The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the youth wing of Volunteer Advocates (U-Report), has inaugurated the planting of 1,000 trees in Sokoto State to commemorate World Environment Day 2025.

The initiative, launched at Rumbukawa Primary Health Centre on Thursday, was led by Ibrahim Adamu, the U-Report coordinator in the state.

He stated that the project aimed to mitigate the effects of climate change and extreme heat in the region.

Mr Adamu said, “We selected the PHC for the inauguration due to the growing number of patients who visit the facility daily. There is a need to enhance shade and maintain a conducive temperature to support patient recovery and improve the surrounding environment.’’

He added that the group, in response to global calls for environmental action, had been actively advocating and sensitising communities to the importance of tree planting as a long-term solution to environmental degradation.

Mr Adamu assured that U-Report members would continue planting trees across Sokoto and ensure proper care and maintenance of every plantation.

Also speaking, Mustapha Umar, the community health officer (CHO) of the facility, Mustapha Umar, expressed appreciation to UNICEF and U-Report for selecting the PHC as the site for the initiative.

He said, “This gesture will significantly help in addressing the environmental challenges faced by our facility and improve the overall atmosphere. Personally, I have a passion for planting and caring for trees, so I assure you that these trees will be well taken care of.”

World Environment Day is observed every year on June 5 and has the theme for 2025: “Ending Plastic Pollution.”
(NAN)