An NGO, the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in collaboration with the Association of Small Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria says it will establish climate change club in some secondary schools in Nasarawa State.
Mr Ango Adamu, the Executive Secretary YMCA, Mada Hills disclosed this during inter-schools debate on impacts of climate change on Wednesday in Lafia.
Adamu said that the establishment of the club in schools would boost climate change campaign in the state.
“Today, we are in the Nasarawa south senatorial zone in continuation of the schools debate on climate change to expose ignorance and myth people have about climate change.
“We want the people to be aware especially those who have some believes and myths that climate change does not exist to know that it’s real.
“We count on you to step down this awareness in your schools. We also want to establish climate change club in these two schools for a start.
“The schools are Aunty Dele College, Shinge, Lafia and ERCC Calvary Secondary School, Bukan Sidi, Lafia,
“We will continue to collaborate with you in our next year programs as we continue in the fight against climate change,” he said.
He said that YMCA had organised similar inter-schools debate in the west and north senatorial zones where students and teachers alike turned out in large numbers to witness.
He explained that the schools debate program was part of activities of the African Activists for Climate Justice Project (AACJ) funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and carried out by OXFAM.
Adamu said AACJ is a Pan Africa project that is being implemented in Nigeria, of which Nasarawa State is a beneficiary .
“The goal of the project is to amplify and unite the voices of Africans, demanding that the most vulnerable groups; women, youths and local indigenous communities in the target countries have the capacity to defend and realize their human rights.
“And also live a decent and dignify life in a healthy and sustainable environment within the context of climate emergency,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Adamu Agbashim, Principal, Aunty Dele College, Shinge, Lafia, thanked the YMCA for organizing the debate, adding that it would enlighten students more about climate change.
Also speaking, Mr Obadiah Akpu, Principal, ERCC Calvary Secondary School, Bukan Sidi, Lafia, appreciated the YMCA and partners for sustaining effort in combating climate change.
Akpu noted that the debate would equip students and teachers with more knowledge on climate change.
