The Gombe State Government in collaboration with Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes -ACReSAL has today flagged off the 2023 Gombe Goes Green Tree Planting Campaign as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of climatic conditions affecting humanity.
The Project was launched at the College of Education Billiri where the ACRESAL Team from the World Bank, Federal Project Management, 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 program.
Speaking during the event at the College of Education, Billiri the State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, represented by his Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, Ph.D., stressed 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 windbreakers, helps in solving erosion problems thereby mitigating overall effects of soil degradation, making life much easier for mankind”
He enjoined individuals and communities to key into the 3G project by planting trees around their households to ensure total coverage.
“This 3g tree planting programme we flagging off today for today is only a demonstration. We must be ready to embark on the 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 stated.
The Deputy Governor explained that the development object of the ACReSAL Project especially on sustainable land management aligned with the 3G project of the Gombe state government aimed at combating 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 added.
He called on all local governments, individuals, groups, and associations to complement the Government’s efforts to ensure the protection of the environment for the good of all humanity.
In her remarks, the Team Task Lead, Dr. Joy Aganya Agene said, the ACReSAL activities are centered around its slogan “Greening the environment; saving lives and called on the beneficiaries of the project to ensure the sustainability of the project towards a better environment.
She pointed out that, planting trees is about self-abnegation because those who plant trees are not likely to benefit from them, urging people to be selfless and contribute meaningfully to save Society.
On his part, the ACReSAL National Project Coordinator, Abdulhamid Umar congratulated the state and the College of Education Billiri for benefitting from the program 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 the successful implementation of the Gombe Goes Green project, other interventions, and support towards protecting the environment. He explained that NEWMAP only focused on erosion control whereas the new program- ACReSAL seeks to address problems affecting agriculture, the environment, and water challenges for the benefit of humanity.
Earlier in a welcome address the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, Alh. Abubakar Hassan said vegetation plays a vital role in protecting the environment and the entire echo system, calling on the people to support the administration’s efforts towards protecting the environment by planting trees and other vegetation.
In her remark, the Provost College of Education Billiri, Professor Bertha Abdu Danja appreciated the ACReSAL Team and the State Government for selecting the school and pledged to fully plant and take care of the trees to solve erosion problems in the premises.
The highlight of the event was the planting of trees by the Deputy Governor, the World Bank Task Team Leader, and other dignitaries.
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