The National Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project in Kogi State, Barr. Ladi Ahmed Jatto, OON, has called for stronger commitment to environmental protection and climate action as the world marks the 2026 World Environment Day.
Speaking in a message to commemorate the annual event on Friday, Jatto emphasized the importance of nature-based solutions in addressing the growing challenges of climate change, in line with this year’s United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”
Drawing from over a decade of collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and his leadership role in the ACReSAL Project, Jatto noted that the realities of climate change are evident across communities in Kogi State and beyond.
According to him, forests, wetlands, and trees remain critical natural assets in combating environmental degradation, controlling erosion, reducing flooding, and improving urban living conditions.
He said the ACReSAL Project has been actively restoring degraded landscapes through watershed management, large-scale tree planting campaigns, community awareness programmes, and the promotion of climate-smart livelihoods.
“Nature is our best defense against climate change. We don’t fight climate change with speeches; we fight it with trees, policy, and action,” Jatto stated.
He stressed that meaningful climate action requires government policies that are guided by science, effective implementation of environmental projects, and active participation of citizens in preserving natural resources.
The ACReSAL coordinator described environmental protection as a critical component of national development, noting that climate stability is directly linked to food security, safer communities, and improved public health.
“Environmental work is nation-building work. A stable climate means stable farms, safer cities, and healthier families in Kogi State and across Nigeria,” he said.
Jatto reaffirmed his commitment to advancing climate resilience through policy advocacy, project delivery, and personal environmental responsibility.
He concluded with a call for collective action, saying, “The earth is not inherited from our ancestors; it is borrowed from our children. Let us return it better.”
