COP28: Niger Seeks Partnership With NDDC, Others on Afforestation 

The Niger State, North-Central, Nigeria, Governor, Umaru Bago, has sought the partnership of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to plant trees as a means of tackling climate change.

Bago urged the NDDC to join in the crusade of planting trees.

He made this known at an event organized on the sidelines of the ongoing COP28 Climate Summit in the United Arab Emirates.

Bago emphasised the importance of afforestation in checking the high emission of 6 gases. Niger State has 76, 000 square kilometres of arable land, which can serve the planting of trees in efforts towards balancing the ecosystem.

He said that in addressing climate change issues, it was “critical to address three areas to include the root causes, its impact, and the way forward.”

Nigeria understands its importance on the African continent and in the world, and therefore, it can not be taken for granted as the country has woken up to the realities to understand that global warming is a reality.

He expressed the readiness of the country to combat global warning.

Bago added, “I am really happy to be part of this auspicious occasion. The MD of the Niger-Delta Development Commission, NDDC, mentioned the three important levels involved in undertaking climate change; first is the root causes, exploration of oil, and also flaring of gas. The second issue is the impact of that activity on humanity and the environment. The third one is the way forward.

“Undoubtedly, Niger State is endowed with 76, 000 square kilometres of arable land. It has two major rivers flowing through. It has four hydro-powered dams.

Therefore, it is necessary to encourage the Niger-Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to join in the crusade of planting trees to balance the ecosystem.

” Now is the time to increase our capacity in afforestation, preparation to understand the challenges of agriculture, and reduce emission.
As a result, we will transit to alternative sources of energy. Instead of fossil fuel, we come back to green fuel or blue energy.”

Shakirat Sadiq