In Nigeria’s desert state, afforestation initiative blooms with community support
Local residents and organisations together have helped in the success of the Go Green Initiative in Borno, close to the Sahara Desert.
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Under the blazing midday sun of Gomboru Liberty in Borno, northeast Nigeria, Ali Yerima, a youth advocate and chairman of the Gomboru Youth Association, was in full concentration, sweat trickling down his face, as he carefully adjusted the last tree to be watered for the day.
The tree, one of many he recently planted in his relentless fight against climate change, was struggling to survive, but Ali was determined to keep it alive.
It’s been seven years since he dedicated himself to the Go Green Initiative, a programme that addresses the impacts of climate change in the region.
“The Go Green Initiative was founded to tackle climate change issues in Borno State,” Ali explained. “We are engaged in planting trees in my area and other parts of the state like Mafoni, Umarari, and London Ciki. I cannot even count the number of trees I have volunteered to plant.”
With the organisation’s support, he had 130 trees to distribute and plant. While he has planted 20 in his area, the rest was shared with his friends and relatives for their communities.
“The initiative taught me about the negative effects of deforestation and the importance of reforestation,” Ali added. “I have learned that planting trees can reduce the intense heat we have been...
