Nigeria Among Three Countries Globally With Highest Child Climate Risk – UNICEF Alerts
- Says 100 Million Vulnerable To Climate Emergency
- As World Marks Children’s Day
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Children’s Day, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that Nigeria ranks among the top three countries globally with the highest child climate risk, according to the Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI).
The UN agency highlighted that the nation’s over 100 million Nigerian children are increasingly vulnerable to the disastrous effects of climate change.
“Extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall, flooding, storm surges, and rising temperatures, are becoming more frequent and intense. These climate-induced disasters severely impact children’s rights to health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and education,” the United Nation’s Children Agency (UNICEF) further alerted.
Speaking in Lagos during an event organised to mark the Day in Lagos, the Chief of the UNICEF Field Office for southwest Nigeria, Celine Lafoucriere said: “The long-term consequences of climate change, such as food shortages, hunger, malnutrition, and displacement, pose a grave threat to the future of Nigerian children.
According to her, Nigeria must take urgent action to address climate change and protect the rights of every child.
She noted that to mitigate the effects of climate change, UNICEF is collaborating with government agencies, the private sector, and young people on various initiatives. “One such initiative is Generation Unlimited Nigeria, which empowers youth to drive climate action and raise awareness among younger generations.
“These young champions are the future leaders who will shape a sustainable and resilient Nigeria. By investing in their potential, we can ensure a brighter future for all.
“The young leaders present today are emerging as generational agents of change, paving the way for a brighter future. They will become the parents and advocates for the children of tomorrow, championing their rights and well-being. Let us celebrate and empower these children and youth, whose creativity, ideas, and leadership will shape the sustainable and prosperous future we all envision,” she added.
She further called on all stakeholders to prioritise climate action and work together to build a safer and more sustainable world for children.
Speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Abubakre Mobolaji Ogunlende, who Mrs Adenike Obilana represented, noted that the global celebration symbol
Ogunlende said children deserve the best for adequate survival, development, protection, and participation in matters that affect them.
“His Excellency sent his regards and appreciation to UNICEF Nigeria and, in particular, the UNICEF Lagos field office for their continuous support to the state in the area of capacity building for social welfare officers. Stakeholders and the various activities aimed to end violence against children and harmful practices that affect the survival and development of children. We hope for a continuous partnership.”
Acknowledging the 33rd annual celebration of the Treaty for the Prevention of Child Rights Violations, Ogunlende noted the significance of the 2024 theme: “Climate change has a significant impact on the survival and well-being of children.”
The event’s high point is the interactive panel session, ‘Climate Action Starts with Us’ and the storytelling segment – A Day in the Life of Tomorrow’s Planet, facilitated by Tomike Adeoye, who spoke on “the power of story-telling for social impact.”
Some of the children who spoke called on the Nigerian leaders to take action against climate change.
One of the children from Richfield High School, Michelle, painted a stark picture of the crisis, saying, “Roads are flooding, the air is polluted, and our planet is becoming uninhabitable. We can’t continue to live like this,” she stressed. “Children worldwide are stepping up to address climate change. It’s time for everyone to take action.”
