Sokoto NUJ Champions ‘Go Green Project’ To Combat Desert Encroachment

Tagged ‘Go Green Project,’ with the catchphrase ‘plant to save lives’ the environmental project being championed by Shehu Maikoli Foundation, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Sokoto State Chapter and Eco Africa Climate Change Foundation with the support of the state Universal Basic Education Board is meant to create environmental awareness on alternative energy.

At the signing ceremony of the MOU held at the NUJ Press Center, the Chairman of the Union, Comrade Dalhatu Abdullahi Safiyal Magori, explained that, “the collaboration will address, health, water, sanitation, environment awareness, and sustainable alternative energy source. Planting of economic and multi-purpose tree species will be the priority of the collaboration.

“A tree planting and distribution project will be established to promote the development of forestry through community enterprises. Orchards will be established in primary, junior, and senior secondary schools. Tree seedlings will be distributed to farmers, women, and households for commercial and economic purposes.

“The MOU will also organize fundraising, publicity and advocacy, project design and management, construction of open dug wells, and established monitoring and evaluation of the project.”

The Chairman of Shehu Maikoli, foundation Alhaji Altine Shehu Kajiji, commended the leadership of the Sokoto NUJ especially the chairman for bringing the idea of the engaged partnership.

He said he is optimistic the partnership will help the state arrest desertification, erosion, and continued land degradation as a result of indiscriminate fallen of trees for charcoal and fire woods.

Kajiji further advised the state government through the Ministry of Environment to enact enabling laws to protect forest reserves and protect engendered trees from total extinction

He lamented that Sokoto state every year suffered destruction of buildings and homes as a result of higher wind and thunderstorms, which is the negative consequences of the absence of trees that served as windbreakers to affected communities.

Project Manager and Eco Africa Climate Change Foundation representative Aliyu Abubakar Shehu urged partners to ensure the sustainability of the collaboration.

“Climate change is a reality and fighting climate change requires massive effort. There are many gaps we need to fill, and those are social gaps.”

Shehu noted that many of those vulnerable to climate change’s impact are unaware of ways to tackle it, such as tree planting. He stressed the need to strengthen efforts to educate people about environmental problems and ways to tackle them.

The ‘Go Green project’ kick started at SUBEB Smart School, Maituta road, on August 4, 2022, where the groundbreaking ceremony was launched, with the inauguration of the school’s Foresters Club, with the support of the State Universal Basic Education Board.

Inaugurating the plantation, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who pledged to support the ‘Go Green Project’ with 40,000 seedlings to be able to achieve its targeted 100,000-tree plantation in the state, restated his administration’s commitment toward addressing ecological challenges in the state.

The Governor said, “We are highly delighted with the tripartite partnership project, being a way toward supporting the state government’s engagement in addressing ecological challenges in some areas of the state.

“Based on your suggestion to engage young foresters across our schools, I have accepted to initiate a trophy for the best performing school under this project.

“Also, the government will provide additional 40,000 seedlings to be added to the existing 60,000 secured by the initiators in order to cover the proposed target,” he stated.

In his remarks, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, lauded the initiators for the project.

Abubakar, represented by Dr Jabbi Kilgori, the District Head of Kilgori, said, “the gesture was of great benefit toward addressing environmental challenges as well as insecurity.

“We, at the Sultanate Council will not only support it, but will continue to monitor and inspect the success of this project for the overall benefit of the society.”

During the inauguration of tree seedlings distribution to households in Alkammu District of Wurno local government area of Sokoto state, Alhaji Altine Kajiji, founder, Shehu Maikoli foundation, disclosed the ‘Go Green Project,’ in Sokoto state is expected to gulp about  N20 million.

Alkammu district was chosen to commence the distribution following the commitment of the district head towards enhancing the living standard of his people.

Similarly, tree seedlings were distributed to journalists and community based groups in Sokoto state. NUJ, comprising of seven chapels, received one thousand seedlings for onward distribution to members as well as three thousand seedlings for youths groups.

The project is targeted to establish twenty gardens in ten junior secondary schools and ten primary schools, roadside plantations and distribution of seedlings for home gardens.