It was a great atmosphere as the program started at 10:15 a.m. with recitation of the National Anthem followed by that of University of Ibadan. Dignitaries such as Professor Labode Popoola, Dr. Akande, Mrs Remi-Ihejirika, Dr. Funmi Akinyele, Professor Oyeronke Odunola, Mrs Ronke Orimolade and the host of the day Dr. Olawale Emmanuel Olayide.
The compere (Mr. Gboluwaga) commented on the book that was to be launched, a compendium of presentations made during the 2nd Symposium on Climate Change Adaptation in Africa held at International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan in 2018. He posited that climate change may be one of the remote causes of the perennial clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria. Climate change was also said to mostly affect the poor.
Professor Olaniyan, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development was invited to give the welcome address. He remarked that the book is a summary of a yearlong work. According to him, climate change bears correlation to 5 key areas viz:
- Global Issues
- Local action
- Generational impact
- Economics and Power
- Politics
The first good will message was given by Mrs Remi- Ihejirika, a representative of the Country Director of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), a 90 year old German Non-Governmental Organisation. Mr Ulrich, the Country Director stated in his good will message (as read by his representative) that Nigeria is at risk of ill effects of climate change with much not being done in terms of concerted effort. He stressed the need for everyone’s voice to be heard loudly. FES was set up and named after the 1st President of Germany, a man who stood for promotion of free trade unions and strengthening of democratic governance. The organisation has offices in 90 different locations o around the world with 2 offices located in Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja).
The formal book presentation was done by the chief editor, Dr. Olawale Olayide. He started by making brief comments on his good relationship with Prof. Popoola, Prof. Odunola, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Oyo state, Country Director FES among others. He further went down memory lane narrating how he attended the 1st Symposium on Climate Change Adaptation in Africa (SCCAA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2016. An opportunity to make a bid to host the 2nd SCCAA arose in 2018 and somehow Nigeria won the bid. Meanwhile he had met the FES country Director at a conference in Bonn, Germany in 2017. He then approached the Director for some sort of sponsorship for the conference. He (the Country Director) agreed to sponsor the publication of accepted manuscripts. This was how the book publication with 7 chapters and 13 contributors from 3 different continents became a reality. A commitment was made to equally send an electronic version of the book to all registered participants after the presentation.
The next good will message was delivered by Prof. Popoola who pointed out that climate change has assumed a new dimension because of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). In his remarks “Climate Change will always occur but adaptation, mitigation and resilience should be the centre-piece of efforts”.
Prof. Oyeronke, the Director of Research Management Office (RMO), University of Ibadan delivered her goodwill and began by saying her study of Geography enabled her overtime to study weather patterns so as to know whether it will be sunny or windy. The predictions are unreliable these days though and climate change is responsible. She emphasized the need to reinforce advocacy in homes on adoption of sustainable practices. Such things as conservation of indigenous flora and fauna, lifestyle adjustment to promote adaptation, mitigation and resilience are crucially needed.
Dr. Funmi Akinyele, Managing Director of Food Basket gave her good will message by first posing a message to everyone asking “how many people will like to breathe clean air or eat good food?” She spoke on the need to adjust our lifestyles to promote greening of the earth. This would involve everyone’s efforts including students at all levels (such as starting a garden in Secondary School or a tree club).
Mrs Opeyemi Orimolade, a journalist at Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) gave her goodwill speech by calling for the need to enlighten everyone on the necessity of maintain a clean environment as it will promote safe health.
A book reading session was done by eight secondary school students from The International School Ibadan (I.S.I.) and Abadina College. A short video depicting protest on Government’s inaction on Climate Change by youths across various countries in the world was beamed.
The representative of the Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources delivered his speech and apologized on his behalf for the unavoidable absence as it was due to the ongoing transition programme.
The closing remark was given by Prof. Olaniyan, Director of CESDEV who appreciated FES for their support, Interconnections for Making Africa Great Empowered and Sustainable (IMAGES), I.S.I. and Abadina for making themselves available at the program, the Director of RMO and all invited participants.
Click below to download the book:
Climate Change and Socio-ecological Transformation in Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities
