By Awyetu Asabe Hope
Stakeholders have called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, the media, civil society organisations and communities to tackle climate-induced flooding and environmental degradation across Nigeria.
The call was made at a monthly Climate Hangout in Kaduna on Thursday attended by scientists, environmentalists, researchers and journalists.
A lecturer at Kaduna Polytechnic, Mrs Halima Haruna, said rainfall benefits agriculture and livestock but also exposes the impact of poor environmental practices such as indiscriminate waste disposal, pollution and open defecation.
She warned that waste washed into waterways during rainfall contributes to flooding and water contamination.
Haruna urged journalists and other stakeholders to intensify public awareness campaigns and promote community-led sanitation initiatives.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Transparency and Accountability in Totality Initiative, Halliru Ahmad, stressed the need for accountability and multi-sector collaboration in addressing climate challenges.
He said effective climate action requires support from government, the media, civil society organisations and the private sector.
Ahmad noted that many flood-prone communities lack adequate drainage infrastructure and awareness, warning that failure to sustain collaboration could leave vulnerable communities more exposed to environmental disasters.