Ex-NIA Boss Ahmed Rufa’i Leads Katsina Greening Drive

Katsina Emir Backs Tree-Planting Campaign Led by Ahmed Rufa’i

The Emir of Katsina, His Royal Highness Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, has expressed deep concern over the widespread neglect of tree planting and the indiscriminate felling of trees across Katsina State.

The monarch made the remarks while receiving members of the Katsina State Forest and Tree Development Association, led by the Sardaunan Katsina and former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i, at his palace in Katsina.

The Emir lamented that trees planted by forefathers decades ago are now being destroyed without replacement, warning that the practice poses serious environmental and economic risks to the state.

He commended the association’s efforts under the leadership of Ambassador Rufa’i, describing the initiative as timely and commendable, but noted that public negligence remains a major challenge.

According to the Emir, efforts to mobilise residents to embrace tree planting date back to his days as Magajin Gari, yet the culture of planting and protecting trees has continued to decline.

Earlier, while addressing the Emir, Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i explained that the delegation’s visit was to formally brief the monarch on the group’s renewed campaign to revive tree planting and curb deforestation across Katsina State.

He said the initiative aims to promote environmental sustainability, combat desertification and safeguard the state’s natural heritage for future generations.