The Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has inaugurated the “Green Rising Campaign” with the planting of 1,000 tree seedlings.
The aim is to promote youth-led climate action and environmental sustainability.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, said during the inauguration in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday that the initiative aligned with the institution’s commitment to environmental conservation.
He said the campaign was implemented in collaboration with the Kebbi Ministry of Environment and the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Kebbi Chapter.
“Also in collaboration are the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, the Go Green Foundation and the Students’ Union Government,” he said.
Zaiyan-Umar said the campaign was building on the university’s afforestation programme, noting that FUBK had planted over 12,000 trees and established a tree nursery since 2018.
The Vice-Chancellor directed relevant university units to ensure proper nurturing, monitoring and protection of the newly planted seedlings to guarantee their survival.
He stressed that every tree planted must be preserved for future generations.
He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with UNICEF and other stakeholders to advance sustainable environmental initiatives.
Earlier, an officer at UNICEF, Mr Toyin Adisa, said the campaign was designed to inspire and empower young people to champion climate action through tree planting and environmental stewardship.
Adisa is the UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Facilitator supporting Kebbi.
He commended FUBK for embracing the initiative and expressed confidence in the university’s capacity to sustain the project.
Also speaking, the Director of Environment, Kebbi Ministry of Environment, Dantani Sarki, urged the university to ensure proper care and monitoring of the seedlings to maximise their environmental impact.
In his remarks, the State Secretary, NES, Kebbi Chapter, Dr Sa’adu Umar-Wali, described the campaign as a practical contribution to tackling climate change and environmental degradation.
On his part, the university’s Registrar, Abdulkadir Abubakar, thanked UNICEF and other partners for supporting the initiative.
Abubakar assured the partners that the seedlings would be properly maintained to achieve the project’s objectives.
