The Kogi State House of Assembly has launched an ambitious tree-planting campaign aimed at reversing deforestation and promoting environmental sustainability across the state.
Speaker Rt Hon Aliyu Umar Yusuf led the charge on Thursday by planting trees around the Assembly complex in Lokoja, symbolizing the legislature’s commitment to ecological preservation.
Addressing lawmakers, stakeholders, and the media, Speaker Umar described the initiative as a proactive response to the growing threat of climate change. He stressed that unchecked deforestation had worsened erosion and degraded agricultural land, posing long-term risks to livelihoods and public health in the state.
“Our goal is to create a livable, resilient environment for generations to come,” Umar stated. “Tree planting is not just symbolic; it is a vital step in reclaiming our land and restoring environmental balance. This campaign is our call to action for every Kogite to be part of the solution.”
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Yabagi Mohammed, the Speaker called on all local government areas, communities, and environmental organizations to fully support and participate in the campaign. The Speaker also acknowledged the contributions of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, which has been instrumental in planting economic trees across Kogi.
Umar further emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of forestry regulations, calling on the Ministry of Agriculture’s forestry department to crack down on illegal logging. “We already have laws in place to punish unauthorized deforestation. What we need now is strict enforcement to preserve our green cover,” he said.
Lawmakers and members of the Assembly Service Commission joined the exercise, commending the Speaker for taking the lead on an issue they described as vital to both environmental and economic stability. The campaign will continue across the 21 local government areas, with a focus on community participation and long-term ecological recovery.
