By Umar Sani
The Nigeria Air Force has joined the fight for climate resilience by planting economic trees to form orchards in its 251 Base Service Group in Bauchi.
The orchard which was sponsored by the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, NAGGW has added more sectors to the climate action advocacy across the country.
Speaking at the symbolic flagging off of planting of the trees on Thursday, the director general of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Dr Yusuf Maina Bukar said that it is part of the effort of the agency to widen the struggle for the fight against desertification, land degradation, and other climate change factors.
He maintained that “the symbolic planting of tree seedlings also serves as a commemoration of the Great Green Wall Day 2024.
Represented by a team led by the agency’s chief Accountant, Muhammad Mustapha Gwani, the director opined that “the fight against deforestation must be collaborative in nature and should not be left to only the agencies concerned.
“The mandate of Great Green Wall operating in the Sahel and Sahara eleven frontline states in northern to fight desertification, land degradation and improving the livelihood of communities affected by any climate vices can not be possible without collaborations with all stakeholders.”
He maintained that the team was also on its way to pay an advocacy visit to traditional institutions, and government ministries.
He extends hands of friendship to other critical stakeholders pledging to always welcome whoever wants to key into climate action.
On his part, the commandant of 251 Base Service Group Nigeria Air Force, Bauchi State, Air Commodore A.A Adedoyin appreciated the agency for extending its partnership with the Military.
He advocates for more civil-military relationships all over the country saying it is vital to both the economic and security well-being of the country.
Adedoyin assured that “the orchard will not only be secured but also be nurtured to reap the economic benefits.”
Also receiving the advocacy team at the government house Bauchi, the governor of Bauchi state Senator Bala Mohammed expressed his government appreciation to the National Agency for the Great Green Wall for its contribution towards saving the environment from depletion.
The governor after joining the agency in a symbolic tree planting at the government as a means of celebrating the Great Green Wall Day, recognized the activities of the agency in the state for the past years.
Represented by the permanent secretary, government house Yakubu Jibrin Abdullahi the governor explained that “the agency’s contributions are positively impacting on the state.
“Great Green Wall has been in Bauchi for the past couple of years. They have been contributing a lot to climate sustainability.
“Their concern always is to change the mindsets of our people to do things in a greener way and we will continue to support that.”
Bala Mohammed then called on the public to key into the sage of the CNG cooking gas champion by the National Agency for the Great Green Wall.
He pledged the government more support to the agency to enable it to achieve its mandate for the benefit of all.
On their part when visited, the emirs of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu, and his Dass counterpart Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman II promised to continue leading ways in the mitigation of the effect of climate change.
The emirs expressed concern about how farmland degradation is affecting food production.
Commenting the emir of Dass Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman II thanked Great Green Wall for their presence in the state, hoping their efforts would sustain a better environment.
Also speaking shortly after the visit, the field officer of NAGGW in Bauchi, Hadiza Muhammad explained that the agency is saddled with the responsibilities of fighting desertification, and land degradation in states that include Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
“The agency also contributes to the provision of food security through its empowerment program for youth and women.
“Reasons the agency deems it fit to extend the advocacy visit is in recognition of the roles of the stakeholders” Hadiza noted.
Our correspondent gathered that the Great Green Wall Day is celebrated every second week of July.
This year’s celebration has the theme Fueling a Greener Future: Clean Cooking for Sustainable Development.
Places visited by the agency in Bauchi state include the Bauchi government house, palaces of traditional institutions, the Air Force base, and the Ministry of Justice.
