Great Green Wall Initiative as a Rescue Operation
Vice President Kashim Shettima called on Nigerians and environmental stakeholders to acknowledge the Great Green Wall Initiative as an emergency rescue operation to combat the effects of climate change and restore fertile lands. Speaking at the inaugural Great Green Wall Day Celebration in Abuja, he emphasized the importance of not abandoning the objective of the initiative and highlighted the urgent need to address climate change and its consequences, such as extreme temperatures, drying rivers, endangered wildlife, and thinning forests.
The Promise of a Green and Benign World
Vice President Shettima expressed the vision of creating a green and benign world that ensures food security and prevents climate-induced migration. He explained that the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and Sahel Initiative (GGWSSI) was established in 2007 to address the ecological challenges facing the region. Shettima underscored the practicality of the intervention, stating that it aims to save humanity, maintain fertile lands, secure food supplies, and revive agrarian economies.
Commitment to the Initiative
Highlighting the importance of the Great Green Wall Initiative, Vice President Shettima urged all stakeholders to view it as an emergency rescue operation. He emphasized the need to prioritize the mission and engage all relevant parties to achieve its goals. Shettima stated that the completion of the Great Green Wall was a promise made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recognizing the potential dire consequences of failing to act. The inaugural “Great Green Wall Day” served as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to the initiative and an act of self-preservation.
