The Governor of Niger State, Hon. Mohammed Bago, says his administration is priotising climate change to mitigate natural and manmade disasters.
He added that since his assumption of office, his administration has raised the ante of informing the public about preventive measures to save lives and reduce damage to property and infrastructure
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, disclosed this in Minna at the House of Representatives Press Crops Retreat, with the theme, “The Role of the Media in Mainstreaming Climate Change Policies”.
The governor noted that Climate change was one of the biggest problems confronting nations today.
He stressed that in Nigeria, it was a matter of concern to governments and experts because it is happening at a very frightening level.
Bago stressed that it was based on his preference to prioritise climate change that informed his decision to convoke a Green Economy Summit.
He noted: “Since my assumption of office, we have raised the ante of informing the public about preventive measures to save lives and reduce damage to property and infrastructure.”
“We have problems of flood, desertification, environmental pollution, etc and despite efforts being made, the devastating effects of climate change are recorded yearly. Even part of the insecurity we face today is attributed to climate change, which deserves priority attention.
“The government of Niger State under my leadership is priotising climate change to mitigate natural and manmade disasters. This informs the decision to convoke a Green Economy Summit.”
Bagos stressed that unfortunately, it seems some of these disasters are even underreported, saying perhaps, the media was not adequately equipped to handle this.
The Governor emphasised that as journalists who report from the parliament, where laws are enacted, it was essential that they acquire the necessary skills and tools to mainstream climate change.
This, he said, would enable journalists to set an agenda for the Legislature and indeed the Executive.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Corps, Ms. Grace Ike said the media play a significant role in the development of the society.
She added that any public or elected official who knows his or her onions and wants to succeed always courts the media.
Ike noted: “As we are all aware, climate change has impacted our lives in different ways. This has altered our environment and ecosystem. Interestingly, the government is also coming up with various policies to mitigate the effects of climate change not just for Niger State but globally.
“It is therefore our responsibility as reporters to communicate and properly disseminate this information. By so doing, we will all be on the same page.”