News
Combatting Desertification: FG Requires Corps Members to Plant 10 Trees Each Before POP
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.
News
PSIN Administrator Commends Yobe Government for Championing Leadership Continuity and Institutional Sustainability
Cyril Igele
The Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Barrister Imeh Okon, has applauded the Yobe State Government for its strong commitment to leadership continuity and sustainable governance through strategic investment in human capital development.
Barrister Okon gave the commendation at the opening of a Management Retreat for Yobe State Permanent Secretaries, held at the PSIN headquarters in Abuja.
The retreat, themed “Succession Planning, Leadership Continuity, and Institutional Sustainability in the Yobe State Public Service,” convened senior bureaucrats and resource persons to discuss strategies for strengthening leadership and governance within the state’s civil service.
In her remarks, the PSIN Administrator praised Governor Mai Mala Buni for his foresight and partnership in prioritizing public sector training and capacity development. She described the theme of the retreat as both “timely and visionary,” emphasizing that institutions endure only when leadership is continuous, knowledge is shared, and systems—not individuals—drive performance.
“Institutions thrive not merely on structures or policies, but on the deliberate cultivation of capable leaders who can sustain progress across generations,” she said. “By prioritizing leadership continuity and institutional resilience, Yobe State is leading by example.”
Barrister Okon reiterated PSIN’s mandate to build a competent, ethical, and innovative public service capable of delivering tangible results to citizens. She stressed that effective succession planning must be anchored in continuous training, mentorship, and exposure to emerging governance trends.
Citing best practices from Singapore and the United Kingdom, Okon noted that successful public service systems deliberately identify and nurture potential leaders through structured talent pipelines and transparent career development programmes. According to her, Yobe State’s initiative reflects its readiness to sustain excellence in governance.
She also highlighted PSIN’s flagship programmes—SMART-P, which builds administrative and technical capacity; LEAD-P, designed to groom emerging leaders; and the Exit from Service Masterclass, which prepares officers for life after service. Okon urged the Yobe Government to adopt the Exit Masterclass into its human resource framework to ensure a smooth transition for retirees, preserve institutional knowledge, and promote productivity through entrepreneurship and consultancy.
“Succession planning is not an event but a culture that must be institutionalised at every level of public administration,” she added. “When we prepare successors in advance and invest in continuous learning, we guarantee the sustainability of reforms and consistency in governance.”
Declaring the retreat open, the Acting Head of Service of Yobe State, Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu, reaffirmed Governor Buni’s commitment to building a results-driven and high-performing public service.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service, Alhaji Shehu, the Acting Head of Service expressed gratitude to God and lauded PSIN as the “mother institution of public service learning.” He stated that Governor Buni has consistently directed the Office of the Head of Service to promote seamless succession planning and capacity building to enhance efficiency and accountability across government institutions.
“In line with this directive, we have brought the top echelon of the state civil service to PSIN—being the drivers and core implementers of government policies and programmes—to strengthen continuity and sustainability in our reforms,” he said.
He urged participants to fully engage in the retreat, share experiences, and cascade the knowledge gained to officers across ministries, departments, and agencies. The exercise, he explained, forms part of a deliberate strategy to institutionalize effective succession planning within the Yobe State Civil Service, thereby ensuring sustained productivity and improved service delivery to citizens.
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