NAGGW Launches Advocacy Against Desertification in 11 Northern States | Newskeeper

Image: Jigawa State Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Nura Kazaure while hosting the NAGGW delegation in his office led by it's DG, Saleh Abubakar.

By Muhammad Salisu 

The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has kickstarted its high-level advocacy engagement in Jigawa State as part of its efforts to combat desertification across 11 frontline states in Northern Nigeria. 

The advocacy is part of a broader outreach aimed at promoting collaborations, stakeholder engagement, and promoting positive environmental practices in the fight against desertification and land degradation. 

It's worthy to note that the Great Green Wall initiative is a critical component of Nigeria's efforts to combat desertification and promote sustainable land management.

Speaking during the visit, to Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, on Thursday, the Director-General of NAGGW, Saleh Abubakar, who led a delegation to the State stated that the visit was aimed to reinforce collaboration, assess ongoing interventions, and identify new opportunities for sustainable land restoration under the Great Green Wall initiative.

The DG emphasized the significance of Jigawa State as the premier state for the advocacy visit due to the pre-existing relationship and partnership between the Agency and the State, saying "the Great Green Wall project aims to restore degraded lands and enhance climate resilience across the affected states."

Therefore, the NAGGW boss expressed gratitude to the Jigawa State Government for providing land needed for planting and land regeneration projects. 

"Our presence here is not just for advocacy but to thank the Jigawa State Government for giving the Agency a listening ear and unending support," he said.

Abubakar emphasized the importance of community engagement and collaboration in achieving the Agency's goals.

He also disclosed that "the initiative is in line with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda towards improving macroeconomic stability, human capital development, and poverty reduction." 

Responding, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Nura Kazaure, acknowledged the relationship between NAGGW and the Jigawa State Government and thanked the Agency for choosing Jigawa as the first state for the advocacy visit. 

"Jigawa State Government is dedicated to working with NAGGW towards achieving its mandates, which aligns with His Excellency Governor Umar Namadi's 12-point Agenda," he said.

The Commissioner urged the Agency to consider retargeting to help curb vandalism of Agency projects in communities through increased community engagements and further collaborations with the State Government. 

"We need to work together to ensure the success of this initiative," he added.

He however noted that "the Jigawa State Government's support for the Great Green Wall initiative is a testament to its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development."

"The State Government's collaboration with NAGGW will help to promote positive environmental practices and improve the livelihoods of local communities." he explained.

Dr. Kazaure hinted that "by promoting sustainable land management practices and restoring degraded lands, the project will help to improve food security, reduce poverty, and enhance climate resilience."

Our correspondent reports that the NAGGW delegation also visited Suleiman Farms to inspect date palm seedlings being raised as part of the Agency's initiative to supply and plant 5 million date palm trees across the 11 frontline states.