Northern Governors Declare Support for FG’s Plan to Restore 4 million Hectares of Degraded Land

By: Michael Mike

Governors of the 19 Northern States have declared suppprt for the Federal Government’s plan to restore 4 million hectares of degraded land in the region by 2030.

Speaking in Abuja during the endorsement and validation of the first phase of the developed catchment management plans (SCMP) by the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project
stakeholders, Gombe State Governor and Chairman of Northern Governor’s Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said: “Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased with the progress of the ACReSAL project in the beneficiary states, particularly its multi-sectoral approach to desertification control, landscape management, community livelihoods, resilience, and institutional strengthening.

“The ACReSAL project has contributed to creating a healthy and eco-friendly environment for human habitation through dryland management practices, which include gully stabilization, bioremediation, and afforestation activities.

“I would like to reiterate our commitment to supporting the ACReSAL project in achieving the Federal Government’s goal of restoring 4 million hectares of degraded land for broader landscape restoration by 2030.”

He added that: “As part of this initiative, we have, with the support of ACReSAL, planted over 4 million trees in Gombe State for instance over the past four years through our flagship program, Gombe Goes Green.”

Yahaya said: “On behalf of the 19 beneficiary states and the FCT, I want to express our profound gratitude to the Federal Ministries of Environment, Water Resources and Sanitation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for their technical support in the development of the Strategic Catchment Management Plans generally.

“Additionally, I would like to sincerely commend the WorldBank Task Team Leader on ACReSAL, Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, along with the Bank’s specialists and the ACReSAL National Project Coordinator, Dr. Abdulhamid Umar, and his team for facilitating the development of this vital document.”

On his part, the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, while recognising that it was the first time the Government of Nigeria will be developing Strategic Catchment Management Plans of such magnitude, said: “I must also mention that the 20no. strategic catchment management plans being bankrolled by the Federal Government would create the platform and structure into which another set of 200 micro catchment management plans from the 19 ACReSAL participating states and the FCT will dovetail into.”

He disclosed that: “These micro catchment management plans would be developed by ACReSAL at state project management units, under the guidance of the Governors of the 19 ACReSAL States and the Honourable Minister of the FCT.”

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Sabi Abdullahi noted that: “Since the inception of ACReSAL, it has become a cornerstone in the ministry’s efforts to bolster the agricultural sector against climate-related challenges across communities. Within the ministry, the project has catalyzed several transformative projects, notably, the ‘Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Card Scheme’.

“Through sustainable land and water management practices, thousands of hectares of degraded land have been reclaimed, ensuring they are once again productive. The ministry has also leveraged ACReSAL to develop a climate-smart agriculture manual that will equip farmers with the tools and knowledge to adapt to changing weather patterns while maintaining productivity. The 19 northern states and FCT, home to Nigeria’s most vulnerable semi-arid regions, have been direct beneficiaries of ACReSAL’s initiatives.”

Northern Governors Declare Support for FG’s Plan to Restore 4 million Hectares of Degraded Land

KACRAN National President commends Potikum LG Chairman

By: Yahaya Wakili

The National President of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello, has commended the executive chairman of the Potiskum local government area, Yobe State, Hon. Salisu Muktari, for providing herders of Potiskum local government with water points.

Hon. Khalil Bello made the commendation when he and his entourage visited the chairman in the council chamber in continuation of the association community-to-community peace sensitization campaign in the state.

“In addition to his previous excellent performances with regards to providing his pastoralists with water points, the executive chairman promised to provide more water points for Potiskum local government herders in the 2025 fiscal year,” Bello said.

The national president called on pastoralists in the Potiskum local government area and its environs to continue to live in peace with one another by avoiding the destruction of anybody’s farmlands.

According to him, the sensitization is part of the proactive measures taken by the association to prevent herder and farmer conflicts in the state and the nation in general.

He reinstated the need for harders not to destroy farmlands during the ongoing harvesting period, adding that pastoralists and farmers are partners in progress.

Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello acknowledges the government’s commitment under the able leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni CON towards ending the premium crises between farmers and cattle rearers in the state.

He also appreciates the warm reception and the hospitality accorded him and members of his entourage by the executive chairman of the council, Hon. Salisu Muktari, and the people of Potiskum town and its surroundings.

The National President urged the other local government executives chairmen to emulate the executive chairman of Potiskum local government, Hon. Salisu Muktari, to provide water points to herders in their respective local government areas.

Speaking earlier, the executive chairman of the Potiskum local government area, Hon. Salisu Muktari, assured the readiness of the local government council towards supporting the association to achieve its desired objectives.

The chairman pledged to construct more water points for pastoralists in the area and called on the KACRAN leadership to identify the point where the water facilities will be constructed.

KACRAN National President commends Potikum LG Chairman

Yobe Maps Out Investment Opportunities for Employment and Wealth Creation

By: Mamman Mohammed

Yobe state Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON said his administration has mapped out investment opportunities with huge potentials for employment generation and wealth Creation.

He stated this today when the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Nigeria Ms Elsie Attafuah, paid him a courtesy call.

The Governor said government would explore the huge agricultural, livestock and other natural resources in the state for massive investment opportunities to promote international trade.

He explained that the state government had in the previous years concentrated on rehabilitation and recovery programmes to resettle communities displaced by the insurgency.

“With the improvement in security in the state, we are now looking inwardly to explore and exploit the potentials in the state to develop investment opportunities” he assaured.

He noted that as a leading state in Sesame seeds and livestock production, government is investing in the two areas to make Yobe state an international hub for export of Sesame seeds and livestock.

The Governor said the reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery programme for resettlement of displaced communities came with a huge financial commitment.

“Government is providing infrastructure to stimulate economic growth and curb rural-urban migration” Buni said.

“As the second most affected state, Yobe did not enjoy much support from development partners due to accessibility challenge.

“We now have a functional airport, development partners can now easily access the state and make their presence felt more by our people” the Governor said.

The UNDP representative, Ms Elsie Attafuah, commended the efforts of the Buni administration in resettling the communities.

She noted that UNDP is willing to partner the state government on areas of development including the investment opportunities.

Yobe Maps Out Investment Opportunities for Employment and Wealth Creation