Ecosystem Sustainability Network (EcoSusNet) visits the Emir of Awe Emirate Council in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, to seek support from traditional institutions in addressing practices that could exacerbate climate crisis in the community.
The visit was held on June 5th, 2024 in commemoration of World Environment Day at the Emir’s palace.
Speaking on behalf of EcoSusNet, the project lead, Tashi Manasseh, stated that the aim of the visit was to solicit the traditional council’s support in addressing some practices that could quickly result in a climate crisis.
Tashi added that the massive cutting down of trees in rural communities by farmers and the unhealthy environmental practices like open defecation and indiscriminate refuse disposal are quite alarming.
“Farmers cut down trees indiscriminately; this act will, in no time, cause desert encroachment,” he said.
“The rate of charcoal production for commercial purposes is quite disturbing too. It takes 10–15 years to grow a tree that will make a full bag of charcoal,” he added.
Tashi also mentioned that EcoSusNet, through the Climate Change Education Programme (C-CEP), is willing to offer remedies to these environmental challenges through climate literacy and community engagement.
“Through the C-CEP initiative, we plan to reach out to 10,000 students and young people in Nigeria across various communities, and Awe is among the communities we mapped out,” he said.
In his response, HRH Alhaji Isa Abubakar Umar II assured the EcoSusNet team of the Awe Emirate Council of their support in addressing the climate change crisis in the community.
The traditional ruler also stated that the traditional council will invite local chiefs of the community involved and task them to keep watch.
“The role of the traditional institution is very crucial in achieving a climate crisis-free community,” said the Emir.
“We assure you that we will do our very best to ensure that these issues are minimized tragically,” the Emir added.
The Emir also charged the EcoSusNet team not to relent on their efforts in advocating for a sustainable environment.
As part of the visit, five economic trees donated by EcoSusNet were planted in the palace, and a street clean-up exercise on the Emir’s street was held, where 50 students were mobilised by EcoSusNet to carry out the cleaning.
Also present at the visit were the council of elders of the traditional council, the principal of ERCC Secondary School, Awe, and representatives of the partnering organisations.