By Fatima Saka
The federal government of Nigeria has set up a Food and Nutrition Council to address the issues of acute hunger and malnutrition across the federation, also to mitigate the impact of climate change as it affects the environment and human health.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Muhammad Pate, made this known to journalists on Saturday in Abuja at the Ministerial briefing of Department, Agencies and Parastatals conference, saying that this is the beauty of inclusions, as all issues are interwoven and the needs to work with ministry of environment and other sectors to address environmental health, and climate change crisis.
Pate lamented that when it comes to environment and climate change, “we have seen changes in rain patterns, changing productivity of agricultural produce, food insecurity and acute malnutrition, chronic malnutrition in some parts of the country and we don’t connect these kinds of issues with health that affect human population?”
He also emphasized on the environmental pollution indoor pollutants and outdoor pollutants, adding that these are environmental issues that can affect the respiratory of individuals, particularly the children.
The minister also emphasized on flooding, what it does to the environment and various diseases afflicting human health.
Speaking on the government policy and plans on nutrition, and what the ministry is doing to leverage on it. Pro Pate said: ”the nutrition front as part of the overall federal government policy on nutrition, the food and nutrition council has already been activated, there is a presidential team to set up department on nutrition in all the MDAs across the country, and think in federal ministry of health is almost in set up the guidelines including the budget to support nutrition effort.
“In addition to addressing hunger because things are difficult in some parts of the country, also adapting to the challenges because some of them are food insecurity, changing in climatic patterns and they affect the harvest of commodities of food.
” We are working with other sectors, that why health is involved because what the environment does can affect health, that is reason why the ministry have to work with ministry of environment, because of women what they do, how they get their water and how they are mobilize in good health including sanitation resource, all are interconnected, the ministry of health is not thinking of health in a sided manner rather in an integrated manners with others actors. Because what other ministries do affect human health and they should be supported and encouraged, likewise support the health sectors as well to address all interconnected complex issues.
”The ministry will improves in all of these especially the environmental health pollution even though is a sub-national problem, but it is a big issues in some part of the country, like burning of firewood and some source of emission that pollute the environment, environment and human health are very essential to the nation’s economy.”
Also, in his remark, the Minister of State for Health, Dr.TunjiAlausa said President Tinubu is very determined to deliver the health sectors to Nigeria as part of his mandate and promises he made of the renewed hope agenda, adding that they are appointed to oversee the affairs of the ministry.
He reiterated that to help the president to deliver health sector to Nigerians, their components, which one of them is research, adding that research institutes will receive adequate attention, “will be empowered, likewise the professional bodies to enrich the traditional research policy and procedures.
“The outcome of the assessment is crucial to us. We would deploy the recommendations and periodically review our efforts to be sure that we are achieving the desired results.”
Mother Earth
Bauchi State Government Commits To Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation Plans
By Fatima Saka
As climate change worsens, the Government of Bauchi State has reaffirmed its commitment to mitigate the effect of climate change, saying that the measure is imperative towards protection of the environment and keeping the citizens of the state safe.
The Bauchi state Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Mr DanlamiKawule, stated this on Friday at a one-day workshop and panel discussion on Climate Change, in Bauchi, with the theme: “Low Carbon Action in Ordinary Cities’ with a topic Urban Innovation for Climate Change: Experiences in Bauchi state”.
He said the Bala Mohammed’s administration initiated viable programmes to protect the environment and preserve the ecosystem in the past four years.
“Gov. Bala Mohammed is a digital governor that is always following the global happenings and taking corrective measures to mitigate environmental issues. I hereby urge participants in this gathering to discuss extensively on the current trend in the climate change atmosphere in order to come up with more ways of intervention to mitigate the adverse effect of climate change,”he said.
Earlier, Mr Ibrahim Kabir, the Director-General, Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), said the impact of climate change could not be overemphasized.
“Trees are gone, the green areas are turning brown, dried and gone and there is no difference between the Northern and Southern zones of the state. Desertification is gradually getting worse, we must stand up and act swiftly to save the environment. We need to put our heads together on how to get out of the situation. That is the reason we are here, so let us discuss and come out with resolutions to tackle the issue,”Kabir said.
The workshop is being organized in collaboration between the University of Sheffield, U.K., BASEPA, Low Carbon Action in Ordinary Cities (LO-ACT) and Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes.
Climate Finance
UN Group Advocates for Sustainability Climate Justice
By Fatima Saka
The UN Inter Agency Group on Youth has called for a shift towards a sustainable and climate-friendly environment, to invest in young people around green economy which is critical for responding to the global climate crisis, as well as achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This was disclosed by the group at a stakeholder’s dialogue on Equipping Young People with Skills for the Green Economy in Abuja.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)Resident Representative, Ms GiftyAddico, said it was important to have discussions among youths towards achieving a sustainable green economy in line with global environmental challenges.
“As the world shifts to a greener future, green skills are the cornerstone of this transition, serving as tools that empower individuals to champion a resource efficient society. We are ensuring every interaction brings us closer to sustainable Nigeria, led by youth equipped with the right skills. Our commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of our youths are embodied in transformative results ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, ending gender-based-violence and all harmful practices”.She said
Ms Addico added that the UN takes priority to the rights of young people.
“We are committed to advocating for the rights of young people, empowering them with knowledge and skills to not only protect themselves but enable them to make informed decisions. So they can realize their full potential and contribute to economic and social transformation.”She added
Also speaking, the Deputy Representative of Unicef, Rownak Khan, said the dialogue was important in ensuring a shared future for young people.
” UNICEF remains grateful not just to have chaired the Inter Agency Group, but committed to ensure a sustainable future for Nigeria youths. It is important to come together to build a sustainable future for young people and the green skills basically come from how their future is, putting the lens of a climate resilient to work, sustainable employment and sustainable environment as well. This is a unique opportunity for all of us to provide adequate skills, so that the skills can be used for them to ensure a resilient future for the next generation.”She said
“We intend to achieve this by giving young people the necessary information and linking them up with the ecosystem, through opportunities, through training and building up skills, where they are able to utilize the various opportunities that are available. The green revolution is something that we must quickly tackle as a country, so that our vibrant, agile youths will be able to harness their full potential.”he said.
In a presentation on Green Economy, the National Project Officer, Social Protection and Youth Employment, International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr. SegunTekun stressed that climate is a major problem that hinder development of young people.
“We agreed that climate change is a problem and that young people are the ones mostly impacted by it, we also agreed that there is the need for us to transit to the green economy, to transit to the green economy we need to create green jobs, the. In carrying out those jobs we need green skills,” he stressed
While commending the UN for putting the dialogue together, A Youth Climate advocate Safina Bello, emphasized that green skills remains a reality that needs to be embraced by all to achieve the SDGs, he said.
Highpoints of the event were discussion centered on what green skills are, why they are important, green jobs, market development, requirement and career transition as well as presentation on green economy, U-report results on green skills and climate change.
The event with the theme: “Green skills for youth: towards a sustainable world”was put together by the UN Information Centre (UNIC), to support the efforts towards a sustainable and resources efficient society.