By Aishat Adejo
Kogi State Government in collaboration with Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), has flagged off the 2024 Tree Planting Campaign with a charge to residents of the state to imbibe the habit of tree planting to enhance a healthier environment.
The initiative is aimed at tackling climate change in Kogi State in addition to addressing land degradation, reducing poverty and the effects of climate change on the environment, humans and agriculture in Northern Nigeria.
This year’s tree planting campaign exercise was observed in Lokoja Local Government Area, with the state Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, appealing to residents to avoid indiscriminate felling of trees, saying such gesture exposes the environment to all form of environmental hazard.
Represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Engineer Joseph Stephen, Governor Ododo reaffirmed the commitment of his administration towards promoting programmes tailored at mitigating the effects of climatic conditions affecting humanity.
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The Commissioner for Environment while delivering his message, appreciated the state Governor for his support for the ACReSAL project especially his recent approval and release of the state’s counterpart fund for the project.
He then encouraged the beneficiaries to support the initiative by planting the trees either in their private spaces or in their communities.
In her address, the State Project Coordinator of the ACRESAL project, Barrister Ladi Ahmed-Jatto, disclosed that the project intends to address land degradation, reduce poverty and the effects of climate change on the environment, humans, and agriculture in Northern Nigeria.
According to her, the project aligns with Federal Government’s intention to take 100 million people out of poverty by 2030 as well as recover 4 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
“I am glad doing what I am doing here today because I am an advocate of a green environment. You will agree with me that as a result of human advancement in technology and increase in population, we have engaged in several activities which have degraded the environment.”
We seem to have forgotten that we are at the mercy of the environment, we cut down trees, engage in bush burning, dump refuse in our drainages, and destroy our forests. We all initially thought we had succeeded in defeating nature; but today, we are guilty of destroying our host, the environment. The effects of our actions are glaring before us,” Barr. Jatto added.
She also observed that certain actions embarked upon by some Nigerians, have brought about changes in the climate; and that the nation by extension the world, was now faced with the menace of global warming, continued rise in water levels, flooding and erosion with the sun becoming harsher on humanity.
In line with this, she urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of community tree planting to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. She enjoined all stakeholders to embrace the initiative since the economic trees will serve as an additional source of livelihood in the near future.
The Project Coordinator then used the occasion to appreciate Governor Ododo for the initiative targeted at addressing the effect of climate change in the state, reducing poverty and uplifting livelihoods through his numerous agricultural initiatives.
Barr. Jatto added that only recently, under the Kogi ACReSAL Community Revolving Fund (CRF), the state Governor flagged off the presentation of cheques worth 250 thousand dollars to 208 identified local farmers in 2 local governments as pilot scheme; just as he has approved that the initiative be replicated in all the 21 Local Government Areas.
She congratulated the beneficiaries and appreciated their efforts in restoring the environment while urged them to heed to the clarion call of the state government on the need to plant trees, and replace flowers in our homes with economic trees and edible vegetables, adding that besides the health value, the measure will also save residents from unnecessary expenditures.
In addition, she stated that 3,000 hectares of land will be planted in the state for a healthier environment.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Honourable Timothy Ojomah, appreciated the Governor for the initiative and charged beneficiaries to see the venture as their personal projects for greener homes and environment.
On his part, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Engineer Yahaya Farouk, appreciated the beneficiaries for embracing the project. He also encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the Governor to replace trees in their environment.
Contributing, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Saidu Alhassan, commended the Governor for his kind gesture and assured him that his expectations on tree planting will be met.
