Minister flags off NYSC tree planting campaign in Nasarawa

Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, minister for youth development, has flagged off the 2024 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) tree planting campaign in Nasarawa.

The event, with the theme ‘Each One Plant And Nurture One’ held at the state orientation camp, Magaji Dan Yamusa in Keffi.

In a statement on Monday, Caroline Embu, NYSC’s deputy spokesperson, quoted Bio-Ibrahim as saying that tree planting is an effective way of fighting desertification, erosion and other impacts of climate change.

“I would like to also appeal to all and sundry to support the Scheme in this important mission of preserving nature,” Bio-Ibrahim said.

She urged Nigerians to embrace the campaign with dedication, and plant a tree each as the success of the initiative hinges on the innovative spirit of the youths.

Speaking, YD Ahmed, the director-general of NYSC, said the scheme has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Environment, National Environmental Standards Regulations Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for the Great Green Wall Project, to address the issue of environmental degradation.

He noted that NYSC actively participated in numerous government and non-governmental campaigns including the Green Revolution, the Global Tree Planting Project launched in 2005, ‘Plant One Million Tree’ initiative in 2017, among others.

The NYSC DG said each corps member is expected to plant and nurture a tree during their service year.

“The Annual NYSC Tree Planting Week will be institutionalized with activities taking place simultaneously in all the 36 states of the federation and the FCT,” Ahmed said.

“In this regard, I appeal to relevant agencies of government and non-governmental organizations to give us the necessary support for the benefit of our dear country.”