(Clean cooking gas. Photo by Tribune Online)
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday announced the free distribution of 23,700 clean cooking gas cylinders to school teachers and environmental vanguards across the state’s 27 local government areas, as part of efforts to curb deforestation and promote environmental sustainability.
The governor disclosed that beneficiaries would also receive refill vouchers to enable them recharge their cylinders through designated vendors.
He made the announcement during the 2026 National Tree Planting Campaign and Distribution of Clean Cooking Stoves and Gas Cylinders held in Maiduguri.
He explained that the first phase of the programme would cover the distribution of 5,000 cooking gas cylinders and clean cooking stoves to teachers and environmental vanguards in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Government Area, with beneficiaries in the remaining 25 local government areas to receive theirs in subsequent phases.
Zulum expressed delight that the programme included the distribution of clean cooking stoves and gas cylinders to teachers, adding that the initiative extends beyond distribution, as beneficiaries would also be issued vouchers for refilling their cylinders through designated vendors.
He noted that the scheme would help reduce dependence on firewood, improve household health, protect the state’s forests, cut carbon emissions and enhance the quality of life for thousands of families across communities, adding that his administration would extend cylinder distribution to teachers in the remaining local government areas.
The governor stressed that environmental restoration remains central to his administration’s rebuilding and recovery agenda, maintaining that ecological sustainability must accompany post-conflict reconstruction, as sustainable peace and development cannot thrive in a degraded environment.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to environmental sustainability under the Renewed Hope Agenda, and praised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her contributions to promoting a greener environment.
He also appreciated the Federal Ministry of Environment, its agencies and development partners for their continued support toward building a climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable Borno State and Nigeria.
Flagging off the National Tree Planting Campaign as Special Guest of Honour, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawan, commended Zulum’s approach of linking tree planting with alternative energy solutions, describing it as the first time he had seen such an integration.
He noted that providing 5,000 teachers with clean cooking stoves represented a significant achievement in reducing reliance on firewood.
He further disclosed that the event also marked the launch of a campaign to plant four million seedlings contributed by various sectors, noting reports that over 20 million trees have already been planted in Borno State.
He described the state’s efforts as commendable, expressing hope that other states would draw inspiration from Borno’s example.
The minister urged governments at all levels, schools, faith-based organisations, the private sector, youth groups, women and Nigerians generally to embrace tree planting as a civic responsibility toward safeguarding the nation’s environment for future generations.
