared toward attitudinal change in relating with the environment; establishment of shelter belt, woodlots and cover crops to reduce impact of water runoff and loss of the top soil.

    “Also, there will be campaign on reduction of drainage blockages; proper layout and planning of settlement that allows free flow of water along water ways; and construction of drainage.

    “These efforts would help reduce vulnerability to these occurrences, ensure sustained food production and improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of Gombe State in the face of unceasing flood and erosion menace.

    The governor emphasised that it was an obligation for everyone to give priority attention to, if we must halt desert encroachment and other environmental challenges facing us.

    While acknowledging poverty as major reasons for environmental degradation, especially desertification which is largely caused by indiscriminate cutting of trees for firewood, he assured the people of assistance in that regard.

    “We are already making concerted effort in seeking partnership with international donor agencies to provide affordable, alternative low energy cooking facilities that would reduce the pressure on our forest,” he said.

    He added that the state government had recently paid N500 million as counterpart contribution to the World Bank to access funds for the gully erosions in two sites within Gombe Township.

    He called on community leaders and individuals to support the Project in fighting the menace of desert encroachment and erosion by protecting the trees planted as well as planting more at every available space in their environment.

    On his part, Alhaji Abdulkadir Rashid II, Emir of Dukku, thanked Gov. Yahaya and pledged his commitment towards ensuring the success of the project in his domain.