From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Federal Government has stressed the urgent need for active engagement of all stakeholders in addressing climate change to ensure sustainable development across Nigeria.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, said this during a visit by a delegation from the African Centre for Climate Actions and Rural Development Initiative (ACCARD), led by Freeman Elohor Oluowo, alongside representatives from the African Climate Foundation (ACF).
Highlighting the root causes of climate change, the SGF pointed to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and land use changes as major contributors. He also noted that deforestation has accelerated desertification, forcing herders to migrate to areas with better vegetation, which often leads to conflicts between herders and farmers.
He stressed the importance of continuous advocacy and sensitization efforts among key stakeholders to educate communities about the dangers of climate change and promote behavioral changes necessary for sustainable development. The SGF assured that the government remains committed to providing the appropriate policy frameworks to effectively tackle climate change challenges.
Founder and Centre Coordinator of ACCARD, Freeman Elohor Oluowo, expressed the organization’s intent to collaborate closely with the Federal Government in crafting and implementing policies that address climate change. He revealed that ACCARD is working alongside the World Bank, the African Climate Foundation, and other relevant agencies to champion this cause.
Oluowo further stressed that sustainable land use management is critical to resolving the ongoing herder-farmer conflicts, which have resulted in significant loss of lives and property.
He concluded that with strong stakeholder engagement and supportive policies, Nigeria can achieve meaningful progress in combating climate change and its associated challenges.