Corps Members To Plant Trees Before Passing Out Parade

The Nigerian Government has encouraged all National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to plant at least ten trees before their Passing Out Parade (POP).

The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, gave this mandate during the national flag-off of the NYSC tree-planting campaign at the Permanent Orientation Camp in Keffi, Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria.

Highlighting the Ministry’s collaboration with the African Union Development Agency (AUNEPAD) to drive the tree-planting initiative, the Honourable Minister emphasized that this effort is crucial to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and commitment to planting 25 million trees by 2030.

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She underscored the program’s critical role in combating environmental issues, urging Corps members to be catalysts for transformative change through innovative solutions in their communities.

With an estimated 400,000 Corps members passing through the scheme annually, each member planting 10 trees translates to 4 million trees annually, yielding 20 million trees in the next five years.

The NYSC, working with stakeholders, has the capacity to deliver on this nationally determined contribution.

The Minister pointed out how desertification has depleted valuable agricultural land, resulting in tensions and conflicts over land use. This has created significant challenges for farmers, herders, and communities.

“Moreover, discernible shifts in weather patterns, manifesting in the frequency and intensity of droughts, floods, and temperature variations, have negatively impacted our agricultural produce. Our forests have dwindled, our air quality has deteriorated, and our soil has suffered. We must demonstrate a collective will to act in defense of our environment and indeed our wellbeing.”

Furthermore, she noted that “tree planting is one of the most effective ways of fighting desertification, erosion, and other negative outcomes of the depletion of the ozone layer, including insecurity. Even a small effort makes a huge difference in conserving the environment. However, the success of this endeavor hinges on the energy and innovative spirit of our youths.”