Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has said over one million assorted seedlings of economic trees have been distributed free to residents of the state for planting in order to fight the menace of desert encroachment.

The governor stated this at the launch of the 2016 Tree Planting Campaign on Tuesday at Bissalam village, Dange-Shuni Local Government of the state.

Among the tree seedlings to be planted include moringa oleifera, baobab, mango, eucalyptus, cashew, neem, pawpaw and tamarind.

“These tree seedlings will be distributed free to the people in the 23 local governments across the state. Apart from serving some economic purposes, these trees will help in our reafforestation efforts in the state.

“This is very crucial as such efforts are aimed at curbing the menace of the obnoxious perennial desert encroachment, as well as mitigating the impact of global warming,” he added.

Tambuwal said global warming had led to the drastic reduction of rainfall and the attendant consequences of flood, among other destructive natural phenomena.

He added that his administration had revamped the state shelter-belt project, while the federal government’s Great Green Wall Project was being successfully implemented in the state.

He announced that all public officials in the state have been directed to immediately plant trees in their residences, offices and farms.

“All public officials including myself and my Deputy will plant theirs immediately and nurture them. I will start by inspecting the trees to be planted by my Deputy in

“I have also been regrettably, but reliably informed that some public officials were in the habit of ordering the indiscriminate felling of trees. I have directed that, such unpatriotic officials should henceforth desist from such dastardly acts, or face inevitable sanctions.”

The State Environment Commissioner,  Bello Sifawa and the Chairman of Dange-Shuni Local Government,  Mode Dantassallah, commended Tambuwal for giving the desired priority to the environment sector.