Connected Advocacy, with support from LEAP Africa and Nigeria Youth Future Funds, has held a workshop on youth consultation, Climate Change education and local leadership for resilience
The workshop is aimed at building formidable Climate Ambassadors to champion climate action in Bayelsa, one of the oil-rich states of Nigeria.
The Executive Director of Connected Advocacy, Prince Israel Orekha, said that the theme of the workshop: “The Solution is Indigenous, Building Local Youth Capacity to Tackle Climate Crisis in Our Communities ” focuses on building a community of practice for climate action.
Orekha said that the workshop also has the goal of empowering the shortlisted Ambassadors with the knowledge and skills necessary to address climate change and promote sustainable practices within their communities.
The executive director, who is also the convener of the event made an overview of the workshop, explaining the objectives and the importance of grassroots engagement in climate action.
In his welcome address, Mr Jeremiah Daganawho, Director of Climate Change, Bayelsa Ministry of Environment, urged the Ambassadors to be worthy representatives of their communities.
He encouraged them to leverage on the knowledge gained from the workshop to empower their communities on the threat of climate change.
Daganawhonoted that the vagaries of climate change affects all and no one should be left behind.
He highlighted the critical role of local leadership and youth involvement in climate action, reinforcing the importance of the workshop to the oil-rich region.
In his presentation, Dr. Ayodele Oyedeji from institute of Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Water Sheds, Niger Delta University, spoke on the concept and science of climate change and Global Warming.
Oyedeji provided a solid foundation for participants, emphasizing the importance of understanding climate science to develop effective local solutions.
This was followed by a pre-test to gauge participants’ initial knowledge of climate-related issues, which helped tailor the subsequent sessions.
Wakedai Davidson , ERE, of the Bayelsa Ministry of Environment, who was ably represented by Mr Charles Iriakuma Ayebaesin, Scientific officer Department of Climate Change gave an extensive discussion around climate change and how it affect local communities.
He shared light on vulnerability, methodology to ensure environmental sustainability with local solutions.
He also highlighted relevant works within the Niger Delta region and why everyone needs to be onboard.
Anayio Augustine Ngode, the third facilitator, spoke on community organising, using the smart advocacy model.
He covered the essentials of advocacy: what it entails, where it should be applied, and how to execute it effectively.
This session equipped ambassadors with crucial advocacy skills, enabling them to promote climate action in their communities.
During the workshop, Thematic Working Groups were also instituted as critical issues that affects their communities in the various clusters.
The ambassadors were divided into six thematic working groups.
Each group focused on a specific climate-related issue: Just Transition/100% Renewable Energy, Deforestation/Food Systems, Environmental Pollution/IOC Divestment , Open Defecation, Plastic Pollution/Marine Litters, Disaster Risk/Loss and Damage Financing
Within these groups, ambassadors identified issues, root causes, opportunities, immediate solutions, long-term solutions, and methods to ensure the sustainability of their proposed solutions.
They also discussed the role of ambassadors in implementing these solutions and planned to return to their communities to further identify, create awareness and advocate for solutions to the issues raised.
The Bayelsa Climate Ambassadors Programme successfully increased participants’ understanding of climate change, provided them with essential advocacy skills, and inspired them to take proactive steps toward sustainability in their communities.
The workshop underscored the importance of indigenous solutions and local leadership in addressing global climate challenges, setting the stage for continued grassroots climate action in Bayelsa.
