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ACReSAL: A Beacon of Hope for Nigeria’s Agriculture Sector – Gov. Sule, Lafia, Nasarawa State, May 23, 2024
ACReSAL: A Beacon of Hope for Nigeria’s Agriculture Sector – Gov. Sule, Lafia, Nasarawa State, May 23, 2024
By: Michael Mike
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has been hailed as a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s agriculture sector and landscape restoration particularly in semi-arid regions like Nasarawa State.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the joint World Bank/FAO/FGN Hybrid Implementation Support Mission for the ACReSAL Project, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Sule Abdullahi A. Sule, represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, emphasized the significance of ACReSAL in addressing pressing challenges facing the agriculture sector.
“Nasarawa State, like every other state in the semi-arid region, experiences the adverse effects of climate change, which threatens our security and livelihoods,” said Dr. Akabe. “Through collaborative efforts and innovative approaches like ACReSAL, we have the opportunity to build community resilience and ensure sustainable agricultural practices.”
The ACReSAL project aims to restore 1 million hectares of degraded land in Northern Nigeria, contributing significantly to the Federal Government’s commitment to restore 4 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. This endeavor will not only help reduce the vulnerability of millions of extremely poor people in the region but also empower them to play an active role in achieving environmental sustainability.
The beauty of the ACReSAL project lies in its community-driven approach, where local communities are at the forefront of understanding, owning, protecting, and defending the project. This ensures that the project is tailored to meet the specific needs of the communities and is sustainable in the long run.
“ACReSAL embodies the spirit of partnership and cooperation, bringing together government agencies, development partners, people from academia, local communities, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and all to find solutions to our shared environmental challenges,” he said.
Together, we will leverage the power of technology, research, and community engagement to transform our agricultural landscapes and secure a better future for generations to come. As we embark on this important project implementation journey, let us remain steadfast in our resolve, mindful of the impact of our actions, and responsive to the needs of our farmers and the community.
Let us use this opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of our people and the sustainability of our environment and make ACReSAL a beacon of hope for Nasarawa and Nigeria.
Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, Senior Environmental Specialist-World Bank Nigeria and Task Team Leader for the ACReSAL Project, noted that the ACReSAL Team is in Nasarawa state for a joint World Bank, Federal Government of Nigeria, and Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Hybrid Implementation Support Mission for the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project.
The aim of the mission is to assess implementation activities in the 19 Northern states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that are participating in the project, visit communities, inspect lands that have been marked for restoration, and carry out activities of the Community Resolving Fund (CRF).
She noted that Nasarawa is one of the fast-moving states in ACReSAL and would not be possible without the support of the leadership of Nasarawa state.
She disclosed that Nasarawa state will be one of the first states in the group 2 phase to qualify for phase 2 of the ACReSAL Investment. According to her, under ACReSAL, for a state to access this investment (fund), the state will have to get some instruments in place, and this is done to check the demonstration commitment and technical capacity of the state to carry out the interventions.
This funding will cushion the impact of climate change, help build the capacity of vulnerable communities to adapt to climate change, and allow water to take its natural course in Nasarawa state.
In his remarks, Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, the National Project Coordinator for the ACReSAL Project, noted that the mission is in Nasarawa state to authenticate project implementation results so far and to see concrete deliverables of the four components of the ACReSAL Project.
Mr. Precious Agbesor, a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), commended the World Bank and Federal Government of Nigeria for the partnership. He noted that component B of the ACReSAL Project (Community Climate Resilience) is the heart of the project, and FAO is supporting ACReSAL under this component to restore 350,000 hectares of degraded land.
Dr. Napoleon Gyobe Elias, the Nasarawa State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, outlined state-specific activities designed to enhance adaptive capacities and promote sustainable growth in the state.
End
Bandits ambush C-Watch operatives in Katsina, kill 8, burn patrol vehicles
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected bandits have ambushed operatives of the C-Watch security outfit in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing eight persons and setting two patrol vehicles ablaze.
The incident happened late Friday night when gunmen invaded a village near Dandume around midnight.
Residents said C-Watch operatives responded to a distress call and rescued eight villagers who had earlier sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.
However, on their way back, the operatives reportedly ran into an ambush by the bandits, who opened fire on them, killing the rescued victims and burning two patrol vehicles belonging to the security outfit.
Bandits ambush C-Watch operatives in Katsina, kill 8, burn patrol vehicles
Troops barbecued scores of bandits in Kankara, Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have eliminated scores bandits in ongoing clearance operations in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Zagazola learnt that the operations, which began on Friday, targeted multiple bandit hideouts in the area.
The sources said the troops, supported by other security components, engaged the criminals in sustained firepower, leading to the neutralisation of an undisclosed number of them.
“The operations are still ongoing, with troops pursuing fleeing bandits into the forest corridors,” one of the sources said.
Military authorities are yet to issue an official statement as at press time.
Troops barbecued scores of bandits in Kankara, Katsina
Zulum Visits Families of 63 Borno Residents Killed by Boko Haram
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has visited Darajamal, a community in Bama, to condole with families of the 63 people killed by Boko Haram insurgents on Friday night.
The victims comprise 5 soldiers and about 58 civilians that were earlier displaced by the insurgents but have been resettled in Darajamal for two months now.
Zulum, visibly moved by the incident, met with community leaders and consoled the bereaved families. He expressed grief and condemned the brutal attack in the strongest terms.
Speaking to newsmen, the governor said, “We are here to commiserate with the people of Darajamal over what happened last night that has claimed the lives of many people. It is very sad. This community was settled a few months ago and they go about their normal activities, but unfortunately, they experienced Boko Haram attack last night. Our visit is to commiserate with them and build their resilience.”
On the casualties, the Governor said, “at this moment we have confirmed that 63 people lost their lives, both civilians and military, although the civilian casualties are more. Close to about 60 civilians and 5 soldiers lost their lives.”
Governor Zulum, while noting the challenges faced in the fight against insecurity, also called for the immediate deployment of the newly trained Forest Guards to complement the military in safeguarding vulnerable communities.
He said, “We have to take note that the numerical strength of the military is not enough to cover everywhere, so far so good, two sets of Forest Guards have been trained, therefore one of the solutions that we need to implement immediately is to deploy the trained Forest Guards to most of the locations that are vulnerable, they will protect the forest and communities.”
Also, the Senator representing Borno Central, Kaka Shehu Lawan, whose constituency Darajamal falls under, has condemned the attack, describing it as a crime against humanity.
He expressed his commitment to supporting Governor Babagana Umara Zulum through legislative backing to restore peace in Borno State.
Zulum Visits Families of 63 Borno Residents Killed by Boko Haram
Bandits ambush C-Watch operatives in Katsina, kill 8, burn patrol vehicles
Troops barbecued scores of bandits in Kankara, Katsina
Zulum Visits Families of 63 Borno Residents Killed by Boko Haram
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