FCT COLLEGE OF EDUCATION PARTNERS ACReSAL ON TREE-PLANTING PROJECT

By: Ramatu Jijitar and Halimah Yahaya

The Federal Capital Territory College of Education (FCT COE), Zuba, has partnered with the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, a World Bank-funded initiative aimed at addressing land degradation and climate change, to implement a tree-planting program covering 117 hectares.

Provost Dr. Sule Mundi, while welcoming the ACReSAL team, said that the management has established a seven-member expert committee to oversee the project, comprising specialists in weather, agriculture, and planting.

The provost, who was represented by the Deputy Provost Dr. Gbemisola Olotu, revealed that the committee members cut across the departments of Agriculture, Geography, and Works.

During a recent visit to the institution, the team lead from the ACReSAL’s Monitoring and Evaluation department, Oladoja Toyin, said that the six-year project is being implemented in 19 northern states and the FCT since November 2022.

Toyin explained that the project aims to promote sustainable landscape management in targeted watersheds and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for climate-resilient land use.

She added that under the slogan “Greening the Environment, Saving Lives,” ACReSAL will provide all seedlings and pay for labour.

Toyin assured that trees planted on the college premises will remain the property of the institution.