LAGOS/Nigeria: In a bid to address the escalating crises stemming from climate change and oil exploration, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has emphasized the urgent need for responsible conflict resolution. This call was made during a virtual climate justice webinar organized by the NCF on Thursday.
Dr. Grace Alawa, Founder of Sustainable Action for Nature (SAN), highlighted the imperative of enhancing stakeholders’ capacity in managing crises triggered by oil exploration. Under the theme “Building Capacity of Local Stakeholders on Conflict Resolution Skills,” Alawa emphasized the crucial roles of host communities, government, and International Oil Companies (IOCs) in conflict management.
Alawa pinpointed environmental degradation and oil spillage in the Niger Delta as primary triggers for conflicts, leading to the destruction of livelihoods and violent confrontations between youths and IOCs. She stressed the workshop’s aim to equip local communities with climate resilience and justice skills, facilitating consultations among communities, government, and IOCs to address grievances and manage crises effectively.
The capacity-building initiative, according to Alawa, includes training host communities to become eco-defenders, equipped to report environmental degradation. She disclosed that 70 individuals were trained in the Niger Delta, with evaluations conducted to assess achievements and enhance project impact and sustainability. Alawa extended gratitude to the NCF for its support in this endeavor.
Shittu Usman Akorede, Project Officer at Finima Nature Park, NCF, Port Harcourt, reiterated the webinar’s essence in enhancing host communities’ capacity to manage conflicts. He emphasized the applicability of lessons learned in addressing conflicts beyond the scope of host communities, government, and IOCs, particularly amid the ongoing climate crisis.
The Nigerian Climate Justice Alliance, inaugurated in 2023, underscores the critical nexus between environmental preservation and human rights. Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director-General of NCF, stressed the urgent need for collaborative action involving government, private sector, and communities to achieve climate justice.
Echoing the sentiment, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, President of the Society for People and Prosperity (SPP), emphasized the Alliance’s role in consolidating civil society groups’ efforts for effective advocacy. He underscored the need for robust policy implementation backed by political will to address climate challenges comprehensively.
As Nigeria grapples with the tangible impacts of climate change, the webinar signifies a crucial step towards fostering collaboration and proactive solutions in achieving climate justice for all.
