By Faridat Salifu
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has launched massive tree planting initiative to combat desertification and deforestation in the country.
The initiative was launched earlier in the week by the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim, at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ibrahim underscored the urgent nature of climate change and its detrimental effects on Nigeria’s environment.
She highlighted the alarming rates of desertification and degradation of land resources, which have fueled conflicts over farming and grazing lands.
“Desertification has drastically impacted the quality of our land,” she noted, calling it a significant factor in escalating communal clashes.
She urged corps members to take personal stewardship of the tree planting campaign, framing it as a collective responsibility to ensure environmental protection.
The minister commended the NYSC for their initiative, praising their commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation.
In his remarks at the occasion, the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, affirmed the NYSC’s dedication to instilling a sense of responsibility among Nigerian youths regarding environmental care.
“The youth have a pivotal role in reversing the trends of environmental degradation,” the NYSC boss declared.
The campaign encourages corps members to individually plant and nurture a tree throughout their service year, encapsulated in the theme “each-one-plant-and-nurture-one.”
The initiative not only aims to combat the adverse effects of climate change but also to involve the wider community by engaging them in tree planting and maintenance.
As part of the program, corps members will receive training and sensitization during their orientation courses.
Post-camp refresher sessions will ensure ongoing commitment, with local community members being mobilized to participate in the tree planting efforts.
Ahmed also announced plans to form tree planting clubs in schools to foster environmental education among students.
To tackle the challenge of securing seedlings—an issue encountered in previous campaigns—the NYSC has initiated a plan to produce their own seedlings for this strategic program.
The NYSC is set to establish an annual Tree Planting Week, bringing together efforts across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The culmination of the launch featured a ceremonial tree planting session led by Dr. Ibrahim and Brig.-Gen. Ahmed, symbolizing the vital commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s environment.