By Emmanuel Enebeli
ASABA/Nigeria: In a concerted effort to foster greater awareness of the pressing issue of climate change in Nigeria, the non-governmental organization Environmental and Rural Mediation Centre, known as Envirumedic, headquartered in Warri, Delta State, has formed a dynamic partnership with ActionAid Nigeria and the Delta State Government. This collaboration aims to conduct extensive environmental awareness campaigns, with a unique focus on art competitions held in three local government areas of Delta State.
The culmination of these efforts was the final round of the competition, titled “Community Children Art for Climate Justice Call”, was held on Wednesday, 11 October 2023, in Asaba, the state capital. At this grand event, Chief Monday Oghenerouna Itoghor, the Executive Director of Envurumedic, shared valuable insights into the initiative. He emphasized that the primary aim of the competition was to educate children about the far-reaching impacts of climate change.
Participating Students at the Final Stage, and the Judges
Chief Itoghor expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for their unwavering support and approvals that mobilized communities to participate in this vital initiative. Notably, thirty communities took part, representing three local government areas of Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Ndokwa East, where Envurumedic has been operating for a decade.
Furthermore, Chief Itoghor highlighted that the commitment of Envurumedic and ActionAid Nigeria to Delta State extends beyond climate change awareness campaigns. Both organizations have played pivotal roles in various activities supporting women’s livelihood, youth engagement, and child development.
The decision to host the finals of the art competition in Asaba was deliberate, aiming to broaden the horizons of the participating children. For many of them, this experience marked their first visit to the state capital. Chief Itoghor shared his optimistic outlook on the event, stating, “It will also inspire them that one day they will come and work here. And they will be the president of the country, which is our prayer for each and every one of the children.”
The event commenced with introductions from the judges, representatives of the host ministry, and various participating ministries. Teachers from participating schools and students also introduced themselves, while the competing children were supported by enthusiastic audiences from their schools.
The Winners and Runups at the Finals
The young participants used art to showcase their profound environmental awareness, emphasizing the critical importance of addressing climate change. During the competition, they had the opportunity to interpret their artworks and explain their visions for a sustainable future.
Chief Itoghor stressed the significance of the children’s perspectives on climate change, noting, “We believe that their insights can be more than just stories. It can be a crucial step towards better understanding and addressing climate change.”
On his part, the Delta State Commissioner for Environment, represented by Director Climate Change, Mrs. Briggs Vivian, saw the art competition as a commendable step to engage children from an early stage in understanding the impacts of climate change in their communities and how it affects their everyday activities.
Ajara Adamu, the Programme Advisor of ActionAid Nigeria, also emphasized the growing importance of the issue of climate change and its social and economic impact. She highlighted the necessity of joining forces with Envirumedic to spread awareness about the menace of climate change through the eyes of children.
The event concluded with students sharing their experiences and knowledge about climate change, reflecting their understanding of how climate change affects their lives. Their remarkable efforts were met with enthusiasm and applause.
This powerful collaboration between Envurumedic and ActionAid Nigeria not only raised awareness about climate change but also empowered the next generation to become active advocates for a more sustainable future. It serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and community engagement in addressing the global challenge of climate change.
The competition which had at the beginning had more than 200 students contesting from the local government areas, with schools from Emoni Primary and Secondary Schools Adofi Primary School, and Osissa Secondary School reaching the finals, with a total of 7 students, three from the primary schools, and four from the Secondary Schools.
