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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
News
Troops detect, detonate IED along Ngoshe–Pulka road in Borno
Troops detect, detonate IED along Ngoshe–Pulka road in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team of 82 Division Task Force Battalion have successfully detected and detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) along a major supply route in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.
Security sources said the device was discovered at about 9:42 a.m. on March 22 during a routine scan of the Main Supply Route (MSR) between PAPA 4 and PAPA 5 along the Ngoshe–Pulka road.

The IED, suspected to have been planted by terrorists to target troops and commuters, was safely recovered and detonated in situ by the EOD team without causing any casualties.
Military sources said the operation was part of ongoing counter-IED measures aimed at ensuring the safety of movement along critical routes in the North-East.
Residents and road users have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects or activities to security agencies for prompt action.
Troops detect, detonate IED along Ngoshe–Pulka road in Borno
News
ISWAP cleric threatens attack on Malam Fatori, after humiliating defeat, troops urged to remain alert
ISWAP cleric threatens attack on Malam Fatori, after humiliating defeat, troops urged to remain alert
By: Zagazola Makama
A suspected ISWAP cleric has issued threats of a possible attack on Malam Fatori following the recent neutralization of 75 terrorists in a failed attack on March 18 2026.
According to intelligence sources, the cleric, who reportedly led this year Eid Fitr prayers in a location near Sabon Tumbu, warned during his sermon that the group would soon retaliate against Nigerian troops for operations carried out in Malam Fatori.
The source said the cleric specifically threatened that the town could be “reduced to ashes” in a reprisal attack, stressing that such statements by insurgents should not be dismissed as mere rhetoric.
Sources noted that past experiences have shown that insurgent groups often act on their threats, urging troops deployed in Malam Fatori to remain on high alert and adequately equipped to counter any potential assault.
They also warned that the insurgents could deploy heavy firepower and adopt tactics such as coordinated assaults and the use of vehicle-borne explosive devices in any attempted attack.
Malam Fatori has for long been described as the town as a long-standing stronghold of military resistance against terrorist elements. The town has, over the years, witnessed decisive military victories against ISWAP fighters, nick named the “Grave Yard of ISWAP” and earning a REPUTATION as a difficult terrain for insurgents to operate.
The troops of the Armed Forces, supported by other security agencies, remain on high alert and have continued to fortify defensive positions in anticipation of any attempted incursion.
According to the sources, intelligence and surveillance have been intensified, while logistics and operational readiness have been enhanced to ensure that any threat is decisively neutralised.
“Experience has shown that insurgents often suffer heavy losses whenever they attempt to attack well-defended positions like Malam Fatori,” the source said.
ISWAP cleric threatens attack on Malam Fatori, after humiliating defeat, troops urged to remain alert
News
Baban Chinedu says Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo is a former Armed robber now turned crises entrepreneur
Baban Chinedu says Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo is a former Armed robber now turned crises entrepreneur
By: Zagazola Makama
Sheikh Yusuf Haruna Baban Chinedu, popularly known as Baban Chinedu, has launched a scathing and evidence-based attack on controversial Plateau pastor Ezekiel Dachomo in a viral video, accusing him of being a former armed robber and a liar who fabricated stories about meeting Jesus after a 1980 bank robbery in Jos.
Baban Chinedu declared: “Ezekiel Dachomo isn’t just someone seen in a photo with a bandit; no, he is the bandit! … Ezekiel committed armed robbery. We have records on him from 1976, from ’76 to sometime after 2000. … This man is a hardened armed robber.”
He played a clip of Dachomo admitting: “Because I went in 1980 is our gang that robbed a bank in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. 1980, they make away with a lot of money. It was my best friend that led the operation.” Baban Chinedu challenged: “Praise be to God, I hope you all heard the statement this man made. … He is lying! I want you to listen and know that first of all, this man is a complete hypocrite and a total liar. I swear, it was a gun that shot them! Angels? He claims Jesus came down with seven angels who struck them and killed fourteen people while he hid in the blood? You see, even the angels God sent down… only managed to kill fourteen people and lost track of where that one man was?”
The sheikh alleged Dachomo hid among corpses and was rescued by a gang member named Emmanuel, not Jesus: “He was begging Jesus for God’s sake to forgive him and spare his life. He claims that was where he met Jesus… By Allah, he is lying! … It was a gun that shot them! No Jesus descended there; he is lying to you.” He added: “A lady told me; she heard him when he was shot, and he still has the scar from that wound on his left side. … He is lying! At that time, it was the police, Nigerian security agents, Nigeria Police MOPOL who she said shot them.”
Baban Chinedu accused Dachomo of transitioning from “practical, street-level bandit” to “spiritual bandit” and inciting religious conflict: “The armed bandits of the past are the ones who transformed into these kidnappers. … All those who are making these plans are your boys… You’re insulting her religion, she told us the truth about everything that happened… You are a robber, and the government should investigate you; you’re behind all of this.”
He challenged Dachomo to court: “Ezekiel, I, Yusuf Haruna Baban Chinedu, challenge you: if you know there’s any falsehood in what’s being said about you, take it to court.” The sheikh demanded investigation: “We want the government if possible to investigate this man, I swear to God he’s an armed robber… By Allah, the government should know that Ezekiel is involved in this. Let him tell you the names of those he robbed with.”
The viral video has ignited fierce online reactions, with many praising Baban Chinedu’s evidence-based approach while others condemn the personal attacks on Dachomo, intensifying Nigeria’s ongoing religious and ethnic tensions occasioned by US recent remarks on Christians genocide propaganda. Watch the video in the comment section.
Baban Chinedu says Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo is a former Armed robber now turned crises entrepreneur
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