News
ACReSAL Holds FTC Meeting to Deepen Collaboration on Climate Resilience and Food Security
ACReSAL Holds FTC Meeting to Deepen Collaboration on Climate Resilience and Food Security
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the collaborative efforts of the Ministries of Environment, Water Resources and Sanitation, and Agriculture and Food Security, remains committed to combating climate change and environmental degradation, with the ACReSAL project yielding tangible results in restoring degraded lands and promoting sustainable livelihoods in the semi-arid region of the country.
This resolve was emphasized during the Federal Technical Committee (FTC) meeting of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, held at the Federal Ministry of Environment in Abuja. The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretaries of the three implementing ministries, key Director Generals, Directors, and other ACReSAL Project stakeholders from federal ministries, departments, and agencies to review the project’s progress and examine its Annual Work Plan for the upcoming implementation year.
Delivering the opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Mahmud Adam Gambari, described the gathering as a defining moment in Nigeria’s pursuit of environmental sustainability and community resilience.
“As we confront the realities of climate change, drought, and food insecurity, our shared vision through ACReSAL is transforming into concrete action,” he said. “This plan embodies our collective responsibility to restore degraded lands, strengthen livelihoods, and secure a sustainable future for millions of Nigerians.”
From the agriculture sector, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, reaffirmed the ministry’s full support for the project’s objectives.
“The ACReSAL project aligns perfectly with our mission to strengthen food security through climate-smart agriculture,” he stated. “By promoting drought-tolerant crops, soil restoration, and improved farming practices, we are empowering smallholder farmers and building resilience in rural communities. Together, we can ensure that our agricultural sector continues to thrive despite environmental challenges.”
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Richard Philaangwa, highlighted the project’s critical role in protecting Nigeria’s water ecosystems and improving sanitation standards in semi-arid regions.
“ACReSAL offers a comprehensive approach to managing our fragile water systems,” he noted. “Through watershed rehabilitation, sustainable irrigation, and rainwater harvesting, we are not only preserving water resources but also enhancing public health and agricultural productivity. Our ministry remains committed to providing the technical leadership necessary to advance water security across the country.”
Following the remarks by the Permanent Secretaries, the National Project Coordinator (NPC) of ACReSAL, Abdulhamid Umar, delivered a presentation on the project’s current status and impact across the participating states.
He noted that ACReSAL’s interventions are technologically driven and encompass afforestation, reforestation, ecosystem restoration, erosion and flood control, livelihood initiatives, climate-smart agriculture, water management, capacity building, policy development, strategic catchment management planning, institutional strengthening, and environmental education initiatives—all geared toward long-term impacts and sustainable environments.
Mr. Umar revealed that so far, the project has restored over 800,000 hectares of degraded landscapes. He added that civil works have reached an almost completion stage in some states.
He further stated that out of the wide range of impactful activities implemented in the state, 8,708,291 persons have benefited from the project intervention, with 4,120,649 being women.
According to him, ACReSAL has successfully addressed numerous environmental challenges, including those that once plagued communities in the Nguru Wetlands and Hadejia axis of the Northeast—now cited as classical examples of the project’s transformative impact.
The Permanent Secretaries commended the collaboration among the three ministries and stakeholders, stressing that the FTC’s recommendations would be forwarded to the Federal Steering Committee (FSC), chaired by the Honourable Ministers of Environment, Water Resources and Sanitation, and Agriculture and Food Security, for approval.
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project seeks to mitigate the impacts of climate change in northern Nigeria by restoring degraded lands, improving water management, increasing agricultural yields, and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
The meeting concluded with a collective call for continued inter-ministerial synergy to ensure that ACReSAL delivers measurable benefits to communities most affected by desertification, drought, and land degradation.
In a show of courtesy, the committee paid a visit to the Hon. Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, at the end of the meeting, which took place at the Ministry of Environment Headquarters, Abuja.
ACReSAL Holds FTC Meeting to Deepen Collaboration on Climate Resilience and Food Security
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
A local hunters’ group has successfully rescued a kidnapped herder, Alhaji Babawuro, from captivity in Yobe State without payment of ransom, following a coordinated operation with security authorities.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the Babawuro, a resident of Kurbunga village under Shamka District of the Ngelzarma Emirate in Fune Local Government Area, was abducted at about 2:00 a.m. on Nov. 29, 2025, and taken to an unknown location.
The sources said the incident was reported to the Damagum Police Division on Nov. 30, after which the kidnappers contacted the victim’s family and demanded a ransom of N50 million.
“It was the fifth time the victim had been kidnapped, apparently due to his status as a wealthy herder,” the sources said.
They explained that while negotiations were ongoing and the police were making arrangements to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor and the Emir of Ngelzarma held consultations with the Commissioner of Police.
According to the sources, it was agreed that a hunters’ group with proven expertise in kidnap rescue operations should be engaged to assist the police.
“The hunters subsequently took over negotiations, which were reduced to N7 million, while efforts were intensified to trace the kidnappers,” the sources said.
They added that the hunters traced the victim and the kidnappers to Sandi village in Gulani Local Government Area.
“At about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, the hunters stormed the hideout and successfully rescued the victim without paying any ransom,” the sources said.
During the operation, the leader of the kidnap gang, identified as Ahmadu Shuwa, also known as “Sumo,” was neutralised, while another suspect, Mohammed Bello, sustained gunshot injuries.
The sources further disclosed that two other members of the gang were arrested and have confessed to the crime.
The rescued victim, who has since reunited with his family, was treated at the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, and later reported the incident at the Damagum Police Station.
Efforts are ongoing to recover the weapons used by the kidnappers ahead of handing over the suspects and exhibits to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and prosecution.
The hunters’ group were commended for their role in the successful rescue operation.
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
A local hunters’ group has successfully rescued a kidnapped herder, Alhaji Babawuro, from captivity in Yobe State without payment of ransom, following a coordinated operation with security authorities.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the Babawuro, a resident of Kurbunga village under Shamka District of the Ngelzarma Emirate in Fune Local Government Area, was abducted at about 2:00 a.m. on Nov. 29, 2025, and taken to an unknown location.
The sources said the incident was reported to the Damagum Police Division on Nov. 30, after which the kidnappers contacted the victim’s family and demanded a ransom of N50 million.
“It was the fifth time the victim had been kidnapped, apparently due to his status as a wealthy herder,” the sources said.
They explained that while negotiations were ongoing and the police were making arrangements to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor and the Emir of Ngelzarma held consultations with the Commissioner of Police.
According to the sources, it was agreed that a hunters’ group with proven expertise in kidnap rescue operations should be engaged to assist the police.
“The hunters subsequently took over negotiations, which were reduced to N7 million, while efforts were intensified to trace the kidnappers,” the sources said.
They added that the hunters traced the victim and the kidnappers to Sandi village in Gulani Local Government Area.
“At about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, the hunters stormed the hideout and successfully rescued the victim without paying any ransom,” the sources said.
During the operation, the leader of the kidnap gang, identified as Ahmadu Shuwa, also known as “Sumo,” was neutralised, while another suspect, Mohammed Bello, sustained gunshot injuries.
The sources further disclosed that two other members of the gang were arrested and have confessed to the crime.
The rescued victim, who has since reunited with his family, was treated at the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, and later reported the incident at the Damagum Police Station.
Efforts are ongoing to recover the weapons used by the kidnappers ahead of handing over the suspects and exhibits to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and prosecution.
The hunters’ group were commended for their role in the successful rescue operation.
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
EXCLUSIVE: President approves establishment of new Nigerian Army Depot in Abakaliki, Ebonyi
By: Zagazola Makama
The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the establishment of a new Depot Nigerian Army in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, as part of efforts to expand the manpower and operational capacity of the Nigerian Army.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the new Depot would complement existing Army training facilities and ensure a steady stream of well-trained personnel for deployment across the country.
Military source said the initiative is in line with the Nigerian Army’s strategic plan to enhance national security and produce combat-ready soldiers capable of addressing diverse security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, and other internal threats.
The new Depot is expected to provide specialist and mission-oriented training, focusing on marksmanship, fieldcraft skills, and operational readiness. It will also incorporate measures to safeguard the welfare and wellbeing of recruits during and after their service.
The establishment of the Depot in Abakaliki follows recent efforts of the federal government to improve manpower of the Nigerian Military.
EXCLUSIVE: President approves establishment of new Nigerian Army Depot in Abakaliki, Ebonyi
Otuaro Hails Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation Boss On Conferment With Honorary Doctorate Degree
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
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
-
News8 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE 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.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
