The recognition ceremony took place at the Kano-ACReSAL office, where a delegation from the institute gathered to honor Dr. Dahir for his contributions to environmental conservation.

In his remarks, Dr. Dahir highlighted the importance of instilling environmental consciousness in children through the “Catch Them Young” initiative, noting that many environmental challenges arise from a lack of awareness. He announced that Kano-ACReSAL plans to target 30 schools under this initiative, aiming to cultivate lifelong environmental stewards who can advocate for sustainable practices within their communities.

Dr. Dahir dedicated this recognition to His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, attributing the project’s success to the governor’s commitment and unwavering support in fostering an enabling environment for the people of Kano. He also expressed gratitude to the SPMU team for their significant contributions to the project’s achievements.

Highlighting the accomplishments of Kano-ACReSAL, Dr. Dahir noted the recovery of over 30 hectares of degraded land through the planting of 3 million seedlings across the state. These efforts have resulted in the rehabilitation of shelter belts, the establishment of woodlots and orchards, and the training of over 9,000 farmers in the Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) model.

Dr. Muhammad Salisu Khalil, Executive Secretary of the Watershed Erosion and Climate Change Management Agency (WECCMA), commended the institute for recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to environmental conservation.

Earlier, the delegation’s team leader, Ambassador Dr. Sani Usaini, explained that the initiative recognizes outstanding contributions to eco-management and sustainability, focusing on leadership in environmental stewardship, resource management, green technology, and eco-awareness as key factors for nomination and award.

During the event, Ambassador Dr. Usaini also presented a paper on waste management titled “Waste to Wealth.” Other individuals recognized alongside Dr. Dahir included Dr. Muhammad Salisu Khalil (ES-WECCMA), Prof. Baba Nabegu, Dr. Garba Saleh Ahmad, and Dr. Sabitu Sa’adu Da’u.