By Our Correspondent

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has taken its campaign on proper waste management to rural dwellers in Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State as part of measures to mitigate impact of flooding during the rainy season.
Mrs Ummunah Ahmad, the Head of Operations, NEMA , Gombe State office who led the campaign team to Kwami community said the exercise was to raise public awareness about proper waste management and its effect on flooding.
Ahmad said the campaign was imperative as part of effort to mitigate the impacts of flood disaster through proactive measures as well as reminding communities of their roles in disaster prevention and mitigation.
She told residents of Kwami that the devastating impacts of flood over the years, especially that of 2012, should served as a wake-up call to all stakeholders, hence the reason NEMA was collaborating with stakeholders to manage disaster risks and associated hazards.
According to her, the campaign on flooding is an initiative to save lives and livelihoods during the rainy season.
She said that there was a connection between improper waste disposal and flooding, hence the need for communities to avoid dumping waste indiscriminately in drains.
According to her, flooding will be minimised if residents take seriously proper waste management and to comply with all measures that will ensure a sustainable environment.
She said that her team was in Kwami because it is amongst the five LGAs in Gombe State that are predicted to be under the moderate flood risk areas, listing others to include Dukku, Yamaltu/Deba, Gombe and Funakaye.
“Our message is simple, they should not build houses along waterways or flood prone areas, evacuate from flood prone areas immediately to safer ground, clear drainages and waterways, and adhere to early warning alerts.
“NEMA is concerned about saving lives and property and that is why we are engaging all stakeholders to remind them of their roles as well as call for proactive measures,” she said.
Ahmad commended the Gombe State government for commencing desilting of storm drains as well as building waste collection centres in the state, adding that such was key to minimising impact of flooding in the state.
On his part, Mr Muhammad Khalid, the Special Assistant, Technical to the Executive Secretary of Gombe State Environmental Protection Agency (GOSEPA), Mr Auwalu Baba-Jada urged residents to imbibe the culture of proper waste disposal.
Khalid advised residents to always be vigilant and not encourage actions that could lead to flooding in their communities.
Our correspondent also reports that NEMA had earlier in the day, organised a training for key stakeholders tagged “Waste Segregation, Recycling and Composting Techniques, Proper Waste Management and Flood Preparedness to selected communities in Gombe State.”
The event which was held at Prof. Isa Ali-Pantami ICT Park, Gombe Statr University had participants such as community leaders, NESREA, SEMA, State Fire Service and Federal Firemen, officials of Ministry of Health, Environment, the Police, NSCDC and the media.

By Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hassan

In a significant environmental initiative, 14 First Ladies from the Northern Governors Wives Forum (NGWF) gathered to bolster the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project by planting trees at the Government Girls’ Mega College Doma.

The event was led by Hajiya Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, First Lady of Gombe State and Chair of the Northern Governors’ Wives Forum. She underscored the dual symbolic and practical importance of tree planting, aligning with the campaign theme “Greening for Food and Shelter.” Hajiya Asma’u highlighted the critical role trees play in providing food, shade, habitat, and enhancing the aesthetic value of landscapes.

Addressing the issue of land degradation in the northern region, Hajiya Asma’u reaffirmed the First Ladies’ dedication to restoring degraded land. This initiative supports the ACReSAL Project’s goal to rehabilitate one million hectares of degraded land by 2030, in line with the federal government’s broader environmental objectives.

The First Lady commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s previous tree-planting efforts through the 3G project, stressing the importance of individual responsibility in tree planting and conservation to combat deforestation and land degradation.

The event was also attended by key state officials, including Prof. Aishatu Umar Maigari, Gombe State Commissioner of Education, who spoke about the formation of forest and climate change clubs in schools to mitigate climate change impacts. Dr. Barnabas Malle, Commissioner of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Cooperative, lauded the collaborative efforts of the First Ladies in supporting the state government’s climate actions.

Dr. Sani Adamu Jauro, Gombe State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, expressed gratitude to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his support and stressed the importance of collective action. He urged all 19 First Ladies from northern states to emulate Gombe State’s initiative and actively participate in the project for the greater good.