Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria, has pledged to support the “Go Green Project” with 40,000 seedlings to be able to achieve its targeted 100,000-tree plantation in the state.
The project, championed by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Sokoto Council, Shehu Maikoli Foundation, and Eco-Africa Climate Change Foundation, is being undertaken in partnership with the Sokoto State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Inaugurating the plantation on Thursday, Tambuwal restated his administration’s commitment to addressing ecological challenges in the state.
“We are highly delighted with the current development, being a way toward supporting the state government’s engagement in addressing ecological challenges in some areas of the state.
“However, this project is so much significant to us and will generally support the government to achieve its desired commitment in addressing the ecological problems,” he said.
The governor further stated that the state government was not only happy with the tripartite partnership project but would remain close partners in ensuring its success.
“Based on your suggestion to engage young foresters across our schools, I have accepted to initiate a trophy for the best performing school under this project.
“Also, the government will provide additional 40,000 seedlings to be added to the existing 60,000 secured by the initiators in order to cover the proposed target,” he vowed.
In his remarks, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), lauded the initiators of the project.
Abubakar, represented by Dr. Jabbi Kilgori, the District Head of Kilgori, said that the gesture was of great benefit toward addressing environmental challenges as well as insecurity.
“We, at the Sultanate Council, will not only support it but will continue to monitor and inspect the success of this project for the overall benefit of the society.
“For the state government, we will continue to appreciate your good governance that demonstrates comprehensive development of human capital projects in the state,” he said.
