The Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya, has officially launched a one-million tree planting campaign in Bauchi State as part of efforts to combat desertification, deforestation, and the effects of climate change.
The initiative, supported by the Green Legacy Foundation in partnership with the Gaya Emirate Council, will see the distribution and planting of a wide range of tree seedlings across the emirate.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Emir described the project as a “significant step” in protecting the environment and securing the future against desert encroachment. He directed district, village, and ward heads in the designated areas to take responsibility for the nurturing and monitoring of the seedlings to ensure their survival.
The campaign has also received backing from local government leaders. The Executive Chairman of Ningi LGA, Hon. Nasiru Zakarai, pledged the council’s commitment to environmental protection through strict measures against illegal logging and charcoal production. Similarly, Hon. Aminu Barmini, Chairman of Warji LGA, suggested providing stipends to volunteers who will be tasked with tending the newly planted trees.
This development follows the Emir’s earlier declaration of a state of emergency on illegal charcoal production and logging in the emirate. He had vowed to plant one million trees as part of a long-term strategy to restore degraded land and promote sustainable environmental practices.
The tree planting campaign is not only an environmental intervention but also a call for community participation, as traditional and local leaders are expected to play a key role in ensuring the project’s success.