PBy Abigael Joshua
The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), has sought the support of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, to actualise its 50 million date palm project.
Its Director-General, Saleh Abubakar, said this in Abuja during a courtesy visit to Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
According to Abubakar, the date palm project aims to combat desertification and restore degraded lands in the 11 frontline states of northern Nigeria.
He said the agency, during its 10th anniversary in August, launched an ambitious 50 million date palm project to protect the environment.
Abubakar said the agency has distributed five million date palm seedlings in the 11 frontline states, and plans to upscale it to 50 million by 2030.
“I am here to solicit your support in combating desertification, land degradation and our 50 million date palm initiative for economic empowerment.
“NAGGW was established in 2015, to address land degradation, desertification, boost food security and support communities to adapt to climate change in Sokoto, Kebbi, Kastina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa.
“The agency serves as the Nigerian focal point for the actualisation of the vision of the African Union’s Great Green Wall of the Sahara and the Sahel project.
“The mission of the NAGGW is to halt and reverse land degradation, prevent depletion of biological diversity, ensure that ecosystems are resilient to climate change, and continue to provide essential services that would contribute to human welfare and poverty eradication,” he said.
Abubakar said the agency has intensified efforts and deepened collaboration with critical stakeholders to halt desertification towards ensuring that people in the affected states own the projects.
“We need your improved support to enable the agency to get more funding to finance the 50 million date palm project, and other initiatives that are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” Abubakar said.
Responding, Akume, acknowledged the efforts of the agency in combating the negative impacts of climate change in the country.
He pledged government support to enable the agency to deliver on its mandate. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
