By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Nigeria Minister for State Environment Dr. Iziaq Salako has urged Pan-African Agency of the Great Green Wall(PAGGW) to harness the power of collaboration and navigate challenges of climate change and provide solutions to the opportunities that lies ahead.
Salako made the call at the 9th ordinary session of the council of ministers and the meeting of technical committee of experts yesterday in Abuja .
According to the minister,”It is through this crucible collaboration that breakthroughs emerge, and it is in the crucible of shared knowledge that progress is forged”.
He explained that “This meeting is a testament to our commitment to fostering an environment where ideas can flourish, and knowledge can be shared without boundaries.
“The diversity of expertise present in this room is a reflection of the interconnected nature of our global community”, he stated.
He reiterated that “In our pursuit of technical excellence, we must recognize that our collective strength lies in our ability to learn from one another, to draw inspiration from diverse perspectives, and to work collaboratively towards common goals.”.
He disclosed that “Nigeria has presided over this Committee since 2022. This support no doubt has helped in moving us closer to achieving the goals and objectives of the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and Sahel Initiative”.
He emphasized that “In the realm of technology and expertise, we find ourselves at the crossroads of higher possibilities and greater responsibilities.
“Our world is evolving at an unprecedented pace with the major crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution threatning man’s continous existence on planet earth. It is through forums that we bring relevant solutions.
He told the expert that “As experts in the fields of Forestry, land restoration, conservation and allied specialities, the council of ministers of the Pan Africa Agency of the Great Green Wall will be relying heavily on your expert recommendations to guide their decisions”.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Director General/CEO of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall(NAGGW), Dr. Yusuf Maina-Bukar , noted that; the commitment to addressing the impact of emerging climate change risks within and near the Great Green Wall corridor implies that efforts must be geared towards effective implementation of the GGWI at regional and national levels.
Speaking on the haze storms in north, he said the agency is doing exactly what they are created to do .
“ We have planted trees in the 11frontline state. Other states have shown interest and we beginning to look at them . Those state over benue/Niger such as Kwara, Plateau, Taraba, benue, Nassarawa among other states.
“Other state in the part of the country have also shown interest also”, Maina-Bukar noted.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of PAGGW, Ibrahim Said, stated that, the Green Wall require a well-oiled mechanism for the active participation of all the stakeholders concerned.
“There can be no good results on the ground without the participation of all sectors and all players.”
