By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
The Governor of Borno state, Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum on Tuesday launched the state’s 2024 tree-planting exercise with 10 million assorted seedlings aimed at controlling desertification in the state.
The largest tree-planting campaign in Nigeria’s history was kicked off in a ceremony at Kawuri village in Konduga Local Government Area of the state.
Addressing the gathering, Zulum noted that in addition to planting trees, his administration had launched several initiatives to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
He listed the initiatives as including the procurement of electric vehicles and gas cylinders for distribution to deserving communities.
The governor said he had also established an agency for the Great Green Wall to address problems of desertification and maintain the ecosystem.
He assured of his administration’s commitment to protecting Borno’s degrading environment which, he noted, had resulted in low rainfall.
Governor Zulum, while sounding a strong warning against cutting down trees in Borno, directed the Secretary to the State Government to work with the State House of Assembly to develop measures that would address the flaws in the existing law on the environment.
In his welcome address, the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Engr Emet Kiose, appealed to non-governmental organisations, clubs, associations and the general public to collect assorted seedlings from the ministry for planting.
