By Mayowa Adeniran |
In bid to find a solution to climatic problems in North Central Nigeria, youths from the region have highlighted some climatic problems facing the region while also proferring solutions to the climatic problems.
These ideas will proffer better innovative, measurable and bankable solutions to combat these climate change problems.
The youths gathered at a Climate Incubation Hub event in Nasarawa in line with the mandate of the Federal Ministry of Environment, through the Department of Climate Change, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria.
The event was facilitated by the International Climate Change Development Initiative Africa (Climate Wednesday), an environmental youth-led organization championing the creation of a climate-smart generation. Participants at the North Central zone summed up to 63 participants drawn from Abuja, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states.
Opening the event, Adebote Seyifunmi, representing Mr. Olumide Idowu, the Director and Co-founder of ICCDI Africa introduced the importance of the Youth Roundtable on Climate Action; the Hub is a platform for the government and international partners to learn about the practical youth-led action aimed at solving the Climate crisis affecting Nigerians.
He stated that “it would equally encourage more young people to synergizing with the government efforts to address climate change.”
Mr. Ayodeji Falemu, a Senior Scientific Officer from the Department of Climate Change of the Federal Ministry of Environment. He discussed extensively on Nigeria’s stand in combating climate change.
His presentation also “profiled the nation’s current position in the implementation of the NDC mandate and an urgent need to solve the climate crisis posing a threat to humanity. Participants followed up with questions about youth participation and government response to some of the challenges witnessed in the North-Central zone of Nigeria.”
At the event, it was observed that indigenous materials that are sustainable to create employment and improve the nation’s local market stand in the global market.
It was also noted that there is a “need for the government needs to invest in renewable energy and finance locally made products with and increase investment in and finance agricultural activities to better secure food availability and quality food accessibility for all states in the region.”
It was recommended that Biogas and Anaerobic machines: generating biogas to reduce deforestation, air pollution and to create sustainable cooking method for all.
Other recommendations made include; “establishing climate change clubs and advocacy for target groups and also creating and distributing certain social documentaries in local dialects on climate change.
“Creation of Climate Innovation Hub (physical and virtual) to help foster start-ups in the climate change action space; supports the creation of sustainable businesses that are eco-friendly and contribute to economic growth; and provides an interacting platform for climate change advocates and innovators.”
Youths from Abuja identified migration, erosion and flooding aggravated by poor environmental sanitation, deforestation and improper waste management scheme as some of the major climatic problems in the country.
They, however, noted that investing in biogas and anaerobic machines, food security, afforestation, improving farm yield and marine lives could solve the climatic problems.
Also, youths from Benue state highlighted emission of fumes from firewood due to cooking, cutting down trees leading to deforestation, solid waste management and lack of good water as major climatic problems facing the state.
It was suggested that the development of a modular eco-friendly water treatment system and creation of a “Rinse husk briquettes” domestic fuel that can be used for cooking while substituting the use of firewood, would serve as solutions to the climatic problems.
On their part, youths from Kogi State listed flooding due to the state’s demography, lack of access to water and dam spills as major problems in the state.
They called for better warning systems, planting of trees, introduction of water storage system and sustainable viable policies on climate change; as solutions to their peculiar climatic condition.
Also, youths from Plateau State cited violent from migrations issue, massive poor harvest and upcycling of waste as major climatic problems battling the states.
They stated that freeze drying, flash drying and near hold drying as a solution to the massive post harvest losses recorded annually which contribute to food insecurity.
Other solution proferred include: “Smart farming using permaculture to utilize the scarce resources available and increase output using organic methods. Hydroponics technology to grow vegetables and green fodder for livestock to address the violent conflict between farmers and herdsmen. Creating a mobile and web application to be implemented in Urban city centers which will imbibe the sorting culture, enhance public participation in waste management , effective data collection and creating an ecosystem that seamlessly connects all relevant stakeholders.”
The Kwara team pointed, improper waste management, open defecation and improper database, as problem it is facing.
They stated, “documentary for advocacy in schools, on offline and online media platform, creation of Briquette through sawdust, using plastic waste for road construction, plastic repurposing, biogas plant, data accessibility strategy for North-Central waste, and data collection hub could serve as means to palliate the climatic problems in the state.
Youths from Nasarawa also highlighted waste management issue, deforestation, lack of awareness as problems facing the state.
They, however, noted that campaign advocacy and education and creation of climate change clubs in Nassarawa as solutions.
Other solutions stated include: “positioning of waste bin across the state, training of people on waste recycling; creating sustainable business to improve economic growth and constant mentorship and practical workshops.”
Lastly, the youths from Niger Stated said that major climatic problems facing the state include: deforestation, waste management and power
They stated that the planting of trees, creation of awareness using all social media platform, production of briquette and production of Biogas and Bio-fertilizers would help to solve the problems.
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