Olasimbo Yeside Aminat, a climate justice activist and filmmaker based in Lagos, has stressed the urgency of climate change intervention in Lagos State.
According to her, Lagos State being the commercial hub of the country and the largest city in Africa hosts people of all races and tribes making it the most populated city in Nigeria, but has been plagued with one of the most devastating effects of climate change.
Aminat emphasized the need for the state government to implement policies to curb the climate crisis, especially the issue of flooding across communities in Lagos state like Abule-Ijesha, Alagbede, Abulenla, Iganmu, Ijero, Iwaya, Makoko, Ebute-metta and Lagos Island amidst other places in this city being surrounded by water.
In her words, “We have had several incidences in time past mostly overwhelming because of our under-preparedness and lack of proactivity in setting community-based adaptive systems in place.
“In Nigeria according to NEMA reports, more than two million people are directly affected by flooding most being in coastal cities like Lagos State.
“In 2021, I visited Makoko with my team and the sight was disheartening. It dawned on me the extent of this menace and how terribly unprepared we are in Lagos State. We did the best we could with the limited resources available to us as I facilitated the project with my personal funds.
Read Also: Spain asks EU for emergency funds to help farmers cope with drought
“As I reminisced on the sobering encounter with the people of Makoko and those displaced by flooding, I listened to them, heard their stories and engaged them in a needs assessment process.
“I and my partner Diolu Tobechukwu Prosper with more than 8 years of experience in different social work fields, decided to go deeper into the issues of climate change (Adaptation and Mitigation) hence the birth of my foundation Blue-lily Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (NGO) which is focused majorly on Climate Justice and human rights.
“My aim through this initiative is to go beyond providing relief materials to these communities but also enlightening them on issues regarding climate change.
“At Blue-lily initiative our goals are streamlined to systematically address the compounding issues of Loss of Biodiversity, Waste Management, Public Health, Malnutrition, Education and Climate Based Negotiation.”
She expressed her willingness to collaborate with the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders, to have a wider and more formidable spread and intervention plan.
Story was adapted from Vanguard
