Efforts of the bordering countries to the ‘drying’ Lake Chad, including Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon may get boost as Edouard Matako, the Assistant Directors General for Africa and Natural Science, UNESCO, will be in Nigeria today, February 23 to consolidate support on the depletion of Lake Chad basin.
This was the revelation of the National Professional Officer, Communication and Information Sector of UNESCO in Nigeria, Macaulay Olushola who added the visit is to foster efforts by the Nigeria Government to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
He said in a statement that “The UNESCO Assistant Directors for Africa and Natural Science will be visiting Nigeria from Feb. 23 to Feb. 24, to hold a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Water Resources.
“He will be attending stakeholders meeting organised by the ministry with a focus on the proposed International conference on Lake Chad depletion,” he said.
According to him, the visit would be a follow up on the issues of mutual interest discussed by President Muhammadu Buhari and UNESCO’s Director General, Irina Bokova in August 2016 towards attaining the SDGs.
“During the visit of Irina Bokova in Aug. 2016, the Buhari expressed deep concern over the depletion of Lake Chad.
“At that time, he called for UNESCO’s assistance to organise an international conference to reflect on the future of the Lake and support the preservation of the surrounding environment.
“Subsequently, the UNESCO directors general agreed to tackle the prevailing crisis through a multifaceted approach and concerted actions with a focus on youth education and culture of peace,” he said.
