Some stakeholders in the environment sector have urged state governments in the Northeast to ban the felling of trees, enhance reforestation and check desert encroachment.

The stakeholders, who spoke in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe, said the measure was imperative to check the spate of forest depletion and protect about 10 million trees planted by the states in the past three years.

The states are among the 11 desert-prone areas alongside Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.

Tree planting is a critical component of the National Afforestation Programme and the National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGGW), designed to control desertification, and erosion and build a sustainable green environment.

To further protect forest resources, the state governments also adopted proactive measures to check the indiscriminate felling of trees and bush burning.

These measures were being evolved to encourage the development of alternative sources of energy to reduce dependence on fuel wood.

The Head of Forestry Technology Department, College of Agriculture, Gujba in Yobe, Mr Ali Abba said effective reforestation would mitigate desert encroachment ravaging the region.

“Reforestation is the process of replanting a damaged forest area for the benefit of humankind and the environment.

According to him, reforestation fights desertification by increasing soil fertility and the level of its organic matter.

He, however, advised the government to scale up tree planting in areas such as Yusufari, Yunusari, Geidam, Machina, Dapchi, Tarmuwa, Nguru and Damaturu.

A Gombe-based environmentalist, Mr Ismail Bima, also urged residents of the state to support the government’s afforestation programme.

Read Also; Can Africa end deforestation by 2030?

Bima, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Jewel Environmental Initiative (JEI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), said the call became imperative in view of the large-scale destruction of forest resources in the state.

He said community engagement was necessary to ensure the success of the reforestation programme at the grassroots and stressed the need for awareness creation activities to mobilise support for the programme.

Also, Dr Salami Kaseem, Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Federal University Dutse (FUD), Jigawa, said massive tree planting would speed up reforestation across the country.

He said cutting down trees without immediate replacement damages the habitat, loss of biodiversity and aridity.

He said that deforestation for land clearing, farming, charcoal making and logging without tree replacement was counter-productive and harmful to the environment.

The don said the logging ban was the most effective way to enhance reforestation and management of forest resources.

In the same manner, Tukur Dalorima, an environmentalist in Borno State, urged the state government to enact forestry laws to check the indiscriminate felling of trees.

He urged the Borno State Government to develop an erosion control and environmental sustainability manual to guide community-based erosion control programmes.

In a bid to accelerate reforestation, the Bauchi State House of Assembly had passed the Tree Planting, Conservation Bill 2020.

The Bill seeks to safeguard and preserve the vast forest resources, enhance its management to meet the needs of the society and preserve the ecosystem in the state.

Similarly; Mr Ibrahim Kabir, Director-General, Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), said it had planted 550,000 assorted trees covering about 53,000 hectares across the state.

He said the Agency recently distributed 2,000 tree seedlings to households for planting in the Bauchi metropolis, to control desertification and promote the concept of green area.

The Commissioner for Housing and Environment Alhaji Hamisu Shira said the ministry had planted 970 assorted tree species in strategic locations across the 20 local councils, to conserve the environment.

The Director of Forestry, Adamawa State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Sarah Gundiri called for more sensitisation activities to create awareness to the importance of reforestation at the grassroots.

She stressed the need for the engagement of community and religious leaders in educating the people to embrace tree planting for a better life.

She said the importance of reforestation to biodiversity and the ecosystem could not be over-emphasised.

While commending the contributions of individuals, development organisations and other stakeholders for their support to tree planting programmes, Gundiri urged them to scale up sensitisation activities to check deforestation.

The Chairman of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Jibia Camp, Katsina State, Malam Salisu Sa’adu, said the victims are suffering from hunger, starvation and death in the camp.

Salisu said this in a chat with reporters in Jibia yesterday.

He said the IDPs, camped in Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS) Jibia are mainly from Kwari, Zango, Shimfida, Tsauni, Far Faru, Tsanbe, and Gurbin Magarya villages of Jibia Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the food that is provided to the refugees is not enough; hence, they are suffering from starvation, hunger and death.

He said there was not enough food for them, stressing that there were only two policemen guarding the camp.

“Most of us (IDPs) are sleeping without mosquito nets and blankets. We thank Medicines San Frontier (Doctors without Borders), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that supplied drugs to us always at the camp.

Read Also; 200,000 Northeast IDPs yet to be repatriated, says Zulum

“In view of the hardship we are passing through, 15 of us died, while 35 women gave birth under forced labour,” he said.

Salisu appealed to the state government to take steps to relocate them to their villages to enable them to go to their farms and get what to feed their families before the end of the rainy season.

“We are now almost three months here. We can’t continue like this; we really want to go back to our villages and look for what to eat with our families.

“So, we appeal to the government to take urgent measures and relocate us to our various ancestral homes,” he said.

When contacted, the Chairman of Jibia Local Government Area, Alhaji Bashir Mai-tan, said the government was trying its best in feeding the refugees in the camp.

Mai-tan said, apart from that, the local government released N200, 000 daily for some of their needs.

Maitan said he had been having sleepless nights to ensure peace and security in the area, as well as payment of ransom to secure the release of people from bandits.He said currently over 1,500 of his people were still bandits hostage, advising that the government alone could not fight banditry.

During a visit to the camp, it was observed that some of the IDPs looked worried, hungry and in tears.

The Federal Government, alongside other partners such as the Rotary Maternal and Child Health Project in Nigeria yesterday, restated its commitment to reducing the high prevalence of maternal and child deaths in the country.

It further stated that it is working to ensure the availability of Family Planning (FP) commodities and services, by launching the FP2030 commitment, which aims at increasing domestic funding and sustainable financing. This will be realised through earmarking of one per cent of health budgets, at federal and state levels.

At the meeting of the Reproductive Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, and Elderly Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N) multi-stakeholder partnership coordination platform in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire said: “We are optimistic that Nigeria will attain its vision with a strategy that allows eligible citizens, including adolescents, young people, and vulnerable populations, to make informed choices and get equitable, affordable access to quality FP and participation in national development. This is the goal of the FP2030 commitment.

Read Also; Rotary targets 60, 000 for free health services

“We know that a major factor in maternal mortality is the delay in reaching a health facility. The National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) will be launched and piloted in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mitigate barriers and facilitate prompt access for patients in need of urgent medical attention.”

The National Coordinator of Rotary Maternal and Child Health Project in Nigeria, Prof. Emmanuel Lufadeju said: “So far, through the Department of Family Health of the Federal Ministry of Health, that coordination has been very effective in terms of data collection, advocacy, technical support, and it is still growing. This is to review what has been achieved so far in the last two years, what we have to do differently and how we can move forward.

“Rotary is a major supporter of the Federal Ministry of Health, especially the Department of Family Health, on issues of maternal and child health in Nigeria.

“Our expectation is to increase contraceptive prevalence rate from the present 15 per cent to above 30 per cent in the next five years. Our expectation is to drastically reduce maternal mortality in the country, which is at the moment 512 women dying out of 100,000 live births.”

Operators of commercial tricycles popularly known as Keke NAPEP in Adamawa State yesterday in Yola, the state capital, protested alleged multiple taxes.

The operators blocked streets around the busy business hub called Jimeta, in Yola North Local Government Area for many hours. The protesters caused a buildup of vehicular traffic and forced other road users to divert routes. Many shop owners had to shut down for fear of possible attacks.

One of the tricycle operators, Yunus Abu said: “We pay all sorts of charges every day.

Another operator and one of the leaders of the tricycle riders Mohammed Galadima said: “We pay N100 in the morning and by noon, they ask you to pay another N100.”

Read Also: Ondo IPMAN protests alleged illegal evacuation from Ore depot

Mohammed added: “More worrisome is that if you ride into Yola South from Yola North, you pay money even when you can hardly differentiate between the two local government areas.

“Apart from this amount, we also pay N6, 500 every year to the state government through the Ministry of Transportation.”

The tricycle riders disrupted movements on Atiku Abubakar Way.

One of the protesters, David Samuel, said this was because Governor Ahmadu Fintiri was scheduled to pass that way for the inauguration of a newly reconstructed road.

“We blocked this road because we leant that the governor will pass through this road today (yesterday). This is the only way the governor will not only know about our complaint but also see us and help us to address this problem,” David said.

A group, Northern Nigerian Movement for Asiwaju 2023 has canvassed  reasons why  Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Simon Bako Lalong should be the running mate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in next year’s general election.

The group made its position known in a statement  in Abuja yesterday by its National Coordinator, Dr Mohammed Attahiru.

The group described the emergence of the former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju  Bola Tinubu as the presidential flag bearer  as one great and laudable decision made by delegates and other stakeholders from across the country.

The group said it was confident that Tinubu has the requisite experience and wherewithal to win the next year’s general election, as he will give the country the much-desired development.

“Tinubu is deeply rooted in Nigeria’s political firmament and has great followership and acceptance across the country,” Attahiru said in the statement.

The group, however, pointed out that one factor that will brighten the chances of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the 2023 political contest is the choice of his running mate, saying, such decision must be taken carefully by party leaders and stakeholders.

“There is every need for leaders and critical stakeholders of the ruling party to be more meticulous, strategic and circumspect in arriving at the choice of running mate for Tinubu.

“Tinubu himself appears to know the implications of the choice of running mate as he goes into the crucial presidential election, hence, the reason he is taking his time to get it right.

“Asiwaju has already submitted the name of one Ibrahim Masari to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a place holder pending when he would get the worthy running mate ahead of the election.

“At a book launch in honour of the Speaker of the House of Representatives,Femi Gbajabiamila to mark his 60th birthday anniversary, Tinubu said he was still searching for his running mate and told the Speaker to join him in the search for a worthy running mate.

Read Also; I’m still searching for my running mate – Tinubu

“Tinubu said this in his remarks when he lauded the good working relationship between Gbajabiamila and his deputy, Ahmed Wase.

“Tinubu said he needed to learn from the duo about the way they worked seamlessly together as he continues his search for a running mate.

“I could see his deputy (Wase) sitting down there too, you are a very good symbol of unity, dependability, and honesty, thank you. Thank you for both of you. You’ve not rocked the boat. I will need to learn from both of you, how you made the pair work because I’m still searching for my running mate,” Tinubu said.

Gbajabiamila urged Asiwaju Tinubu to consult him in choosing his running mate.

The Speaker said he would help the presidential candidate to get a running mate that would work smoothly with him.

“You (Tinubu) said in your address that many years ago, you consulted with your younger brother on the issue of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and that consultation bore fruits. I give you my own parting shot. It is that time again to consult with your younger brother. I will give you a running mate that you will enjoy working with. But this time, the consultation I promise you will not be for free,” Gbajabiamila said.

The group said the foregoing comment,  showed that the issue of getting a worthy and right running mate remains topmost on the mind of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu ahead of next year’s general election.

The group maintained that one person that will be a master stroke and game changer for Asiwaju when it comes to the choice of running mate is the Plateau State Governor and Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF),  Simon Bako Lalong.

“Lalong is a quintessential and grassroots politician who will be a worthy running mate to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for many reasons.

He served as Speaker seven years; Governor  seven years; Chairman Northern Governors’ Forum  four years; Chairman, Conference of Speakers four years;  Conference of former  Speakers till date. As of today, he is the APC candidate for Plateau South Senatorial District in next year’s general election.

“One burning issue that reared its head following the emergence of Tinubu as the APC presidential flag-bearer is that of concerns over fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“The choice of Lalong who is an influential Northern politician and a devoted but detrabalised Christian  from the ruling party, will be the best bet for Tinubu to escape the booby trap of Muslim-Muslim ticket hullabaloo.

“Besides the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket, Lalong was an arrowhead and very instrumental in the emergence of Tinubu as the presidential flag bearer of the APC.

“Lalong was able to galvanise and rally all his colleagues from the North to insist on power shift to the South.

“He was instrumental in seeing to it that the Aso Rock cabals who were bent on foisting a senator  as flag bearer did not succeed , thus, paving the way for the seamless emergence of Tinubu at the convention in Abuja.

“The last minute intervention of the Lalong-led NGF changed the equation in favour of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“It will be a good thing to reciprocate this kind gesture of Governor Lalong by making him the running mate to Tinubu.

“After all, one good turn, they say deserves another”, he said.

Another reason the group gave for the choice of Lalong is his detrabalised posture and religious tolerance.

“Nigerians are very familiar with the bloodshed and crisis that had bedeviled Plateau, particularly Jos.

“Most of these crises were traceable to ethnic and religious differences among the people on the Plateau.

“However, the emergence of Lalong as governor changed the narrative on the Plateau as the state has largely witnessed relative peace as against the recurrent clashes it had  recorded in the ugly past.

“Lalong due to his sensitivity to the religious and ethnic leanings of the people on the Plateau, has been able to engender peaceful co-existence and promote harmonious living among the people.

“He has been able to scale down the spate of conflicts and tension on the Plateau”, the group said.

The group said that choosing Lalong means that  Asiwaju will be choosing a running mate who would be highly sensitive to the ethnic, religious and cultural differences of the Nigerian people.

The group said besides the foregoing, Lalong is competently qualified and has garnered the needed experience to be the vice president of this country.

“Lalong has before now served as a lawmaker in the Plateau State House of Assembly where he rose to become Speaker of the House aside handling other sensitive responsibilities in the House.

“As chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Lalong as first among equals, has been able to galvanize his 18 other fellow governors from the North and had coordinated the affairs of the Forum without hitches.

“All these were clear attestation to the competence of Lalong and there is no gainsaying the fact that choosing him as running mate would be the sure bet for Asiwaju.

“We strongly urge Asiwaju and other APC stakeholders to throw their weights behind Lalong as running mate for Tinubu”, the group said.

The Federal Government has partnered with the Development Gateway to launch the Tobacco Control Data Initiative (TCDI), a virtual (web-based) dashboard.

This, it said, is part of efforts to eliminate the consumption of tobacco, especially by direct and second-hand smokers. The dashboard, which can be assessed on www.nigeria. tobaccocontroldata.org, contains authentic information on prevalence, taxation issues, harm, illicit trade, industry interference in tobacco use, and the use of shisha. It can also be used as an advocacy tool for stakeholders in the tobacco community to make decisions on policies.

At this year’s commemoration of the World No Tobacco Day, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora said it has increased the tax on cigarettes from 20 per cent to 30 per cent this year, to dissuade Nigerians from consuming them.

He said: “From the 2012 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 5.6 per cent (4.5 million) Nigerians from 15 years and older currently use tobacco products of which 3.9 per cent (3.1 million) are current smokers. The result also found high and significant exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) during visits to public places.

Read Also; Tobacco, still the silent killer

“The Tobacco Atlas 6th Edition estimates that more than 26,800 annual deaths occur from tobacco-related diseases in Nigeria. Similarly, a report of studies by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa, which was published last year, said that 29,472 deaths in Nigeria were attributable to smoking.”

The Country Lead of Development Gateway, an IREX Venture, Seember Ali said: “This project is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is being implemented in Nigeria and seven other countries.

“The data is a one-stop-shop that has everything that stakeholders working in the tobacco control space will need to be able to make decisions for the advocacy for tobacco control and be able to make proper policy engagements in a way that supports the tobacco control works that the Federal Ministry of Health has already been doing.”

The Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, added: “The dashboard is a milestone in tobacco control in Nigeria.

As an advocate for tobacco control for close to 30 years, one of the biggest challenges we have had is getting the local data to move policy to be able to engage policymakers and the government.”

Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Hussaini Gumel said the new dawn in state policing has begun with responsive policies and a roadmap towards eliminating criminal activities as well as the fight against insecurity.

Gumel, who spoke yesterday at the officers’ conference, said the police in Sokoto were resolute in discharging their duty of ensuring crime prevention and the safety of lives and property.

He noted that banditry and killings were creating palpable fears, describing the ugly trend as disturbing occurrences in Sokoto State and Nigeria.

Gumel, who has 30 years of experience in service, said he was working towards responsive operational strategies that will be technology-driven to improve intelligence-gathering that would enhance its constitutional role.

“We will lay emphasis on periodic review of operations and excellent service to the people of Sokoto State through good planning; using technologically-led intelligence strategy in tackling unfolding security challenges,” he said.

While noting that community partnership, transparency and respect for fundamental human rights were cardinal in policing Gumel, said peace and stability initiatives in line with the IGP’s agenda were necessary for crime prevention and the fight against insecurity.

“Sokoto’s command is determined to eradicate political and communal violent activities among other crimes,” he said.

Also, the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji Jelani Danbuga has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is contained in a statement by the Special Assistant to Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto) on New Media, Malam Bashar Abubakar and issued to reporters in Abuja yesterday.

The Zamfara State House of Assembly yesterday passed a bill to provide a law for the prohibition and punishment for banditry, cattle rustling, cultism, kidnapping, terrorism and other incidental offences. 2022.

The executive bill sent to the House by Governor Bello Matawalle was passed during the Assembly’s plenary.

Presenting the bill before the House, the Deputy House Leader and Chairman, House Committee on Justice and Judiciary, Nasiru Bello-Lawal (APC- Bungudu West) called on the lawmakers to deliberate and agree on the bill.

Bello-Lawal called on members of the House to read the bill and allow it to be given its third reading.

The Speaker, Nasiru Magarya, said the bill had already gone through its first and second readings and other rigorous legislative processes, including a public hearing.

Read Also: Diri to FG: It’s time to end banditry in the north

“There is a need for the passage of the bill by the house, considering its position in contributing to peace and stability in the state,” Magarya said.

After deliberations, the lawmakers unanimously agreed with the bill to be given its third reading.

The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Shehu Anka, to give the bill its third reading.

The Speaker commended Governor Matawalle for introducing new policies and measures to curtail the menace of insecurity against the well-being of the people of the state.

“I commend the governor for taking these proactive measures, but they can only be successful when the prayers and support of all citizens are enjoyed by the government, Magarya added.

The House also gave a bill to provide a law for the establishment of Zamfara College of Nursing Science Gusau, its first reading.

This followed a motion on the bill moved by the Leader of the House, Alhaji Faruku  Dosara during the plenary.