Environment
Desertification, drought remain most pressing environmental problems – Don
Agency Report
The Dean, Faculty of Environmental Science, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria Prof. Nasiru Idris, has said desertification and drought remain the most pressing environmental problems facing Nigeria.
Idris said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja to commemorate the 2019 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
The 2019 theme, “Let’s Grow the Future Together” focuses on three key issues related to land – drought, human security and climate.
The day, which raises awareness of international efforts to combat desertification, was established 25 years ago along with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
“Despite attempts made by government and the international community at checking desert encroachment through afforestation, desertification and drought, they still remain the most pressing environmental problem in the dry land parts of the country.
“The visible sign of this phenomenon is the gradual shift in vegetation from grasses, bushes and occasional trees to grass and bushes; and in the final stages, expansive areas of desert-like sand.
“Indeed, Nigeria loses over 350,000ha annually to advancing desert, the dunes are threatening life-supporting oasis, burying water points, and in some cases engulfing major roads in the affected areas.’’
He said that trees planted by government as shelter belts to check the advancing dunes were withering due to lack of attention.
“In spite of the huge efforts by governments in form of financial and material resources geared towards boosting afforestation programmes, very minimal success has been realised in sections of the few of the affected states.
“The worsening problem of desertification is quite glaring as an estimated 50 to 75 per cent of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara States in Nigeria are affected by desertification and are particularly vulnerable to wind erosion.
“These states, with a population of more than 70 million people account for about 43 per cent of the country’s total land area.
“With the country losing over 350,000 hectares of land yearly to desertification, it cannot afford to watch while arable land is being lost to desert encroachment.’’
The don said that in the arid and semi-arid zone of northern Nigeria, there was widespread land degradation, mainly attributed to deforestation and drought.
“Increasing agricultural intensity and livestock over-grazing, combined with increasing demands for fuel wood have led to a rate of deforestation estimated to be 3.5 per cent, one of the highest in the world.
“Livestock densities are high, the majority owned by the nomadic Fulani, who retain large herds for security.
“Soils in the region are ferruginous tropical soils, generally of poor structure and low fertility: the hot and dry climate causes bare, un-vegetated soils to easily heat up.
“This is, especially during the dry season, resulting in soil baking, and with high evaporation rates, the soil becomes powdery and easily blown away by the wind.’’
He therefore recommend more comprehensive innovations to enhance existing economic activities such as farming, fuel wood production, and pottery for fuel-efficient stoves to be implement through existing social institutions.
“These afforestation project innovations can be replicable in other arid regions where there are similar soil types, vegetation, land-use and social structures.
Environment
Earthic Energy To Establish Solar Manufacturing Factory In Nigeria
By Uche Onyeali
Indigenous clean energy company, Earthic Energy Limited has disclosed plans to set up a solar energy manufacturing factory in Nigeria.
Chief Executive Officer of the company, Miss Blessing Anulika Achebe gave the hint during the launch of the company in Abuja, at the weekend.
Miss Achebe, who disclosed that she has been in the solar energy business for five years, said though the journey had not been easy, but she and her partners are focused towards achieving the set goals of the company.
According to her, “The journey so far has not been easy, but I have been working with utmost determination, when I make up my mind to do something, I put in my best and God’s grace will always pave way for you with hard work.
“I have worked so hard to get to where I want to be today. I have tried so hard to make all my dreams come true. Like I said earlier, with the mercy of God everything has come to pass.”
On how she could cope with the competition in the sector, Achebe noted that her firm does not admit any factor that could stand as drawback, as a lot of women are already making waves in various sectors of the economy.
“Our determination is unhindered, though we acknowledge such competition as it paves the way for more resilience. Women are now taking over the world.
“I have been into solar for more than five years. Right now I have been pushing so hard and I see how the world is evolving around energy.
“I have made up my mind that said this is what I want to do. I said if I don’t get to where I want to be, there is no going back; I would go above the limit. I want to change lives; I want to make the world a better place. That is why I came up with ‘Earthic Energy Limited’ because the world revolves around the earth. The earth is where we live and that is why my colour is green and sun yellow. So I want to power the whole world.
“Our plan is to set up a solar energy factory in Nigeria where we can manufacture our own products,” she said.
She called for more investors and government at all levels to take advantage of Earthic’s services, which include solar streetlight installation, inverter/grid installation, construction, training/empowerment, as well as contract financing and partnership, supply/credit sales.
Speaking at the occasion, a Professor of Biochemical Pharmacology at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Professor Zaruwa commended Miss Achebe for her vision and bold step into the clean energy sub-sector.
Professor Zaruwa, a former Vice Chancellor of Adamawa State University, Mubi, urged government at all levels, especially governors in the northern part of the country where there is enormous sun, to partner Earthic Energy to improve power supply in the country.
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