Concerned citizens in Kano State are urging Governor Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf to take immediate action to stop the cutting down of trees at several hospitals and schools across the city.
The call to action comes as Kano grapples with an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures reaching record highs.
The group, under the banner of the “Make Kano Green Initiative,” expressed alarm at the seemingly contradictory actions while praising the governor’s 2.5 million trees initiative launched to combat climate change.
“These trees are vital in our fight against the scorching heat, they provide shade, improve air quality, and protect us from the harsh effects of the sun. Cutting them down during a heatwave is illogical and detrimental to public health.” Said Ismail Auwal, convener of the Make Kano Green Initiative.
The group specifically mentioned the Kano School of Nursing, Infectious Diseases Hospital, Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital, and Yadakunya General Hospital as locations where trees were being indiscriminately cut.
Their demands include an immediate halt to the tree cutting, an investigation into the matter, and the development of a comprehensive tree conservation and planting plan, prioritizing vulnerable populations.
“We commend the governor’s commitment to environmental issues and his tree-planting initiative,” Auwal continued. “However, these recent actions contradict those efforts. We urge the governor to intervene and ensure our fight against climate change is consistent and effective.”
