Worried by the worsening effects of climate change in Nigeria, the Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFORPEACE) has launched an initiative to curb the trend and insecurity threatening the people in North West Zone. Tagged: “The Northwest Climate Peace Hubs – A Climate Security Approach to Conflict Prevention”, supported by UNDP and Norwegian Embassy, Abuja, the project aimed at sensitising young locals on climate change and making them change advocates in their respective communities.
While unveiling the initiative in Jibia local government area of Katsina State, the representative of the group’s executive director, Mr Gideon Ihuarulam, said Jibia in Katsina State and Ilela in Sokoto State were selected in the north west to train 500 young men and women with the lessons on conflict management, dialogue, mediation, climate action for community actors/structures.
He added that the eight-month project integrates climate action with conflict prevention strategies and is geared toward fostering resilience, peace, and sustainable development in the region.
Earlier, the project officer, Ambassador Mustapha Abdurrahman, also affirmed that 10 selected young peacebuilders, peace ambassadors, and climate activists will be supported with micro-grants.
“These grants will be dedicated to planting trees in desert-encroached areas within Jibia and Illela. Grantees will be guided with best practices in identifying strategic and suitable desert locations for the tree planting,” he said.
He urged the stakeholders of the Jibia communities to collectively work to create sustainable solutions, mitigate conflicts, and safeguard the environment for future generations.