Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has taken over the Presidency of the Pan African Great Green Wall (PAGGW) in Africa.
This was disclosed by Chief Sharon Ikeazor, the Minister of State for Environment, on Sunday in Abuja.
The Ministry reported that Nigeria took over at the end of the 4th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of PAGGW held on Dec. 2 in Abuja.
Speaking on the matter, Ikeazor said, “At the end of the 4th Ordinary Session of the CHSG, Nigeria took over the Presidency of the PAGGW.
“So for the next two years, Nigeria and President Buhari will be the president of the Great Green Wall Initiative in Africa.
“This means that within the period, Nigeria will work assiduously towards addressing the problems of land degradation, food security, desertification, climate change, depletion of the forest ecosystems and biodiversity in Africa, among others.
“With the unparalleled commitment of Mr President in addressing issues of climate change and desertification, coupled with the immense respect he commands within the international community, a lot would be achieved during his tenure.”
She added that given Nigeria’s commitment at the Climate Change Submit (COP26) held in November in Glasgow, Scotland, the president expressed optimism about Africa’s ambition to restore over 100 million hectares of the degraded landscape for productive agriculture.
She said the President stated, “All things being equal, we shall strengthen our efforts in the mobilisation of resources for the accelerated accomplishment of the Decennial Priority Investment Plan (DPIP) 2021-2030 and its concrete implementation action.”
She added that the realisation of financial pledges that emerged as an outcome of the “One Planet Summit” held on January 11th, 2021 in Paris, France would be given utmost priority, also assuring that the restoration of Africa degraded ecosystems and ensuring the resilience of our people against climate change effects shall be strengthened.
Recall that last month the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken in a meeting with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo pledged US support and collaboration with Nigeria on climate change, infrastructure development, vaccine manufacturing, insecurity, among others.
