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Combatting Desertification: FG Requires Corps Members to Plant 10 Trees Each Before POP

Published

2 years ago

August 30, 2024

Joel Ajayi

In a proactive step to combat climate change, the Federal Government has admonished all National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to plant at least ten trees before their Passing Out Parade (POP).

The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, gave the admonition during the National flag-off of the NYSC tree-planting campaign held at the permanent orientation camp in Keffi, Nasarawa state.Highlighting the Ministry’s collaboration with the African Union Development Agency (AU-NEPAD) to drive the tree-planting initiative, the Honourable Minister emphasized that the effort is crucial to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and commitment of planting 25 million trees by 2030.

She underscored the programme’s critical role in combating climate change and environmental issues, urging Corps members to be catalysts for transformative change through innovative solutions in their communities.

“With an estimated 400,000 corps members passing through the scheme annually, each corper planting 10 trees translates to 4million trees annually, yielding 20million trees in the next 5 years. The NYSC working with all stakeholders has the capacity to deliver on this nationally determined contribution.”

The Minister observed how desertification has depleted our valuable agricultural land, resulting intensions and conflicts over land use. This has created significant challenges for farmers, herders, and communities.

She stated: “As you are all aware, climate change is exerting a profound impact on Nigeria just like the rest of the world. Climatic variation is physically evident in desertification resulting from drought especially in the northernmost states and erosion caused by floods in the south.

“Moreover, the discernible shifts in weather patterns, manifesting in the frequency and intensity of droughts, floods and temperature variations, have negatively impacted our agricultural produce. Our forests have dwindled, our air quality has deteriorated, and our soil has suffered. We must demonstrate a collective will to act in defense of our environment and indeed our wellbeing.”

Furthermore, she noted that “It needs no stressing that tree planting is one of the most effective ways of fighting desertification, erosion and other negative outcomes of the depletion of the ozone layer, including insecurity. Even a small effort makes a huge difference in conserving the environment.

However, the success of this endeavour hinges on the energy and innovative spirit of our youths”. She called on all stakeholders, including community leaders and relevant government agencies at all levels, to give the programme the desired support to achieve a healthier environment for both present and future generations.

Dr. Bio Ibrahim emphasized that Nigerian youth represent society’s most vibrant and dynamic segment, noting their unparalleled creativity, energy, and unwavering commitment to driving positive change as critical components for the project’s success.

She therefore urged the Corps members to harness these essential attributes effectively to ensure the success of the programme.

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Musawa Seeks Broader Significance for June 12

Published

5 hours ago

October 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., says June 12 must be remembered as a sacrifice that gave Nigerians democracy, beyond its status as a public holiday.

In a statement signed on Saturday by the Senior Assistant Media & Publicity to the Honourable Minister,Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy Dr Nneka Ikem Anibeze Ph.D in Abuja.

Musawa stated this at the national premiere of “MKO”, a film on Chief Moshood Abiola, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

She said 33 years after June 12, 1993, many young Nigerians know it only as a holiday, but the film turns it back into memory.

“For too many young Nigerians, June 12 is simply a public holiday. This film tells them that our democracy did not arrive by chance. It was fought for. It was defended. It was paid for. This documentary is in honour of the heroes of June 12, the men and women who gave their lives for the mandate of June 12, 1993 and for the democracy Nigeria enjoys today,” the Minister said.

Musawa hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Host, for his participation in the June 12 struggle and paying the price in exile, adding that Nigeria’s creative industry will keep telling the story of its democracy with courage.

“Through film and the creative economy, Nigeria will preserve its history. A nation that forgets its past loses its way to the future. Nigeria has a story and our story deserves to be told,” she said.

Earlier, the director of the investigative documentary, Ose Oyamendan, said the film was in honour and memory of heroes who fought for Nigeria’s democracy.

“There was Hope ’93 and now there is Renewed Hope. There was a man who sacrificed his life so we may have democracy and there is a man who almost lost his life fighting for democracy who is now helping build a lasting democracy.

“There was a great man called Bashorun MKO Abiola and there is now another great man called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Democrats. Nationalists. Nation builders. Leaders of men and women. We must never forget our story. We must always honour and remember our heroes,” Oyamendan said.

Top government officials including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the wife of the President Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chief of Staff to the President Rt. Femi Gbajabiamila, state Governors, members of the National Assembly, Ministers and other distinguished dignitaries attended the premiere.

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