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Says 100
Million Vulnerable To Climate Emergency
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As World Marks
Children’s Day
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Children’s Day, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that Nigeria ranks among the top three countries globally with the highest child climate risk, according to the Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI).
The UN agency highlighted that the nation’s over 100 million
Nigerian children are increasingly vulnerable to the disastrous effects of
climate change.
“Extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall, flooding,
storm surges, and rising temperatures, are becoming more frequent and intense.
These climate-induced disasters severely impact children’s rights to health,
nutrition, water, sanitation, and education,” the United Nation’s Children
Agency (UNICEF) further alerted.
Speaking in Lagos during an event organised to mark the Day
in Lagos, the Chief of the UNICEF Field Office for southwest Nigeria, Celine
Lafoucriere said: “The long-term consequences of climate change, such as food
shortages, hunger, malnutrition, and displacement, pose a grave threat to the
future of Nigerian children.
According to her, Nigeria must take urgent action to address
climate change and protect the rights of every child.
She noted that to mitigate the effects of climate change, UNICEF is collaborating with government agencies, the private sector, and young people on various initiatives. “One such initiative is Generation Unlimited Nigeria, which empowers youth to drive climate action and raise awareness among younger generations.
“These young champions are the future leaders who will shape
a sustainable and resilient Nigeria. By investing in their potential, we can
ensure a brighter future for all.
“The young leaders present today are emerging as
generational agents of change, paving the way for a brighter future. They will
become the parents and advocates for the children of tomorrow, championing
their rights and well-being. Let us celebrate and empower these children and
youth, whose creativity, ideas, and leadership will shape the sustainable and
prosperous future we all envision,” she added.
She further called on all stakeholders to prioritise climate
action and work together to build a safer and more sustainable world for
children.
Speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social
Development, Mr. Abubakre Mobolaji Ogunlende, who Mrs Adenike Obilana
represented, noted that the global celebration symbol
Ogunlende said children deserve the best for adequate survival, development, protection, and participation in matters that affect them.
“His Excellency sent his regards and appreciation to UNICEF
Nigeria and, in particular, the UNICEF Lagos field office for their continuous
support to the state in the area of capacity building for social welfare
officers. Stakeholders and the various activities aimed to end violence against
children and harmful practices that affect the survival and development of
children. We hope for a continuous partnership.”
Acknowledging the 33rd annual celebration of the Treaty for
the Prevention of Child Rights Violations, Ogunlende noted the significance of
the 2024 theme: “Climate change has a significant impact on the survival and
well-being of children”.
The event's high point is the interactive panel session,
'Climate Action Starts with Us' and the storytelling segment - A Day in the
Life of Tomorrow's Planet, facilitated by Tomike Adeoye, who spoke on “the
power of story-telling for social impact.”
Some of the children who spoke called on the Nigerian
leaders to take action against climate change.
One of the children from Richfield High School, Michelle,
painted a stark picture of the crisis, saying, "Roads are flooding, the
air is polluted, and our planet is becoming uninhabitable. We can’t continue to
live like this,” she stressed. “Children worldwide are stepping up to address
climate change. It’s time for everyone to take action.”
