FG inaugurates presidential committee on Nguru ecological intervention

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Federal government has inaugurated the presidential committee on the implementation of the “Nguru ” ecological intervention programme.

The Minister of Environment

Muhammad Abdullahi inaugurated the committee for the project in Abuja, recently.

He said the programmme is a collaborative partnerships of all stakeholders including Royal Fathers as government alone cannot solve and mitigate afforestation.

According to the minister, “You may recall that the Emir of Nguru, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mustafa Ibn Mai Kyari on behalf of the Forest Farmers (Nguru) Cooperative Society, requested ecological funds for the afforestation of degraded land to mitigate climate change impacts within the Emirate.

“He said the land was cleared in 2017 through the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to enable implementation of the livelihood project called Rural Agriculture Re-modelled Project Strategies Since this request conforms with the vision and developmental agenda of the present administration especially the attainment of the NDC and global emission reduction.”

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that an interministerial committee comprising relevant Ministries and Agencies be set up to consider this lofty request and come up with recommendations that must include but not be limited to the modalities for its implementation and cost implications.

“I am confident that the Committee being inaugurated today is composed of seasoned professionals and bureaucrats that would produce results that would assist not only in the delivery on the assignment at hand but also in the achievement of the far-reaching Government policies” He stated.

He noted that the government is committed to tackling climate change and environmental challenges, food security, as well as other socioeconomic problems across the country while improving the general well-being of the people.

“This is being demonstrated through our various policies, programmes and initiatives some of which as you are aware, are inter-sectoral”.

He said this has also being demonstrated by Mr. President’s directive to the effect that this committee should be established.

The minister said the committee membership is consists of the Federal Ministry of Environment represented by the Department of Forestry, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Agricultural and Rural and Management Training Institute Forest Farmers of “Nguru” in Yobe State Northeast Nigeria.

He said on this note, I have the pleasure to inaugurate the Presidential Committee on the Implementation of

Nguru Ecological Intervention Programme as follows while it is expected to submit its report by the 27th January, 2023:

They are Sami Hajara Umar - Director, Forestry (Chairperson), Aiwuyo Christopher O. - Deputy Director, Forestry (Member) , Bagudo Ahmed Majidadi - Deputy Director, NAGGW (Member) and Mustapha Iyabo - Assistant Director, FMA&RD (Member).

Others are: Engr. Peter Henry Sule - Chief Irrigation Engineer- Federal Ministry of Water Resources (Member) Bayo David - Head Montane Research Outstation, FRIN (Member), Dr. Olufemi A. Oladunni – ED. ARMTI (Member)

Mm,Representative - Forest Farmers of Nguru (Member)and Dr. Innocent Alenyi - Assistant Director, NGGW (Secretary).

Decorated NPS assured of environment minister’s support

The Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, has given assurance of more support from his Ministry to the National Park Service (NPS) for efficient performance in its duties.

Abdullahi gave the assurance at the NPS’s presentation of some international awards won by the Service, to him recently in Abuja.

He assured the officers of the Service of his ministry’s support in the area of better equipment, trainings and orientation.

“I know that the officers are faced with danger and their lives are being threatened in most places due to the hazards of the job,” Abdullahi said.

The Minister commended the NPS for the outstanding awards and performances in spite of the limited resources within their reach.

He added that the awards were certainly testimonies of their hard work.

”There is an unrelenting commitment to achieving the core objectives for which the National Park Service is set up over the years.

”Therefore, it is no gainsaying that the Service has taken its rightful position in the comity of conservation enclaves across the globe and has successfully written its name in gold in the international arena.

“I also want to use this occasion to call on spirited individuals and organisations to come to the aid of the National Park Service,” Abdullahi said.

He said aid could be given by donating projects and programmes that would foster conservation and ecotourism in national parks across the country.

The Minister thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for always prioritising the programmes and activities of the Ministry whenever the need arose.

Dr Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator General (CG) of NPS, while presenting the three international Conservation Awards from 2018 to 2022, commended the Minister for the support given to the Service which enabled it to achieve the feat.

The three awards are the 2018 African Ranger Award, Wildlife Ranger Challenge Award and the Service Management Team award.

Goni said that the Service emerged 2nd runner-up out of the 80 nominations across Africa for the African Ranger Award under the category “Best Conservation Team in Africa”.

“The contest involved 88 teams from 20 African countries in a 21-kilometre marathon race,” the CG said.

Source : EnviroNewsNigeria