By Gbolahan Salman Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to tackle desertification and promote environmental sustainability across the state.
Speaking during a sensitization programme to mark the 2025 World Desertification and Drought Day, held on Tuesday at Shukura Hotel, Sokoto, the Director of Forestry in the Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Mustapha Bello, emphasized the need for collective efforts in environmental protection.
Bello stressed the importance of tree planting in combating climate change and safeguarding livelihoods, revealing that the state government has launched an ambitious plan to plant one million trees this season.
“We have intensified tree planting campaigns in schools and institutions across the state,” he said. “We’re also working closely with national and international agencies to implement sustainable strategies against desert encroachment.”
He warned against indiscriminate tree felling and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to establishing shelterbelts and promoting environmental awareness at the grassroots level.
According to Bello, climate change, drought, and land degradation are no longer distant threats but urgent challenges with severe local implications.
Delivering a keynote presentation, Dr Abubakar Gumi of the Department of Plant Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, examined the root causes and consequences of desertification. He described land restoration as a crucial step toward climate resilience and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“Environmental degradation endangers not only our ecosystems but also our economic survival,” Dr Gumi warned. “Planting trees and adopting eco-friendly practices must become part of our daily lives.”
The event featured a tree planting demonstration, expert-led discussions, and an interactive session with stakeholders on sustainable land management.
