Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni said drought, flooding, soil degradation, desertification and desert encroachment are some natural disasters threatening the agrarian state.
Buni stated this when he received participants of Senior Executive Course 45, 2023, of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies on a study tour to the state.
Represented by the Acting Secretary to the State Government, Baba Malam Wali, the governor also told the participants that the majority of the state’s population are farmers; hence the natural factors are negatively affecting crop yields, income and well-being of the people, thereby posing a threat to national food security.
“Though, we have been making a concerted effort with regards to public sensitization and enlightenment, tree planting campaign and provision of alternative energy sources like fuel-efficient stoves, gas cookers and kerosene stoves to members of the public at subsidized rates to decrease pressure on firewood on our weak vegetation cover project.
“The State also partakes in the Great Green Wall project,” he said.
On the theme of their study tour tagged: ‘Industrialization, energy, security and climate change in Nigeria: issues, challenges and prospect’, Buni argued that the theme captures modern development issues that require broad-based approaches in addressing human development challenges being faced globally.
“It is our hope that at the end of your study tour you would come up with far- reaching recommendations that could assist Yobe State in particular and the Nation at large in addressing relevant challenges for socio-economic progress and prosperity”, Buni said.
Directing Staff and Leader of Delegation, Professor Jane Ande, who appreciated the Yobe State Government for the warm reception accorded to the team, said without industrialization Nigeria could not develop as a nation.
“So, we need to have such so that our economy and GDP can grow,” she said.
During their stay in Yobe State, the participants are expected to engage critical players from the environment, energy, security and agricultural sectors.