By Muhammad Amaan
The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has sought support for the actualisation of its 50 million date palm project.
The Director-General NAGGW, Mr Saleh Abubakar, made the request when he paid a courtesy call on the of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume in his office in Abuja.
The director- general explained that the 50 million date palm project is aimed at combating desertification and restoring degraded lands in the 11 frontline states of Northern Nigeria.
Mr Abubakar said that the agency, during a ceremony to mark its 10th anniversary in August, launched an ambitious 50 million date palm project in its determination to curb dessert encroachment in the country.
According to Saleh, the agency has, so far, distributed no fewer than five million date palm in the 11 frontline states, and is targeting to upscale it to 50 million by 2030.
“I am here to solicit your support in combating desertification, land degradation and our 50 million date palm initiative for economic empowerment.
“NAGGW was established in 2015, to address land degradation, desertification, boost food security and support communities to adapt to climate change in Sokoto, Kebbi, Kastina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa.
“NAGGW serves as the Nigerian focal point for the actualisation of the vision of the African Union’s Great Green Wall of the Sahara and the Sahel project.
“The mission of the NAGGW is to halt and reverse land degradation, prevent depletion of biological diversity, ensure that ecosystems are resilient to climate change, and continue to provide essential services that would contribute to human welfare and poverty eradication,” he stated.
He said he assumed office over a year ago, the agency has intensified efforts and deepen collaboration with critical stakeholders in the 11 frontline states to halt desertification and ensure that people in the affected states own the projects.
“We need your improved support to enable the agency get more funding to finance the 50 million date palm project and other initiatives that are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” Mr Abubakar said.
Responding, the SGF, who acknowledged the efforts of the agency in combating the negative effects of climate change in the 11 frontline states, assured the NAGGW DG of the continued support of the Federal Government in ensuring that the agency delivers its mandate.
