By Victor Essang
KATSINA
The Women in Nature Conservation Organisation (WINCO) has recorded a major milestone in its climate action and sustainable agriculture advocacy as it emerged among selected grantees of the United Nations Development Programme – Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (UNDP GEF-SGP) at the just-concluded 18th Meeting of the National Council on Environment (NCE), hosted by the Katsina State Government.
The high-level meeting, which drew participants from across the country, was themed: “Tackling the Triple Planetary Crises: Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution for Sustainable Development.”
It brought together policymakers, government officials, development partners, academics, civil society organisations, private sector actors, media professionals, and community stakeholders, all united by a shared commitment to shaping a sustainable environmental future for Nigeria.
The UNDP GEF-SGP grantees, including WINCO, were led by the national coordinator, Lady Ibironke Olubanise, with strong administrative support from the programme administrator, Ms. Rose Agbo. Their leadership ensured effective coordination, visibility, and meaningful engagement throughout the three-day event.
At the exhibition stand under the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme Nigeria, WINCO made a strong impression by showcasing its innovative jackfruit value chain products, demonstrating the immense potential of indigenous crops in advancing climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.
Their jackfruit value chain products, exhibited on the occasion, included ripe and unripe jackfruit chips, juices, soup thickeners, Jack-vita cereal, fresh jackfruits and seeds, which highlighted both nutritional value and environmental sustainability.
In a practical demonstration of community-led environmental restoration, WINCO freely distributed 413 jackfruit seeds to visitors, encouraging tree planting, biodiversity conservation, and local participation in climate action.
Participants were also sensitised through a wide range of knowledge-sharing materials, including training manuals, fliers, branded bags, jotters, and photo frames, all focused on forest management, conservation, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
In the course of the meeting, WINCO engaged no fewer than 283 visitors, cutting across federal and state government officials, policymakers, academics, civil society groups, private sector stakeholders, media practitioners, and residents of Katsina State.
The exhibition also generated N260,000 (approximately $179) from the sales and support of jackfruit products within two days, proceeds which will be channeled directly into sustaining WINCO’s conservation and community empowerment initiatives.
The organisation’s participation further yielded significant partnership prospects, with no fewer than seven organisations expressing interest in collaboration.
Notable among these were proposals for expansion into Adamawa State and six North-Western states through the Environment Care Foundation, as well as expressions of interest from the Edo State commissioner for environment, directors on Climate Change in the Federal Capital Territory, and officials from Plateau State to adopt and scale WINCO’s jackfruit innovation model.
In addition, two volunteers were engaged during the event – a female researcher focusing on the nutritional benefits of jackfruit, and a male focal person – to support WINCO’s activities in Katsina State and the wider North-East region.
The participation of the chief executive officer of Women in Nature Conservation Organisation (WINCO), Mrs. Emem Umoh, at the NCE meeting further underscored WINCO’s unwavering commitment to empowering women, supporting farmers, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable agriculture across Nigeria.
As Nigeria continues to confront the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, UNDP GEF -SGP and WINCO’s presence at the 18th National Council on Environment Meeting stands as a testament to the power of grassroots innovation, strategic partnerships, and indigenous solutions in building a greener and more resilient nation.
Other grantees at the meeting included International Trade Facilitation Association(ITFA), Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), New Dawn Foundation (NDF), among others.
WINCO appreciated UNDP GEF-SGP Nigeria for massively funding the event.
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