On Monday, Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, actuated a $19 Billion Fund to be channelled towards ecosystem restoration, tree planting, climate-resilient infrastructure, and climate-smart agriculture, amongst others.
The president called on the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), and other partnering institutions to support the project, tagged the “One Planet Summit initiative.”
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, President Buhari called for support from financial institutions to fuel the project to mitigate the looming climate disasters in Africa and beyond.
The president said the move would help in the socio-economic restoration of Africa, especially over 30 million people in the Lake Chad area.
“The inter-basin water transfer from Central Africa to Lake Chad should be taken seriously.”
“As it is at present, the drying up of Lake Chad has destroyed fish farming, animal husbandry, and crop agriculture leading to social and economic dislocation with severe consequences for peace in the basin area.
“This has led to migration to Europe by many, creating problems for you over there. These should engage your attention as a committee.”
