The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), kick started the first phase of its high level advocacy engagement in Jigawa state as part of its continued efforts to combat desertification across the 11 frontline states of Northern Nigeria.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Saleh Abubakar MFR, led a delegation of the management team of the Agency to pay a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi in Dutse Jigawa State.
Abubakar called on the communities in its 11 frontline states to take ownership of its projects and assets.
He said that the projects would restore the degraded lands, and enhance climate resilience across the affected states.
The Director General said that the advocacy visit focused on reinforcing collaborations, assessing ongoing interventions, and identifying new opportunities for sustainable land restoration under the Great Green Wall initiative.
He emphasised the significance of Jigawa State as the premier state for the Advocacy visit due to the pre existing relationship and partnership the Agency has with the state, stating that “their presence is not just for advocacy but to thank the Jigawa State Government for giving the Agency a listening ear, and unending support through providing the land needed by the Agency for planting and land regeneration projects.”
Responding, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate change Dr. Kazaure who represented the Governor acknowledged the relationship between NAGGW and the Jigawa State Government as well as thanked the Agency for according Jigawa the honour of being the first State for the advocacy visit.
He started that Jigawa State Government is dedicated to working with the NAGGW towards achieving its mandates which also aligns with Governor Umar Namadi’s 12 point Agenda.
He urged the Agency to consider the need for retstrategizing to help curb vandalism of Agency’s projects in communities through increased community engagements and further collaborations with the State Government.
The delegation also paid a visit to Suleiman Farms to inspect the date palm seedlings being raised as part of the Agency’s initiative to supply and plant 5 million date palm trees across the 11 frontline States of the Agency.
The initiative is in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda towards improving macroeconomic stability, human capital development and Poverty reduction.
Signed
Amina Ahmed Garba
Press and public Relations Unit.
23/5/2025
