Muhammad Garba
The World Bank and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are partnering with the Jigawa State Government to raise public awareness and support the implementation of projects aimed at addressing desertification, erosion, and other causes of environmental degradation in the state.
The State Commissioner for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Nura Ibrahim, disclosed this during the commemoration of the 2025 World Desertification and Drought Day held at the Manpower Development Institute in Dutse, the state capital.
The event, organized by the Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency (JISEPA) with support from UNICEF, featured public presentations and awareness campaigns on the role individuals should play in environmental protection.
The commissioner explained that the World Bank-supported projects in the state include the “Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) initiative.
This program involves land restoration interventions, erosion control, River desilting, production and distribution of tree seedlings, establishment of shelter belts, and roadside tree planting in which over N200 billion was invested.
According to him, “Land restoration interventions include sand dune stabilization in Jahun, Kiyawa, and Miga Local Government Areas, as well as ongoing gully erosion control in Kargo and Danmasara within Dutse, the state capital.”
Dr. Nura Ibrahim emphasized that Climate and environmental protection is the responsibility of every living human being, as a safe environment ensures a safe life, while any negative change poses a potential threat to the ecosystem.”
The commissioner highlighted the importance of tree planting in environmental protection and urged everyone to adopt eco-friendly practices in all human endeavors.
“In our industrial activities, farming, cooking, construction, waste disposal, animal rearing, and all other activities on this planet, we must adopt methods that ensure the sustainable protection of our environment,” Dr. Nura stated.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency (JISEPA) Mr. Adamu Sabo, said his agency, in collaboration with partners including UNICEF, had embarked on public enlightenment and awareness campaigns to promote environmental sustainability.
Mr. Adamu Sabo noted that the campaign engaged various stakeholders, including secondary school students, in tree-planting initiatives and behavioral change programs on environmental ethics.
“As part of this year’s celebration, in addition to public enlightenment, we will plant 500 trees in selected locations, with measures in place to ensure their growth to maturity,” the JISEPA DG stated.
