By Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hassan
The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP-EIB), Gombe State Project Implementation Unit, has entered into a strategic partnership with Youth O’clock Advancement Association Nigeria to promote environmental sustainability and combat desertification across the state.
This was made known by the Gombe State Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, Dr. Shitu Wanda Jafaru, when he received a delegation from Youth O’clock Nigeria led by the State Coordinator, Comrade Abdulazeez Sani Labaran, at the project’s office in Gombe.
Dr. Jafaru described the Movement’s objectives particularly in environmental protection and climate action as aligning squarely with NEWMAP’s mandate, assuring their readiness to collaborate closely with Youth O’clock Nigeria, especially in rolling out the implementation phase of the project.
While commending the association for its community-driven initiatives, the Project Coordinator encouraged the team to remain resilient and consistent in their efforts to achieve long-term success.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Coordinator of Youth O’clock Nigeria, Comrade Abdulazeez Sani Labaran, said the visit was aimed at presenting the organization’s environmental agenda and exploring areas of collaboration in the fight against climate change and desert encroachment.
Comrade Labaran informed the NEWMAP management about the Movement’s 2025 flagship tree-planting initiative which targets the planting of four thousand five hundred (4,500) trees across the three senatorial zones of the state commencing in June.
According to him, the campaign will see the planting of 1,500 trees each in Dukku (Gombe North), Yamaltu Deba (Gombe Central), and Balanga (Gombe South), with the responsibility of nurturing the trees handed over to members of host communities.
In a related development, the delegation also visited the acting Vice-Chancellor of Gombe State University, Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta, where Comrade Labaran briefed him on the outcomes of a previous partnership that saw over two hundred (200) members of a voluntary uniformed organization trained in first aid, firefighting, communication skills, and teamwork.
The youth leader further sought the university’s collaboration on upcoming projects including town hall meetings, environmental campaigns, and medical outreach programs to be held across the three senatorial districts.
In his response, Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta lauded Youth O’clock Nigeria for its developmental efforts and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to supporting initiatives in alignment with its community service responsibility for the growth of the state and the nation at large.
