By Muhammad Sani Mu’azu
Bauchi State Government has taken a significant step towards environmental sustainability and climate resilience with the commencement of a validation workshop for its Climate Change Policy.
The Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Rt. Hon. Danlami Ahmed Kawule, while declaring the workshop open, described the policy validation as a bold step toward securing a sustainable and thriving future for the people of Bauchi State. He noted that the impacts of climate change, including desertification, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events, are evident across the state, affecting agriculture and livelihoods.
“This is a clarion call for us to act swiftly and decisively to protect our environment and preserve our ecosystem for future generations,” Kawule said.
He highlighted that under the leadership of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the state government has prioritized environmental protection and initiated viable programs to align with global best practices while addressing local climate challenges.
The Commissioner emphasized that the Bauchi State Climate Change Policy is not merely a document but a comprehensive roadmap developed through wide stakeholder consultations, reflecting the aspirations and realities of the people. He called on stakeholders at the workshop to engage actively and contribute insights that will refine the policy to make it robust, inclusive, and actionable.
The Director of Climate Change, Bauchi State Ministry of Housing and Environment, Nasiru Umar in his welcome address, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to implementing the policy urgently, stating that climate action is not a choice but a necessity.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey toward building a climate-resilient Bauchi State,” he stated, acknowledging the support of Governor Mohammed, Commissioner Kawule, OXFAM, GIFSEP, and other partners for their technical and financial support towards the policy development.
In her goodwill message, the Director of the Department of Climate Change at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, commended the Bauchi State Government for taking a giant step in localizing climate action. She noted that the Federal Government, through the Climate Change Act 2021 and National Climate Change Policy, has provided a framework for achieving a low-carbon and climate-resilient Nigeria, with targets for net-zero emissions between 2050 and 2070.
Represented by Mr. Andrew Pinar, she explained that the National Climate Change Policy emphasizes mitigation, adaptation, and private sector engagement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience, encouraging states to align their policies for effective local implementation.
Participants at the workshop, including government agencies, civil society organisations, media, academic institutions, and community leaders, who are expected to provide critical feedback during the event to ensure the policy aligns with national frameworks and addresses key sectors such as agriculture, water, energy, health, and infrastructure with locally relevant strategies.
As Bauchi State moves towards validating and implementing its climate change policy, stakeholders expressed optimism that the state will serve as a model for subnational climate action, ensuring food security, restoring degraded lands, empowering youth, and building climate-resilient communities.
The workshop continues with technical sessions and breakout discussions aimed at fine-tuning the policy for effective implementation across Bauchi State.