By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, on Wednesday, announced an ambitious plan of the state to plant 10 million trees to combat desertification and reclaim degraded land.
She made the announcement at an event commemorating the 2024 World Environment Day held at the Kaduna State University 1000-seater Lecture Theatre in Kaduna.
“Kaduna State is taking a bold step towards a greener future, as it’s celebrate World Environment Day with the theme “Land Restoration, Drought Resilience, and Desertification Progress”. She said.
Speaking at the event, Dr Balarabe said, “over 1,558.62 hectares of degraded land have been rehabilitated under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, Nigeria is committed to meeting its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) by conditionally reducing emissions by 47% by 2030.
“In Kaduna State, through the World Bank-supported ACReSAL project, we aim to reclaim 20,000 hectares of degraded land. Despite the progress of Nigeria’s Great Green Wall project, desert encroachment into Kaduna State persists.
“We have developed the Kaduna State Climate Change Policy, which is currently awaiting council approval. Soon, we will officially launch an ambitious campaign to plant 10 million trees, an initiative unparalleled in Nigeria.
“This challenge has inspired our Kaduna Great Green Wall project, to aim at planting millions of trees across frontline Local Government Areas (LGAs) to prevent further desertification.To further enhance government’s efforts, the State became the first in Northern Nigeria and the fourth in the country to have a dedicated office for Climate Change.
“This project will serve as a major carbon sink and provide numerous benefits, including carbon credits to build resilience.The EcoCitizen Kaduna initiative encourages green impact investments and opportunities for sustainable development in the state. It promotes the potential for climate-smart communities through Green impact investment.
“I call upon other public institutions, the private sector, civil society organizations, and other groups to support government initiatives. We are delighted that some organizations are already aligning with our vision.
“Notably, the Nigerian Defence Academy has launched a Biodiversity and Conservation Centre and a one million tree planting campaign, these initiatives support our vision perfectly. As we mark World Environment Day 2024, let us recommit ourselves to the cause of land restoration, drought resilience, and desertification progress.
“Let us pledge to work together, across borders and boundaries, to protect our lands, our water, and our natural heritage. Let us embrace the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and stewardship that is needed to create a more sustainable and resilient world for all.
“We need to pool our technologies and knowledge, adapt our key policies to current trends, and make positive changes in land use. All these will have enormous potential in helping the world achieve truly sustainable development and resilience to climate change. Let us again remind ourselves that the future of our planet lies in our hands.
“Therefore, it is our responsibility to protect and preserve it for ourselves and future generations. I urge all of us to take decisive actions, both individually and collectively.Together, let us forge a path towards a greener, more resilient, and sustainable future for Kaduna State, for Nigeria, and for the world.
“Let us cultivate the culture of caring for the environment we live in. We must avoid all habits that are detrimental to the environment like indiscriminate felling of trees, reduce gas and carbon-monoxide emissions, do away with indiscriminate disposal of plastic bags and solid waste and a host of other practices.
“We have the power to make a difference. Let us seize this moment, let us take action, and let us leave a legacy of hope and healing for future generations.
“This is one battle we cannot afford to lose because the health of our planet, the wellbeing of our communities, and the future of our children are all at stake. But I am confident that, by working together with a shared sense of purpose and determination, we can overcome these challenges.I thank you so much for coming and I wish you all a most productive day and a safer environment going forward,” she said.
Flanked by the Vice Chancellor of KASU Professor Abdullahi Musa, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, Linda Asabe Yakubu, Special Assistant to the Governor of Kaduna State on Climate Change Yusuf Amoke, and other dignitaries, Dr Balarabe flagged off the tree planting campaign by planting a tree inside KASU.
