By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
The Director General , National Environmental Standard and Enforcement Regulation Agency(NESREA), Professor Aliyu Jauro says reversing the trend of degradation, deforestation and desertification challenges require strong, quality control mechanism to strengthen the drive as he noted that the country ranks one with the most highest deforestation annual record of 0.6km.
This, he said, could lead to loosing 351.000km2 land and 15% prone to desertification .
Professor Jauro who made the disclosures Thursday in Sokoto as Guest Speaker while delivering paper on ” Environmental Degradation: Causes, Effects and Way Forward” at the 4th public lecture organised by the Sokoto stàte University, Sokoto said it can only be reversed by strengthening the space for effective collaboration by the three tiers of government and relevant institutions .
” NESREA is looking into a more responvise collaboration with institutions especially with organs as Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) just as we have commenced with NUC to drive the course towards engaging universities”, he disclosed.
He noted that environmental degradation was a very serious phenomenon that has devastating effects on human, animals and the environment ecosystem.
” It is a burning issue that poses threat and challenges especially in the north.”
He said ” We must collectively rise to the challenge as it is fast affecting humanity and environment”, he stressed.
Professor Jauro who further identified both natural and anthropogenic factors such as draughts, vulcanic eruptions, deforestation mining and population as responsible , noted that Nigeria’s rate of deforestation was fast increasing with an average of 50% which translates into 2.6% desertification .
He explained that due to the country’s air quality and solid waste management with attendant hazardous, equipments and attitudinal activities affecting the health and productivity of the population occasioned by degradation, it became an all states issue that must be approached with commitment .
” We all have to deepen our responsibilities by engaging relevant stakeholders .”
He quoted environmental activists like Leo Tokstoy, Mahatma Gandhi and Vardama Shira who were known for promoting environmental protection against degradation for humanity and animals.
” We are into engagements with multinational organs in addition to the establishment of the various environmental related agencies as NESREA, NEMA, NiMETH, NAGGW initiative can effectively be coordinated with adequate funding to reverse the trend of challenges by degradation, deforestation and desertification for the survival and protection of humans, animals and environmental “, he pointed out while acknowledging Sokoto and Kebbi States government for their efforts at sustaining the culture of three planting .
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion and former Vice Chancellor, Usmanu Danfodiyo University,Sokoto , Professor Aminu S. Mika’ ilu stressed the need for better synergy that would further the drive against the degradation and desertification phenomena that had tendencies of affecting human and animals survival as well environmental protection.
” Is a threat to our common peace,unity and survival. We must all approach it with commitment”, he urged while thanking Sokoto state Universoty Vice Chancellor, Professor M.S. Dangoggo for driving the lecture to success .
