Osun State Government has sought synergy with the National Orientation Agency in the area of advocacy, especially at the grassroots to drive the message on the reality of issues relating to climate change and the need for people to take responsibility.
This was stated by the Senior Special Assistant to Osun State Governor on Renewable Energy, Mr. Funmiso Babarinde on Tuesday, while speaking at a climate change summit organised by Youth in Agroecology and Restoration Network in conjunction with NET HOPE and Ushahidi from Kenya for community based organisations in climate change and renewable energy, affiliated ministries, farmers and community leaders in Osun state.
The summit aimed at engendering dialogue around current local climate realities, co-designed approaches to data collection and community engagement, explore pathways to integrate community voices into local climate policies and actions, and collaborate on strengthening community capacity for grassroot climate action plan.
Babarinde, who highlighted various initiatives by the state government to mitigate the effects of climate change on the populace, said climate change advocacy and media contents should be produced in local languages to drive home the message.
He also called for training of members of the media community in climate change reporting, adding that the entertainment sector, especially those in Nollywood and music industry should be co-opted into the advocacy program to get more attention of the public and sustain the message.
“We want to call on the Director General of the National Orientation Agency to work with the Federal Ministry of Information and States Ministry of Information to design a framework for advocacy at grassroots and communities. This is important because the issue of climate change is no longer scientific but a reality that concerns all.
“Advocacy messages and media contents on climate change should be done in local languages. Also, the media community should be trained in climate change reporting, while the entertainment industry, especially those in Nollywood and the music industry, should be co-opted into the advocacy program for effectiveness,” Babarinde said
Tasking the participants to take responsibility and be agent of climate change, Babarinde added, “if we are not all involved, there might not be a place for our children in the future to be called earth again at the rate the effects of climate change is ongoing all the world.”
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