The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Environment, has announced plans to collaborate with traditional institutions across the country to protect and preserve the environment. This initiative will focus on discouraging tree felling and promoting clean cooking methods, according to the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal.
Minister Lawal made this statement during a courtesy visit by the Emir of Nasarawa and former Minister of Environment, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibrin, to the Ministry on Thursday. The Minister emphasized the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to tackle environmental challenges, including plastic waste management, erosion and flood control, desertification, drought management, and other climate change-related issues.
Minister Lawal assured the Emir that he would build on the legacy of his predecessors and fulfill the Ministry’s mandate in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the environment.
During the visit, Emir Jibrin praised the Ministry’s staff for their dedication to addressing environmental issues and reaffirmed the traditional institutions’ unwavering support for the Ministry’s initiatives. He urged the Ministry to work cohesively to promote environmental sustainability, stressing the importance of maintaining a conducive environment.
In a related development, Minister Lawal also hosted the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Salem Saeed, for official bilateral discussions on environmental issues. Topics included the outcomes of COP28 held in Dubai, plastic pollution, desertification control, tree planting, and erosion and flood management.
Minister Lawal commended the UAE for hosting COP28 and acknowledged Sultan Al-Jaber, President of COP28, for his efforts in laying the groundwork for a transition away from fossil fuels through significant emissions reductions and increased financial support.
The Minister highlighted numerous areas for collaboration between Nigeria and the UAE, particularly those stemming from COP28 decisions. He also expressed gratitude for the UAE’s resumption of flight services to Nigeria and the issuance of visas to Nigerians starting October 1, 2024.
Ambassador Saeed congratulated Minister Lawal on his appointment and praised Nigeria’s active participation in COP28. He reiterated the UAE’s commitment to continued collaboration with Nigeria on environmental sustainability initiatives.
The UAE hosted COP28 in Dubai last year under the slogan “Unite, Act, Deliver.”
