Fighting Desertification: Gov Buni Launches Tree Planting, Announces Contest For Emirates, Schools, Others

The Yobe State governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has launched the 2025 Tree Planting Campaign with a renewed pledge to combat desertification, restore degraded lands, and safeguard the environment.
To achieve the desired result, the Governor unveiled a novel competition among emirates, schools, communities, and institutions across the state, with attractive prizes for winners.

Speaking during the flaging-off ceremony of the campaign in Damaturu, Governor Buni described this year’s campaign, tagged “Buni’s Initiative in Desert Reclamation and Restoration of Degraded Lands,” as a crucial step toward protecting the environment and reducing the effects of climate change on communities.

The governor highlighted his administration’s sustained investments in environmental restoration since 2020, including the establishment of gum Arabic plantations in all three senatorial districts, roadside plantations, shelterbelts in housing estates and mega schools, and the installation of six weather monitoring stations across the state.

“As a deliberate policy, we have continuously raised and planted millions of assorted tree seedlings across the state to checkmate the southward movement of the Sahara Desert,” Buni said.

He disclosed that 100 hectares of gum Arabic plantations have already been established in Dusuwa (Fune), Kalgi (Yunusari), and Karasuwa-Galu (Karasuwa).

Governor Buni further revealed that Yobe has benefited from afforestation programmes through partnerships with the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the Great Green Wall, including participation in the planting of 50 million date palm seedlings across frontline states.
In a major innovation, the governor directed the State Steering Committee on Tree Planting, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin), to immediately initiate a contest for emirates, communities, and educational institutions at all levels.

Buni said the contest was aimed at mobilizing grassroots participation, promoting environmental ownership, and inspiring young people to take active roles in climate action.

“Our fight against desertification will not succeed without the active involvement of our communities. This contest is meant to inspire both traditional institutions and schools to lead by example and drive the change we desire,” he said.
The governor also called on traditional leaders to champion the campaign by discouraging indiscriminate felling of trees, noting that forests planted during colonial times were destroyed due to uncontrolled deforestation.
Governor Buni expressed gratitude to international partners for their continued support and reaffirmed Yobe’s commitment to align with global best practices in climate action and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa, commended Governor Buni for his unwavering commitment to reclaiming degraded lands, adding that residents can access free seedlings at government nurseries in Damaturu, Potiskum, and Garin-Alkali.