"FG committed to achieving land degradation neutrality"-Odusote

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote has disclosed that the Federal Government of Nigeria has put adequate measures in place towards achieving land degradation neutrality in the Country through the establishment of specialized Agency and Departments such as the Great Green Wall (GGW) and the Drought and Desertification Department (DDA).

The Permanent Secretary stated this recently when she received the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Nigeria, Mr. Melih Ulueren in her office to discuss measures of combating the menace of desertification ahead of the global annual celebration of the World Day to combat Desertification and the Celebration of the 25thAnniversary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) which will hold on the 17th June, 2019 in Ankara-Turkey.

According to her, “government is aware that by scaling up sustainable land management and accelerating restoration initiatives, it can readily attain a greater resilience and security for all.”

Speaking further, the Permanent Secretary stated that government of Nigeria will continue to strengthen existing bilateral relationship with the government of the Republic of Turkey so that both countries can grow the future together.

Earlier in his remarks, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Mr. Melih Ulueren had said that he was in the Environment Ministry to extend his country’s invitation to the Ministry to participate in the 2019 World Day to Combat Desertification and the celebration of the 25thAnniversary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

The Ambassador stated that it has become imperative for nations to come together to proffer solutions to combating desertification noting that the world was rapidly losing the soil necessary for human existence.

At the global event, the Ministry is expected to share Nigeria’s commitment to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality and other experiences.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Let’s grow our future together”