October 09, (THEWILL) — The Centre for Biotechnology and Plant Tissue Culture at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), has donated 1,000 tree seedlings to staff unions within the institution and local climate action groups in Sokoto State.
Director of the Centre and National President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria, Prof. Adamu Aliyu Aliero, said the gesture was part of efforts to promote climate resilience in the state.
“This initiative reflects one of our core mandates—fostering inclusive climate action. Human survival is increasingly threatened by climate change, and Sokoto, being among the states facing severe ecological challenges, requires urgent intervention. Tree planting is not just important, it is a necessity”, he said.
Prof. Aliero added that the donation marked the beginning of a broader drive by the Centre to strengthen partnerships, encourage innovation, and mobilise communities around climate-resilient initiatives.
Vice Chancellor of UDUS, Prof. Bashiru Garba, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Malami Muhammad Maishanu, commended the Centre for the intervention and urged it to expand the initiative beyond the university.
He also called on relevant stakeholders to collaborate in tackling climate challenges.
Leaders of staff unions, including ASUU, SSANU, NASU, and NATT, praised the move, describing it as a timely contribution to environmental sustainability.
Representatives of Make Sokoto Green Initiative and the Selfless Impact Development Foundation, which also benefited from the seedlings, pledged to partner with the Centre and UDUS in advancing climate action, food security, and community development projects.
Dataphyte Biodiversity Reporting Fellow, Prince Tunde Omolehin, who delivered a goodwill message, urged the Centre to pursue strategic partnerships and stressed the critical role of the media in promoting climate discourse and community engagement.
Beneficiaries of the initiative include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NATT), alongside the two climate-focused groups.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
