UNICEF is collaborating with the Jigawa State government to empower the youth population, promoting a culture of tree planting and environmental stewardship across the state.
In a joint effort to combat flooding, the Jigawa State Government and UNICEF have launched a large-scale tree-planting initiative, engaging young people in the process.
UNICEF’s support for the Jigawa State government includes providing resources to mobilize youth and instill a sense of responsibility for tree planting, fostering a greener future.
During a tree-planting event in Sule-tankarkar local government area, UNICEF’s Programme Specialist, Uba Lawal, highlighted the organization’s support for the state’s tree-planting campaign, which aims to mitigate flooding.
The Jigawa State government is leading the charge, providing 1,500 trees for planting in three local government areas, with 100 youths actively participating in the initiative, as announced by Mr. Lawal.
Mr. Lawal emphasized that the tree planting campaign is a crucial strategy for combating climate change, particularly in northern Jigawa’s semi-arid regions, where deforestation has had a devastating impact.
The campaign aims to plant 1,500 trees, with 500 already planted in Babura local government area and an additional 500 slated for Maigatari and Sule Tankarkar local government areas.
According to Adamu Sabo, Managing Director of Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency (JISEPA), the campaign focuses on the state’s most vulnerable local government areas, where deforestation and desertification are prevalent.
In each of these areas, 100 youths have been selected to participate in the tree planting initiative, aligning with the state government’s 12-point agenda to address climate change, prevent erosion, and increase tree survival rates.
Sabo highlighted the numerous benefits of tree planting, including oxygen production, erosion and pollution reduction, and mitigation of flooding effects. Trees also provide habitats for various wildlife species and play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, improving air quality and combating climate change.
Healthy forests, Sabo noted, store significant amounts of carbon, and mature trees can remove substantial amounts of carbon dioxide and pollution from the atmosphere annually – equivalent to 50 metric tons of carbon dioxide and 430 pounds of pollutants per 100 trees.