By Faridat Salifu
Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has tasked traditional rulers to embrace and promote policies aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change in the state.
He said this on Friday in Yola at the opening ceremony of a two-day sensitization and interactive workshop organised by the Adamawa State Project Implementation Unit (SPMU) of the World Bank-supported Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL).
Governor Fintiri, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Mohammed Sadiq, stressed the state government’s commitment to greening the environmental and the critical role of reforestation in achieving this goal.
He said the State Government is determined to put a stop to deforestation that has become a serious menace to the ecosystem and sustainable living.
In his remarks, the Vice Chairman of the Adamawa State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Honourable Kefas Calvin, commended the community-driven approach being pursued by ACReSAL.
He emphasized the need for active community involvement and especially the role of traditional rulers in ensuring the success of the reforestation project.
Hon. Calvin also reiterated the readiness of the State Assembly to pass relevant legislations that will enbale the State Governor implement his lofty vision for Agro-Climatic resilience in the state.
Also speaking at the event, Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Alhaji Usman Dayajo emphasised the unwavering commitment of Governor Fintiri to a clean and sustainable environment.
Related Posts
He said the prohibition of the felling of trees in the state was informed by good intentions of ensuring every citizen of the state live in an eco-friendly environment.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of Climate Africa Media Initiative and Centre (CAMIC), Aliu Akoshile, who was a special guest, said climate change is a real and potent threat to food security in Nigeria.
He commended Governor Fintiri for embarking on massive tree planting and regulating the indiscriminate felling of trees inq the state, adding that CAMIC is poised to support the state government in actualising a robust plan for building community resilience against agro-climatic challenges in the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, Adamawa State Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Dr. Ibrahim Chinda emphasised the importance of trees in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.
He explained that a well-forested landscape could improve soil health, regulate rainfall, and enhance biodiversity, thereby contributing to the overall resilience of the region.
Dr. Chindo disclosed that the initiative, which was launched six weeks ago, is dedicated to reforesting 1500 hectares of government gazetted forest reserves across Adamawa State, with the goal of building climatic resilience, providing the communities with woodlots to supplement shortfalls in energy and saving the natural flora from communities who fell them for charcoal.
The Project Coordinator noted that the two-day workshop for traditional leaders, community representatives and forestry officers from various communities in Adamawa State was aimed at training the trainers on the significance of reforestation in combating climate change and the role they have to play in ensuring its overall success and sustenance.
Dr. Chindo noted that ACReSAL project’s approach to community involvement and incentivized reforestation is a significant step towards ensuring the sustainability of efforts to combat climate change and enhance agro-climatic resilience in Adamawa State.
He said as the campaign continues, it is expected that more communities will join the cause, further strengthening the region’s commitment to environmental conservation and climate resilience.
NatureNews learnt that the reforestation campaign was flagged-off in Girei by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and was designed to empower residents to take active roles in the planting and nurturing of trees to maturity in their communities, with a promise that communities will be rewarded based on their success in ensuring the survival of planted trees.
It was also revealed that approximately a thousand trees have already been planted as part of the reforestation drive, showcasing the initial success of the ACReSAL project.
