The Jigawa State Government is teaming up with the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) for the sustainable cooking solutions initiative. This collaboration aims to address environmental and health challenges by promoting the use of clean and efficient cooking technologies.
This was made known when a delegation from the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) paid a courtesy call on Governor Mallam Umar Namadi at the Government House, Dutse.
The visit, part of the activities marking Green World Day 2024, underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in combating climate change and fostering sustainable development in Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the NAGGW Director General, Mrs. Tali Andoon Nancy, Head of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, highlighted the agency's mandate to combat land degradation in the Sahel region and create resilient ecosystems to mitigate climate change.
She praised Governor Namadi for his proactive support and past collaboration with the agency, noting that he was the first governor to privately visit the NAGGW.
“Last year, Governor Namadi was the first among the governors of the 11 frontline states to visit us privately. We greatly appreciate his humility and support,” she said.
Mrs. Nancy emphasized the significance of the Green World Day activities, which include promoting clean cooking to aid sustainable development in rural areas, and sought continued collaboration support from the state government for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreements to assist communities in Jigawa State.
“This year, we are focusing on clean cooking to aid sustainable development in rural areas. We seek further collaboration through a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement to support the communities under Governor Namadi's jurisdiction.”
“The essence of clean cooking for 2024 is to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's renewed hope agenda on climate change, reduce emissions, and foster carbon markets to combat erosion and land degradation. Our activities aim to boost the food economy, create jobs for the youth, and promote sustainable development."
Governor Namadi expressed his gratitude to the NAGGW team for their visit and lauded their efforts to address climate change. He stressed the critical importance of the agency's activities, especially the clean cooking initiative, which offers an alternative to firewood and helps combat desert encroachment.
“The activities of the Great Green Wall are critical, especially in addressing the pressing issue of climate change, which is particularly devastating in this region. The initiative on clean cooking is vital as it provides an alternative to cutting trees for firewood, which poses a significant risk of desert encroachment. The demand for clean stoves will be high, and we must take this matter seriously.”
The governor highlighted the economic benefits of carbon credits, which can generate income for the state and the country. He urged the NAGGW to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on climate change and the importance of precision agriculture and other environmentally friendly practices.
Governor Namadi also commended the agency's leadership for their dedication and zeal and reaffirmed Jigawa State's commitment to supporting the NAGGW's initiatives.
At the end of the courtesy call, Governor Namadi led the NAGGW team and other high-ranking state government officials to perform the symbolic tree planting ceremony in the Government House premises, signifying the shared commitment to a greener and more sustainable future for Jigawa State and beyond.
Hamisu Mohammed Gumel
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Jigawa State
July 11, 2024
