By Milcah Tanimu
Babagana Umara Zulum, the Governor of Borno State, has officially launched the 2023 tree-planting campaign, which aims to plant 1.2 million trees throughout the state. The planting initiative took place at the Borno State University Teaching Hospital premises and is a crucial step in addressing the pressing issue of desertification and other environmental challenges.
This year’s campaign in Borno State adopts the theme “Trees for Resettlement,” aligning with the broader United Nations theme, “Let’s Green Our City.”
During his address, Governor Zulum emphasized the importance of reducing the reliance on firewood by advocating for the use of gas cookers and wood-efficient stoves. He expressed concern that unchecked tree felling could lead to the entire Borno State becoming a desert. The state has already lost over 80% of its vegetation due to insurgency, with trees in village communities cleared for security reasons and firewood.
Governor Zulum’s initiative underscores the urgency of combating desertification and environmental degradation in the region, highlighting the critical role that tree planting plays in revitalizing and protecting the ecosystem.
