From Abel Leonard, Lafia
A non governmental organization, African Activists for Climate Justice is sensitizing some communities in Nasarawa state towards mitigating the impacts of climate change in their various communities.
In an interview yesterday with Dr. Kenneth Akpan the national coordinator, African Activists for Climate Justice, in partnership with oxfam, shortly after the sentization programme which climax with football matches between two Communities, Ngubi and Agunji all in Kagbu, N/E LGA,
Akpan said the essence is to bring people together, hear their stories and see how they could amplifier their voices to the right partners to assist them.
He stressed that such people are destiny makers who could contributes to the whole climate change stories, people who coule also impact others with their own stories particularly as it concerns climate change in their locality.
He further said the Action for climate change justices want to see how people could live in a healthy environment which would lead to a normal life while also contributing this global discus on climate change in Africa.
“It is very minimal at less 40 percent in the community, but you see the impact is more on the increase in this part of the world, especially Nigeria where 400 hundred thousand die and over 400 hundred thousand displaced like that.” He added.
Also speaking, Joshua Jonathan, National president, Association of Small scale agro producers in Nigeria ASSAPIN/State Co-ordinator African Activist for Climate Justice AACJ disclosed that the event means there is unity in looking for solution while explaining that working together or coming together to ask or demand for issue or solution makes it easier and puts smiles on peoples faces.
“You could see people are happy the come together, play together, I think this is same way people who want justice for the climate change impacts, working as one United people.”
“While we are here, you could see the impact of climate change all over even food for next year the whole global food system says over 40 billion dollars to be injected into the world’s economy to avoid food shortage for next year.”
“so you could see the impact of flooding drought spell, had all contributed to the food shortage in the community, even this community that we are right now is affected, see some building withing the school environment had collapsed.”
Also interviewed, Executive Secretary YMCA/State Coordinator African Activists for Climate Justice AACJ, Ango adamu who noted that Nigerians like watching football and if there is anything that will unite Nigerians globally is nothing more but football.
“so we want people to be United in climate change just in the same spirit in football, so the choice of people in Agunji in Nasarawa Eggon local government is the right choice”
“We could have done this in lafia or else where but we choose this community because they have a very good relationship with us and we are doing this to promote climate change activities all over the communities to see how in the local communities, teaching them certain Technics towards mitigating the effects.”
He further said with the training and sensitization programme, the community would make decision using local solution because they not able to interpret scientific data that is being provided by meteorologist or ranged adding that they could now access the document provided for them to foretell change of climate in their community and all over the state.
Appreciating the gesture, Hon Bala Anguji, Councillor representing the area and majority leader N/Eggon legislative arm appreciated the YMCA for selecting his ward among the 147 wards in Nasarawa state.
“so for that reason we thank the N G O for the enlightening our people about the climate change so for that we are very very appreciative for that progress I don’t have much to say rather to say I appreciate.”