By Fatima Saka
A climate activist, Iliya Yame Kwache, has urged the government of Nigeria to be passionate in fighting climate change by engaging citizens in tree planting as the planet is revolving.
The activist made the call on Wednesday while planting 10,000 trees in Adamawa State through his I.Y Kwache Foundation.
Kwache said fighting climate change is a thing of urgency, meanwhile he imploys the government to take action in tackling climate change so that some of the effects of the phenomenon such as floodings, desert encroachment in the North and gully erosion in the SouthEast region will be reduced to certain levels.
He further stated, “All public servants as a rule must plant a tree as part of their annual appraisal.
“All graduates mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps must plant trees as a part of the community development service before they will be allowed to pass out at the end of their service year.
“Members of the Armed forces, the police and paramilitary agencies should be mobilised on an annual basis for Mass tree planting.”
He also said the government can encourage faith-based organisations to mobilize their members to organise annual mass tree planting after jumaat prayers and church services.
Speaking on the significance of his tree planting campaign in Michika, where 10,000 trees consisted of various varieties that included Mahogany, Shea butter, black plum and olive, Kwache said it was his only little contribution to halt encroaching desertification.
“We want in our own little way to fight climate change, drive away the desert. The Sahara desert is overrunning Northern Nigeria. So we want to minimize or mitigate its impact on our community,” he added.