Naija News

Nsukka—A Kenyan don has estimated that climate change problem would kill about 184 million people by the 25th century with Africa recording the highest victims.

Prof John Gowhan Nwangi of the Egertion University, Kenya disclosed this is an interview with Vanguard after delivering a key note address entitled "Agricultural extension strategies for effective mitigation against the effect of climate change,'' at the 17th annual conference of Agricultural Society of Nigeria, AESON, hosted by University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN. He explained that the 184 million people would become victims of such changes through attendant disasters.

He noted that African governments have not shown enough interest to provide and encourage strategies that could mitigate climate change effects, though Africa was most vulnerable to effects of climate change.

Nwangi stressed that Africa had the largest number of poor people in the world, saying that climate change has killed so many people in the recent past through displacement, drying of rivers and lakes; natural water sources, degradation and environmental pollution.

Importance of tree planting

Prof. Nwangi, who is a consultant at Egerton University on agricultural extension, education and research, explained that stagnant waters were very good breeding grounds for mosquitoes causing malaria, a killer disease in Africa.

He called on African governments to rise to the challenge by taking appropriate steps to combat climate change. Stressing that stakeholders should do something positive to mitigate the calamities associated with the problem through tree planting, cleaning environment and collaboration with people in advanced countries.

According to him, climate change stakeholders can also effect mitigation through policy changes that are climate change friendly.

He also urged African governments to do more in capacity building, noting that people do not understand the problems associated with climate change and their effects, maintaining that people needed orientation on the issue which could be done through universities, the media and workshops.

Prof. Nwangi further pointed out that governments should ensure that farmers understand the practices that can promote effects of climate change which destroy their means of livelihood by creating ways of meeting with them to bring about strategies they can understand easily.

He emphasized that money was not the issue because to plant a tree does not require money, just as a tree planted can change an environment, adding that school children should be encouraged at their early age to imbibe culture of avoiding practices that can exacerbate problem of climate change.

….Expert wants Abia govt to revive farming

Umuahia— AN agricultural extension transformation agent, Mrs Julie Aham, yesterday, called on Abia government to revive its famers' field school to promote the nation's food security agenda.

Aham made the call when extension experts under the National Agricultural Extension Transformation Agenda visited the state.

She said the Federal Government had earlier introduced the field schools as part of the national programme for food security.

"We introduced the farmers' field school approach under the national programme for food security.

"Some states started it and were able to implement something. A few others, particularly those who do not have their counterpart fund for the National Programme on Food Security paid, like Abia, did not do anything".