By George George Idowu
A climate change advocate, Mr. Ochijeno Unanaojo Ezra from Lugbe, Abuja, has emphasized the need for sensitization of Nigerians on the effect of climate change on people, land and the environment.
Ezra expressed concern over the lack of serious engagement with climate change issues in Nigeria, attributing it to prevailing societal orientations.
According to him, many Nigerians prioritize matters related to politics, religion, finance, family, and education, overlooking the critical discourse on climate change.
While acknowledging the importance of the sensitising the people, he pointed at recent irregularity in Nigeria’s weather patterns as being predicted by NiMet.
He lamented the unpredictability of rainy, dry, and harmattan seasons, attributing these inconsistencies to climate change.
His words: “Most recently in Nigeria for the past 2 to 3 years what we used to know as rainy season, dry season and the harmattan is no longer regular. The season we call dry season, it uses to shock us and rain will fall same also what we call rainy season we will need to beg for rain to fall.”
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In the same vein, Saadatu Adamu, author of the research paper titled “Influence of climate change communication on responsible environmental behaviour among residents of Niger state,” urged the media to intensify efforts in raising awareness about climate change.
Adamu emphasized the pivotal role of media in educating the populace and promoting responsible environmental behavior.
She said: “After politics, I think climate change should be the next topic on our lips. Every day people do a lot that damages the environment without even knowing it.
“One of the ways people get informed is through the media. In fact, the only way people get informed is through the media, so I think it’s the responsibility of the media to show people how important it is to know about climate change,” she added.
On the part of Ajuremisan Ogbe, she said the weather has not been conducive for her of late. In fact, she narrated how she had to sleep naked in some instance just to have a good sleep at night. In her words: “I was sleeping naked most times; I would have to bath more than four times in a day.”
She however, highlighted that coming close to end of February she has adopted well to the weather, and she can’t wait for the raining season to commence.
Ogbe called for proper media campaign on climate change in Nigeria, stressing the importance of media involvement in fostering public awareness and action.
