Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno on Thursday distributed 7,250 gas cylinders with accessories and stoves to teachers and sanitation vanguards to promote clean energy use in Maiduguri.
The governor made the donation while launching the 2026 National Tree Planting Campaign as part of efforts to combat desertification and strengthen environmental sustainability in the state.
While unveiling a four-million-tree planting initiative, Zulum said 5,000 cooking gas cylinders would be given to primary school teachers while 2,250 would go to sanitation vanguards of the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA).
He also presented N12 million worth of gas refill vouchers to the beneficiaries to encourage the adoption of clean cooking energy and reduce reliance on firewood.
The governor said the initiative was aimed at addressing the twin challenges of climate change and desertification, which continue to threaten livelihoods and ecosystems across the state.
According to him, the planned planting of four million trees will help restore degraded lands, curb desert encroachment, and improve environmental resilience in vulnerable communities.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling climate change and environmental degradation across the country.
Lawal commended Zulum for providing alternative sources of cooking energy to residents, describing it as a practical and sustainable approach to reducing pressure on forest resources.
“Borno is setting a remarkable example in the fight against desertification. The state is not only addressing environmental challenges through afforestation but is also providing alternatives that discourage the use of firewood,” he said.
He further noted that the initiative reflected the governor’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Mr. Saleh Abubakar, highlighted the devastating impact of desertification on livelihoods, agriculture, and food security.
Abubakar stressed the need for sustained investment in tree planting and clean energy initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for communities in the region.
