BY AKUDORO GLORIA
As Nigeria is being confronted with several problems as a result of climate change, Reps. Spokesperson/Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, and Member Representating Ekiti North 1 (Ikole/Oye) Federal Constituency, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi, has charged the Media to step up to the challenge and frame the narrative to help people understand the root cause of issues.
Hon. Rotimi who gave this charge while delivering his keynote address at the commomeration of the ‘World Press Freedom Day’ with the theme “The Role of Nigerian Media in Reporting Environmental and Climate Induced Conflict”, highlighted flooding, drought, food insecurity among others as climate change challenges bedevilling Nigeria in which many Nigerians look to the media for answers and explanations in the face of these dire and
changing conditions.
He said breaking down the intricate causes of such climate-induced conflicts and other environmental impacts through adequate
reporting would help people understand the bigger picture and how best to approach tackling the problem.
“Effective reportage can lead to early warning and early response from both the government and communities involved. In this age of
online and digital journalism, news travels even faster and the incorporation of pictures and videos further helps with public understanding of the situation.
“This way, Nigerians will be well informed and would make evidence-driven and timely decisions that benefit them and the earth because an informed public is a critical ingredient in the necessary practical steps and policy changes needed to alleviate any developing crisis”, he emphasized.
Hon. Rotimi further stated that with better understanding of the role of the Press as disseminators of information, influencing people’s attitude and promoting public awareness and serving as a cornerstone of public opinion and a catalyst for change, must help channel discussions to generate the needed action rather than looking for clickbaits and hot headlines in the face of conflicts or environmental crises.
He referenced commitments by the green Chamber regarding climate change and environment as reflected in Agenda 8 of the Legislative Agenda 2023 – 2027 which among other things aims to ensure compliance with the provisions of the 2021 Climate Change
Act for achieving low GHG emissions and mainstreaming climate change actions into national plans and programmes, and also ensure that Nigeria meets its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions unconditionally by 20% and conditionally by 45% by 2030.
Hon. Rotimi also spoke of the nation’s commitments on climate change both in-country and globally, emphasising that Nigeria among other things, have committed to achieving
net-zero by 2060 with ambitious nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that would bring about reduction of emissions by 20% without condition and by 47% with international
support by 2030.
Furthermore, the lawmaker noted that the fight against climate change and other environmental crises is a fight of our lives, thus, the media has a crucial role to play in ensuring that this fight is won in no distant time in order to save all of humanity.