News
Deforestation: Tinubu Calls for Action to Strike a Balance between Forest Security and Sustainable Forest Management
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
ACReSAL, NUJ sensitise 100 journalists to climate change, environmental reporting skills
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, on Monday, trained 100 journalists to enhance coverage of climate change and environmental issues in Gombe State.
The one-day capacity building exercise is being implemented in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), aimed at raising awareness on land restoration and sustainable landscape management.
ACReSAL is a World Bank financed project designed to tackle the pressing issues of land degradation and climate change in 19 states in northern Nigeria.
Dr Sani Jauro, State Coordinator, ACReSAL, described journalists as critical stakeholders in efforts towards reclaiming degraded lands and ensuring sustainable landscape management.
He said the training aimed at improving journalists’ understanding of climate related issues to help them communicate the challenges and solutions effectively to the public.
Jauro expressed optimism that the training would enhance the skills and knowledge of media practitioners in reporting ACRESAL, environmental and climate change issues.
The coordinator commended Gov. Inuwa Yahaya for his support in addressing environmental related issues, to improve lives and protect livelihoods of communities threatened by land degradation.
He also lauded the media support in the implementation of ACReSAL project through accurate reportage, and urged them to sustain the feat to promote community ownership of ACReSAL project.
NUJ Chairman, Faruk Muazu, lauded ACReSAL and Jewel Environmental Initiatives (JEI), the implementing partner, for their efforts at upskilling journalists.
Muazu urged other government bodies to partner with the organisation to train journalists on issues that would enhance development in Gombe State.
“This training will help improve the quality of conversations around climate change, land restoration and environmental issues across the state.
“It will ensure that the media becomes adequately informed about climate change related issues across the state,” he said.
Mr Ismail Bima, Project Coordinator, JEI, also urged journalists to prioritise environmental and climate change reportage to promote sustainable environment.
Represented by Danladi Aliyu, an official of JEI, Bima said awareness creation on ACReSAL project, government and stakeholders investment would build sustainability culture among residents.
One of the participants, Chika Udenkwo, commended the gesture, adding it would expose journalists better skills to report environmental issues and climate change.
ACReSAL, NUJ sensitise 100 journalists to climate change, environmental reporting skills
Police arrest three suspected armed robbers in Abuja IDP camp
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested three suspected members of a notorious armed robbery syndicate during a coordinated operation to rid the territory of criminal elements.
Zagazola Makama report that the arrest followed the directive of the Commissioner of Police, FCT, to flush out criminal gangs operating within the nation’s capital between Oct. 10 and 17, 2025.
The suspects Manaseh Emmanuel, 36, and Dogora Ibrahim, 21, both from Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, and Ibrahim Idamusa, 40, from Giri Local Government Area of Adamawa State were arrested by operatives of the Scorpion Squad led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey.
The suspects, who all reside in New Kuchigoro IDP Camp, Durumi, were apprehended following actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the gang was linked to a notorious and unrepentant armed robber, Ibrahim Yakubu a.k.a. Ycome, currently standing trial over an armed robbery incident at Maitama on Oct. 10, 2025.
Sources said that Police investigations further uncovered that Ycome, who was earlier brought out of prison on a reproduction warrant on May 21, 2025, had been coordinating illicit drug operations and other criminal activities from prison.
Sources said the suspects confessed to robbing several vehicles in different parts of Abuja, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other accomplices and recover stolen vehicles.
Police arrest three suspected armed robbers in Abuja IDP camp
Operation Zenda JTF kill notorious robbery suspect in Benue, recover firearm and charms
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) have neutralized a notorious armed robbery suspect, identified as Saater, during a gun duel in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, which took place at about 8:00 p.m. on Oct. 18, followed credible intelligence that led the team to a hotel at the Owner Occupiers area of Makurdi, where the suspect was hiding.
The suspect, who was said to be a notorious kidnapper, assassin, and armed robber from Wannune in Tarka Local Government Area, was allegedly responsible for the killings of several persons, including the commander of local hunters and his wife, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and a traditional ruler, among others.
Upon sighting the operatives, the suspect reportedly opened fire on the team, prompting a gun battle during which he sustained fatal bullet wounds.
Sources said he was rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where he was confirmed dead while receiving treatment. His corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
Items recovered from him include a locally fabricated short gun, two cartridges, assorted criminal charms, and seven SIM cards of different networks.
Operation Zenda JTF kill notorious robbery suspect in Benue, recover firearm and charms
ACReSAL, NUJ sensitise 100 journalists to climate change, environmental reporting skills
Police arrest three suspected armed robbers in Abuja IDP camp
Operation Zenda JTF kill notorious robbery suspect in Benue, recover firearm and charms
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
News6 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
