SAVCLIM-AFRICA TEAM MET KWARA STATE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR ENVIRONMENT

Our team, led by the Local Engagement Officer, Mallam Abdullahi Abubakar and supported by the highly respected leader and scholar, Dr Ndanusa Manzuma (Gorozo yan Lafiagi), met the Honourable Commissioner of Environment, Nafisat Buge, in her office to deliver a collaborative letter requesting support on how to revive the Effon Forest Reserve to achieve its ecological objectives. The objectives include raising awareness of forest conservation by educating local communities and stakeholders on forest environmental and economic benefits and the reversal of land degradation and deforestation through restoring degraded lands and mitigating the impact of deforestation in line with the ministry's regreening goals. The team met the Honourable Commissioner last Friday (10/1/25) to discuss their request and how the ministry can support local community organisations through the ongoing ACRESAL projects, which support northern states in reverse certification and land degradation to improve livelihoods in rural communities. The Commissioner was delighted to receive the team and directed them to the Director in charge of the ACRESAL project for further deliberations. Part of the request put forward by our organisation is the supply of 10,000 planting materials to restore about 20 hectares of degraded forests in the Effon Forest Reserve in a community-led forest management scheme. The Emir of Lafiagi, HRH Estu Baba Kudu, asked Dr Ibrahim Ndaginna Abdullahi to lead the reforestation project at the community level. The Lafiagi Scholars' Forum and the members of the committee on the restoration of cattle routes and farmer-herder conflict strongly support this project. The former Kwara State Commissioner for Environment and now Commissioner for Youths, Honourable Ndanusa, also provided helpful advice for the commencement of this project. We have since started by clearing the forest patch to establish a local tree nursery. To reforest our community-owned forest reserve, we need the support of every stakeholder in our community and beyond.