U
Udeze Ekene
Guest
The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has said addressing climate change issues in the Northern region would be instrumental in combating insecurity affecting the region.
Governor Sani stated this on Monday while speaking as the Special Guest at the first Regional Conference on Climate Change Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria and Maiden Meeting of 19 Northern States Governments, Religious Functionaries and Agencies.
The conference which had in attendance His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, President of the Christian Association (CAN), Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Okoh, former Governors Ibrahim Shekarau and Ramalan Yero, was organized to address the issue of climate change induced conflicts in Northern Nigeria and forge a common front to tackle the menace.
In his remarks, Sani noted that “climate change is not just an environmental crisis; it is a profound challenge that can destabilize nations, worsen inequalities, and provoke violence.
“The facts are undeniable. Rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and extreme weather events are no longer distant threats. They are realities that millions face daily.”
He said the recent floods across most Northern states and the encroaching desert sands are facts that reminds the urgent need to address climate change.
The Kano State Governor explained with the region’s reliance on agriculture, if climate change and its effects are not addressed the region may be plunged into poverty.
“The recent menace of floods in parts of Nigeria and especially in Kaduna state, the fast-encroaching desert sands rendering most of our arable lands infertile, the shrinking of rivers and gradual deforestation of our forests are stark reminders of the urgency of our situation.
“Northern Nigeria’s economy relies heavily on agriculture and livestock, both of which are vulnerable to climate impacts. Rivers and lakes, once lifelines for our people, are diminishing, threatening water access and undermining livelihoods.
“The ripple effects of climate change, if unchecked, will deepen poverty, drive migration, and leave young people susceptible to exploitation. Furthermore, climate-driven conflicts hinder our efforts to maintain security and stability in our communities,” Sani noted.
On the way forward, the former senator called for community sensitization. He also called for investment in sustainable agricultural practices.
“The starting point towards raising community understanding of resilience to hazards and conflicts is to initiate participatory consultations at the grassroots level.
“The goal is to identify past and potential future hazards and conflicts and mobilize communities to take action for future resilience to such hazards and conflicts. The communities can develop resilience strategies and action plans.
“We must also invest in climate resilience. This means supporting sustainable practices in agriculture, improving water management systems, and enhancing disaster preparedness.
“We need to build societies that can withstand environmental shocks, not just respond to them. Additionally, we must make concerted efforts to address the root causes of conflicts.
“We can come up with peace building initiatives. This includes fostering dialogue among communities affected by climate change, encouraging collaboration over competition, and ensuring that the voices of the poor, vulnerable and underserved are heard and their needs are prioritized,” Governor Sani added.
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