Pulse.ng : Katsina initiates campaign to fight environmental challenges

By Abbas Bamalli

The Katsina State Government has initiated a campaign, tagged: “Katsina State Climate Advocacy and Social Forestry Drive”, to tackle environmental challenges in the state.

Deputy Governor Faruq Jobe disclosed this in Katsina during the launch of the initiative, organised by the state’s Climate Change Secretariat on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event will witness climate dialogue/awareness, launch of climate change, and planting of trees at selected public schools.

NAN also reports that the event will witness the launch of students’ climate clubs, themed, “Climate Advocacy, Social Forestry, Youth Empowerment and Tree Planting”.

Jobe, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Katsina Government House, Alhaji Mukhtar Saulawa, said the initiative was intended to shape the future of the state.

He said, “The 2025 Katsina State Climate Advocacy and Social Forestry Drive is more than just an event, it is timely and also a call to action.”

“This is because climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, with far-reaching consequences for our environment, economy, and the entire society.

“As leaders and citizens, we have a responsibility to act and ensure a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.”

Jobe said that the mission through the drive was to raise awareness about climate change and its impacts, promote sustainable forestry practices, support initiatives that drive environmental sustainability, and foster partnerships and collaborations.

“I urge you to join hands to work together, plant trees and nurture forests, adopt sustainable practices in our daily lives, advocate for climate policies that benefit our state and nation, and also educate and inspire others to take action.

“Together, we can make a difference.

“Let us rise to the challenge and secure a sustainable future for Katsina State and beyond,” Jobe said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hajiya Zainab Musawa, said schools are not only places for academic learning, but also hubs for cultivating environmental consciousness and empowering young people to become agents of change.

According to her, in regions like ours, where climate risks are high, integrating climate education into our curricula is not optional, it is essential.

“By teaching our students about sustainability, biodiversity, and the importance of social forestry, we are preparing them to lead with innovation and responsibility,” she said.

Also, in an address of welcome, the Special Adviser to Gov. Dikko Radda on Climate Change, Prof. Muhammad Al-Amin, said the initiative was a move beyond policy papers and translates to tangible action in the communities.

“This theme is not merely a slogan, but a strategic call to action, a comprehensive blueprint designed to counter the pressing environmental challenges we face in our state.

“This has to do with drought, desertification, deforestation, erratic rainfall and the increasing threat to our livelihoods, especially in the rural areas.

Al-Amin said that about five million trees were expected to be planted between now and 2027, with students from about 25 tertiary and secondary schools involved.

“When our students participate in tree-planting initiatives, they are not just greening their schools, they are contributing to a global movement for environmental justice,” the governor’s aide said.

NAN