The Federal Authorities has urged state and native governments to spend money on climate-resilient infrastructure and improve their capability to deal with the impacts of local weather change throughout the nation.
This attraction was made on Wednesday on the 2024 Way forward for Well being Youth Pre-Convention organised by Nigeria Well being Watch in Abuja, with the theme “Amplifying Youth Voices for Local weather-Well being Motion.”
Talking on the occasion, the Director Common, Workplace for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience, Chris Ngwodo, emphasised the necessity for improved capabilities at state and native ranges to reply successfully to flooding.
He stated, “What we’re going to give attention to is constructing the capability of states and native governments to reply successfully to floods. They want to have the ability to act each proactively and reactively. Proactively, by evacuating folks from flood-prone areas, and reactively, by coping with the aftermath of the floods.
“In addition they have to spend money on climate-resilient infrastructure to stop rainfall from instantly inflicting flooding in weak communities.”
Ngwodo identified that some of the seen results of local weather change in Nigeria is rising sea ranges within the south, which contributes to flooding, whereas the north experiences drought and desertification.
“We all know that in lots of states, this capability is insufficient, so we’re advocating for extra funding by state governments to strengthen their potential to reply swiftly to those challenges,” he added.
He additionally inspired younger folks to familiarise themselves with nationwide insurance policies and laws associated to local weather change.
The Managing Director of the Society for Household Well being, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, famous that youth management is pivotal within the struggle towards local weather change, as they possess the vitality, creativity, and dedication to drive grassroots advocacy efforts.
Represented by the Deputy Managing Director of SFH, Dr Jennifer Anyanti, Idogho confused that youth involvement in local weather change governance, notably in amplifying youth voices, is crucial to make sure that insurance policies are efficient, equitable, and sustainable.
He stated, “Youth involvement in local weather motion is essential for making a sustainable future. By main advocacy efforts, integrating local weather training, leveraging know-how, driving neighborhood initiatives, and constructing partnerships, younger folks can considerably affect the struggle towards local weather change.
“Their management and innovation are key to making sure a wholesome planet for future generations. Because the challenges of local weather change and its influence on well being intensify, it’s crucial to amplify the voices of youths and help them in taking significant motion.”
The Govt Director of the Worldwide Local weather Change Improvement Initiative, Olumide Idowu, highlighted that native actions are important for youth engagement on local weather change.
“All of us reside in numerous native communities, and whenever you deal with issues inside your neighborhood, you develop into well-known and may create the change you want to see.
“So, younger folks want to know that native motion is among the greatest methods to have interaction themselves. They need to additionally decide to studying and growth, as a result of with out understanding what they’re speaking about, they might lead others within the unsuitable path.
“Moreover, we should realise that each drawback presents an answer, and each useful resource presents a chance.”
On her half, the Managing Director of Nigeria Well being Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu, confused that youth are disproportionately affected by the well being crises ensuing from local weather change. She referred to as for extra discussions on the intersection of local weather change and well being, urging younger folks to develop into change-makers in addressing these challenges.
“Local weather change isn’t just an environmental problem; it’s a well being disaster that’s already threatening the well-being of communities throughout our nation and the broader African continent.
“Rising temperatures, shifting climate patterns, and growing pure disasters are exacerbating well being vulnerabilities—whether or not by way of the unfold of infectious illnesses, meals and water insecurity, or the pressure on our already fragile well being methods.
“In Nigeria and throughout Africa, these challenges hit our youth and different weak populations the toughest. Whereas Africa makes up about 17 per cent of the world’s inhabitants, we contribute solely 4 per cent of worldwide carbon emissions, with three per cent coming from Egypt and South Africa.
“Nonetheless, whereas our youth bear the brunt of those crises, in addition they maintain the options. Immediately, greater than ever, younger Africans are stepping up as leaders, advocates, and innovators, taking daring actions to safe a more healthy, extra resilient future,” she concluded.