Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
State Government on Monday launched an ambitious initiative to plant over 200,000 trees.
The campaign, in collaboration with development partners including UNICEF, UNDP, UNEP, and other non-governmental organizations, is part of the 2025 World Environment Day celebrations.
Themed “Say No to Plastic Waste and Tree Plantation,” this year’s campaign seeks to promote land restoration, improve drought resilience, and enhance environmental sustainability across the state.
Speaking at the official launch held at Hafsatu Ahmad Bello Secondary School in Sokoto, the State Commissioner for Environment, Nura Muhammad Tangaza, said the tree planting initiative includes both economic and ornamental species. These seedlings are being distributed free of charge to encourage widespread community participation.
“This campaign is a crucial step in protecting our environment from the devastating impacts of deforestation and climate change. We call on residents to embrace this opportunity, collect the free seedlings, and join us in greening Sokoto,” the Commissioner urged.
In a message delivered on behalf of Mr. Michael Juma, Chief of the UNICEF Sokoto Field Office, WASH Officer Mr. Ebri Eteng highlighted the importance of youth involvement in climate action.
“The global priority is clear, reduce plastic waste and restore our land through massive tree planting. UNICEF encourages young people to act as climate champions, foster a tree-planting culture, and take active steps to curb plastic pollution,” Eteng said.
The launch event featured a symbolic road walk and a sensitization campaign on plastic pollution along the Hafsat–CBN–Dan Kanni Guest Inn route.
Participants also took part in a street cleanup, collecting plastic waste and engaging the public on the dangers posed by plastic to ecosystems and health.
Later in the day, a media parley at Dan Kanni Guest Inn brought together environmentalists and experts to explore practical, nature-based solutions to environmental challenges.
Dr. Abubakar Mohammed Gumi of the Department of Plant Science at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), presented a detailed paper on land restoration and climate adaptation, offering practical steps to mitigate environmental degradation.
Also speaking at the forum, Prof. Murtala Abubakar Gada of the Centre for Environment and General Studies, UDUS, stressed the need for urgent investment in alternative energy sources.
He warned that continued reliance on firewood would lead to further deforestation and irreversible damage to forest ecosystems.
The event, heavily supported by a coalition of both local and international stakeholders, reaffirms Sokoto State’s strong commitment to achieving global environmental targets.
Students from various secondary schools across the state participated in the activities, a move aimed at raising environmental consciousness among youth and nurturing the next generation of climate ambassadors.
World Environment Day, organized annually by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), remains the largest global platform for environmental outreach.
Celebrated in over 150 countries, it serves as a unifying call to action for a sustainable and resilient planet.
With the planting of 200,000 trees, Sokoto joins the global fight against environmental degradation, showing that local action can have a powerful impact on a global scale.
