Gombe Govt, ACReSAL commence tree planting campaign
…..as sustained efforts to mitigate effects of climatic challenges
…urges massive participation, sustenance of tree planting culture amongst individuals, groups, organizations
The Gombe State Government in collaboration with Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes has on Tuesday commenced tree planting campaign as part of efforts to encourage tree planting culture amongst individuals, groups and organisations with a view to mitigating effects of climatic conditions affecting humanity.
The Project was launched at College of Education Billiri where the ACRESAL Teams from the World Bank, Federal Government and other states as well as top Government functionaries and Traditional Rulers amongst others were in attendance to lend their support for the success of the programme.
The Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, who represented Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, underscored the significance of tree planting to the people, environment and entire echo system.
He said, ” Planting of trees and vegetation in the environment, serves as wind breakers, helps in solving erosion problems thereby mitigating overall effects of soil degradation , making life much easier for mankind.”
Yahaya stressed the need for all and sundry to participate fully in the program and be committed to planting trees all around to ensure total coverage.
“This program we are launching today is only a demonstration. We must be ready to embark on massive planting of trees around us if our intention of fighting against erosion and overall environmental degradation will be successful. I urge you all to support this program,” he said.
He said the effort of the ACReSAL Project to embark on tree planting is apt and germane considering that, this administration embarked on the Gombe Goes Green project immidiately at inception to fight environmental degradation and other factors militating against the environment. “Since it is in line with our administration’s vision, we are ready to continue to give the needed support for the program to succeed,” he said.
He then called on all local governments, individuals, groups and associations to complement Government’s efforts to ensure the protection of the environment for the good of all humanity.
In their separate remarks, the Team Task Lead, Dr Joy Aganya Agene, and the National Project Coordinator ACReSAL, Abdulhamid Umar said, the activities of ACReSAL is centered around it’s motto” winning the environment saving lives and called on the beneficiaries of the project to ensure sustainability of the project towards a better environment.
They pointed out that, planting trees indicates life of selflessness because those who plant trees are not likely to benefit from them urging the people to be selfless and contribute meaningfully to safe the Society.
They congratulated the state and the College of Education Billiri for benefitting from the programme, and called on the people to own the project so that it shall be successful.
The Project Coordinator, ACReSAL Gombe State, Ambassador Sani Adamu Jauro, said the choice of Gombe State as a beneficiary of ACReSAL is because of successful implementation of Gombe Goes Green project , other interventions and supports towards protecting the environment.
He explained that, the defunct NEWMAP only focused on erosion control whereas the new program- ACReSAL, seeks to address problems affecting agriculture, and the environment etc for the benefit of humanity.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Abubakar Hassan, said vegetation plays a vital role in protecting the environment and the entire echo system, calling on the people to support the administrations efforts towards protecting the environment by planting trees and other vegetation.
The Provost College of Education Billiri Associate Professor Bertha Danja, appreciated the ACReSAL Team and the State Government for choosing the school, and pledged to fully plant and take care of the trees to solve erosion problems in the premises.
Highlight of the event was the commencement of the tree planting campaign where the Governor and other dignitaries planted theirs.
Wilson Jonah Yakubu,
Press Secretary/Information Officer,
Deputy Governor’s Office.
