The Taraba State Government has intensified efforts to combat climate change and restore the environment with the continuation of its 2026 School Tree Planting Campaign at the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Jalingo, and the Federal Government Technical College (FGTC), Jalingo.
The campaign, organised by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change under the Greening Taraba Initiative, is aimed at increasing forest cover, restoring degraded lands and promoting climate resilience across educational institutions in the state.
Leading the campaign, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Hajiya Aishat A. Barde, called on students to embrace tree planting as a practical response to climate change and environmental degradation.
She explained that trees help absorb carbon emissions, prevent soil erosion, conserve biodiversity and reduce the effects of flooding, excessive heat and air pollution.
The commissioner also inducted students of the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology as Climate Change Ambassadors, urging them to champion environmental protection both within their campuses and in their respective communities.
Speaking during the exercise, the Rector of the College, Dr. Yakubu Ali Garjila, commended the ministry for extending the campaign to the institution, noting that the college has suffered severe land degradation, gully erosion and vegetation loss over the years.
He described the donation of tree seedlings as a timely intervention that would support ecosystem restoration and improve the environmental outlook of the institution.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr. Mike Dio Jen, applauded Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas for prioritising environmental sustainability through the Greening Taraba Initiative.
He challenged the college to institutionalise tree planting by making it a graduation requirement, saying such a policy would strengthen environmental consciousness among students.
Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Dr. Tafarki Agbadu Eneme, warned against indiscriminate tree felling and deforestation, describing them as major contributors to environmental degradation.
He encouraged staff and students to establish tree nurseries for commercial and domestic purposes to promote the green economy while creating sustainable livelihoods.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change also urged residents to plant and nurture trees, describing afforestation as one of the most effective nature-based solutions to climate change.
The exercise featured the donation and symbolic planting of 100 tree seedlings within the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology to support erosion control and environmental restoration.
The campaign team later moved to the Federal Government Technical College, Jalingo, where another 100 tree seedlings were donated and planted.
The Vice Principal (Administration) of the college welcomed the initiative and expressed optimism that the trees would provide a healthier and greener learning environment.
Addressing the students, Hajiya Aishat A. Barde reiterated the importance of protecting and nurturing trees, stressing that every planted tree contributes to safeguarding the environment for future generations.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to extending the 2026 School Tree Planting Campaign to schools and institutions across the sixteen local government areas of Taraba State as part of efforts to build a greener, healthier and climate-resilient state.
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