By Faridat Salifu
Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFORPEACE) has recently initiated a community engagement campaign aimed at promoting sustainable livelihood practices to combat climate change effects in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The project, spearheaded by Mr. Samson Shu’aibu on behalf of the NGO’s Executive Director, Mr. Rafi’u Lawal, focuses on preventing conflicts and fostering peace-building strategies amidst climate change challenges.
Titled “Northwest Climate Peace Hub: A Climate Security Approach to Conflict Prevention,” the project aims to mitigate conflict and insecurity resulting from environmental degradation, desert encroachment, and degraded pastures in the Northwest region.
Supported by UNDP Nigeria and the Norwegian Embassy in Abuja, the initiative prioritizes Illela in Sokoto state and Jibia in Katsina state as its focal areas.
Key activities include capacity-building training for youth on dialogue, mediation, reconciliation, and climate action, as well as establishing early warning and response structures for climate-related conflicts.
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Additionally, the project aims to empower climate activists to engage in tree planting initiatives across Illela local government area.
In response, Alhaji Buhari Abdulrahman, the District Head of Illela, acknowledged the detrimental effects of climate change and insecurity in northern Nigeria.
He commended the organization for its initiative and pledged the community’s full support for the project’s success and sustainability.
The Sole Administrator of Illela LGA, Alhaji Sahabi Isah, officially launched the project, expressing gratitude to Building Blocks for Peace and its partners for their commitment.
He assured ongoing support to ensure the project’s effectiveness in addressing climate-induced conflicts and fostering adaptation to climate change within high-risk communities in northwest Nigeria.
