NIGERIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS: SCIENTISTS, STAKEHOLDERS UNITE FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION

By AbdulHakeem Mutiu Adejumo-Ajeseku, Kaduna

Nigeria’s Environmental Crisis: Scientists, Stakeholders Unite for Collective Action…

BosenloTvNEWS: A high-level gathering of scientists, faith-based organizations, civil society groups, and stakeholders in Kaduna has sounded the alarm on Nigeria’s escalating environmental challenges, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action.

The roundtable discussion on climate change, held today being Saturday, brought together experts and advocates who highlighted the devastating impacts of the timber, charcoal, and firewood industries on Nigeria’s forests.

Participants stressed the critical importance of preserving forests and biodiversity, warning that human activities driven by increasing demands for firewood, charcoal, and timber are pushing the country to the brink of an environmental disaster.

The alarming rate of extinction of plant and animal species in Nigeria was also raised as a major concern, with stakeholders calling for immediate action to combat this crisis.

Rising pollution from abattoirs, particularly the hazardous practice of burning waste tires to roast animal skins, was identified as another pressing issue.

Shockingly, some youth have resorted to burning tires to extract cables for resale, underscoring the need for education and alternative livelihoods.

In response to these challenges, Mr. Samson Auta, National Coordinator of the Interfaith Media Center (IMC), announced the establishment of a dedicated desk to address climate change and environmental issues.

The IMC aims to educate and inform the public on ways to mitigate climate change and tackle environmental degradation, which threatens peace and stability in northern Nigeria.

Auta emphasized that climate change poses significant security risks, underscoring the need for collaborative efforts to find effective solutions.

To date, the IMC has distributed thousands of trees to places of worship, schools, and skills acquisition centers, teaching community members about tree planting techniques.

Mallam Hayatu Ashafa, Co-National Coordinator of IMC, highlighted the Center’s monthly awareness sessions on climate change for residents of Kaduna and surrounding states.

These sessions focus on environmental challenges, species facing extinction, and potential solutions, Bosenlo TV News reports.

Comrade Nurudeen Bello, Director of African Climate Reporters, stressed the urgency of educating the public about the dangers of dumping waste and harmful substances into rivers and water sources.

Bello called for government intervention to address flood disasters, riverbank erosion, and other consequences of global warming that contribute to human and animal migration.

This year, many Nigerians have faced significant medical expenses related to malaria, highlighting the dire health impacts of environmental degradation.

Mallam Abdullahi Argungun from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Kaduna, urged joint efforts to raise public awareness about tree planting as a vital means of combating deforestation and desertification.

Mallam Salim Musa Sulaiman of the Global Climate Initiative emphasized the importance of uniting stakeholders to educate communities on the harmful effects of deforestation and desertification.

Sulaiman called on citizens to plant more trees to mitigate climate change in northern Nigeria, a region facing severe heat and environmental challenges.

By working together, stakeholders aim to reverse the devastating environmental trends threatening Nigeria’s future and promote sustainable development for generations to come.