By Trust Akharaiyi

Youths have been charged to lead the advocacy for environmental sustainability and social justice.

The stakeholders gave the charge in Akure at the 2022 CoP 27 Youth Leadership Workshop, organised by the Nigeria Youth SDGs Network.

The State Lead, NGYouthSDGs Network, Alfred Akerele said the essence of the workshop was to provide youth from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria with training and capacity building to develop skills and means to engage in dialogue and express their ideas on climate issues.

He added that the participants would how to become effective activists and leaders who are aware of their personal power and can use it in collaboration with other young people in their community to influence decision makers through advocacy to push for meaningful youth engagement in environmental policies and programs in Nigeria.

Akerele said Nigerian youths, especially those in Ondo State, must bring their unique solutions to environmental issues facing the society, share ideas and find ways to resolve environmental issues in the Sunshine State.

While reeling out the many developmental opportunities championed by the Ondo State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the Director of Youth, Mrs. Olukemi Okupe said the youths must avail themselves the many opportunities and make intentional efforts towards self-growth

The Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Public and Intergovernmental Relations, Dr. Olubunmi Ademosu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Oluyemisi Pirisola, said the youths must understand the SDGs and tailor their advocacies towards addressing the goals.

Speaking on Understanding Climate Policy and Taking Action, the founder of Plogging Nigeria, Mr. Mayokun Iyaomolere said the youths must be grounded in environmental advocacy for them to be impactful advocates.

While calling attention of the government to the devastating effects of sea flood in Ilaje Local Government Area, the Mandela Washington Fellow said everyone must be involved in resolving environmental issues.

Also, the State Focal Person, OSSAP SDGs, Mrs. Temilola Odetola charged Nigerian synergise towards finding solutions to the problems the country was facing in terms of climate changes and advocate for the interests of the youth at the national level.

She then advised to venture into investments and create jobs for themselves as there were no job opportunities in the country now and being idle would be bad for them and the county at large.

The Speaker, Ondo State Youth Parliament, Mr. Smith Ikumapayi stated that both youths and politicians had a role to play in the development of the country, charging them to lead the advocacy for sustainable environment in Nigeria.

He said the youth can take active roles in plant a tree’ movement to reduce continuous flooding risks and other climate changes in the country.

Speaking at the event, Understanding Policy Advocacy and the Community Sensitization, Mr. Jonathan Obatola who said the youth must identify policy changers and how to approach them in order for them to appropriately convey their advocacy though lobbying, meetings, public debates and other strategies.

Mrs. Francisca Ogunlade added that youth advocates must be grounded in public speaking for their advocacy to be well delivered and be impactful.