The Emir of Bade and Deputy Chairman of the Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Suleiman II, OFR, has called for the desilting of River Yobe and stricter enforcement of laws against indiscriminate tree felling as critical measures to mitigate the growing effects of climate change and reduce the risk of draught and flooding across the state.
The monarch made the call when he received an advocacy delegation from the Yobe State Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture at his palace in Gashua.
The delegation led by the Commissioner, Hon Abdullahi Bego, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hajiya Salamatu Yahaya Nangere, was part of the State Government's public sensitisation campaign on the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and community preparedness against climate-related hazards.
The Emir commended the Ministry for taking climate change awareness to the grassroots through the traditional institution, describing the initiative as timely and strategic in promoting public understanding of climate-related risks and the collective responsibility of communities in mitigating them.
He observed that the increasing incidence of flooding in his domain and parts of Yobe State underscores the need for sustainable environmental interventions, stressing that desilting River Yobe would improve the free flow of water, reduce the risk of flooding and safeguard adjoining communities, farmlands and public infrastructure.
The royal father further advocated tougher sanctions against individuals engaged in indiscriminate tree felling, warning that unchecked deforestation continues to accelerate desertification, environmental degradation adding that his emirate punished anyone caught cutting down a tree without planting any.
“Bade Emirate has already adopted strict measures to protect its environment, under which anyone found cutting down a tree without the approval of the Emirate is sanctioned.
“The Emirate also promotes tree planting, encouraging residents to plant more trees to restore the environment and combat the effects of climate change.”
Speaking earlier, the Commisioner, said the advocacy campaign was initiated by the Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, administration to deepen public awareness of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and encourage communities to take proactive measures against flooding, cholera, malaria and other climate-related health challenges.
He explained that forecasts indicate flooding in 12 Local Government Areas of the state, with Geidam, Gulani and Yunusari expected to be among the worst affected during the rainy season adding that the Ministry deliberately chose to engage traditional rulers because of their immense influence in mobilising communities and promoting behavioural change at the grassroots.
Experts from the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health, and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who accompanied the delegation, also delivered presentations on the causes and impacts of climate change, climate-smart agriculture, flood preparedness, cholera and malaria prevention, as well as the roles of communities and traditional institutions in mitigating climate-related risks.
0 Comments