By Abdul Kareem
Borno State, Nigeria – In a bold move to combat climate change and restore the natural beauty of Borno State, a small NGO is making a significant impact with its tree-planting initiative, “Borno Go Green.”
Led by environmental activist Usman Aliyu and funded by Barrister Hauwa Abubakar Isa, the Honorable Attorney General and Commissioner of Borno State, who is the CEO of Dark Green Leaf, the project aims to plant five million trees by the end of the rainy season.
Usman Aliyu, Project Manager of Dark Green Leaf, who also serves as the Director of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement for the Network of Civil Society, emphasized the importance of the initiative.
“The essence of this tree-planting exercise stemmed from a program we initiated some years back,” Aliyu said. “We believe that one of the mitigating strategies for the climate change crisis we face today is tree planting.”
Aliyu explained that the rainy season provides the perfect natural watering for the plants to nurture and blossom. He said the initiative follows the PPN concept—Plant, Protect, and Nurture. “As we plant, we provide wooden casement to protect it and continue to water it till the roots are well-rooted into the soil. We call on every citizen of Borno to develop the attitude of planting at least a tree every year, protecting and nurturing it to maturity,” he added.
The financial challenge of the project is significant, with each tree and its protective wooden casement costing about N3500 (about $2.1). To plant five million trees, the zero-funded NGO requires about 17 Million ($10,500,000) in self funding to achieve its target.
Despite these challenges, the project has already planted nearly 1.5 million trees, thanks to the generous support of Barrister Hauwa Abubakar Isa. “Her commitment to mitigating climate change and making Borno green is inspiring,” Aliyu said.
The need for such an initiative is urgent. The decade-long insurgency in the region has led to massive deforestation, as displaced people have resorted to cutting trees for firewood and charcoal. Additionally, the military’s clearance of foliage for security purposes has further exacerbated the problem.
“All these factors contribute to climate change,” Aliyu noted. “The air we breathe comes from the trees and plants. We give out carbon dioxide, and the trees aid in producing the oxygen that we inhale.”
Local volunteers have played a crucial role in the initiative’s success. Hussaina, a nurse and civil societarian, expressed her excitement at being part of this community service:
“I feel excited because of this initiative. It’s all about mitigating climate change and having a healthier environment. If you plant a tree, you are contributing to climate change mitigation and securing the future.”
Asmau Yusuf, another volunteer, highlighted the broader benefits: “Planting trees is beneficial for both humans and animals because we all need a cool and healthier environment to thrive. We can mitigate the dangers of depleting the ozone layer. Today, if you observe, you would see that Borno State is constantly hot even during the rainy season. This is largely because of the massive deforestation activities going on. So if we plant, we are replacing what is being lost to deforestation.”
Despite the impressive progress, Aliyu stressed the need for more support. “It is not easy doing it from our pockets. We need more support to achieve our target. It’s not just about planting trees; it’s about investing in the future of our environment and the health of our communities,” he said.
Barrister Hauwa Abubakar Isa have once echoed this call for broader support. “My commitment to this initiative is driven by a deep understanding of the urgent need to address climate change and environmental degradation. But we cannot do it alone. We need the support of every sector of society to make a lasting impact,” she said.
As part of the tree-planting campaign, officials from Dark Green Leaf visited an orphanage school in GRA, Maiduguri, where they sensitized the pupils about the dangers of ozone layer depletion and the importance of saving the climate by planting trees. Following the educational session at the school, the pupils enthusiastically participated in planting trees around their school grounds.
As the rainy season progresses, the momentum of the “Borno Go Green” initiative continues to build. With every tree planted, the vision of a greener, more sustainable Borno becomes clearer. But the success of this initiative hinges on the collective action and support of the broader community.
In the words of Hussaina “Being part of this initiative means you have invested in securing the future. Let’s all plant, protect, and nurture for a better tomorrow.”
“The ‘Borno Go Green’ campaign is not just an environmental initiative, ” Aliyu said. “It is a movement towards a more sustainable and resilient future for Borno State. With continued support and collective action, the dream of transforming Borno into a green oasis is within reach, offering a powerful model for other regions to follow in the fight against climate change.
Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG-15) seeks to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. It also aims to manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, reverse land degradation, and stop biodiversity loss.
The Humanitarian Times 