From Idris Khalid, Bauchi
Qafilah Environmental Protection Initiative (QEPI), under the leadership of Chief Imam of National Mosque, Sheikh Prof. Ibrahim Maqary, has launched a large-scale tree-planting campaign across 12 Northern states as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and combat desertification.
The initiative was flagged off on Friday in Yuli community, Bauchi State, during the organisation’s 2026 Qafilah Environment Day celebration.
As part of the exercise, hundreds of trees were planted within the premises and surroundings of Yuli Junior Secondary School. The organisation also distributed economic tree seedlings, including moringa, mango and date palm, to women in the community to improve livelihoods and enhance household incomes.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the Initiative, Engr. Musa Muhammad, said the exercise was aimed at promoting environmental sustainability while contributing to the fight against climate change and desertification in Northern Nigeria.
He explained that The programme was inspired by the desire to seek the pleasure of Almighty Allah through environmental stewardship, encourage climate-smart practices and increase tree cover across vulnerable communities.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Bauchi Branch of Qafilatul Mahabbah Islamic Foundation, Malam Jibril Halliru Badamasi, urged beneficiaries to properly nurture and protect the seedlings distributed to them.
He assured the community that additional tree seedlings would be provided in future, provided the beneficiaries demonstrated commitment to maintaining those already planted.
The village head of Yuli, represented by the Sarkin Kwari, Malam Zakariya Ya’u, commended the Initiative and its founder for the intervention, describing it as timely in addressing the environmental challenges facing the area.
He pledged the community’s commitment to safeguarding the planted trees and ensuring their survival
Similarly, the Vice Principal of Yuli Junior Secondary School, Malam Sulaiman Zakariya, thanked the organisation for selecting the school for the exercise.
He announced plans to establish a Green Club that would engage students in nurturing and protecting the trees planted within the school premises.
The Director of Forestry, Bauchi State Ministry of Environment, represented by the deputy director, Mr. Mahmud Mohammed, delivered a lecture on climate change, highlighting its causes, impacts, and mitigation and adaptation strategieso.
He urged residents to embrace tree planting and other environmentally friendly practices to help reduce the effects of climate change.
