Interfaith Mediation Center in collaboration with the African Climate Reporters and Kaduna State Government organize a one day hangout on Climate Change and it’s effect to security challenges,held in Kaduna.
A criminologist and security expert, Mr. Abel John Bassa in a keynote speech emphasized the severe impact of climate change and insecurity in northern Nigeria.
He explained that the menace is damaging key sectors such as agriculture, education, tourism, healthcare, among others.
The Criminologist advocate for the need of relevant authorities to watch out on climate change and environmental degradation to avert it’s menace with reference to the insecurity threat posed by the farmers-herders clashes.
Mr.Abel Bassa called for strategies that prioritize the social, economic, and political needs of the people particularly those affected on measures to address the menace.
He maintained that providing other sources of grazing cattles, stoppage of construction on flood-prone areas, halting deforestation, transitioning to renewable energy sources, enforcing environmental laws, among others would go along way to profound solutions to the problems in the Society.
Contributing, Special Assistant to the Kaduna State Governor on Climate Change, Mallam Yusuf Idris Amoke, called for stronger collaboration between civil society organizations and NGOs to raise awareness about the threats to Nigerian forests posed by the production of charcoal, firewood, and timber industries.
He maintained that bricket such as shaft, corn stock and waste from farm after harvest can be used as charcoal instead of cutting down trees which is of utmost importance.
In a remark National-Director of the Interfaith Mediation Centre, Mr. Samson Auta, noted that the Climate Hangout provides a platform for stakeholders to collaborate and develop strategies to raise awareness about environmental challenges and it’s call to action in it’s monthly meetings would be fully implemented this year.
In his address the National President of the Life anchor International Development Foundation, Mr. Agada Simon emphasized that deforestation has led to the migration of both plants and animals, underscoring the need for a unified effort to support government initiatives aimed at improving environmental conditions as well as human well-being.
These forms part of submission of stakeholders at a one day climate Hangout to address the pressing issues of climate change and insecurity in northern Nigeria.
The event brought together multi -stakeholders, including scientists, geologists, environmental journalists, civil society organizations, NGOs, traditional leaders, and religious figures to discuss the way forward regarding insecurity and climate change.
Cov/ Naomi Anzaku Ekele.
