ECOCYKLE HOST VOTE FOR CLIMATE CAMPAIGN IN KARON MAJIJI COMMUNITY ABUJA

As Nigeria’s general elections approach, with the presidential and national assembly elections scheduled for February 25th, 2023, and the governorship and state assembly elections scheduled for March 11th, 2023, the atmosphere is saturated with expectations for the next leaders to govern the nation in various capacities.

Ecocykle Development Foundation, in collaboration with International Climate Change Development Initiative and Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation, held a VOTE FOR CLIMATE sensitization campaign at Hakimi Palace in the Karon Majiji community of the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. This sensitization aimed at raising awareness about the importance of citizens using their voting rights to vote for political leaders who have a strong agenda for addressing the existing environmental and climate change-related challenges affecting members of the community.

It is worth noting that Nigeria has experienced numerous leadership changes between military and democratic rule since its independence in 1960. However, with the stability of democratic rule in Nigeria since 1999, Nigerians are becoming more confident in electing leaders who possess the necessary qualities to address the challenges impeding the country’s sustainable development.

According to UNICEF, Nigeria was severely affected by the effects of floods brought on by climate change in 2022, which led to the deaths of over 600 people. Other climate-related problems the nation has faced include water scarcity, inadequate waste management, food insecurity, air pollution, and oil spills, which have a negative impact on both human and environmental health and impeding sustainable development. Despite several research indicators that the situation may worsen beyond current levels of damage in the coming years if immediate measures are not taken, there are still climate deniers who do not believe in climate change and its impact, and thus make no effort to address the problem within their leadership jurisdiction.

During the sensitization campaign, Aliyu Umar Sadiq, Executive Director of EDF, emphasized to the community elders that there are more pressing demands to make of political office candidates than money, schools, and piped water. He emphasized that without a healthy environment, even the lives of community members may be jeopardized, citing the devastating effects of floods in many Nigerian states in 2022 that destroyed lives, property, and exposed more people to health challenges. As a result, he urged community chiefs to ensure that their collective support for candidates in the upcoming elections is based on their plans to address the community’s and the country’s environmental needs.

According to Lauritta Boniface, Project Manager at EDF, it may be impossible for humans to live on Earth without a clean, safe, and healthy environment. She urged community elders to support the VOTE FOR CLIMATE campaign and to ensure that the next elected leaders prioritize climate change and environmental issues.

His Royal Highness, Yunusa Abdullahi, Hakimi of Karon-Majiji, expressed gratitude for the sensitization on the importance of the environment and its impact on the people of their community if ignored. As a result, he promised that the community’s chiefs and elders would work together to vote only for candidates who have strong plans to address climate change and environmental challenges if elected.

By

Aliyu Umar Sadiq

aliyusadiq34@gmail.com