UNICEF, CSOs to plant 10,000 trees in 200 schools in Sokoto 
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
UNICEF says it is partnering with no fewer than 76 Civil Society Organizaions (CSOs) to plant over 10,000 assorted economic trees in 200 schools across Sokoto State.
Our Correspondent in Sokoto reports that this was disclosed on Thursday in Sokoto by Dr Michael Juma, Head, UNICEF, Sokoto Field Office, at the inauguration of the fund’s support to the government under its “Climate Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience”, Project (CMARP).
The Initiative was launched under the UNICEF’s ” Green Rising Campaign”, in collaboration with the Sokoto State Ministry of Environment, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency as Young and Useful Generation Initiative “, (YOGI).
According to Juma, UNICEF is very much committed to support this initiative, not only in Sokoto but across the entire Nigeria.
” And we are very much committed to support the state of Sokoto in terms of developing appropriate policies leading to climate resilience, but also ensuring that we conserve our environment for the future of our children.
“I call upon everybody to participate in this initiative and ensure that we conserve but plant more trees for the future of Sokoto.”
The UNICEF chief called on the states’ authorities across the country to continue to plant more trees and take advantage of the rainy season to plant more and expand the scope of environment coverage.
Juma added, “The Green Rising is a very good initiative in terms of enhancing environmental sustainability, but also ensuring that we have biodiversity conservation, which is very critical for environmental conservation.
“So I call upon everybody in Sokoto State to ensure that we plant more trees, not only in schools, but also at home and in the forests.
“With more trees, it means we have better environment for food production, and that would also help in supporting the nutrition of our children.
“So I would ask the media to also take a proactive role in terms of promoting the Green Rising campaign across the entire state.”
“We are also creating a climate-resilient space that is critical for our existence.
“So I ask all the students to take a proactive role in terms of planting trees, not only in the school, but also when you go back to school, you make sure that you plant more trees.”
The Representative of the State Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi Ghani, its Public Relations Officer, reiterated the commitment of the state government to partner with any organizations to bolster climate resilience.
While commending UNICEF and partner organizations, Ghani urged the people of the state to plant more trees and nurture to full growth.
The Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Alhaji Muhammad Bala, underscored the importance of planting trees, applauding the invaluable gesture by UNICEF.
The Principal of the Comprehensive Secondary School, Sokoto, host of the all-important event, Alhaji Sa’adu Fahdo, commended UNICEF for choosing the schooling for the event, promising to plant more trees and nurture them.
