By Ngozi Nwankwo
Minister for Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio-Ibrahim has harped on the need to protect the environment from the negative effects of climate change.
Bio-Ibrahim said climate change is exerting profound impact on Nigeria just like the rest of the world, as climatic variation is physically evident in desertification, resulting from droughts, among others which has also affected food supply.
The Minister disclosed this while flagging off the 2024 NYSC Tree Planting Campaign, with the theme; “Each One Plant And Nurture One”, held at the Nasarawa State Orientation Camp Magaji Dan Yamusa in Keffi.
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She said desertification has led to the decline in quality land resource available for cultivation leading to clashes over lands for farming, grazing and building.
Bio-Ibrahim added that similar situation plays out in some parts of the country, where erosion and flooding have claimed many agricultural lands and homes.
The Minister commended NYSC Management for resuscitating the tree planting programme, which is a further demonstration of the capacity of the Scheme to deepen its positive impacts in the face of prevailing national challenges.
She said tree planting is one of the most effective ways of fighting desertification, erosion and other negative outcomes of the depletion of the ozone layer.
“I would like to also appeal to all and sundry to support the Scheme in this important mission of preserving nature.
“However, the success of this endeavour hinges on the energy and innovative spirit of our youths.
“Let everyone embrace this campaign with dedication, and plant a tree each, with the knowledge that we are contributing to a greener and healthier Nigeria. I am confident that our effort will inspire others and create a ripple effect of environmental consciousness”, she said.
In his address, the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed said over the years, the Scheme has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Environment, National Environmental Standards Regulations Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for the Great Green Wall Project, amongst others, to address the problem of environmental degradation.
He added that NYSC participated actively in numerous government and non-governmental campaigns, including the Green Revolution; the Global Tree Planting Project launched in 2005; the Federal Government’s ‘Plant One Million Tree’ initiative in 2017; and similar programmes organized by state governments and other bodies.
Speaking further, Ahmed said each Corps Member would plant and nurture a tree during their service year whereby they would be sensitized on tree planting campaign during the Orientation Course.
“Annual NYSC Tree Planting Week will be institutionalized with activities taking place simultaneously in all the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
In this regard, I appeal to relevant agencies of government and non-governmental organizations to give us the necessary support for the benefit of our dear country”, the DG said.
Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Oyanki, in his goodwill message lauded the initiative by the NYSC and promised maximum support towards achieving its goal.