Stakeholders in Oyo State under the aegis of “African Climate Caravan” are demanding for grants instead of loans to mitigate the effects of climate change in Africa.
The demand was made on Saturday, November 9, 2024, during the Ibadan Climate Caravan Walk, organised by Oxfam Nigeria in partnership with Climate Justice Youth Ambassador.
The Convener of the Walk, Mr Oluwatobiloba Ojuoluwa, said the African continent had suffered enough from the effects of climate change of which it contributed minimally.
Ojuoluwa, a representative of Oxfam, said it was high time wealthy countries, according to COP27, made all of their promises come through.
“We can’t be servicing what we don’t owe. We demand for climate justice because we can’t keep serving loans for what they have caused.
“Local people and vulnerable groups must access grants and finance to mitigate flooding and other disasters due to the effects of climate change,” he said.
Ojuoluwa lamented the recent flooding incidents in Adamawa and Borno states which had caused victims to lose their hard-earned property.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Eco Science Generation Initiative, Ms Jumoke Omodeni, said the call was for climate financing to finance adaptation initiatives and strengthen climate resilience for vulnerable communities in Africa.
She underscored the need to combat drought, flooding, desertification and other impacts of climate change.
The Founder, EcoSmart Club, Ms Hannah Omokhaye, called for the implementation of an energy transition initiative aimed to stop the use of fossil fuels and promote the uptake of renewable energy.
She noted that African countries like Nigeria lacked the capacity and infrastructure to take up renewable energy initiatives hence financing would be needed to support developing countries.
Other climate change enthusiasts, Wale Alabi, Olayomade Adeyemo of Nigerian Conservation Foundation, and Adeyemi Adebisi, Founder of Climate Solutions Limited, all called for immediate climate actions.
They also called for actions instead of advocacy without commensurate activities, to enhance climate adaptation for developing countries.
By Ibukun Emiola
