en.Wedoany.com Reported - As the 2026 World Environment Day approaches under the theme "Climate Action," Nigeria's Gombe State has been recognized as a model for climate resilience and sustainable environmental management in the country. Richard James, Acting Director of Information for the state, stated that through environmental protection and adaptation initiatives implemented by the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Gombe State has made significant progress in addressing climate-related challenges.

In a statement commemorating the event, James noted that climate change is one of the greatest threats currently facing humanity, with global phenomena such as high temperatures, abnormal precipitation, desertification, floods, and land degradation impacting livelihoods and economic development. Located in Nigeria's semi-arid region, Gombe State faces more severe effects of desert encroachment, soil erosion, reduced vegetation cover, and climate variability on agriculture, water resources, and rural communities.

James stated that Governor Yahaya, widely referred to as the "Green Governor," had adopted the concept of climate action long before it became this year's World Environment Day theme. A key initiative is the "Gombe Goes Green" project (also known as the 3G project), launched in 2019. The project has planted over 5 million trees across the state to curb desertification, restore vegetation, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The project's scope has also expanded from tree planting to environmental education, biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, job creation, and community engagement, mobilizing traditional rulers, youth and women's groups, schools, civil society organizations, local governments, and development partners.

James also acknowledged the contributions of a special environmental task force led by Mai Tula Alhaji Abubakar Buba Atare II in raising public awareness about climate change and sustainable environmental practices. According to research published in the Nigerian Journal of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, the initiative has helped reduce poverty, improve food security, enhance public health outcomes, and strengthen environmental infrastructure in participating communities.

Gombe State has intensified efforts to combat soil erosion and land degradation through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) and the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project. Over 1,000 hectares of degraded land have been restored, while three major erosion sites (stretching nearly 50 kilometers) have been stabilized or are undergoing intervention, including the gully erosion site at Gombe State University, the gully erosion site at the Federal College of Education, and the gully erosion project at the Government Girls' Secondary School in Doma. These projects have protected critical infrastructure, homes, farmland, roads, schools, and other public facilities from environmental damage.

In waste management, through the ACReSAL project, a former dumpsite has been transformed into a waste-to-wealth facility, creating jobs through recycling and resource recovery while reducing environmental pollution. The Gombe State Environmental Protection Agency (GOSEPA), in collaboration with ACReSAL, has established 203 waste collection centers within Gombe metropolis to improve sanitation and waste disposal. The state government is also promoting energy-efficient cookstoves to reduce reliance on firewood, lower carbon emissions, and alleviate pressure on forest resources.

While acknowledging the progress, James emphasized that government efforts alone are insufficient to combat climate change and called on residents to actively participate through tree planting, proper waste disposal, water conservation, and energy-saving practices. He also urged the adoption and implementation of Nigeria's National Climate Change Policy at the state level to strengthen climate risk management and support sustainable development. James described Gombe as a model of cooperation between the government, traditional institutions, development partners, civil society groups, and citizens, stating that climate action is essential for economic growth, social well-being, and protecting future generations.

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