By Faridat Salifu
The Federal Government has pledged support for Nguru Emirate Council’s tree-planting initiative to tackle desertification and restore degraded land.
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, gave the commitment when he received the Emir of Nguru, HRH Mustafa Ibn Kyari, on a courtesy visit to his Ministry in Abuja.
The Minister announced that 100,000 tree seedlings would be provided to help the Emirate meet its goal of planting 50,000 trees this year.
He noted that the Ministry and its agencies, especially National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi Arid Landscape (ACReSAL), and NEWMAP, are working across northern Nigeria to restore land and address climate challenges.
Mallam Lawal highlighted the government’s priority areas, including the Nguru Watershed, Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin, and Lake Chad Basin.
He described the Emir as a dedicated environmentalist and reaffirmed the Ministry’s support under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his remarks, Emir Mustafa Ibn Kyari praised the Minister for responding swiftly to environmental concerns in the Emirate through various federal projects.
Accompanied by Alhaji Abba Liman, Chairman of the Forest Farmers Cooperative Society who emphasised local efforts in agroforestry and climate-smart farming.
Liman also commended the Ministry for facilitating access to green jobs, agricultural financing, and youth engagement in environmental protection.
Also in his remarks, the DG/CEO of the NAGGW, Abubakar Saleh, applauded the Emirate Council for aligning with federal strategies to combat climate change.
The Minister disclosed that it has received the final report of the Presidential Committee on Ecological Intervention in Nguru.
