Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State
SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has flagged off the presentation 1,000,000 tree planting campaign across the state in response to the changing ecosystem and climate conditions.
The governor while making the presentation of an alternative source of energy to firewood in form of gas cookers and wood-efficient stoves Wednesday expressed concern on desertification facing the State, stating that his administration is committed to reversing the trend.
Zulum explained that the 2020 tree planting campaign which was the first of its kind in the last ten years necessitated by pressures from desertification, deforestation, soil erosion, poverty, and insecurity while declining the naming of an orchard after him by the Borno State Ministry of Environment, saying “it should be named after my predecessor, Senator Kashim Shettima.”
“The Commissioner had just announced naming of the Borno State University orchard after me, instead, I have directed the orchard to be renamed after my predecessor.
“He established this University and therefore, in recognition of his tremendous achievements, I personally want to name this orchard after His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima”, Zulum said.
The governor added human activities like bush burning, illegal tree felling has continuously put pressures on the already fragile ecosystem thereby threatening food security.
“Government has already commenced raising of some seedlings, with the annual one kilometre desert reclamation programme which is handled by the Ministry of Environment”.
He announced a policy under which all constructions made should be accompanied by planting of trees to cushion the environmental impacts of such developmental projects.
Earlier, the State Commissioner of Environment, Hon. Modu Walama said one million species of trees including those with commercial values will be planted in nine Local Government Areas of the state.
The campaign was kicked started at the Borno State University (BOSU) premises more than 10 years ago.
The tree planting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, Chief of Staff, Government House, Prof. Isa Marte, Head of Service Barr. Simon Malgwi among other top government officials.