GGW harps on more awareness campaigns to address ecological challenges
Alhaji Ibrahim Yusufu Idris, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, warmly welcomed all esteemed guests to the inaugural launch of the Great Green Wall (GGW) Day celebration at the State House, Aso Villa, Abuja.
The event aims to engage all stakeholders in the collective effort to combat deforestation, drought, desertification, land degradation, and the challenges of climate change.
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The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), established by an Act of Parliament in 2015, is primarily focused on realizing the vision of the African Union and its Heads of State and Government, who adopted and launched the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and Sahel Initiative (GGWSSI) in 2007.
The implementation of the initiative in Nigeria has yielded positive results, improving the lives of affected communities vulnerable to the impacts of climate change risks in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa states. These efforts have contributed to poverty reduction and ecosystem restoration, among other positive outcomes.
However, there is a pressing need for increased mobilization and awareness campaigns targeting ecological challenges such as drought, desertification, land degradation, and climate change. To address these concerns, aggressive afforestation and reforestation initiatives are crucial at both the national and sub-national levels.
Following the directive from the Pan African Agency of the Great Green Wall (PAGGW), all participating member countries have been called upon to dedicate a specific day for heightened awareness creation. As part of this momentous occasion, tree planting ceremonies will take place simultaneously in all eleven frontline states. State Governors, Royal Highnesses, and selected schools have been mobilized to actively participate in this important exercise.
Furthermore, it is essential to highlight our commitment to fully implementing the mandates set by the Federal Government through the Agency. Even with the challenges we face, we are determined to pursue these goals vigorously, utilizing the available resources to meet our Nationally Determined Contributions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible.
Alhaji Ibrahim Yusufu Idris expressed his gratitude to all those in attendance for their kind attention and participation in this significant event.
