Desertification: Agency intensifies tree-planting campaign in Gombe
The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) on Thursday sensitised residents of Gombe State on the need to embark on tree planting to complement the government’s efforts at addressing the challenge of land degradation and desertification.
Hajiya Fati Yarima, an Assistant Director of the Rural Development and Extension Services Department, NAGGW Directorate Headquarters Abuja, led a team to Gombe to commemorate the 2023 Great Green Wall Day in the state.
The team visited some schools in the Gombe metropolis to educate students and teachers on modern techniques for planting trees that would ensure sustainability in their communities.
Speaking to journalists, Yarima said the gesture was to ensure that everyone was carried along in the fight against desertification and other environmental challenges.
She said engaging the young ones on the value of trees as well as their importance would ensure that as they grow, they would appreciate trees and support efforts to sustain trees in their communities.
Speaking also at the Gombe Government House, where the team was received by the Deputy Governor of the State, Mr. Manassah Jatau, Yarima said NAGGW had made a lot of efforts to fight desertification and land degradation in the state.
“We have implemented several projects in Gombe State towards meeting our mandate, as we have been able to create 15 kilometres of shelter belt, 28 hectares of orchards, and 80 hectares of woodlots.
“Our projects have impacted positively on the lives and livelihoods of several communities, and we are not relenting as we would strengthen efforts to fight desertification and reverse land degradation, “she said.
Explaining further, she said that the Great Green Wall Programme is a Pan-African initiative conceived to address land degradation and desertification, boost food security, and support communities to adapt to climate change in the Sahel-Sahara region of Africa.
“The mission of the NAGGW is to halt and reverse land degradation and prevent the depletion of biological diversity.
“We are working to ensure that by 2025, ecosystems are resilient to climate change and continue to provide essential services that would contribute to human welfare and poverty eradication.”
The assistant director commended the Gombe State government for its efforts so far in combating desertification through massive tree planting while urging residents of the state to take advantage of the rainy season to plant more trees.
Speaking publicly, Jatau claimed that the Gombe State administration under Gov.
Inuwa Yahaya had given tree-planting the attention it deserved through its extensive tree-planting programme known as “Gombe Goes Green 3G.”
According to him, millions of trees had been planted and more were still being planted to ensure that the state overcomes the environmental issues in that regard.
He commended NAGGW for their efforts in fighting desertification and restoring land degradation, adding that the Gombe State government was always ready to partner in that regard.
“We are always willing to partner with any stakeholders towards addressing any environmental challenges that would help improve the lives and livelihoods of citizens of the state.“
