Donor Agencies, Devt. Partners laud Yobe on State Policy on Internally Displaced Persons

By: Michael Mike

Donor agencies and Development partners have lauded Yobe state government for becoming the first state to launch a State Policy on Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria.

The international bodies gave the commendation on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of the policy at the Yar’Adua Centre.

The Policy, which was launched by the state Governor Mai Mala Buni, was well attended by members of the diplomatic community, donor agencies, the World Bank, and other development partners.

The World Bank, National Emergency Management Agency, and the National Commission for Refugees among others, said the policy having been developed in compliance to best practices and standards would sufficiently protect the interest of displaced persons in the state.

Buni, on his part, said that the state government took deliberate and calculated measures to come up with the policy document that is holistic, comprehensive, and in compliance with international standards.

He added that: “This policy was a result of extensive consultations and collaboration with a wide array of stakeholders, including UN agencies, the World Bank, the Federal Government of Nigeria, local communities, non-governmental organizations, Civil Society Organizations, traditional rulers, international donor partners, and notably the displaced persons themselves and representatives of various communities. It embodies our collective determination to protect the rights and dignity of IDPs, offering them a pathway to regain their stability and rebuild their lives towards a durable solution.”

The governor said: “By prioritizing the holistic well-being of IDPs, we aim to foster sustainable development and promote peace and stability within our state and across Nigeria. The policy is grounded in key principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence. It outlines our strategic objectives in providing protection, ensuring access to essential services, and fostering sustainable solutions for displacement.

“Furthermore, today’s launching serves as a testament to our commitment to transparency, accountability, and collaboration. We recognize that the success of this policy hinges on the concerted efforts of all sectors of society, including government agencies, civil society, the private sector, and international partners. It is through these partnerships that we can mobilize the necessary resources, expertise, and support to effectively implement this policy.”

He stated that his administration has made a name in accountability, transparency, probity, and good governance which earned the State a prestigious award from the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability, a World Bank assisted programme.

He said: “I, therefore, want to reassure you that all resources mobilised to support the state policy on internally displaced persons in the state.”

Donor Agencies, Devt. Partners laud Yobe on State Policy on Internally Displaced Persons

Deforestation: Tinubu Calls for Action to Strike a Balance between Forest Security and Sustainable Forest Management

By: Michael Mike

President Bola Tinubu has decried the growing deforestation in Africa which was largely due to subsistence and commercial agriculture, noting that there is urgent need for ambitious regional action to strike a balance between food security and sustainable forest management.

Speaking at the ongoing 1st International Conference on Afforestation and Reforestation holding in Brazzaville, Congo, President Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal
said: “It gladdens my heart that the first ever International Conference on Afforestation and Reforestation is taking place right here in Africa where more than 15% percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions takes place. This historic gathering marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to address one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Forests, covers nearly 31% of the world’s land area and are crucial for maintaining ecological balance, preserving biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods to millions of people. However, deforestation and forest degradation continue to threaten these vital ecosystems, leading to severe consequences for our planet and future generations.”

Tinubu while quoting the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) report that nearly 4 million hectares of African forests are being cut down each year, which is almost double the speed of the world’s deforestation average, noted that factors contributing to forest loss in the region include increasing population, indiscriminate land expansion for agriculture, rapid urbanisation, social needs and illegal logging.

He added that: “About 70% of deforestation in Africa is as a result of subsistence and commercial agriculture therefore, urgent ambitious regional action is needed to strike a balance between food security and sustainable forest management.”

He admitted that the choice of Congo for this conference was apt taking into consideration the contribution of Africa’s deforestation around the world. He said: “We are all here to remedy the situation by bringing together leading experts, policymakers, researchers and practitioners from around the globe to share knowledge, exchange ideas and foster collaborations. Our goal is to develop and implement innovative and scientific strategies for afforestation and reforestation which will in turn restore degraded lands, enhance biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

He stated that: “Regional and global cooperation like this is imperative and will foster development of appropriate regional transformative policy and legal frameworkcapable of mitigating the impacts of climate change. Through initiatives like this we will accomplish progressive adoption and implementation of climate smart agriculture practices that would assist in strikingbalance between food security and sustainable forest management.”

He disclosed that: “Nigeria has gone a long way and we are making progress in contributing to the reversal of forest cover loss through sustainable forest management and massive afforestation. As part of our determination to upscale forest financing and increase forest cover,”

He added that: @Government has recently approved the sum of 8.5 million US Dollars under the Presidential Initiative on Afforestation. These funds are mainly for the afforestation and restoration of degraded forests and other critical landscapes across the country. This is in addition to other similar programmes like the Great Green Wall Pan African Program and Agro-Climatic Resilience Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) being implemented resulting in the restoration of over 1.5 million hectares of degraded forests including establishment of over 1,428.9km Shelter belts covering 4,286 hectares, empowerment of more than 200,000 forest community members and creation of more than 3 million jobs for our youths.”

He said: “Relevant policy and legislative framework are being strengthened in response to the current and emerging circumstances we are faced with. We have recently placed an interim suspension on the export of wood-based products to enable adequate appraisal of the process and ultimately emplacement of a sustainable forest management trade complaint system without jeopardizing progress in the implementation of the UNSPF, NDC, and other global agreements.”

The President said: “Nigeria remains committed to global, regional and sub-regional consensus to promote and accelerate progress on sustainable forest management. This includes the COP27 Africa and Global Decade of Afforestation and Reforestation and COP26 Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use as well as, other key outcomes of COP28.”

He said: “As parties to the globally agreed goals and targets on forests, biodiversity, climate change, and SDGs, we have no choice but to do all within our powers to accelerate transformative delivery of these goals within the set timelines. Restoration of our forest should not only be the responsibility of governments alone. It must be the collective effort of Government, Non-government organizations, corporate/private organizations, civil societies, and communities. We should all strive to achieve the common goal of increasing global forest cover.”

Deforestation: Tinubu Calls for Action to Strike a Balance between Forest Security and Sustainable Forest Management

Cattle Readers Association moves to sensitize farmers, pastoralists in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

The National President of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), Hon. Khalil Muhammed Bello, together with some zonal and state officials of the association, has embarked on a house-to-house sensitization tour between farmers and pastoralists across Yobe State.

In continuation of the tour, the National President and his entourage stormed at Machina Emir’s palace to notify the royal father of the importance of the peace mission and seek emir support for the success of the exercise within the emirate.

Hon. Khalil Muhammed Bello informs the emir that the association is a body purposely registered and formed to eradicate any form of misunderstanding and wanton conflict between farmers and pastoralists in Nigeria.

“It is in line with this that the association began the onerous task mission of sensitizing farmers and pastoralists in Yobe State on the importance of living in peace.” Bello said.

He commends His Royal Highness, the Emir of Machina, for his relentless efforts towards ensuring peace and harmony between the diverse ethnic groups of the emirate.

In his response, the Emir of Machina, Alhaji Dr. Bashir Al-Bashir Bukar Machinama, commends the National President of Kulen Allah for initiating the house-to-house sensitization of Yobe state farmers and pastoralists on the importance of peace.

“Peace is paramount in every human settlement, hence the need for all hands to be on deck towards propagating the peace” Bashir Machina said.

He assured that the emirate would continue to do its best to strengthen peace within his domain.

The emir urges the leadership of Kulen Allah to fully sensitize both farmers and pastoralists to the need to live in peace with one another, because nothing would be achieved without peace anywhere in the world.

The National President strongly commended Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, Chiroman Gujba, for encouraging and supporting the exercise under reference and called on federal and all northern governors to emulate Governor Buni towards promoting peace and unity between their state pastoralists and farmers.

Hon. Khalil Muhammed Bello presented a later appointment as State Patron to the Emir of Machina, Alhaji Bashir Al-Bashir Bukar Machinama.

Cattle Readers Association moves to sensitize farmers, pastoralists in Yobe