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Climate Advocacy and Leadership Training for Climate Action in Ogun State
August 26, 2021 - August 27, 2021
On August 26 and 27, 2021, the POP Nigeria Initiative on Climate Education organized a workshop titled Climate Advocacy and Leadership Training for Climate Action at Commerce House in Abeokuta which is the capital of Ogun State in Southwest Nigeria. With 30 chosen participants, the 2-day training featured expert-led sessions on climate literacy, sustainable agro-tree planting, land regeneration practices, waste management and disposal, sustainability and advocacy, and youth mobilization and solidarity for climate action and social transformation. The event was planned in partnership with Ogun and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture Youth Entrepreneurs (NYE) Ogun State, Securecycle, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network Ogun, the Social Change Nest, and ActionGX.
The workshop witnessed a number of prolific speakers over the course of two days. On the first day, the speakers included Rev. Fr. John Patrick Ngoyi, the Director of the Justice, Development & Peace Commission (JDPC), who spoke about the role of civil society in achieving sustainable development; Engr. Tunji Akinosi, Commissioner for Forestry, Ogun State who spoke about land regeneration practices; Prof. Mrs. Yisua from the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), who spoke about effective tree planting and maintenance; and Mr. Akinbode Sofela, Director of Operations, Ogun State Waste Management Agency, who spoke about waste management and disposal. The second day witnessed speakers who included Seyi Soremekun from United Nations Information Center, who spoke about youth and Sustainable Development Goals; Ola Oresanya, Special Advisor to the Governor on Environment, Ogun state, who spoke about sustainability and advocacy; and others.
Following this, Catherine Asapokhai-Utsalo, a professional leadership and wellness coach, facilitated an energizer session where she spoke about self esteem and leadership in climate change adaptation. A panel discussion on climate change dialogue and policy making process was organized with the participation of Dr. Young Irivboje, Founder, Green Impact International; Emmanuel Kilaso, Founder and Covener, Securecycle; Obasanjo Fajemirokun, Founder, Brace up the Youth; and Ifeoluwa Adesanya, YALI Ogun State Coordinator.
The event marked the launch of youth advocacy for climate action in the state as the Ogun State Waste Management Agency (OSWMA) resolved to involve the youth from the training as climate advocates and provided recommendations for further collaboration. The Ministry of Agriculture and Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JGPC) also planned to engage with 10 participants selected from the training.
