By Muhammad Gazali Garba
Sokoto State Government has commenced the 2026 tree-planting campaign with a target of planting 500,000 seedlings across the state’s 23 local government areas.
Gatekeepers News reports that Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who flagged off the campaign on Tuesday at Gidan Man Ada Housing Estate, urged residents to support the government’s efforts to combat desertification, deforestation and other environmental challenges.
He said the exercise was not merely about putting seedlings into the soil, but about “planting hope, protecting our future and securing life for generations yet unborn.”
According to him, trees provide clean air, shade, food and wood, while helping to protect the soil from erosion, attract rainfall and provide habitats for wildlife.
The governor expressed concern over the indiscriminate felling of trees and destruction of forests in the name of development, particularly road construction and building projects.
He said such practices were contributing to desertification, climate change and other environmental challenges, with adverse effects on communities and livelihoods.
“By planting trees, we are fighting against these problems and safeguarding our environment,” he said.
Aliyu disclosed that the state government, through the Ministry of Environment, had procured economic and environmental seedlings for distribution to the 23 local government areas.
He directed the local government chairmen to liaise with the Ministry of Environment, collect their allocations and commence planting immediately.
The governor stressed that the exercise should not end with the planting of seedlings, but that the trees must be properly nurtured and protected until maturity.
He also directed the councils to intensify public enlightenment, particularly among rural dwellers, on the dangers of indiscriminate tree felling.
“Sokoto, as we all know, is located in the Sahelian region and is therefore prone to desert encroachment, which is advancing at an alarming rate. We must rise to the challenge and do what is necessary,” he said.
Aliyu further directed that where it became necessary to cut down a tree, it must be replaced and adequately protected until it matured.
He urged residents to embrace tree planting with commitment, saying collective action would help make communities greener, healthier and more beautiful.
“As Muslims, we all know the position of our religion on the benefits of tree planting and the reward attached to it. In fact, planting trees can be a Sadaqah Jariyah, whose reward continues even after death,” he said.
The governor also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for the Great Green Wall Initiative, which he said was aimed at tackling climate change, erosion and desert encroachment across the country.
He thanked the people of Sokoto State for their continued support and prayers for his administration and prayed for peace, progress and prosperity in the state and the country.
‘We are targeting households, schools, farms’
Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Nura Shehu Tangaza, said the flag-off marked the fourth annual tree-planting campaign since the administration came into office in 2023.
He recalled that the first campaign was held at FCE Gidan Madi in September 2023, followed by Wajake Housing Estate on August 21, 2024, and Sokoto New City on August 29, 2025.
Tangaza commended the governor for his support and commitment to addressing land degradation and desertification in the state.
He described Aliyu as “the green Governor of our time,” saying the administration had demonstrated strong political will in confronting environmental challenges.
The commissioner said the ministry had adopted a more aggressive approach to the 2026 campaign, with climate-resilient seedlings, including economic trees and shelterbelt species, to be distributed across the state.
“Our focus this year extends beyond public spaces. We are targeting households, schools, religious centres and farm plots to ensure a widespread green canopy,” he said.
He warned against reckless deforestation, saying the ministry would enforce environmental laws against indiscriminate logging, bush burning and forest encroachment.
“We cannot plant trees aggressively while allowing reckless deforestation to undermine our progress,” Tangaza said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Wamakko Local Government Area, Hon. Umar Ahmad Dundaye, thanked the governor for choosing the area for the flag-off.
He assured the state government of the council’s support and pledged to mobilise district heads, councillors and youth groups to ensure that seedlings allocated to the local government were planted and protected.
The ceremony ended with the symbolic planting of trees by the governor and other dignitaries.
