By Ayomide Otitoju
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed the worsening effects of global warming to human greed, selfishness and reckless exploitation of the environment, warning that such practices continue to destabilise the natural balance of the ecosystem.
Obasanjo made the remarks in Kano State at an event held in honour of former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abubakar Mahmoud, and his Environment and Sustainability Initiative and Trust Fund.
Speaking at the event, the former president acknowledged the reality and growing impact of climate change, stressing that human activities remain a major driver of global warming.
“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,” he said.
Obasanjo also disclosed that he has planted over 3.5 million trees as part of his personal commitment to environmental conservation, urging collective responsibility in tackling climate change.
He described environmental protection as a global public good that requires sustained commitment from governments, organisations and individuals.
In his remarks, Kano State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Dahiru Hashim, commended the initiative, describing it as a significant contribution to environmental protection and sustainable development.
Hashim announced that the state government had approved the donation of 10,000 seedlings to support the Mahmoud Environmental and Sustainable Trust initiative.
Also speaking, Abubakar Mahmoud said the project was designed to promote environmental sustainability and preserve ecosystems for present and future generations.
He said the initiative, which began as a small project, had grown into a broader effort focused on protecting rural communities and conserving plant species.
The event attracted dignitaries, including political leaders, former electoral officials, government representatives and other stakeholders, who called for collective action to address climate change and environmental degradation.
