Speaking at the inauguration of the school, located off Nnamdi Azikiwe By-Pass, Mando, the Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Lynda Aku, who represented the Commissioner, described the initiative as a valuable contribution to the state’s environmental efforts.
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Aku said early exposure to agriculture, horticulture and environmental conservation would encourage young people to adopt sustainable environmental practices. She noted that the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project focused on climate mitigation, making the initiative particularly relevant.
She said tree planting remained one of the most effective nature-based solutions to climate change, recalling that the state government had set a target of planting 10 million trees.
According to her, the ministry has established nurseries and distributed seedlings to schools while incorporating environmental considerations into the building approval process.
Tree Planting Initiative
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to Governor Uba Sani on Land Matters, Malam Umar Ismail, said the initiative was in line with the administration’s policy of equipping young people with relevant skills.
Ismail disclosed that the government was working to incorporate tree planting into road construction projects and considering the inclusion of tree-planting requirements in building permits issued by the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA).
Earlier, the Director of Teku International and Agro Allied Services Limited, Mr Ibrahim Salisu, said the tree-seedling donation and the establishment of the school were part of the company’s contribution to environmental protection and agricultural development.
Salisu said the school would commence with between 50 and 60 students, including children aged 10 and above and youths aged 18 and above.
He said participants would receive practical training in horticulture, aquaculture, poultry farming and animal husbandry.
Salisu explained that the idea for the school followed a pilot programme launched two years ago to introduce primary school pupils to agriculture. He added that the school would also provide opportunities for adults interested in acquiring practical agricultural skills.
