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FG Needs to Collaborate With CSO’s to Mitigate Effects of Climate Change – Olumide Idowu

An environmental activist, and head of the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI) Olumide Idowu, has asked the Federal Government to collaborate with civil society organisations (CSOs) to sensitise Nigerians at the grassroots on climate change and how it affects environmental disasters such as flooding.

Idowu while speaking on Wednesday during a Twitter Space organised by The ICIR, also urged the government to intensify efforts to enlighten the people, noting that every government body has a role to play in flood disaster management.

He asked the Federal Government to prioritise coherence across all its agencies and ensure that existing rules and regulations align with its goal to control flooding and reduce the impact of climate change in the country.
According to him “Government should build collaborative efforts with civil society organisations so that awareness can reach the grassroots.

“They can also collaborate with other government agencies like the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to sensitise the people on how to prevent and mitigate flooding,”.

Idowu lamented that the government is not doing enough to control the recurrence of flooding and to protect the citizens.

He added that there should be rules against human actions that contribute to flooding in the country and anyone found flouting these rules must be punished.
“There should also be a policy that will ensure that government officials can penalise anyone caught contributing to the environmental issues responsible for the flooding.

“You want to engage communities to understand this problem; you need to make sure that you build a collaborative effort in reaching out to these people. Most residents of flood-prone communities lack knowledge of climate and its impact.

“The government must prioritise policy coherence and align existing rules and regulations towards achieving the goals of a sustainable climate. The goals should be interlinked across ministries because every government ministry must play a role. The actions must be sustainable and continual,” he advised.

Idowu however urged the government to stick to its international agreements and frameworks on climate change issues while establishing a disaster risk governance.

In 2022, Nigeria experienced the worst flood disaster since 2012. The flooding damaged homes, infrastructure, and large farmland areas across the country. Over 600 people died, and an estimated 2.8 million others were affected, including those displaced from their communities.

However, the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has predicted that the 2023 rainfall will be heavy and intense, with flooding expected in several states.

NiMET forecasted that 2023 will witness an early onset of rainfall accompanied by flooding. The rainfall will begin in March among coastal areas in the South-South. According to the agency, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states will experience downpours while Southern Inland cities will see precipitation.

Dare Akogun

Dare Akogun is a dynamic media innovator, strategic communication professional, and seasoned climate and environmental sustainability journalist with over 10 years of influential contributions to the media industry.

He Currently serving as the Head of Digital Media, Senior News Editor, and a presenter at Sobi FM 101.9, a leading radio station in Ilorin, Nigeria.

Dare is on a mission to leverage his media innovation expertise and project management skills to produce high-quality, accurate, and engaging content, while advocating for reduced fossil fuel consumption, especially coal, to combat effect of global warming.

He has covered comprehensively environmental issues and COP conferences, including COP28 in Dubai last year , COP 27 in Egypt, and the United Nations Least Developed Countries conference in Doha, in 2023.

He is a recipient of fellowship to be part of a 15 team of journalists selected worldwide to cover the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue 2024.

He has a Master's Degree in Mass Communication, from the University of Lagos, a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the Lagos State University and also a
Certification in Business Administration and Management, from the Babson College, Massachusetts, United States of America.

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