Editor
By Fatima Saka
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has articulated his commitment to enhancing the afforestation program in the nation.
He stressed the necessity for collective efforts and the involvement of all pertinent stakeholders in combating desertification through the enhancement of tree planting, a focal point of the FAN and PBAT Green Initiatives Programme.
Balarabe sought the endorsement, collaboration, and partnership of the Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Green Initiative Programme for the nationwide afforestation initiative.
The minister disclosed during a courtesy visit by the Forestry Association of Nigeria, led by its President, Dr. Afolabi Abiodun, at his office in Abuja,
He urged other relevant agencies, such as Agricultural Resilience in the Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) and the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), to safeguard the forests.
The Minister also underscored the imperative of revising our environmental legislation to address the issues of unlawful logging, poaching, and banditry in the forests.
Furthermore, the Minister emphasized the crucial role of forestry in the environmental sector, urging stakeholders to make concerted efforts to preserve the ecosystem and forest habitats, particularly the wildlife species.
He also highlighted that “Forests play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change, preventing the extinction of wildlife, and preserving the ecosystem.”
Commending FAN for its dedication to the afforestation program, the Minister assured the association of the Ministry and its agencies’ unwavering support and collaboration.
The Minister lamented that deforestation results in biodiversity loss, soil erosion, climate change, and heightens the risk of flooding in the country.
In his remarks, the President of FAN, Dr. Afolabi Abiodun, congratulated the Minister on his appointment, acknowledging the Ministry’s significant achievements in fulfilling the mandate and key objectives of the Federal Ministry of Environment in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Afolabi also noted that a majority of the Association’s members were current and former staff of the Ministry and its agencies, expressing their commitment to supporting the Ministry’s success diligently.
He indicated that the Association, established in 1970, conducts numerous advocacy programs and actively participates in afforestation initiatives, pledging continued collaboration and partnership with the Ministry on its endeavors.
