By Ahmed Abba

The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), has intensified afforestation efforts in the 11 frontline states in continuation of activities marking its 10th anniversary in reversing desertification and restoring degraded lands in the North.

The Director General/CEO of the NAGGW, Saleh Abubakar, MFR, made this known on Sunday at Maimalari community in Yusufari Local Government Area of Yobe while inaugurating a large-scale tree planting campaign.

He said the benefiting states include: Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, with each state expected to receive no fewer than 800,000 seedlings.

“We are here to introduce a new and modern method of tree planting for you to adopt and apply in your farms and homes in order to combat desertification,” he said.

He explained that the agency would provide five million improved varieties of date palm and another five million assorted seedlings for distribution across the 11 frontline states threatened by desert encroachment.

He urged the communities to take ownership of the trees and ensure their survival beyond the planting stage.

“Each date palm tree can yield up to 100kg of fruits annually. This project is not just about protecting the environment, but also empowering communities economically,” he added.

In his remarks, Gov, Mai Mala of Yobe commended the agency’s efforts and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting environmental restoration.

Buni, represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa said the issue of desertification needed more commitment and action.

He described the collaboration between Yobe and the NAGGW as a decade-long partnership that has yielded visible results in land reclamation and sustainable land use.

Also speaking, the Emir of Bade, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman, described the campaign as timely, pointing out that communities in northern Yobe were severely affected by advancing sand dunes from the Sahara desert.

“The Sahara is fast approaching. The only way to stop this desert encroachment is by planting trees,” the royal father said.

He urged members of the community to take responsibility for the trees planted in their areas, especially by ensuring adequate watering after the rainy season using boreholes.

The emir warned against the felling of trees, stressing that such acts would be met with strict sanctions.

“If you cannot plant, do not cut. Anyone who cuts down trees will face the law.

“In my emirate, we prosecute offenders, and I recommend the same for other communities,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NAGGW was established as Nigeria’s response to the African Union’s Great Green Wall initiative, aimed at halting the southward expansion of the Sahara through afforestation, land rehabilitation, and community mobilisation. (NAN) www.nannews.ng