By Aliyu Gerengi, Gombe
The Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority has taken a significant step towards protecting the environment with the launch of a large-scale tree-planting advocacy campaign aimed at combating desertification, controlling erosion, mitigating the effects of climate change, and promoting sustainable development.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Dr. Mahmud Sanusi Mohammed, a Fellow of the Disaster Management and Safety Science Society (FDMSS), flagged off the campaign at the Authority’s headquarters, where 3,000 tree seedlings were planted. The initiative underscores the Authority’s commitment to restoring degraded landscapes, improving air quality, conserving biodiversity, and creating a healthier environment for present and future generations.
As part of the campaign, Dr. Mohammed donated10,000 tree seedlings for planting across the four states under the Authority’s jurisdiction Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba. He said the initiative is intended to encourage collective action in addressing environmental challenges, stressing that tree planting remains one of the most effective and affordable ways of reducing the impacts of climate change, preventing soil erosion, and slowing the spread of desertification.
The Managing Director performed the symbolic planting of the first tree, after which members of the Authority’s management, staff, and other stakeholders joined in the exercise, demonstrating a shared commitment to environmental conservation.
Representatives of the Adamawa State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Jacob Ibrahim, and the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Kadala Edward, praised the Managing Director’s foresight and leadership. They described the campaign as a timely intervention that aligns with national and global efforts to restore ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, and promote environmental sustainability.
In an interview, the Authority’s Head of Human Resources, Hajiya Zainab Mohammed Tukur, encouraged staff to make tree planting a lifelong habit by planting and nurturing trees not only within their homes but also in their communities. She noted that every tree planted contributes to cleaner air, reduced heat, improved soil fertility, and a safer environment.
The event featured the symbolic tree planting, group photographs, and the distribution of tree seedlings to staff and stakeholders to support the campaign’s expansion across the Authority’s operational areas.
The initiative is expected to enhance environmental conservation efforts, encourage community participation in afforestation, and contribute meaningfully to the fight against climate change while safeguarding the environment for generations to come.
End
