YENAGOA/Nigeria: Connected Advocacy, in partnership with the Institute of Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Watersheds at Niger Delta University, has called on local government leadership to accelerate efforts towards achieving Nigeria’s emission reduction target.
The call was made during the South-South Regional Summit on Accelerating Nigeria’s Emission Reduction, held on August 29 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The event, themed “Strengthening Collaboration for Just Transition Implementation and Improving Energy Access,” highlighted the need for a unified approach to climate action at the grassroots level.
In his opening remarks, Professor Allen Agih, Vice Chancellor of Niger Delta University, emphasized the urgency of collective action to create a sustainable legacy for future generations.
Represented by Dr. Cyprian Abasi, Director of the Institute of Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Watersheds, Agih warned of the dire consequences of inaction on climate change, particularly for local communities. He urged participants to use the summit as a platform for building bridges, fostering collaboration, and driving commitments toward Nigeria’s net-zero target.
The summit brought together local government chairmen, heads of administration, and leaders of legislative councils. In his keynote presentation, Mr. Israel Orekha, Convener and Executive Director of Connected Advocacy, highlighted the critical role local governments can play in achieving net-zero emissions.
He urged them to align their policies and programs with national strategies to promote sustainable and eco-friendly development at the local level. Orekha stressed the importance of developing local government climate action plans to secure funding and support sustainable environmental initiatives.
Godson Jim-Dorgu of the Mac-Jim Foundation also spoke at the event, emphasizing the need for a just transition and environmental sustainability. He noted that Nigeria’s dependence on fossil fuels has led to significant greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and environmental degradation. Jim-Dorgu called for a shift toward cleaner energy sources to fulfill Nigeria’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
He underscored the urgency of improving energy access, particularly in underserved rural areas, to drive socioeconomic development and poverty alleviation.
The summit also featured goodwill messages from local government leaders, including Mrs. Allen Alice Tangi, Chairman of Sagbama Local Government, who pledged to implement the lessons and resolutions from the summit.
“The summit has opened our eyes to the urgent need for action. We pledge to work together to address the challenges of climate change,” she said.
Hon. Bulodisiye Ndiware, Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Council, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The time for talk is over. We must take concrete steps to mitigate the effects of climate change.”
Hon. David Alagoa, Chairman of Nembe Local Government, expressed gratitude to the organizers and stressed the importance of organized action: “We need to get organized using data gathering to drive real action on the ground.”
He emphasized that the issues surrounding climate change are critical and require immediate attention and coordinated efforts.
The summit concluded with a renewed commitment from all participants to drive local climate action and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s net-zero ambitions.
