The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has held a one-day summit, the North East Climate Summit (NECS24), aimed to tackle the region’s pressing climate challenges.
Climate change, once perceived as a distant threat, has become a harsh reality, with devastating heatwaves and floods displacing millions and jeopardising livelihoods.
The summit followed NEDC’s participation in COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, marking a commitment to addressing the multifaceted issues facing the North East.
The event brought together participants from the region and beyond under the theme, “Setting the Course for Sustained Climate Action in the North East.”
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During the summit, stakeholders discussed solutions to environmental challenges, including desertification and land degradation caused by the encroaching Sahara Desert.
The region also grapples with intensified droughts, leading to water scarcity and diminished access to safe drinking water.
The shrinking of Lake Chad, a critical water source for millions, further exacerbates these issues.
In his opening remarks, NEDC chairman, Maj-Gen Paul Tarfa (Rtd) emphasised the importance of NECS24 in addressing these challenges and charting a path toward resilience and sustainability.
He highlighted insights gained from COP28 and the NEDC’s commitment to sustainable development through the North-East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan (NESDMP).
“These challenges, though daunting, are surmountable if we harness the opportunities before us. Achieving the goals set in the NESDMP requires innovation, collaboration, and sustainable solutions that will transform this region,” Tarfa said.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, called for unified efforts to combat climate change in Nigeria, particularly in the Northeast.
He highlighted recent flooding events exacerbated by climate change and urged Nigerians to take decisive action to protect lives and livelihoods.
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