By Ojugbele Omotunde
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Young climate activists in Enugu received a call to become advocacy champions from Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Development at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State. The advice was given during the International Visitors Leadership Impact Award event in Enugu, organized in collaboration with the Centre for Climate Change and Development, Eco-Cyclers, and the Society for Planet and Prosperity. The award, titled “Impacts of the Urban Greening Training, Education, and Advocacy,” aimed to recognize the effects of training on fossil fuel and emissions issues at COP28.
In a virtual hybrid event with 30 participants, including nine female activists, Okereke emphasized the need for African leaders to lead in urban greening and climate change mitigation. He commended interactive teaching sessions that allowed participants to draft campaign strategies, emphasizing the importance of African voices in global media promotion.
The project’s Urban Spaces and Greening theme, according to Ogechi Nkonye, Executive Director of Eco-Cyclers, opened participants’ eyes to new perspectives. Nkonye expressed gratitude to Okereke for his project that formed a community of young climate change activists and praised his passion for Africa.
The participants, who underwent training on Urban Spaces and Greening in August in Enugu, improved their ability to advocate for climate change. Group B emerged as the winner of a competition, proposing “Community Tree Planting and Fight Against Deforestation: Sustainable Solutions for a Greener Future,” aiming to plant 2,000 trees in Enugu State. The success of the project highlighted the impact of practical components, such as planting 35 trees in Enugu Metropolis and testing air quality with assistance from a University of Nigeria expert. The initiative was made possible by the US Department of State’s award to Okereke.
