Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
The Petroleum Environmental Solid Minerals Degradation Awareness Association (PESMDAA) has inaugurated a new leadership team in Yobe State, reaffirming its commitment to environmental conservation, sustainable development, and inter-agency collaboration.
The well-attended ceremony brought together representatives from government institutions, security agencies, civil society organizations, and international missions, signaling a united front in addressing Nigeria’s environmental and ecological challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the National Chairman, Dr. Robert Adah, PESMDAA’s representative, Engr. Mustapha, described the leadership transition as a renewed pledge to Nigeria’s environmental sustainability and institutional transparency.
“This moment marks a recommitment to our national goals of ecological preservation and climate resilience,” Mustapha declared. “Our new leadership is poised to amplify grassroots impact and forge stronger ties with local and international partners.”
He outlined several key milestones achieved by the organization, including: agreements with ALGON (Association of Local Governments of Nigeria) to standardize allowances and identification systems for PESMDAA members across all 774 local government areas; the launch of international partnerships aimed at enhancing community security and delivering skill development programs to environmental task forces; a federal-backed afforestation campaign, targeting Nigeria’s rapidly depleting green cover as part of a broader climate mitigation strategy.
Delivering a keynote address, Yobe State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Abdullahi Isyaku Guda, decried the ongoing environmental degradation in the state—especially from illegal mining activities. He warned that the consequences go beyond ecosystem destruction, posing serious public health risks and economic disruptions.
“Unchecked mining is devastating farmlands, contaminating water sources, and destabilizing rural economies,” he said. “PESMDAA’s advocacy for sustainable practices and stronger environmental governance is not just welcome—it’s urgent.”
Guda praised the association’s focus on policy advocacy, eco-friendly solutions, and community empowerment, noting that the state’s Ministry of Environment was ready to deepen its collaboration with PESMDAA.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Commissioner of Police Sama’ila Saleh, who represented the Yobe State Police Commissioner, emphasized the need for an integrated security framework in environmental protection.
“We need proactive intelligence sharing, joint operations, and early-warning systems to prevent environmental crimes,” Saleh stated. “PESMDAA’s inclusion of the police in ecological discussions is both strategic and commendable.”
He also called for community-driven tree planting initiatives to help reverse land degradation, a challenge that has contributed to desert encroachment and rural displacement in parts of Northern Nigeria.
The newly inaugurated PESMDAA executives pledged to deepen the association’s green governance agenda, expand revenue transparency, and invest in training programs for local environmental officers. The goal, they noted, is to create a replicable model of accountability, climate resilience, and local development.
Participants at the ceremony expressed optimism in the capacity of the new leadership to reframe Nigeria’s environmental outlook, particularly in regions hardest hit by climate change, resource exploitation, and insecurity.
The event ended on a high note with a unified call for collaboration, increased funding for ecological interventions, and the mobilization of youth in environmental advocacy.