NGO equips adolescents to take  action on climate issues

A non-governmental organisation, Action Health Incorporated (AHI), has equipped some young people in Lagos State with the requisite knowledge and tools  to take action on climate issues in communities.

Its Co-Founder, Dr Uwem Essiet, said this on Saturday during the 29th Annual Teenage Festival of Life (TFL) in Lagos.

Teenage Festival of Life (TFL) is an annual advocacy, education, and entertainment programme co-created by adolescents and young people in Lagos in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education and the state Council of Arts and Culture.

Teenage Festival of Life which was organised by AHI, seeks to promote youth’s health and development toward their successful transition to adulthood.

The festival was themed, “Adolescents and Young People Taking Action on Climate Crisis.”

Esiet noted that climate change and environmental degradation threaten countries’ ecosystems and the well-being of populations, especially young people, who are among the most affected population groups.

According to him, the impact of climate change is increasing in Lagos, evident in flooding, sea level rise, ocean surge, high temperature and high rainfall intensity.

“They constitute notable hazards and high vulnerability, especially with Lagos population density, and coastal location.

“We believe that young people can use their skills in education, science, technology, and “green skills” to improve climate action in communities,” he said.

Esiet said 252 Lagos public secondary schools participated in TFL, noting that the initiative had enhanced their capability to advocate for policy changes that address climate change, gender equality, and adolescent well-being.

He appealed to the state government to direct more efforts on reducing the threat of air pollution and flooding, noting that they have negative impacts on children and adolescents.

Similarly, Mrs Bose Ojerinde, Chief Education Officer, Education Resource Centre at the State Ministry of Education, said TFL had assisted the government to galvanise young people to fight the negative impact of climate change.

Ojerinde said the students had been taught proper waste disposal, reuse, reduce and recycle, to increase community engagement and greater action for sustainable solutions and adaptations.

She said the students empowered through the programme would influence other students and their communities to embrace changes that would positively transform the state and Nigeria.