By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Stakeholders have welcomed use of creative art expressions to push for more climate actions.
They stated this at the art for climate change workshop in Abuja.
The event was organised by researchers from the University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria, Open University (OU), United Kingdom, YMCA Africa Alliance, Kenya and Highland One World, Scotland and brought together children from schools across Abuja (both private and public schools), lawmakers, media and key stakeholders.
Dr. Deborah Ayodele-Olajire, the Nigeria Team Leader, expressed concern over the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable groups like children and youth.
She noted that children and youth should be given opportunities to participate in climate discussions as “Their perspectives are both unique and invaluable, often offering novel and unanticipated approaches to addressing the climate emergency”
Dr. Alison Fox, the UK Team Lead, stated the project empowered children and young people to advocate for themselves on climate change, fully recognizing their rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. She underscored the necessity of fostering locally and culturally appropriate opportunities for them to engage with environmental challenges and directly influence decision-makers and relevant stakeholders with their unique insights.
In her goodwill message, Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director, Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, represented by Asmau Jibril, Head of Mitigation emphasized the importance of empowering children to lead both discussions and initiatives on climate change. Reiterating the Department of Climate Change’s commitment to driving policies and strategies that combat climate change, fully recognising the indispensable role of children and youth in driving climate action.
Similarly, the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, National Assembly, represented by Right Honorable Michael Etaba, senior legislative aid, noted that climate change is an alteration in the atmosphere with adverse impacts on humans and the environment. He commended the children for their impressive artwork, which showcased human contribution to climate change and presented viable climate actions. Ending with a strong call for unified action and inclusive participation in climate engagement, especially involving those on society’s fringes as these communities possess crucial knowledge of nature-based solutions.
The Chairman gave his commitment to transmit the workshop’s deliberations and Children’s Manifesto on Climate Change to the National Assembly for their consideration and response to building a sustainable Nigeria.
Prior to the workshop, the collaborative programme trained educators in guiding their pupils and students to voice their climate change perspectives and solutions to the climate emergency. It also involved co-learning sessions with the children on climate change, the climate emergency and climate actions.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of manifestos by the 18 participating children before policy makers and relevant stakeholders’ for building an inclusive and sustainable Nigeria.
Through their powerful artwork, they showed the devastating impacts of industrialisation, the vital role of healthy ecosystems, and the urgent need for sustainable practices. Their collective voices culminated in the creation of a comprehensive Children’s Manifesto, which outlines viable solutions for development that harmonizes with nature.
The high-level stakeholders’ workshop/art exhibition was attended by senior officials of the ministry of Environment, Education, Health and Social Welfare, Women Affairs and Social Development, Youth development, National Orientation Agency, representatives of the Senate and House of Representatives, Neem Foundation, Heinrich Boell Stiftung, the Media and representatives of teachers and students/pupils of POWA International School, Brainyville International School, Command Day Secondary School and Police Day Secondary School among others. Also in attendance, through a virtual platform, were some heads and representatives of state ministries of environment and their climate change department desk officers.
