The Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), a religious group, has launched a nationwide tree planting exercise in Katsina State.
Its national leader, Sheikh Abdullahi Balalau, while launching the exercise in Katsina town on Sunday, said it was targeted at promoting health, agriculture and a safer environment.
According to Balalau, tree planting will assist in preventing foul weather that had often contributed to the easy spread of different diseases among the people.
“As you all know, human beings use air oxygen while breathing in, and breathe out carbon dioxide. These trees use dioxide to produce oxygen.
“Also, the trees control or sanitise smoke and other air pollution diseases so that human beings can inhale clean air that is not harmful to them.
“Planting of trees also contributes to the reduction of flooding in our communities due to heavy rainfall, because the trees absorb part of the raindrop.
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“I am calling on traditional and religious leaders as well as Imam of all Juma’at mosques to embark on similar exercises for the benefit of the public.”
According to Balalau, JIBWIS will carry out the exercise across all states, with Jigawa as its next destination in the next two weeks.
He commended the Katsina State Government for collaborating with the group on the exercise, adding that the Jigawa State Government had also provided about one million plants to be planted.
In his remarks, the representative of Gov. Aminu Masari, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Malam Isa Lawal, commended JIBWIS for the initiative, saying that it would reduce disasters caused by heavy rain.
According to him, the initiative will boost efforts to reduce air pollution in Katsina State.
He assured the group of the state government’s continued support, saying that similar support would be given to anyone willing to embark on such initiative.
The Special Adviser to Masari on Agriculture, Dr Abba Abdullahi, disclosed that the state government had provided 5,000 seeds for the exercise. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)