Mrs. Edna Azura, the National President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), is enthusiastic about the Council’s efforts to combat climate change through tree planting in Adamawa communities, located in Northeast Nigeria.
She recently spoke in Mayo Belwa about the “Green Women Initiative.” This initiative follows successful tree planting efforts in Yola North and Hong Local Government Areas.
Azura emphasized that this program is aligned with Nigeria’s national climate goals and the First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative. Its main aim is to promote environmental health and empower women throughout the region.
“We want to turn barren land into green spaces,” Azura stated. The Council’s initiative is part of a broader program launched by the International Council of Women (ICW). This program focuses on tree planting and smart agriculture to help communities adapt to climate change.
During the campaign in Mayo Belwa, many trees were planted. “This project offers more than just environmental benefits. It also aims to boost economic opportunities for women,” she explained.
Azura highlighted that these trees will provide long-term benefits like income generation and contribute to food security for families. The initiative also includes backyard gardening and organic composting to improve soil health while reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers.
To ensure the community takes ownership of the project, the Council collaborated with local leaders, farmers, and women’s groups right from the start. Each household received trees to plant and care for. This involvement is crucial for success.
To protect young trees from animals, the community has started using woven baskets as guards, showing their dedication to the project. The NCWS has also set up a monitoring system to track progress from local to national levels.
“Here in Mayo Belwa, the NCWS is dedicated to their roles, and monitoring is already underway,” Azura noted. She expressed optimism for the success of this initiative, citing the area’s rich agricultural history and culture of fruit farming.
“This land is fertile, home to commercial farms like Nyako Farms, which export fruits. We’re building on existing strengths,” she said.
The program plans to extend its reach to Madagali, aiming for comprehensive coverage across all three zones of Adamawa. The event saw active participation from women leaders, local officials, and traditional rulers, further enhancing community support for the campaign.
This increase in grassroots activism reflects a growing trend towards community-led climate action, particularly through the leadership of women. As communities rally around these initiatives, the NCWS’s tree planting drive stands as a beacon of hope for a greener and more resilient future.
According to recent data from the World Resources Institute, effective tree planting can sequester significant amounts of carbon, with the potential to absorb over 1.1 billion metric tons of CO2 annually. This emphasizes the importance of local efforts in mitigating climate change and demonstrates the broader impact of initiatives like the Green Women Initiative.
For more on the importance of community-driven climate actions and related programs, check out resources from [the United Nations Environment Programme](https://www.unep.org) and explore how collective efforts worldwide can drive positive change.
