NGO Develops Capacity of Stakeholders on conflict sensitivity, climate adaptation
Glory Ohagwu Abuja
International Alert, a peace building Non Governmental Organisation, has enhanced the competencies of civil society organisations and Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and stakeholders on conflict sensitivity and climate adaptation approaches.
This is sequel to the inauguration of the Nigeria Conflict Sensitivity and Climate Adaptation Facility NSCAF in November 2024.
The Country Director of International Alert, Dr Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, speaking at a Training and Strategy Planning on Conflict Sensitive Adaptation and Climate Advocacy for the Nigerian Conflict Sensitivity and Climate Adaptation Facility (NC-SAF) in Abuja, said it was to enable different organizations, understand the different perspectives around climate change, climate adaptation, mitigation, and conflict sensitivity.
He said; “This is the consultative learning event of NC-SAF because organisations indicated capacity building as something that we should address imminently because the intersections we talk about of climate change and conflict is one that is a budding area and people want to learn more about it.”
” Importantly, we want these events to enable different organizations understand different perspectives around climate change, climate adaptation, mitigation, and conflict sensitivity.”
“Most of the conflicts in Nigeria are resource-based and so conflict and climate change are existential issues that we must deal with all together.”
The capacity building and strategy planning workshop on conflict sensitivity and climate adaptation is considered a first step towards building awareness and enhancing knowledge of key stakeholders from government, community actors and CSOs on conflict sensitive and climate adaptation approaches.
By this exchange of knowledge, NSCAF seeks to ensure that conflict sensitivity and climate adaptation are embedded in governance, humanitarian, development initiatives, policies and programmes that ensure lasting peace.
Nyulaku-Bemshima said the strategy session would equip stakeholders with requisite knowledge and skills to make the most contribution of the priorities into the NC-SAF.
He pointed out that though there were existing work being done on climate change and peace building in Nigeria, the organisations were working in silos, thus the need to harmonize and synergies.
He added“Coming together gives us a multiplier effect in terms of advocacy and in terms of creating the needed policy change,”
“So in this workshop, key outcome for us is enhanced learning, co-creation of ideas and at the end of the day, this fits nicely into the strategy session.”
President of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), Mr Nathaniel Awuapila, said the timely convergence when the Federal Ministry of Evironment was also working on conflict sensitivity, presents an opportunity to galvanise the necessary momentum to ensure that the climate change policy was not just on paper, but implemented across the country.
“Nigerians need to acknowledge that climate change is real. There are stakeholders, very influential people that have continued to deny the impact of climate change.
“Let them see what happens annually when it rains and let them see the drought they experience sometimes. Let them ask the women that have to travel a long distance to go and get better land to cultivate.
“These are all impacts of climate change. It is real and we need to begin to take appropriate action immediately.”
In his submission, National Publicity Secretary, Arewa Consultative Forum and a Professor of Sociology with interest in Environment, Societies, and Conflict, Prof. Muhammad Baba, while commending International Alert for the initiative said the convergence was very important as it raised consciousness amongst stakeholders about the impact and the intersection of climate, conflict, and other issues affecting the society.
He said, “ In a lot of places in Nigeria, in the Northwest, in the Northeast and the Central, these are daily issues that affect the lives of the people.We know there is a great nexus between ability of people to utilize the environment and conflict,.
“I think one of the first steps towards the solution is to understand exactly what is going on. What are the dynamics between climate change and induction of conflict? And how do this impact on human social organisation?
“This is because if we are not careful, climate change is something that will lead to conflict and this conflict will consume everyone, protagonists and antagonists especially with the rising population in Nigeria.”
Baba raised concerns about the frightening state of dwindling natural resources, leading to life decline in the rural areas and its resultant impact on accommodation, water and electricity challenges in the urban areas .
He called for increased advocacy among Nigerians to adapt to lifestyles to mitigate climate change.
The workshop with the theme “Capacity Building and Strategy Planning Workshop on Conflict Sensitivity and Climate Adaptation Approaches” was organized by International Alert with support from Irish Aid .
It drew participants from Government institutions, Civil Society Organisations, Security Agencies, private sector, traditional institutions, religious leaders and development partners to crystallize efforts to address conflict sensitivity and climate adaptation as a means of enhancing peace building in conflict affected areas in Nigeria.
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