We’ve raised 250,000 naira (in cash and pledges) from social media after launching our tree planting programme last week. Only a fifth of that is cash, but that’s not too bad in this recession. Further, I’ve not sent a reminder to those who promised to donate. Yet, we’re quite encouraged that many compatriots share our enthusiasm and are willing to help.
However, one of the main concerns of some people is that the fruit would be so available that the market would become saturated. But that is a good problem to have. It would mean we’re inching toward food security. And when we come to that bridge, if it turns out to be a challenging one, there are two obvious benefits. One, it lowers the price of guava so that everyone can afford it. There are countries where affordability of fruits is a given. Two, if the local market is saturated, we can export.
In spite of the few concerns however, when I called on friends (and my bosses) from all over the world to donate, some were ecstatic. One hajiya donated from Australia. Dr. Jabir Jibril sent his own from UAE.
But the biggest one yet is from Canada. I received the following mail from my friend, Jamil Jibril, who is based in Canada. Although he didn’t ask me to announce it, to inspire others, I want to do it quickly before he stops me:
“Salam. I saw your post on FB and Twitter regarding the tree planting initiative. I’d like to make a contribution and also adopt a local government in my home state.”
His state is Sokoto. Even though we planned to start with Niger, we’re happy to accommodate this change. Others who want to donate to a cooperative in a specific state can do so now. We would recruit the qualified ones and give them the seedlings and monitor their progress.
So cooperatives from Sokoto should please apply. We are going to send a representative to come and inspect the land, etc. As mentioned in the last column, the number of trees to plant in one LGA is 1,000 and the cost (seedlings, transportation, etc.) is N200,000. So by adopting one LGA in Sokoto, Jamil has donated N200,000. However, although we’ve received some inquiries from that state, no cooperative from Sokoto has applied.
So far, the following people have also donated: Dr. Mohammed Paiko, N10,000; AlhajiAbdulkadir Ahmed, N5,000; Alhaji Anonymous, N10,000; Fatima Shettima, N10,000 and others who don’t want their names mentioned.
Following are some of the comments and support we’ve received.
Muhammad Alibaba: Very bold and promising initiative. I sincerely salute your courage to move beyond precepts to ACTION. Practice /Implementation is key to the viability of any idea. After all, it’s been long established that the taste of the pudding is in the eating. More grease to your elbows! My contribution is certainly assured.
Dr. Abubakar Kaka Sanda: Very good initiative. I was at the work place. In my less busy moment I tried to ‘glance through’ the Internet to see what’s trending. I now saw your post. When I started reading it, I realized it needed more attention that I was giving. So I logged out of Facebook and said to myself; this important post should be read when I’m at home, so that I can fully understand. Count me in!
Muktar Ibrahim: I am what you may call a guava expert. How can I help?Growing guava is never an easy task, it needs fanatical commitment, perseverance and patience. I can help, especially with the one that’s called the jumbo size, white inside, commonly on sale at Zuba, Wuse and Maitama fruit market.
Hassan Mohammed: Alhamdullillahi. With these progressive minds like you, there is a future for our youth. Thumbs up!
Muhammad Bello Kusharki: In JCI [Junior Chamber International] Abuja, tree planting is one of our numerous projects. This year alone, we have planted close to 300 trees across two schools in Abuja. And we created JCI GoGreen Ambassadors among the students whereby each ambassador is to nurture a plant till it grows. We did this with our own money and sponsorship from FCT Agricultural Horticulture unit. Tree planting is amazing.I love humanitarian work.
Dr.Kamaluddeen Usman Danyaro:I’m 100% in support Dr. Ibraheem Dooba. May Allah purify our intentions.
MalAhmed Abdulkadir: May Allah reward you, Dr. Ibraheem Dooba. Please send me the account number for the donation.
Abdullberqy U Ebbo: I will give 10, 000 naira.
RabiuAdamu:Very interesting. Pawpaw could be very nice source of income too.
Yariman Buhari Maijamaa: I must be a donor! And I want my women cooperative to benefit, but we are outside Niger.
KasimSulaiman Abdullahi:Dr., I am in. I also want to use this medium to appeal for some seedlings of the guava to be planted at my poultry farm to serve as shelter. I am sure with constant watering and application of chicken droppings the trees will blossom.
Dr. Umar Mohammed Saganuwan:Good initiative. This is worth supporting.
Abdullahi Muhammad Awwal:I love this beautiful initiative Doctor, how can I deposit? AndI also need the constructed messages to send to some of my contacts.
Ibrahim A Wachiko:May the Almighty God bless this project to succeed. “He sends down from the sky water for your drink, and to grow trees for your benefit.”Qur’an 16:10.
Dr. Mohammed Paiko:I have been discussing with my LG chairman on sponsorship of tree planting and he has been dodging, then this unique and beautifully packaged initiative came along. Looks like we think alike and should discuss regularly. Please give me the account number to send in my initial contribution in honor of my late father, Aliya JejigoBabanlarai. I will also apply as the co-operative from Paikoro. Thank you.Greatly appreciated. We shall CHANGE Nigeria, one Guava tree at a time.
That is it from our benefactors. Now, if you also want to donate, please text or email me to do so. Remember that what you donate is sadaqa from which you will receive rewards in multiples – including peace of mind and the satisfaction that you’ve helped our youth. Done in Ramadan, it’s even better.
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