Obasanjo spoke in Kano at an event held in honour of former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abubakar Mahmoud, and his Environment and Sustainability Initiative and Trust Fund, where he stressed the urgent need for greater commitment to protecting the environment.
Speaking on the growing threat of climate change, the former president said the crisis is largely driven by human activities, noting that people have failed in their responsibility to preserve the environment for future generations.
“God created our world in balance, but we, as human beings, out of selfishness and carelessness, have done more harm than good to our environment, and we need to do more in the safekeeping of our environment,” the former president said.
Highlighting his personal contribution to environmental conservation, Obasanjo disclosed that he has planted more than 3.5 million trees as part of efforts to tackle climate change. He added that safeguarding the environment is a shared responsibility that benefits everyone across the world.
The Kano State Government pledged its backing for the initiative, describing it as an important effort towards promoting environmental sustainability. Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Dahiru Hashim, said the state was committed to supporting the programme.
“In recognition of this laudable initiative, the Kano State Government has approved the donation of 10,000 seedlings for the Mahmoud Environmental and Sustainable Trust,” Hashim said.
Founder of the initiative, Abubakar Mahmoud, explained that the project was established to encourage environmental protection while preserving the ecosystem for both present and future generations.
“I started a small project that has grown into something quite formidable, providing protection to villages around and to preserving various species of plants,so what we are trying to do is to continue with this legacy,” he said.
The event was attended by prominent personalities, including the vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, senior Kano State Government officials and other stakeholders.
Participants at the gathering also urged governments, organisations and citizens to take deliberate and collective action to confront climate change and curb environmental degradation.