Sokoto State Government Sets to Address Climate Change in Schools

The Sokoto state government says it will adopt a strategic approach to help address climate change challenges in schools across the state.

Director Junior Secondary School Sokoto State Primary Education Board, Mr Ibrahim Aliyu, stated this at the Celebration of World Children’s Day Organized by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Field Office in Sokoto State.

Mr Aliyu said the state government is aware of climate changes in the world, and has created ways an avenue on how to tackle such development especially across the public schools in the state.

He noted that the state government would reintroduce tree planting programmes and establishment of gardens in all public schools to mitigate the effects of climate change in the state.

He commended the agency for it’s efforts in creating awareness among pupils in both primary and secondary school on the effects of climate change as well as it’s dangers on health and environment.

The Director further reiterated state government commitments to partner all relevant stakeholders to compliment government efforts on implementing effective policies in the state.

Also speaking, Mrs Aisha Bawa Bwari, who represents the Director General of National Climate Change Commission, Dr Salisu Dahiru, said the federal government as introduced various policies and programmes against climate change especially as it affects children across the country.

Mrs Bwari noted that the commission has not only being creating awareness, but also enlightened the general public on the effects of climate change in the country particularly in schools.

The Director General assured UNICEF about the agency’s readiness to partner schools to help mitigate the effects of climate change and improve conducive learning environment in the country.

Also speaking, the First Secretary on Climate Change and Youth Activist, UNICEF Nigeria, Samantha Harrison, confirm that Nigeria is the second highest in terms of risk for the children as its related to climate change in the society.

She described the effects part of climate change on every part of Nigeria including Southern and Eastern part but said more emphasis will be put on the Northern parts of the country.

Harrison further affirmed that the body is ready to work with all the vulnerable children suffering from one form of climate change or the other especially drought which he said may lead to malnutrition across the country.

The theme of the 2023 World Children’s Day is: “Impacts of Climate Change on Lives of Children”.