Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called for collective effort to adopt the use of renewable energy in addressing the effects of climate change on the environment and human lives.
The emir made the call when he attended the graduation and induction ceremony of women trainees of the “Energize-Her Gida-Gida” initiative of the state government facilitated by the Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Transition (CREST), Bayero University Kano.
He said, “Renewable energy is very important especially at a time we are witnessing climate changes. The emissions we are getting from cooking in our houses alone is 2 per cent of green house gasses and 20 per cent of black carbon emissions. If we can adopt this everywhere, it will go along way in addressing our issues.
“People have been looking down on the issues of climate change but now everyone is seeing it. Where there is no rain now are witnessing floods, deserts growing grasses, prolonged raining season and the rest. If we are not proactive in addressing that we will be affected and will be in trouble especially in Africa were we don’t have the resources to face the problem head-on.”
The emir, however, emphasized on the need to accord more support for women as agents of change.
“It’s important to give maximum attention to women folk. People tend to forget that even way back, the women were not idle. They do business at home and the men take it out to sell in the market. We all know that our grandmothers did not stay like that. My grandmother is a renowned groundnut oil seller. Those in Yakasai area know this.
“At this critical economic time, we must look for ways to get more income, sometimes it is even more profitable than salary.”
Also speaking, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 7 and 13, which advocate for affordable and clean energy and urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Represented by his Deputy, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the Governor acknowledged the crucial role women are playing in reducing the state’s carbon footprint through the production of biogas, clean cooking stoves, and solar designs.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano (BUK), Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, represented by the DVC, Research and Development, Professor Abdullahi Sule Kano, said the University is going the path of retooling graduates with skills to strengthen the educational sector as a large percentage of the youth are uneducated thereby saluting the state’s resolution for developing a system that will ween youth out of ignorance.
On his part, the Director of the Centre, Professor Nasir Isah Fagge while congratulating the graduates highlighted that, “the centre will continue to monitor your efforts and provide guidance wherever you are. Be good ambassadors of university and shall prosper together.”
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