APWEN Donates Tree Seedlings to HJRBDA to Combat Climate Change, Land Degradation

The Managing Director of the Hadejia Jam’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Engineer Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, has described the donation of tree seedlings by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) as a major boost to efforts aimed at tackling climate change, land degradation and soil erosion in the region.

Engineer Bichi stated this while receiving the seedlings donated by APWEN for onward distribution to farmers within the authority’s operational areas.

He commended the association for what he termed a timely and thoughtful intervention that aligns with the agency’s mandate of sustainable environmental and agricultural development.

According to the Managing Director, the authority will ensure that the seedlings are distributed to farmers across Kano, Bauchi and Jigawa states, stressing that beneficiaries will be encouraged to plant and nurture the trees on their farms to achieve long-term environmental benefits.

He noted that tree planting remains one of the most effective ways of curbing soil erosion, combating desertification and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, particularly in river basin communities that are vulnerable to environmental degradation.

Engineer Bichi further assured that the HJRBDA would intensify its sensitisation programmes to educate farmers on the importance of tree planting, sustainable land use and environmental protection, adding that collective action is crucial to achieving lasting results.

Earlier, the Chairperson of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, Engr. Safiyya Aliyu Mahmud, said the donation was part of the association’s corporate social responsibility aimed at addressing climate change challenges in society.

She explained that APWEN provided 100 tree seedlings of different varieties, which would be planted across the areas covered by the river basin authority to help restore degraded land and reduce the menace of soil erosion and other environmental problems.

Engr. Safiyya noted that professional bodies have a responsibility to support government efforts in promoting environmental sustainability, stressing that women engineers are committed to using their expertise and platforms to contribute to national development.

She expressed confidence that the collaboration with HJRBDA would yield positive results, especially with the authority’s wide reach among farmers and rural communities.

The APWEN chairperson called on farmers and community members to take ownership of the initiative by ensuring the seedlings are properly planted and protected, adding that tree planting is an investment in the future of coming generations.