By Ayodele Popoola

|

As climate change increasingly becomes a global issue affecting communities across the state, the Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiatives (NGYouthSDGs) and other stakeholders have reviewed the Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) to empower youth-led civil society organizations to build stronger communities.

The adaptation plans are community-driven initiatives aimed at helping governments at the grassroots level and local communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change.

The dialogue forum, an initiative of NGYouthSDGs with support from the German Missions in Nigeria and other groups, seeks to equip youth-led civil society organizations (CSOs) in partnership with the state government to drive policies that will lead to the implementation of Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

The initiative aimed to identify climate-vulnerable communities, municipalities, households, and individuals, as well as strengthen and establish institutions and organizations to drive local adaptation planning.

The State Stakeholders’ Dialogue Forum, themed Empowering Youth Civil Society to Build Stronger Communities in Nigeria Project, was held in Akure on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. It focused on developing a policy document on LAPA to strengthen climate resilience in the state.

The forum was attended by representatives from CSOs, NGOs, women’s groups, persons with disabilities (PWDs), students, community members, and government representatives from the Ministries of Forestry, Water Resources, and Health, as well as religious bodies, the National Orientation Agency, and others.

In his opening remarks, Emmanuel Adamolekun, Project Manager of the Kid and Teens Resource Centre, explained that the forum was organized to empower youths and marginalized groups to raise their voices and ensure under-represented perspectives are included in the implementation of climate policies.

Adamolekun stated that the forum was designed to gather expert opinions from stakeholders and compile deliberations into a policy document to be presented to the state government for implementation.

He also emphasized that the forum would raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and identify adaptation practices to reduce vulnerability to both current and future climate change.

He further noted that the dialogue would address these impacts and inspire the people of Ondo State, especially coastal residents, to rise to the challenges posed by climate change.

He added that the group would make the policy document public and advocate for its implementation.

Adamolekun urged government to prioritize proper waste management and intensify efforts in climate financing, adding that:

Presiding over the dialogue, Olasunkanmi Olagboye, Senior Programs Manager at Aquaworld, revealed that the project aims to bridge the gap between those directly affected by climate change and the policies being implemented in the state.

In her contribution, the Permanent Secretary Ondo State  Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs Victoria Abitoye, represented by Dele Akintan, affirmed the ministry’s support for the forum.

She highlighted some impacts of climate change in local communities, such as sanitation problems and food insecurity. To address these, she noted that the ministry plans to ensure safe water access, collect rainwater during the rainy season for use in the dry season, and engage youths by providing solar-powered irrigation systems to ensure food security during dry periods.

Similarly, J.O. Adeyemo, a representative from the State Ministry of Forestry, stressed the importance of campaigning against indiscriminate deforestation, noting that forest destruction significantly contributes to climate change.

Adeyemo added that involving youth organizations in such campaigns would yield positive results.