Plan International, ZCRA Mobilise 178 Yobe Communities in Bold Tree-Planting Drive

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

In a decisive effort to combat climate change and the creeping threat of desertification in Yobe State, Plan International, in partnership with the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance, has empowered youths and women across 178 affected communities through a large-scale sensitisation and tree-planting campaign.

The two-day initiative, held in the Pompomari and Nayi-Nawa communities of the Damaturu Local Government Area, focused on educating residents about the environmental and socio-economic value of trees while distributing certified seedlings suited to the local soil.

Speaking during the campaign in Damaturu, the Social and Behavioural Change Communications Officer of Plan International, Nubwa Ibrahim Bawuro, explained that the programme forms part of a broader resilience project being implemented under the alliance.

“Our team was recently in Adamawa, and today we are in Yobe to carry out this tree-planting campaign aimed at strengthening community resilience against climate change,” she said.

Bawuro noted that the intervention is designed to help communities cope with the increasing impact of climate change, particularly in areas experiencing environmental stress. Following a needs assessment that identified a shortage of tree cover in Pompomari and Nayi-Nawa, the team procured and distributed 200 climate-certified seedlings, alongside guidance on how to protect and nurture them.

She stressed that beyond distribution, the goal is to promote sustained awareness of proper tree care to ensure long-term environmental sustainability and effective climate change mitigation.

During the sensitisation session, environmental expert Mohammad Paga delivered a detailed lecture on the dangers posed by climate change and the urgent need for tree planting, especially in frontline local government areas such as Geidam, Yusufari, Machina, Yunusari, Bade, Jakusko, Nguru and Karasuwa.

Paga lamented that nearly a dozen local government areas in the state have experienced significant desert encroachment since its creation in 1991. He urged residents to safeguard the seedlings from stray animals and ensure consistent care.

“Protecting these trees will help create a healthier and more conducive environment for your communities,” he advised.

Also contributing, Dr. Babagana Bosso of Yobe State University, represented by Mohammed AbdulRahaman, encouraged beneficiaries to recognise the long-term economic and environmental value of the trees. He explained that, when fully grown, the trees could provide timber, woodlots, medicinal resources, fruits and shade, while also improving soil fertility for farmers through compost generation.

He further highlighted the importance of correct transplanting methods, including digging adequately sized holes to give seedlings a strong start.

Community leaders, including the District Head of Nayi-Nawa, Alhaji Abba Kalli Murfama, and the Ward Head of Pompomari, Lawan Modu, expressed gratitude to Plan International for the initiative. Youth and women’s groups also commended the organisation for equipping them with both knowledge and practical support in their collective fight against desertification.

They described the intervention as timely and impactful, reaffirming their commitment to nurturing the trees and securing a greener future for their communities.