Nasarawa State Government To Partner Oxfam Implementing Partners YMCA and ASSPIN on Combating Climate Change …Promises To Plant 1 Million Trees

By Michael Umudjon

Assalama Sidi Deputy Director Oxfam, says she’s impressed with the level and commitment of Nasarawa state government and it’s citizens towards combating cilamte change.

Mrs Sidi made this known on Wednesday during the distribution and Flag-off of 3,000 improved Oil plam seeding in Akwanga, put together by Oxfam implementing partners, Young Men’s Christian Association ( YMCA)Mada Hills and Association of Small Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN) under the African Activist for Climate Justice (AACJ) programme on Wednesday 17th July, 2024.

The Oxfam Deputy Director expressed her joy knowing that the communities choose plam seeding to combat climate change and the Nasarawa state government has agreed to support climate change ambassadors with Seedings and other equipments as oxfam ends it’s engagement with YMCA.

“The project is great because the communities have decided to choose exactly which Trees to plant, and in this case they have decided to plant a plam Tree, so they can make locally made Plam oil and is good for their own health… The representative of the Ministry of Nasarawa state Environment said his going to support the project, which means even if Oxfam withdraws the sustainability would be there.” She added.

Oxfam deputy Director Assalama Sidi also used the occasion to thank YMCA for impacting great knowledge of “Climate change” on Individuals in Akwanga and other Local Government Areas in Nasarawa state.

Dr. Napoleon Gyobe the Nasarawa State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) world Bank Project Coordinator, who represented the Commissioner for Environment and natural resource said the government has an open door policy for individuals and organizations who are ready to combat climate change.

“The Nasarawa state government is Happy to partner with YMCA to see that ehn what ever they are doing in the next few years they rip the dividends and in terms sustainability, Acresal would want to support each and every individual here and we are saying this year we want to plant one million Trees and if you have any seed, we want to buy it from you.” He said

On his part, YMCA Executive Secretary Ango Adamu said communities of Gwanje , Ancho and Buhar wards in Akwanga choose Oil plam because of its long life spam and it’s economic value, he further added that each wards got 1,000 seedings each and same exercise would be implemented in Doma , keana , Karu, Nasarawa and Wamba LGA totalling 13,000 Oil plam seedings.

Hon. Anthony Magson who spoke on behalf of the benefitting Communities appreciated Oxfam, YMCA and ASSAPIN for the gesture, there by calling on Nasarawa state government to continue from where Oxfam is going to stop since the program ends, by ending of 2024.

The meeting had the presence of Oxfam Country Director John Makina, Country Lead Kenneth Akpan , members of the traditional council, participants among others.

Highlight of the programme was the distribution of Oil plam to beneficiaries and planting of three Oil Plam seedings at the new Chun Mada’s Palace.