Following the flag - off of the Kaduna State Government’s Keep Kaduna Green Project initiative by Governor Nasir  El- Rufai of Kaduna State few months back, the Nigerian Defence Academy has kicked - off it’s own tree planting exercise to complement that of the state government’s.













Commandant NDA, Maj Gen MT Ibrahim, planting a tree during NDA’s Tree Planting Exercise


Kicking – off the NDA tree planting exercise, The Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El – Rufai, who was represented by his Deputy, Architect Barnabas Bala Bantex, commended the NDA for being one of the first institutions to embrace and begin the implementation of the Keep Kaduna Green Project. He said the NDA is making a vital contribution by identifying so early with the Project and ensuring that the government meets its target.  The Governor noted that trees play important roles in human existence as they help provide shelter, fuel, food, improve soil stability, and generally enhance the environment. He decried a situation where individuals, communities and companies cut down trees without replacing them, thereby destroying the whole balance in the Ecosystem with which nature has placed on humans. The Governor, therefore emphasized the need to create the necessary awareness amongst the citizens on how to use trees in a more sustainable way that would enable them realize that these natural endowment needs time to re-generate, bearing in mind that human beings are the ultimate users.

In addition to beautifying Kaduna towns and cities through this project, Governor El - Rufai reminded the gathering that the state government during the flag off of the project disclosed that the programme would create jobs for about 26,000 youths in the state as they would be engaged in planting and nurturing the trees to maturity.  According to him, 1 million trees would be planted every year which would grow to improve the looks of towns, cities, and to help address the issues of desertification within the state.

While commending the efforts of the NDA, Governor Nasir El- Rufai called on other institutions, communities and individuals to embrace the project, noting that the sustainability of the project lies in the support of all citizens and communities in the state.



















Representative of THE Governor of Kaduna State, The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Arch Barnabas Bala Bantex, making his address during NDA Tree Planting Exercise


Earlier in his remarks the Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General MT Ibrahim, said the NDA has taken a lead in the project first by beautifying the roundabout leading into Ribadu Cantonment, while emphasizing that the gesture is part of the Academy’s contribution to complement the state government’s efforts at beautifying the state.

Speaking on the tree planting exercise, the Commandant disclosed that this is just Phase One of the project. He disclosed further that Phase Two of the project would involve each cadet planting a tree and nurture it to maturity for the period of the five years they will spend in the Academy.

High points of the event include the planting of a tree by the Guest of Honour and other dignitaries, including the Chairman House committee on Defence, Hon. Aliyu Muktar Betera, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule, Commandant NDA, Major General MT Ibrahim and  President NDAOWA, Mrs Fauziyah Ibrahim, who graced the occasion. Guest at the Tree Planting ceremony were entertained by a colourful dance performance by the NDA NYSC Dance Troupe.


















Representative of Chairman House Committee on Defence,
Hon Aliyu Betara, planting a tree at the occasion





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