Saturday, 18 May 2024

Climate Change in Nigeria's Niger Delta Region: AFRIHEALTH Raises Alarm

 

AFRIHEALTH OPTONET ASSOCIATION

Civil Society Organizations [CSOs] network and think-tank on Health, Community and Dev’t Systems Strengthening

Email: ahoaeditors@gmail.com Phone: +2348034725905 Website: www.afrihealthcsos.org

HQ: Plot 520, FHA, Lugbe, Airport Road; P.O. Box 8880, Wuse; Abuja, Nigeria

P   R   E   S   S        R    E    L    E    A    S    E


Climate Change in the Nigeria's Niger Delta Region: AFRIHEALTH Raises Alarm

 -          Uzodinma Adirieje

 

The Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) - winner of SDG 3 – Good Health & Wellbeing Champion Award is a CSOs global Network & Think-tank exploring the nexus between Health (UHC, PHC, HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, NTDs, NCDs, Vaccines, & COVID-19); Biodiversity, Environment, Ecosystems, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and Climate Change; Nutrition/micronutrients and Food Security; Gender, Democracy, Good Governance, and Human Rights. AHOA promotes sustainable citizen participation (SCP) to address, prevent and mitigate disasters, wars, escalation of weapons, global warming, famine, water shortage, floods, epidemics/pandemics, diseases, poverty, capacity challenges, food security, radioactive contamination, electromagnetic field (EMF) risks to life, cyber risks, economics, governance, gender-based violence (GBV), violence against women and girls (VAWG), environmental and social impact assessments, risks management, and cross-generational resource challenges.   AHOA is in Consultative Status at UN ECOSOC, and an Accredited Observer status at the UNEP/UNEA; and is the lead/focal organization for the nascent Global Consortium of Civil Society and Non-State Actors on Climate Change and Conference of Parties (GCSCCC).

           

The Niger Delta comprises the nine coastal southern Nigerian states of Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. A number of militant groups operate in the area. Their inhabitants and citizens demand an improvement of the conditions in the region and protest against its environmental degradation due mainly to oil exploitation and climate change. The Niger Delta is the delta of the Niger River sitting directly on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean in Nigeria. The Niger Delta is a very densely populated region sometimes called the Oil Rivers because it was once a major producer of palm oil before the climate crises. The area was the British Oil Rivers Protectorate from 1885 until 1893, when it was expanded and became the Niger Coast Protectorate. It is a petroleum-rich region and has been the center of international concern over extensive pollution which is often used as an example of ecocide. The principal cause is major oil spills by multinational corporations of the petroleum industry. The Niger Delta covers about 70,000 km2 (27,000 sq miles) and makes up 7.5% of Nigeria's land mass. 

Following a series of investigations, consultations, conversations and interventions, the Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) at this moment raises the alarm for the attention of the Governments and People of Nigeria, and the International Community, on the devastations being recked on the Niger Delta region, by the climate change crises.

From Port Harcourt, Ahoada, Emoha, Opobo, Eleme, Boro (all in Rivers State), to Ndiya in Ikono, Akwa Ibom State; from Aiyetoro in Ilaje LGA of Ondo State to Iwerehkan Community in Ughelli South Local Government of Delta State; from Emereoke Kingdoms in Eastern Obolo LGA and Oron in Akwa Ibom State to all Oko towns along the River Niger in Oshimili South LGA of Delta State; the climate change crises has left in its wake, tears, fears, crimes, destructions, injuries, deaths, poverty, loss of animal and plant lives, hunger, food insecurity/crises, loss of cultural heritage/artifacts, loss of flora and fauna, incredible desolation, internally displaced populations/persons, and virtually irrecoverable loss of opportunities to achieve the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We are deeply concerned about the devastating effects of climate change on communities in the region, including rising sea levels, flooding, and pollution, and the need for increased awareness and advocacy. The challenges faced by the affected communities include joblessness, hunger, and food insecurity, thus necessitating very urgent broad community adaptation strategies and collaboration to provide solutions.  

AHOA is concerned that rising sea levels and “soot” have continued to severely affect the health and livelihoods of communities in Rivers State (Port Harcourt) and Akwa Ibom States, covering houses, food, and water sources. Dike mentioned the effects of climate change in the Eastern Obolo local government area of Akwa Ibom State. Our hearts go out to the villagers in Oko, Oshimili LGA of Delta State and other riverine areas of the Niger Delta, who are routinely forced to relocate due to flooding and the destruction of their homes caused by climate change-occasioned rising water levels from the River Niger and Atlantic Ocean. Sadly, we note that pollution, erosion, and the disappearance of marine life have affected the region, leading to the abandonment of some areas and loss of communities, cultures and community lives.           

The devastating impacts of flooding on the livelihoods of fishermen and farmers in Akwa Ibom state, occasioned by the activities of oil exploration activities, should no longer be overlooked. Serially, the concerns expressed by the affected communities through protests and grievances related to these issues, especially against Oil Companies and oil exploration in the areas, had often been silenced or ignored. AHOA acknowledges that the adverse effects of climate change on the Niger Delta region have further resulted in loss of farmland, housing, and fishing sources, leading to food scarcity and displacement, loss of human and animal lives, loss of flora and fauna. In some communities, there are superstitious belief systems that attribute climate change to spirituality.          

In Aiyetoro community in Ilaje local government of Ondo State, about 70% of the land are now underwater due to severe flooding, resulting in economic losses and displacement of over 2,000 residents. At the same time AFRIHEALTH has observed the high rates of crime in the affected communities due to joblessness, particularly among youth and women. Sadly also, people are taking desperate measures to survive, including selling their children, and fierce battles and deadly struggles over the limited available land. There is prevalent food insecurity in areas where forests are disappearing and arable lands are becoming scarce, leading to a decrease in crop yields, increasing hunger, social vices, crimes for survival, and poverty.           

In addressing these challenges frontally, AHOA recommends the promotion of community adaptation strategies; awareness campaigns with information, education and communication (IEC) to sensitize communities to the environmental issues affecting them; providing assistance to those working in the field and the affected communities and interventions to help and save the inhabitants and lives in the region.

The communities in Niger Delta need urgent interventions to understand the causes and impacts of climate change, adapt to climate change and mitigate its devastating effect in the region. This is a humanitarian crisis of immense dimensions. Open questions remained about the coping mechanisms of people in Nigeria in the face of these climate change challenges/issues.

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje writes from Abuja, Nigeria

Tuesday, 7 May 2024

Invitation to the 2024 Global Evaluation Initiative Conference on 4 June 2024, by Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) and Partners

Excellency, Dear Evaluation Stakeholder,

You are respectfully invited to the 2024 Global Evaluation Initiative Conference with the Theme:

CONTRIBUTIONS OF NON-PROFITS AND NON-STATE ACTORS TO THE TRANSFORMATIONAL INTENTIONS OF THE AGENDA 2023 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES <https://www.globalevaluationinitiative.org/event/contributions-non-profits-and-non-state-actors-transformational-intentions-agenda-2023>

Organized by:

Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) - CSOs Network and Think-tank for Health and Sustainable Development <https://druzodinmadirieje.blogspot.com/2024/03/about-afrihealth-optonet-association.html>

In partnership with:

Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN), AND

Dr Uzo Adirieje Foundation (DUZAFOUND);

during the gLOCAL Evaluation Week.

This Evaluation Conference shall be a moderated event to review and discuss the Contributions of Non-Profits and Non-State Actors to the Transformational Intentions of the Agenda 2023 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Developing Countries. Although not insufficiently acknowledged/appreciated, the continuing contributions of the Non-Profits including civil society organizations (CSOs), Communities, and other Non-State Actors (NSAs) as stakeholders in/to the field and practice of evaluation must be emphasized.

Non-Profits (CSOs, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, etc.), Communities, and NSAs contribute in the following ways:

a. building and sustaining partnerships and collaborations;

b. promoting Advocacy, communication/media, and social/resource mobilization (ACSM);

c. promoting and participating in research/evidence generation including reviews, assessment, oversight, conferences, seminars, symposia, and workshops;

d. providing and creating demand for Capacity Development/Training and Organizational Strengthening;

e. engaging in outreaches and community/population/people engagements; and

f. participating in monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).

Specifically, this virtual gLOCAL Conference shall report and discuss the monitored and evaluated roles and contributions of the civil society, communities, and non-state actors in advancing transformational change through Evaluation Capacity Development, M&E Use and Advocacy, M&E Approaches and Methods, Innovations in M&E, Monitoring, National Evaluation Systems, and The Future of M&E with focus on Culture, Context, and Collaboration.

Participants are expected to be drawn from the general public, especially from the 40,000-strong audience of AHOA’s Google Group, as well as more than 2,400 registered members/partners of AHOA from 107 Countries. The Conference shall receive specific country-based reports and be open to general discussions and comments/inputs from participants.

DATE: 4 June 2024

TIME: 2.00 pm WAT/1.00 pm GMT

Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErcu2hrzgvGt1NjbyFzao3lrRSCBb5vbB4

The Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) is a global and community-focused CSO network and Think-tank of 2,424 organizations from 107 countries across all continental regions, with over 40,000 members in its Google Group, for the promotion of Development Work, Sustainable Development, and Health - as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. AHOA uses partnership/collaboration, advocacy, communication, research/evidence-generation, capacity development, outreaches, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E) as strategies; to benefit rural and poor urban dwellers, marginalized, vulnerable, and disadvantaged populations of women, children, youth, adolescents, people with disability, orphans and elderly. The AHOA Network explores the nexus between Health – UHC, PHC, HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, NCDs, Vaccines, and COVID-19; Energy and Environment - biodiversity, environment, ecosystems, renewable energy, energy efficiency, conservation, and climate change; Nutrition/micronutrients and Food Security; Gender, Democracy, Good Governance, and Human Rights. AHOA understands and explores the importance of shared understanding in combating all health and sustainable development challenges everywhere. Our strategies transcend any single entity or approach, and showcase the immense power of collaboration; various resources including local know-how, innovative scientific research, the empowerment of communities, and the concerted effort of AHOA members/partners and collaborators worldwide. AHOA is in Consultative Status at UN ECOSOC, and an Accredited Observer status at the UNEP/UNEA. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Health, Empowerment and Sustainable Development,

Uzodinma

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, CMC, CMTF, FIMC, FIMS, FNAE, FASI, FSEE, FAHOA

Health Economist; Certified Evaluation and Projects/Programmes Management Consultant; Conferences and Workshops Organizing Expert; Researcher; Health/Development, Climate Change/Biodiversity and Human Rights Advocate; Facilitator/Trainer; Blogger; Writer/Columnist

CEO & Permanent Representative to the United Nations,

Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) - CSO Global Movement and Think-tank for Health and Development (Winner of the SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing Champion Award). <https://druzodinmadirieje.blogspot.com/2024/03/about-afrihealth-optonet-association.html>

Pioneer Fellow and Immediate-Past National President, Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE)

National Chairman, Civil Society Partnership for Sustainable Development in Nigeria (CSPDN)

Plot 520, FHA Estate, Lugbe, Airport Rd; P.O. Box 8880, Wuse, Abuja, Nigeria  

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