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By Abdullahi InuwaÂ
BIRNIN KEBBI — The battle against climate change gained fresh momentum in Kebbi State on Wednesday as the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), launched the Green Rising Campaign, planting 1,000 tree seedlings in a bold move to empower young people to safeguard the environment.
The initiative, which brings together government agencies, environmental experts and students, is designed to drive youth-led climate action, expand green spaces and strengthen environmental sustainability across the state.
Declaring the campaign open, the Vice-Chancellor of FUBK, Professor Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, described the project as more than a tree-planting exercise, saying it represents a long-term investment in environmental protection and a healthier future for generations yet unborn.
He noted that the university has consistently championed afforestation, revealing that it has planted over 12,000 trees and established a tree nursery since 2018 as part of its commitment to combating desertification and promoting ecological balance.
Professor Zaiyan-Umar said the Green Rising Campaign is being implemented in collaboration with the Kebbi State Ministry of Environment, the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Kebbi State Chapter, the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), the Go Green Foundation and the Students’ Union Government.
He charged relevant university departments to ensure the newly planted seedlings are carefully nurtured, monitored and protected, stressing that the real success of the campaign would be measured by the survival and growth of every tree planted.
“Every seedling planted today is a legacy for tomorrow. We must protect them to secure a greener and healthier future,” he said, while reaffirming the university’s commitment to deepening its partnership with UNICEF and other stakeholders on sustainable environmental initiatives.
Speaking at the event, UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Facilitator in Kebbi State, Mr. Toyin Adisa, said the Green Rising Campaign seeks to inspire young people to become frontline champions in the global fight against climate change through tree planting and environmental stewardship.
He stressed that empowering youths to take ownership of environmental protection is critical to building resilient communities and securing a sustainable future.
Also speaking, the Director of Environment at the Kebbi State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Dantani Sarki, urged the university community to ensure proper maintenance of the seedlings, noting that sustained care would maximize their environmental and ecological impact.
With another 1,000 trees now taking root, stakeholders say the FUBK-UNICEF partnership is sowing the seeds of a greener Kebbi, where young people are not only learning about climate change but are actively leading the charge against it.
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