By Hugo Odiogor
e environment poses one the greatest social and economic challenges of the 21st century 路and Nigeria as a country, is witnessing a gradual but consistent pattern of decline in her body of water and rapid advancement of the Sahara desert in Northern. This situation is further aggravated by destruction of arable and fertile land areas through deforestation caused by tree felling, bush burning and overgrazing. These have been having negative impact on social and economic crisis which can be路 seen in:Shortage of Food production, preservation and _ the attendant rise in poverty and social security p roblerns, forced migration of population in the affected areas thereby accentuating the now frequent settlers versus indigenes conflicts with adverse socio-economic consequences. The manifestations of Climate Change on water, desert encroachment and food security in Nigeria,
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which are the most visible population has experienced manifestations of the climate . the negative impaCt of change in Nigeria. The drought and desertification. recurring threat to national Efforts to rally Northern security res ulting from leaders to identifying areas of intractable social conflicts that human endeavors that are has been polarized along most at risk in the face of religious and ethnic lines can Climate Change, be linked to the impact of Desertification' and Food climate change. As at today, Security in Nigeria; has over 45% of the country's continued to be treated with
levity by the political class. Such issues as developing agricultural tactics of adaptation and mitigation strategies in the face of Climate Change and Desertification should be integral part of agricultural development and food security policy. and donor investment
strategies and improving our understanding on how agricultural adaptation and mitigation options at . operational and policy levels affect ecosystems, and address both opportunities and trade - offs between poverty alienation and food security." At a Climate Change summit held in Sokoto last month Barrister Saka Yusuf, highlighted the need for farmers, policy makers, scientists, researchers among others, to adjust their actions and agendas to address the challenges of Climate Change and Desertification. He said there are critical areas such as scientific, social, environmental and political issues. surrounding desertification that must be address~ to provide a clearer understanding of how desertification has gained its status as a key to environmental issue in the 21st century . He also stated that the need to analyze the essence of afforestation and the types of trees thate are economically viable to stem the tide of desertification which is moving Southward at 600 meters annually, causing the depletion of 350,000 hectares of and a loss of $750 million to Nigeria. There are also socio-economic conflicts arising from Climate Change and Desertification which require laws and policies to cub such conflicts.
Sokato flood victims get 1000 houses By Abdallah EL-KUREBE
okato-The Sokoto state Executive Council, Wednesday approved the construction of 1000 houses for victims affected by flood in three of the nine local governments at the cost of over N3.69 billion. Rising after its meeting, Commissioner of Information, Mallam Dahiru Maishanu briefed Newsmen on the outcome of the meeting disclosing that the benefiting local governments in the first phase of the project were Goronyo, Silame and Gada local governments. According to Maishanu, "Other communities in the rest of the six affected local governments are being sensitized on the need to allow themselves to be relocated to safe havens." He also explained that of the 1000 house, 900 would
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comprise of two and 100 of three bedrooms flats, respectively. Maishanu further explained that the contract included the provision of facilities such as electricity, water, schools and other social infrastructure. "The work is expected to be completed in one year and an advance payment of 30% has been approved upon the provision of a bank guarantee," Maishanu explained. In a related development, the Executive Council also approved the constructioil of the 24.5 kms GwadabawaMeli-Gigane and AssaraGigane roads at the cost of N1.32 billion. The project, according to Maishanu, is to be completed in nine months while 30% advance payment to the contractor was approved upon the provision of a bank guarantee.
'Albaji Aliko Dangote on a visit to the Sultan 01 Sokoto, Alhaji Sa 'ad Abubakar . 10l pnqulIlPs &(ommcnts contact odwqol((( }dhoo com
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