As the world commemorates World Environment Day 2026 under the theme, “Climate Action,” the Overseeing Director of Information in Gombe State, Richard James, has highlighted the state’s environmental achievements, describing Gombe as a model for climate resilience and sustainable environmental management in Nigeria.
In a special commentary issued to mark the global event on Friday, James said climate change remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, noting that rising temperatures, irregular rainfall patterns, desertification, flooding, and land degradation continue to threaten livelihoods and economic development worldwide.
According to him, the impacts of climate change are particularly significant in Gombe State due to its location within Nigeria’s semi-arid region.
“Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is a present reality affecting communities, economies, ecosystems, and livelihoods across the world,” James stated.
He noted that Gombe has battled environmental challenges such as desert encroachment, severe soil erosion, declining vegetation cover, and climate variability for decades, adding that these problems have had direct consequences on agriculture, water resources, and the livelihoods of rural communities.
James, however, said the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had taken proactive measures to address these challenges through various environmental and climate adaptation initiatives.
He described Governor Yahaya, popularly known as the “Green Governor,” as a leader who embraced climate action long before it became the central focus of this year’s World Environment Day theme.
“Long before the global community adopted this year’s theme, the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had already begun implementing bold and visionary policies aimed at protecting the environment and securing a sustainable future for generations to come,” he said.
The information director cited the Gombe Goes Green Initiative, also known as the 3G Project, launched in 2019, as one of the administration’s flagship environmental programmes.
According to him, the initiative has led to the planting of more than five million trees across the state, helping to combat desertification, improve vegetation cover, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
“What began as an ambitious environmental campaign has today evolved into a model for climate action in Nigeria,” James stated.
He explained that beyond tree planting, the programme has promoted environmental education, biodiversity conservation, job creation, ecological restoration, and community participation.
The initiative, he said, has mobilised traditional institutions, youth organisations, women’s groups, schools, civil society organisations, local governments, and development partners to support environmental protection efforts.
James also acknowledged the role played by a special task force led by the Mai Tula, Alhaji Abubakar Buba Atare II, in driving public awareness campaigns on climate change and sustainable environmental practices.
Highlighting the impact of the programme, he referenced findings published in the Nigerian Journal of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, which indicated that the initiative had contributed to poverty reduction, improved food security, better public health outcomes, and stronger environmental infrastructure in participating communities.
The director further noted that the state government had intensified efforts to tackle erosion and land degradation through partnerships with development agencies and environmental intervention programmes.
He cited interventions under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) and the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project (ACReSAL) as major contributors to land restoration efforts in the state.
According to him, more than 1,000 hectares of degraded land have been reclaimed, while three major erosion sites covering nearly 50 kilometres have either been stabilised or are undergoing intervention.
The projects include the Gombe State University Gully Erosion Site, the Federal College of Education Gully Erosion Site, and the ongoing Government Girls’ Mega College, Doma Gully Erosion Project.
“These projects have not only protected infrastructure worth billions of naira but have also safeguarded homes, farmlands, roads, schools, and public facilities from environmental destruction,” James said.
On waste management, he disclosed that a former dumpsite had been transformed into a waste-to-wealth facility through the ACReSAL Project.
He said the facility is creating employment opportunities through recycling and resource recovery while helping to reduce environmental pollution.
James also revealed that the Gombe State Environmental Protection Agency (GOSEPA), in collaboration with ACReSAL, had established 203 waste collection centres across Gombe metropolis to improve waste disposal practices and environmental sanitation.
In addition, he said the state government is promoting the use of energy-efficient cookstoves to reduce dependence on firewood and lower carbon emissions.
“The state’s climate action agenda recognises the importance of reducing pressure on forest resources. Energy-efficient cookstoves are helping households reduce firewood consumption while protecting forest ecosystems,” he said.
While commending the progress made so far, James stressed that government efforts alone would not be sufficient to tackle climate change.
“The fight against climate change requires the active involvement of every citizen. Every tree planted, every tree protected, every piece of waste properly disposed of, and every effort to conserve water and energy contributes to building a safer and more sustainable future,” he said.
He also advocated for the domestication and implementation of Nigeria’s National Climate Change Policy at the state level to strengthen Gombe’s capacity to manage climate-related risks and accelerate sustainable development.
James described Gombe as a strong example of what can be achieved through collaboration among government, traditional institutions, development partners, civil society groups, and citizens.
“Climate action is not merely an environmental obligation; it is an investment in economic prosperity, social well-being, and the future of generations yet unborn,” he stated.
He urged residents to mark World Environment Day by taking practical steps toward environmental protection, including tree planting, waste reduction, energy conservation, and support for environmental initiatives.
“Together, we can build a greener, healthier, and more resilient Gombe State,” James added.
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