Bauchi gov reiterates commitment to environmental restoration

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has declared his administration’s commitment to environmental restoration, food security, and climate resilience.

The Governor made the declaration during the official flag-off of the 2025 Annual Tree Planting Campaign, held in Kuletu, Dass Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at the ceremony, which was attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders, development partners, farmers, students, and environmental advocates, the Governor described the campaign as more than just an annual ceremonial exercise.

According to him, it is a “renewed pledge to heal the state’s environment, restore land, and safeguard the future of generations yet unborn.”

Bala Mohammed, however, lamented the growing environmental challenges facing the state and the wider Sahel region, such as desertification, water scarcity, declining crop yields, and displacement.

He attributed these challenges to climate change and poor land-use practices, including deforestation, bush burning, and overgrazing.

He emphasized that tree planting must evolve into a mass movement and people’s revolution, urging every individual, institution, and community to actively participate in the campaign.

The Governor revealed that the state, through collaboration with the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project and other partners, has already raised millions of seedlings, which have been distributed to schools, communities, and public institutions for planting.

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He announced that over one million trees will be planted this year across all 20 local government areas, including economic trees and indigenous species.

The Governor also disclosed that the state is exploring Carbon Finance initiatives, which will enable farmers to earn income through GPS-monitored trees.

He further linked tree planting to spiritual obligation, describing it as a form of continuous charity (sadaqah jariyah) in Islam.

He noted that launching this year’s campaign in Dass was deliberate and symbolic, reflecting his administration’s commitment to supporting a community that recently experienced the harsh realities of climate change.

Governor Mohammed called on local government chairpersons, councillors, traditional rulers, religious institutions, schools, and private stakeholders to take ownership of the tree planting initiative.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Rt. Hon. Danlami Ahmad Kawule, commended Governor Bala Mohammed’s commitment to environmental sustainability and improving livelihoods through the planting of commercial trees.

The Commissioner pledged the Ministry’s full support for the campaign’s success across the 20 local government areas.

Also speaking, the ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Kabir, applauded the state government for selecting Dass—a community recently affected by flooding—as the flag-off site.

He highlighted ACReSAL’s strategic role in environmental protection and called for strict monitoring and compliance to ensure the survival of the planted trees.

In his vote of thanks, the Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman, expressed gratitude to the Governor for his continued concern and swift response to the recent windstorm disaster.

He described the flag-off as a clear demonstration of the Governor’s solidarity with the people of Dass.

It will be recalled that Governor Bala Mohammed paid a sympathy visit to Dass Local Government Area in June this year, following a devastating windstorm that affected parts of the area.

During the visit, the Governor sympathized with the victims, promised swift intervention, and directed relevant agencies to assess the damage and provide relief to the affected communities.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE