Mediaage NG News – ABUJA, Nigeria
The Nigerian Environment Minister, Balarabe Abbas Lawal said Nigeria, like many other countries, is already feeling the impacts of climate change.
Ranging from extreme weather events to rising sea levels, he said the effects of climate change are evident daily in the lives of people.
“As a nation, we have a responsibility to take action and to work towards a more sustainable and resilient future for our people and our environment. Today, we gather to unpack the significant outcomes of COP 28, to set the stage for Nigeria’s active participation at the 29th Conference of parties in Azerbaijan, and to collectively identify and prioritize key focus areas that will drive our nation’s environmental agenda”, the Minister said on Tuesday at a national workshop in Abuja.
He stated that the 28th session of the Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC was pivotal in the global fight against climate change and serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for resolute action in the face of escalating climate crises and environmental challenges.
“With negotiations focused on crucial issues such as mitigation, adaptation, finance, and transparency, the outcomes of COP28 have far-reaching implications for the future of our planet”, he said.
“As we gear up for COP 29, it is imperative that we foster a spirit of collaboration, unity, and shared responsibility, harnessing the collective wisdom, expertise, resources of all stakeholders and firm commitments to advance Nigeria’s environmental goals”, Mr. Musa added.
The workshop, tagged “Reviewing The Outcomes of The 28th Session Of The Conference Of Parties To The United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change, was aimed at providing valuable opportunities to engage in purposeful dialogue, exchange innovative ideas, and co-create actionable strategies that will steer Nigeria towards a path of sustainable development and environmental integrity.
The Women Affairs Minister, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye said there’s a platform where over 300 thousand women from rural areas have been registered to ensure that they are not affected by climate change.
She commended President Bola Tinubu, whose renewed hope agenda she said has climate change as part of it, for being the backbone of the new drives witnessed at the Women Affairs Ministry.
She disclosed that let climate change drive be narrative so it could go hand in hand with the objective of having women benefit from it.
“Until this is done, we will continue moving round the circle”, she said.
The Director General of the National Council On Climate Change (NCCC), Dr. Dahiru Salisu revealed that the country’s participation at COP 28 through statements, negotiations and other engagements reaffirmed the need for strengthened collective climate change actions across three pillars of Adaptation, Finance, and Mitigation.
“As an oil producing and developing nation, the agreements forged during COP28 pose the need for a strategic review of our national actions and climate goals”, he said.
“Hence, this workshop presents a pivotal opportunity for us to reflect on these outcomes and chart a path forward towards sustainable solutions as we speed our transition to a climate-resilient future.
“We seek to facilitate inclusive participatory process to motivate actions towards seeking higher ambitious goals for our transition to low carbon economy and to create a forum for government, businesses, States, and other stakeholders to continue to shape and strengthen the climate action processes in Nigeria”, he added.
Secretary to the State Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, represented by Mr. Nnamdi Maurice, said COP 28 birthed major decisions that will shape the trajectory of efforts made to combat climate change.
“The latest scientific findings leave no room for doubt – climate change is accelerating, its impacts are intensifying, and the window of opportunity to avert catastrophic consequences is narrowing rapidly. In the face of such daunting challenges, we must rise to the occasion with courage and commitment.
“The outcomes of COP28 provide us with a roadmap for action, one that is grounded in the principles of equity, justice, and solidarity.
“Key decisions have been made to enhance global climate ambition, strengthen adaptation and resilience efforts, and mobilize finance and support for climate action in developing countries.
“These decisions represent a collective recognition of the imperative to leave no one behind in our pursuit of a sustainable future”, he stated.
The workshop was hosted by the National Council on Climate Change with the support of the European Union (EU).