By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The Patron of African Climate Reporters, Dr. Yusuf Nadabo has raise alarm over the effects of climate change on the globe, saying things hitherto not seen before is happening nowadays.
He stated this at the first skating for climate change in Kaduna organized by African Climate Reporters held in Kaduna on Sunday, April 16, 2018.
According to him, melting of ice, ocean rising, flooding and extreme heat recorded, all attest to the fact that there is global warming and is a reality; adding that the things hitherto not seen before is happening nowadays.
“It is a concrete reality and this is what we have to really tackle. We have to accept the fact that this is a global trend and the way we can manage it is to arrest deforestation through planting of trees.
“We may very soon with consolidation of our efforts come to counter the global effect and that is why we are here today. This event is to raise awareness of the general public on this dangerous global trend,” he said.
Siimilarly, the National President, Tranquility Movement of Nigeria. Alhaji Ibrahim Gashash, said the issue of climate change is real and has reached a stage that Nigerians must get serious and make attempt to bring it under control.
He said the existence of a tree even within the home makes the weather better; adding that oxygen exchange that comes with trees is health for everybody, saying, this reduces the heat and climatic change experience we are suffering now.
“If there are trees around, most of the moisture we are having will be absorbed by trees and converted to something useful and beneficial to us.
“In other countries there are rules, regulations and laws as regards tree plantations, unfortunately in Nigeria it is non existent. Ten to fifteen years ago in Kaduna metropolitan city all of the streets were lined with trees.
“In fact, everywhere one goes in the major streets were under the shadow of trees. But today all the trees have been felled for timber, something not even worth it. There used to be trees of over hundred years; while some are still there others have been vandalized.
“You see the fruits we are eating today were planted by people earlier and if we don’t plant another set, those old trees will die off and our children will have nothing to eat again,” he lamented.
In the same vein, President, Peace Revival Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria; Pastor Yohannah Buru, going down memory lane said as a primary school pupil he could remember vividly the magnitude of rain fall experienced in 70s in Nigeria where unprecedented.
“When I relocated to NITEL Quarters in Sabon Tasha, Chikun Local Government Area, the few residents there were excited. They told my family that they were living with snakes and thick elephant grasses. In fact you can’t access the area throughout the raining season this is to tell you how things have change.
“You can compare the heat waves around March/April of the last Century with the experience in the turn of the 21st Century. Things have changed radically.
“These are something visible, one can touch and experience, so it is not a myth but a reality. Climate change and global warming is engandering people’s lives. Governments at all levels, Non-Governmental Organizations must do something, the media should enlighten the general public on the issue because we are in a fixed so that we don’t become helpless at the end.
“We also pray that this does not lead the country to another level that will cause us to run from one place to another. And due to this climate change that is why the Fulani herdsmen are running from the desert area to greener pasture. This is the causes of farmers/herdsmen conflicts,” he said.
In his remark, Teku Farm Kaduna founder Ibrahim Salisu said in his contribution to create awareness on climate change he has launched a project tagged: ‘Cut One, Plant Ten’ , and through this project he intend to draft more people to imbibe the culture of tree planting especially in the Northern part of Nigeria.
Participating skating teams in Kaduna includes; Kaduna Sky Skaters, Zazzau Skaters, United Kaduna Skaters and Golden Skaters.
Highlight of the event includes entertainment by the Tranquillity Peace Lyrics, and presentation of awards to the participating Skating teams.
The African Climate Reporters is an online portal dedicated to opening new perspective in the coverage and reportage of climate change and the region’s environment.