A leading non-governmental organization in Nigeria Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, BBYDI, has taken the lead in addressing global environmental challenges by carrying out an enlightenment program on climate adaptation in Sentu community of Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara state.
The NGO organized a one-day program that aimed to educate the community members on the importance of climate adaptation and environmental conservation.
The program, which was held on the 15th of June 2023, at the community featured a series of lectures and practical sessions.
The community members were taught about the effects of climate change on their immediate environment and the world at large.
They were also educated on ways to adapt to the changing climate and mitigate its impact on their lives and livelihoods.
The program included sessions on waste management, tree planting, upcycling and sustainable agriculture practices. The community members were also taught how to make compost and how to properly dispose of waste.
Speaking at the event, the project lead for the Sentu Community Climate Education Ramat Jadesola Owolabi, stressed the importance of environmental conservation, stating that “climate change is a global problem that requires a collective effort to address.
“We must all take responsibility for the environment and work towards building a sustainable future,” she said. She also gave a laudable applause to her resilient team members for their efforts and commitments towards the success of the program.
The program was well-received by the community members who expressed their gratitude to the NGO, the facilitators a lecturer at the Agricultural Economics department at the University of Ilorin, Mrs Waliyat Olaide Oloyede, a climate journalist and advocate Dare Akogun, Ms. Mariam Hamzat, another climate journalist and Mr. Paul Ayomide Eweola, a Climate change advocate for the enlightenment and expressed their willingness to put into practice what they had learned.
The NGO promised to continue supporting the community in its efforts towards environmental conservation and climate adaptation.
They hope that this program will serve as a model for other communities in the region to emulate.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of seedlings and an economic tree to the community while the facilitators were given certificate of participation.
Another highlight of the event is the upcycling workshop where the community children were taught how to make use of their used bottles, plastic spoons, old clothing material and more into a plastic seat and a flower vase.
The children were amazed and this also opened their minds into more creative ideas.
By Toyeeb Omotayo
