The Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet) Nigeria has launched the ‘Green Growth Initiative’ aimed at mitigating the devastating effects of climate change in Kogi State. The initiative was unveiled during a one-day workshop held on Tuesday at the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), in partnership with the Green-for-Life Initiative.
The Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, who officially inaugurated the initiative, praised CSDevNet, Green-for-Life Initiative, and other sponsors for choosing the university as the venue for this significant event. He encouraged the community to embrace tree planting, stressing that the initiative would not only enhance the beauty of the surroundings but also help control erosion, maintain a healthy environment, and provide shade.
“Today’s capacity-building workshop is designed to empower women and youth with knowledge that can lead to economic empowerment,” Akinwumi stated. “When economic development secures our livelihoods, it allows us to focus on culture, recreation, and research. By deepening our understanding of biodiversity, the economic benefits of green growth, and early warning systems for flood prevention, we can transform our values and beliefs.”
He urged participants to become ambassadors of the green growth initiative, serving as environmental stewards committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Akinwumi also assured the donor partners that the university community would diligently maintain the green growth efforts.
Mr. Stephen Abu, the National Network Coordinator of CSDevNet, highlighted that the initiative marks a significant step towards reviving the culture of tree planting and growing in Kogi. Themed “Building the Capacity of Women and Youth on Environmental Rights Accountability and Policy Development for Green Growth in Kogi State,” the initiative aims to promote sustainable tree planting practices across the state.
Abu explained that CSDevNet, a network of over 300 organizations across Nigeria, is dedicated to promoting climate-friendly and equitable sustainable development. He emphasized the severe environmental challenges Kogi State faces, including annual flooding, which often leads to fatalities, loss of livelihoods, and damage to infrastructure. The confluence city of Lokoja, in particular, suffers during the rainy season, compounded by the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, especially coal, which has caused significant environmental and health risks due to illegal mining.
To address these challenges, CSDevNet and its partner, Green-for-Life Initiative, organized the workshop to build community resilience through capacity building, early warning systems, and environmental conservation efforts, including tree planting. The workshop also aims to develop policies that incorporate green growth principles into national and sub-national frameworks.
Prof. Duda Tanko, founder of the Green-for-Life Initiative and a Professor of Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, expressed concern over the high rate of desertification in Nigeria caused by climate change. He noted that this environmental degradation has contributed to the migration of herders from the northern to the southern parts of Nigeria, exacerbating farmer-herder conflicts.
Tanko emphasized the importance of supporting the green growth initiative to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and reduce these conflicts.
The event concluded with the symbolic planting of trees by the Vice Chancellor and other stakeholders in strategic locations within the university campus.
