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Tag: Shagari

  • Global Warming: Shagari calls for tree plantation

    Global Warming: Shagari calls for tree plantation

    Former President Shehu Shagari has urged Nigerians to plant more trees to stem the tide of global warming.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shagari spoke at the launch of the pilot tree planting campaign at Kaurar Malan village in Tureta local government of Sokoto State.

    NAN also reports that the exercise was organised by the state council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists as part of its social responsibility.

    The former president noted that trees had numerous medicinal, food and socio-economic benefits.

    “Nigeria should be made greener to boost the health and other sectors of the economy, Shagari, who was the chairman of the occasion, said.

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who was represented by the district head of Yabo, Alhaji Muhammadu Maiturare II, also commended the union for its gesture.

    “Such laudable efforts should be sustained and emulated by all unions and organisations. Individuals too, must learn to plant more trees and nurture them,” Abubakar said.

    Governor Aliyu Wamakko who was represented by Alhaji Garba Sanda, the Commissioner for Animal Health and Fisheries, decried the damage to the environment caused by human activities.

    He noted that the increasing pressure by human and livestock population had resulted to significant depletion and degradation of the forest.

     

  • Shagari urges Nigerians to plant trees

    Shagari urges Nigerians to plant trees

    Former President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari has urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of planting trees, to prevent global warming.

    The Second Republic President spoke yesterday when he inaugurated a pilot tree planting campaign in flood affected areas at Kaurar Malam village in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    The tree planting campaign was organised by the Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as part of its social responsibility to the public.

    Shagari, who is also the Turakin Sokoto, said Nigeria needs more trees especially in flood-prone areas, adding that “there are numerous medicinal, food and an array of socio-economic benefits of trees.”

    “Nigeria should be made more greener, boosting the health and other functions of trees,” the former president, who was the chairman of the occasion, noted.

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who spoke through the District Head of Yabo, Alhaji Muhammadu Maiturare II, hailed the NUJ for the gesture.

    He said: “Such laudable efforts should be sustained and emulated by all unions and organisations. Individuals too must learn to plant more trees and nurture them.”

    Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko represented by the Commissioner for Animal Health and Fisheries, Alhaji Garba Sanda, said increasing human and livestock population pressure has resulted in a significant depletion and degradation of the forests.

    “This is due to excessive fuel wood collection, over grazing, farming encroachments, bush fires, hunting and desertification,” he said.

    According to Wamakko, “I hope the tree planting campaigns initiated by the NUJ will result in massive mobilisation of the communities towards developing a tree planting culture.”

    Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ, Sokoto State Council, Labaran Dundaye, had said that the gesture was aimed at helping the flood victims of 2010 and 2012 to make their new settlements more habitable.

  • Jonathan greets Shagari at 88

    Jonathan greets Shagari at 88

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday congratulated former President Shehu Shagari on his 88th birthday.

    Jonathan, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, recalled the ex-president’s leadership during Nigeria’s Second Republic and his contributions to the growth of democracy in the country.

    The President thanked the Alhaji Shagari for remaining steadfast in supporting the efforts of all governments to improve the lives of Nigerians.

    He wished the former Nigerian leader good health and more years of service to the country and humanity.

     

  • Jonathan, Gowon, Buhari, others inaugurate centenary celebration

    Jonathan, Gowon, Buhari, others inaugurate centenary celebration

    President Goodluck Jonathan led five former Presidents and Heads of State on Monday evening to inaugurate the nation’s centenary anniversary celebration.

    The anniversary will hold on January 1, 2014.

    The British colonial administration amalgamated the Southern and Northern Protectorates which make up the Nigerian nation on January 1, 1914.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that former military Heads of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, former Presidents Shehu Shagari and Olusegun Obasanjo also graced the occasion held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

    The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, his Deputy Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, his Deputy, Chief Emeka Ihedioha and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar also attended the event.

    State Governors, Ministers, Presidential aides, captains of Industry, members of Diplomatic Corps also were present at the occasion.

    Speaking at the occasion, Jonathan said the amalgamation of 1914 was not a mistake but an act of God.

    He said the amalgamation created “a unique entity of the globe called Nigeria; a beautiful country richly blessed and which had turned out innovative people across the world.’’

    The president said that beyond the endowed natural resources, “Nigeria is blessed with unique collection of people specially created by God.’’

    “The one Nigeria consciousness which has kept the nation together must be safeguarded.’’

    The president said that it was a unique act of God that the country had survived a civil war and several other daunting challenges.

    “The unity of Nigeria is indivisible and non-negotiable, we must remain the forward looking people that we are.

    “I see a united, powerful and prosperous nation that will make the generation yet unborn very proud.

    “Arise, we shall and prosper we will,’’ he said.