By Ahmed Abba

The Emir of Bade, in Yobe, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman, says he will partner with the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) in the fight against desertification and environmental degradation in Northern Nigeria.

The royal father made the pledge on Sunday while receiving the Director-General of the agency, Saleh Abubakar and his delegation at his Palace in Gashua.

The visit was part of the agency’s ongoing high-level advocacy tour across the 11 frontline states affected by desertification.

It was to strengthen traditional and institutional partnerships for the successful implementation of the Great Green Wall initiative.

Abubakar said the Great Green Wall project was a pan-African programme dedicated to restoring degraded lands, combating climate change, and promoting sustainable livelihoods in arid and semi-arid regions.

He described the emir as a royal father with deep passion for environmental sustainability, expressing optimism that the emirate’s support would accelerate the implementation of the agency’s work plan.

“We are here to seek the support of traditional institutions such as yours, which play a vital role in mobilising communities and ensuring the long-term success of environmental restoration efforts,” Abubakar stated.

Responding, the emir emphasised the critical role of traditional rulers in promoting environmental awareness, mobilising grassroots participation, and protecting restored ecosystems.

“The restoration of our environment is a sacred duty.

“We are honoured to collaborate with the NAGGW in this important national and continental mission,” the emir said.

Suleiman reaffirmed the emirate’s commitment to supporting community-driven development and sustainable environmental practices.

Earlier, the NAGGW delegation had paid a visit to the North-East Arid Zone Development Programme (NEAZDP) in Gashua, where it explored areas of partnership and collaboration in environmental restoration and rural development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation visited the 40-hectare plantations; woodlots, shelterbelts, fodder grass in Gajammo Community Nguru, 2km shelterbelts, each at Government College Nguru and Government Girls’ Secondary School, Nguru.

NAN also reports that the Great Green Wall initiative, launched by the African Union, aims to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and create millions of jobs in the Sahel region. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani