COMBATING DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT
DATE: June 23, 2026
VENUE: University of Abuja
ORGANIZED BY: Department of Development Communication
THEME: Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.
As part of activities marking World Desertification and Drought Day 2026, the Department of Development Communication, University of Abuja, organized a tree planting campaign aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and combating land degradation. 
The exercise brought together students and faculty in a collective effort to restore our immediate environment and raise awareness about the growing threat of desertification.

 The success of this initiative was made possible through the guidance and support of our lecturer, Dr. Jamila M. Dahiru, alongside the faculty executives and coordinators who worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth planning and execution of the exercise.

MY ROLE AS A PROJECT COORDINATOR
My involvement in this campaign went beyond mere participation i played a central role in ensuring the project came to life. I took the initiative of sourcing and providing the tree seedlings that were used for the exercise, personally seeing to it that the plants were available and ready ahead of the event. Beyond procurement, I masterminded and coordinated the overall logistics of the campaign from planning through to execution, ensuring every arrangement was firmly in place for the exercise to run smoothly. Individual financial contributions from team members went toward purchasing the plants, but the responsibility of bringing everything together rested largely on my shoulders.
One of the most demanding aspects of my role was mobilizing my fellow colleagues and getting them to fully embrace the plans and arrangements made for the campaign. This required considerable patience, persistence, and consistent communication to bring everyone on board and keep the project on track.

LESSONS LEARNED
This experience taught me that environmental action requires both passion and perseverance. Leadership in community driven projects demands the ability to motivate others, manage setbacks, and stay committed to the larger goal even in the face of resistance. I also came to deeply appreciate how a single act of initiative like sourcing seedlings for planting  can set an entire conservation effort in motion and inspire collective action.

CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED
The most notable challenge I faced was coordinating my colleagues and bringing them to fully commit to the plans made for the campaign. Differences in availability and varying levels of enthusiasm required constant follow-up and encouragement. Additionally, ensuring the long-term survival of the planted trees remains a concern, as consistent watering and monitoring will be essential going forward.

CONCLUSION
The tree planting campaign was a deeply rewarding and impactful experience that demonstrated how individual initiative can drive meaningful environmental change. I am proud to have not only participated in but largely coordinated this project, contributing to the restoration and preservation of our environment for future generations.
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