Nigeria Customs Leads Dialogue on Climate Change Mitigation at Kaduna Retreat
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has taken a pioneering role in addressing the challenges of climate change in Nigeria, as evidenced by a 3-day retreat held at the National Teachers Institute (NTI), Kaduna.
The retreat, themed “Youth Involvement in Tackling Climate Change in Our Community,” was jointly organised by the Red Cross Kaduna North Division and the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B Kaduna, from 6 to 9 October 2024.
The highlight of the retreat, according to a statement signed by Isah Sulaiman, Customs Public Relations Officer, Federal Operations Unit Zone B, Kaduna, occurred on Tuesday, 8 October, when Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu of the NCS, FOU Zone B Kaduna, presented a pivotal paper outlining the role of the NCS in mitigating climate change.
In his presentation, Comptroller Shuaibu emphasised the critical responsibility of the NCS, particularly as a signatory to several Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).
He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among stakeholders, support for renewable energy initiatives, the promotion of sustainable trade practices, and the need to combat wildlife trafficking, which plays a crucial role in addressing the global climate crisis.
Shuaibu underscored the commitment of the NCS to environmental sustainability, highlighting its ongoing dedication to contributing to Nigeria’s climate change mitigation strategies.
The customs service, he noted, is well-positioned to play a significant part in the country’s efforts to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change, particularly through enforcing regulations aligned with international environmental agreements.
The retreat brought attention to the devastating effects of climate change on Nigeria’s ecosystem, economy, and society, with participants highlighting the increasing temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and rising occurrences of extreme weather events.
It also served as a platform for discussing innovative approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation, including sustainable agricultural practices, the adoption of renewable energy solutions, and the development of eco-friendly policies.
Comptroller Shuaibu’s presentation did not shy away from discussing the challenges Nigeria faces in mitigating climate change.
He highlighted issues such as the absence of an effective climate change policy and legislation, a lack of institutional coordination, dependency on fossil fuels and oil exports, deforestation, land degradation, high levels of poverty, and limited public awareness and education on climate change.
These factors, he explained, compound the difficulties in implementing effective mitigation measures.
The 3-day event concluded on 9 October 2024 with a tree-planting exercise, symbolising the organisers’ and participants’ commitment to environmental sustainability.
The NCS and the Red Cross Kaduna North Division demonstrated their shared resolve to combat climate change through community engagement and proactive initiatives.
