By Law Ibitoye
The Ekiti State Government has inaugurated Climate Change Desk Officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the 16 Local Government Areas of the state as part of measures to strengthen climate governance and build a more resilient and environmentally sustainable Ekiti.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Erelu Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Sunday Omoya, said the initiative underscored the state government’s commitment to tackling the growing impact of climate change while promoting sustainable economic development.
She identified flooding, erosion, rising temperatures and land degradation as some of the climate-related challenges already affecting communities across the state, stressing that coordinated action among government institutions and stakeholders was required to address the threats.
According to her, the newly appointed Desk Officers would play a critical role in ensuring that climate change considerations are integrated into the policies, programmes and activities of MDAs and the local government areas.
The Commissioner urged the officers to be proactive and work closely with communities, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and development partners to develop practical responses to climate-related challenges.
She noted that climate action could also provide opportunities for economic growth and job creation through climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, waste management and tree planting, assuring that the state government would continue to strengthen institutional capacity and collaboration among relevant stakeholders.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr. Folorunso Olabode, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Babatunde Olaoye, emphasised the need for climate responses to be community-focused and data-driven.
He called for effective early warning systems to enable communities to prepare adequately for climate-related hazards and reduce their impact on lives and property.
In his keynote address, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Green Economy and Environment, Dr. Akinyemi Akinyugha, described the inauguration as a landmark step towards establishing an effective climate governance structure in Ekiti State.
Dr. Akinyugha described environmental protection as a collective responsibility, calling for greater participation by citizens, the private sector and civil society organisations in efforts to protect the environment and build a climate-resilient state.
The event featured a technical session and was attended by senior government officials, representatives of the 16 local government areas and other stakeholders.
