BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Plan International Nigeria’s Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) has called on the Federal Government to incorporate climate change study into the nation’s school curriculum to mitigate its impacts and actualise a sustainable green economy.
Chairperson of the YAP, Faith Adaji, made the call last Wednesday in Abuja at a panel discussion to mark the 2023 International Youth Day with the theme: ‘Green Skills for Youth towards a Sustainable World.’
She said that education plays a huge role in building the skills of young women and girls to tackle climate change and support green economy, hence the need to teach the subject in schools to catch them young and get the nation’s youths involved in the climate change actions.
Her words; “Infusing climate change into the curriculum is very important because young children nowadays do not have the knowledge of climate change. The role of education in fostering and leveraging on economy for young women and girls is very important. Many people believe that climate change is ambiguous.”
The YAP chairperson said “if it’s (climate change) being taught right from primary to tertiary levels of education, whatever innovative change that the young people will be coming up with would have lasting impact on the environment.”
The Country Director, Plan International Nigeria, Mr. Charles Usie, noted that there was need to create space for youths for their voices to be heard in ensuring sustainable development.
“Plan International is interested in partnering with you, listen to you, meet with you, hear your thoughts, visions and ideas and together form a group,” he said.
The intention according to him was not to create more youth’s forum but to enable youths become contributors and solutions rather than problems in this country.
He advised ”We must bring our ideas together to get bonds to transform, excel and thrive in this country.
A member of the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP), Mallam Marwan Umar, said the organisation would put forward recommendations to ensure climate change knowledge in the curriculum from the basic level”.
Umar said this would allow young people especially adolescent girls in schools have knowledge about climate change and also to encourage more youth organisations participation in development.
Also, Director, Elder Justice Stakeholders Engagement and Community Relations, Department, National Senior Citizens Centre, Mrs Nkiru Osisioma, urged youths to live meaningful and productive life.
She said this could be achieved through education and that the youths should discover their talents while using them for the good of mankind.
