Chima Azubuike In a bid to mitigate the effects of climate change in Urshalima and Filiya, situated within the Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State, community members have proactively initiated tree planting campaigns. 14-year-old Grace Garba was part of the tree-planting initiative and recalled how her family was rendered homeless by a windstorm. The student of Government Day Comprehensive Secondary School lauded her community for uniting to tackle climate change.
She told PUNCH Healthwise that she learnt the importance of planting trees due to her bitter experience. “Before, I didn’t know the importance of planting trees in my neighbourhood but now I do. I know that trees help to prevent windstorms from causing havoc and I remember how our roof was blown away and there were no windbreakers.
It happened in 2021. The weather just changed and we were in one of the rooms. We had to move.
I wept that day,” Garba narrated. The young climate change advocate said she hopes to ensure that those who degrade the environment are punished. “I wish to become a lawyer to ensure that those who fell trees indiscriminately are punished.
I hope to better advocate the importance of planting trees. I’m happy that my community has taken up the challenge towards securing property and lives.” The Chairman, Urshalima Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee, Nikano Edward, explained that the plan was to ensure that the community is filled with trees in 10 years and harped on the .
