FG Seeks UN’s Assistance on Environmental Challenges

Michael Olugbode

The federal government has pleaded with the United Nations and its agencies to support the country on its numerous environmental challenges.

The Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, made the plea yesterday during a courtesy call on the ministry by the Deputy-Secretary General of the United Nations, Mrs. Amina Mohammed.

The minister, while extolling the contributions of the UN deputy secretary during her time as Nigerian Minister of Environment and her new appointment, said the country has a worthy support in Muhammed at the UN headquarters.

He recalled that among her contributions while as a minister included issuance of first and second Sovereign Green Bonds; kick-starting the Ogoni Clean Up, nationwide afforestation and Great Green Wall activities, Climate Action and fight against desertification.

Abubakar said as UN Deputy Secretary-General, Mohammed has positioned Nigeria as champions of energy transition, supported Nigeria’s aspiration to assume the leadership of pan-African agency of the Great Green Wall towards hosting the UNESCO Man and Biosphere conference with the scheduled hosting the 33rd Session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB-ICC) in Abuja this year, which will be the first of its kind in Africa.

The Minister called for more support through UN agencies for the developmental efforts of in the ministry and environmental programmes of the country.

Earlier, Mohammed had said environmental issues are very important to the UN, stating the willingness of the world body to assist Nigerian Government in areas of challenges.

She noted that her visit to the ministry was informed by the need to know which areas the UN could help the Nigerian Government.