The National Association of Shea Products(NASPAN) is poised to synergise with the Federal Ministry of Environment on Shea Parkland Afforestation and Reforestation -Action for Shea(SPARE-ASP)
Towards this end, NASPAN President Alhaji Mohammad Ahmmed Kontagora, along with a ten-man delegation, met with Honourable Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal .
A statement issued by Hon Abubakar Bagudu Dallatun Kalgo, National Publicity Secretary of the Association explained that “the initiative aims at promoting the planting and cultivation of Shea trees in Nigeria, enhancing environmental sustainability, creating job opportunities, and supporting local communities, particularly women who process Shea”.
The Emir of Borgu, who is the Chairman of NASPAN’s Board of Trustees, was represented by Mal Musa Buba, a Board Member, at the meeting. The collaboration also aimed to activate the call for action on Shea Parkland launched at the Global Shea Alliance Conference (March 2024) in Abuja, Nigeria”.
The statement added that”the Honourable Minister praised the initiative, committing to integrating Shea into the Ministry’s afforestation projects and collaborating with NASPAN to achieve agroforestry goals”.
“The Director General of FRIN pledged to raise one million Shea seedlings for the 2025 planting season, supporting NASPAN’s target of planting at least one million Shea trees annually. He suggested designating forty hectares of land in ten states for the project through NASPAN’s collaboration with the States Government and relevant agencies”.
“The Minister promised to flag up the tree planting as part of celebrating the Shea Month. The tree-planting event is scheduled for July 30, 2024”.
“The NASPAN delegation include:
Alhaji Mohammad Ahmmed Kontagora, President
Mal Musa Buba, Board of Trustees Member
Nelly O. Ndaguba, Board of Trustees Member
Richard Akanmode, Vice President
Alhaji Ahmmed Tarika Funtua, National Treasurer
. Laila H. Muhammad, Auditor General
Aderemi Apatira, Administrative Secretary
Keke Bongos Ikwe
Salamatu Sule, Communications Officer”.
