The Federal Government on Tuesday commenced the distribution of N5 billion worth of smoke-free cooking stoves meant for rural women across the country. The stove was launched at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa by the Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo. This is according to a report by ThisDay Newspaper.
According to the report, the Vice President said, “One of the important global problems today is environmental problem. And desertification in Nigeria is one of our major environmental problems. One of the major causes is this problem of cutting the trees and using the wood as a source of energy for cooking.
“This idea then came up to have an alternative cooking device for our women. So, this programme was born, which Mr. President has graciously approved for the initial take off – under the Federal Ministry of Environment – with the sum of N5 billion which was used to procure these cooking utensils and distribute it all over the country to our women.
“This will contribute to stopping the usage of trees for firewood for cooking. In addition to that, it will save women from inhaling the smoke, which is responsible for the death of about 90,000 women daily.
“We believe this is a very important contribution towards arresting desertification in Nigeria.”