In a significant endorsement for sustainable development, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abdullahi Sabi Aliyu, has lauded the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Ni geria Project for its commendable achievements in revitalising the Nguru Wetlands Ecosystem in Yobe State.
The minister, who expressed anticipation for further impactful interventions , congratulated ACReSAL over what he further described as a significant leap towards sustainable development.
The national project coordinator (NPC) of ACReSAL, Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, expressed his appreciation for the commendation, stating that the recognition will inspire them to keep achieving transformative results for the communities surrounding the Nguru Wetlands.
This is even as Umar disclosed that so far, ACReSAL’s groundbreaking efforts have positively impacted the lives of 80,853 direct beneficiaries, including 59,871 farmers, 15,624 herders, and 5,358 fishermen, while indirectly benefiting an astounding 515,969 individuals.
He added that their initiatives have cleared 28 kilometres ( 385 Ha) of obstructed waterways, restored vital ecosystems, enhanced aquatic life, improved food security through agricultural productivity, and spurred local economic growth.
With ambitious plans to expand its restoration efforts to 5,000 hectares across eight local government areas, ACReSAL is playing a crucial role in the preservation of Lake Chad.
“This endorsement reaffirms our commitment to sustainable development and community resilience,” the project team stated confidently”. He stated
These accolades followed a recent visit by the ACReSAL team to the Nguru Wetlands, where they showcased their impactful activities and garnered valuable feedback from the Minister.