By maryam Diallo
As the world marked the International Day of the Girl Child, the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) in Kaduna took a bold step toward environmental restoration by organizing a tree-planting exercise for students from various schools across the Kaduna metropolis.
The event, held at Teku International Farm, aimed to educate young people on the importance of tree planting as a practical way to address desertification, deforestation, and other environmental challenges affecting both humans and wildlife.
Co-directors of the IMC, Mr. Samson Auta and Mallam Hayatu Ashafa, explained that the initiative was designed to raise environmental awareness among students and encourage them to take an active role in protecting their surroundings.
“We brought different schools together to help students understand the value of trees in combating desertification, deforestation, and other forms of environmental degradation,” they said.
They emphasized that tree planting and afforestation are vital strategies in tackling climate change and preserving the environment for future generations. Students were also trained on practical methods of planting and nurturing trees in their homes, schools, and communities.
A horticulturist and plant species specialist at Teku International Farm, Musa Mohammed, highlighted the environmental benefits of trees, noting that they help reduce heat and improve air quality. He commended the IMC for its initiative, saying the visit provided students with valuable hands-on experience in environmental conservation.
“Tree planting plays a key role in cooling our environment and restoring balance to our ecosystem,” Mohammed said. “I appreciate IMC for bringing students here to learn how to combat desertification and other ecological challenges.”
The Head of Climate Change and Environmental Issues at IMC, Ibrahima Yakubu, noted that Africa continues to face severe environmental challenges, including conflicts triggered by the effects of climate change.
“Our goal is to build an eco-conscious generation committed to restoration, conservation, and environmental protection,” he stated.
Yakubu added that the IMC’s new approach to addressing climate change focuses on tree planting, food cultivation, and promoting cleaner air. He further encouraged communities to see environmental initiatives as opportunities for economic empowerment.
“By planting trees and growing food, communities can create wealth through the sale of home-grown produce and seedlings, while also helping to reduce poverty,” he explained.
