By Jonathan Lois
A group of young climate justice activists, Fridays For Future Nigeria (FFFN), says it will hold protests across the country to pressurise insurance companies to stop insuring fossil fuel projects.
Kingsley Odogwu, National Coordinator (FFFN), in statement on Sunday in Abuja, said the protests would be held in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Delta from Feb. 26 to March 3.
He said there was the need to insure the future and not fossil fuels.
“We will join global fight demanding insurance companies around the world and in Nigeria insuring fossil fuel projects such as AIG, Tokio Marine, Zurich Insurance, the Linkage Assurance Plc, AIICO Insurance Plc and others to stop immediately and start taking actions on climate.
“Actions will hold in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Delta from this Feb. 26 to March 3.
“All FFFN local activists and community members as well as university students will protest around the major cities in Nigeria demanding that these insurance companies take immediate actions to slow the climate crisis and support the urgent transition from dangerous fossil fuels to clean energy.
“Grassroots groups and activists from across the world are coming together to demand action; same events will be taking place in the UK, U.S. Japan, South Korea, Uganda, DRC, Nigeria, Switzerland, France, Peru, Colombia, Germany and Czech Republic.’’
According to him, the aim is to demand immediate halt to insuring new fossil fuel projects, phasing out support for existing coal, oil and gas projects, respecting human rights and supporting a just transition.
He said that 2023 was the hottest year since the records began; and extreme and violent weather events were increasing across every continent.
Odogwu said that burning fossil fuels was the number one cause of the climate crisis, and fossil fuel projects – coal, gas and oil – could not operate without insurance.
“This puts the insurance industry in a uniquely powerful position to have an impact on the future of our world.
“ The environmental devastations caused by these fossil fuel industries at the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria where the Indigenous people can no longer farm on their farmlands are enough reasons for these insurance companies in Nigeria to stop insuring new fossil fuel projects in the country and support a just transition to renewable energy.
“As we continue our ongoing Fossil Free Campaigns across the country, the Nigerian Government is hereby advised to keep all its promises on the global climate Justice struggles before the International community and.
“Also, Nigeria Government should create conducive atmosphere for climate justice activists across Nigeria to peacefully continue their climate advocacy campaigns without any form of intimidation and harassment from the law enforcement agencies.’’
Odogwu said that the insurance industry was meant to protect communities but instead they were deepening the crisis the communities faced
According to him, the insurance companies will be guaranteeing a future with more wildfires, floods, droughts and storms if they continue to insure fossil fuels.
“Insurers have a choice – they can stop insuring dirty, planet–wrecking oil, gas and coal.
“We ask them to take action now to protect our children’s future because later is too late,” he said.
