Not fewer than 400 economic tree seedlings have been planted by the Bauchi State Project Management Unit (SPMU) of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) in collaboration with its focal NGO, Savannah Institute for Sustainable Development (SISDEV).
The 400 economic trees were planted across eight communities in Bauchi State to boost revenue generation and open doors to self-employment.
This initiative is part of the ‘One Person, One Tree’ campaign introduced by the SPMU, aimed at promoting afforestation and encouraging local ownership of trees through community-led organisations.
Speaking on behalf of the State Project Coordinator, Dr Ibrahim Kabir, the Project’s Communication Officer, Jennifer Mark Yerima, emphasised the importance of the initiative in tackling environmental challenges.
She urged community members to actively participate in tree-planting efforts to address issues such as deforestation, soil erosion, flooding, and climate change.
Jennifer Yerima also highlighted the commitment of Governor Bala Abdulqadir Mohammed’s administration to addressing environmental challenges and pledged continued collaboration with organizations and individuals to ensure the sustainability of planted trees.
On the importance of trees in the environment, the Communications Officer, informs members of the benefiting communities that most of the environmental problems of soil erosion, water flooding, desertification, drought and climate change will be solved by afforestation activities.
She added that the exercise was also encouraged by religious scriptures which attract rewards, urging the community members to take ownership of the trees and ensure their survival.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of SISDEV, Mrs Titi Yakubu, described the exercise as a follow-up to the recent roadside tree-planting project along Atiku Abubakar Road.
She noted that her organization was directed to provide 400 fruit-bearing trees to be planted within and around homes in the benefiting communities.
Yakubu reaffirmed SISDEV’s commitment to supporting afforestation efforts, emphasizing the crucial role of trees in environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Dr Bala Musa Lukshi, the Sarkin Ibrahim Bako and Commissioner for Livestock Development, Bauchi State, who expressed appreciation for the selection of his community in the project, highlighted the numerous benefits of trees, including beautification, improved air quality, and environmental protection.
He also called for a change in attitude and greater patriotism toward national development, assuring that his community would take proper care of the seedlings.
The Commissioner further urged the SPMU to provide additional trees to ensure long-term environmental benefits.
He praised ACReSAL’s collaboration with communities and stressed the importance of community leaders in ensuring the success of the initiative.
Additionally, the project’s Gender Officer, Maimuna G. Aliyu, and Social Livelihood Officer, Khadija Abdulwahab Katagum, encouraged community leaders to involve women not only in tree planting but in all aspects of community development, recognizing their significant roles as caregivers and household managers.
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