News
Climate Change: A Wake Up Call
The current change in weather condition in various parts of Nigerian, once more, reminds us of Nigerian leaders non-chalance and lackaidaisical disposition towards climate change.
Infact, the different positions and views by relevant authorities on the sudden return of harmattan haze quickly points to the fact that the authorities are indifferent to realities of global climate changes.
The sudden return of harmattan weather condition is a clear pointer that our leaders are just groping in the dark, not knowing precisely what to do in such natural occurrences.
In advanced societies, the citizens should have been alerted long ago on the impending change and how it will affect their lives, rightly or wrongly. But here in Nigeria, different bodies and people, hold varied opinions, just because of the indifference by relevant government bodies.
The departure from the usual climatic and weather conditions as evidently manifested in the last one week or more should have been predicted long ago and the citizens sensitised on the implications, rather than the panic and confusion currently exhibited by all.
The curiosity occasioned by the massive dust haze over the country’s skyline, no doubt, has its implications on the social and economic activities of the citizens. Perhaps, we need to quantify the loss to really appreciate and place its impact on Nigerian economy.
The losses can be seen in the aviation sector which recorded several cancellation of flights and virtually paralysed other activities at the nation’s airports due to poor visibility. Similarly, petty traders and businessmen and women who scampered for safety abandoned their businesses, just to avoid the ‘acid rain’ resulting from the weather change.
Nigeria, to say the least, recorded huge financial losses as a result of the prevailing development. Simply, the explanation is that our leaders and authorities did not anticipate the change on time and therefore never prepared for it.
And this brings us to the question: what should be done in the circumstance?.
Other developed countries such as United States of America, Britain, France and other European countries had experienced extreme weather conditions and other natural phenomena like heavy snowfall during winter seasons. Such countries usually devise ways and means of reducing, to the barest minimum, the impact and losses on their citizenry. But in Nigeria, the story is different.
Nigerians are left at the mercy of nature and to their fate whenever we have extreme cases of rainfall or dryness. It should not be ! Our problem, indeed, is that of dearth of information and reliable records on weather conditions.
In civilised societies, there is no basis for the different views on the “purported acid rain”, now making the rounds, if we have our acts right. This is largely because there is no scientific proof to that effect..
In other societies, information on weather is tracked and passed on promptly to enable people prepare ahead. Obviously, the authorities response to natural phenomena is not encouraging at all.
Our leaders must therefore take the issue of climate change more seriously if our environment must be protected from the vagaries of the climate.
Nigeria must squarely address the challenge posed by climate change. Our leaders must provide the framework and enabling environment for pro-active action in this direction.
Resolutions from the UN’s climate change conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark must be taken seriously if we must move to the next level. Humanity’s survival will largely depend on our ability to collectively protect our environment from change phenomena.
Climate change poses clear and present danger to mankind and a road map towards addressing the challenge becomes inevitable.
Goodluck Ukwe
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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