The
Policy Advocacy Project Partnership on Climate Change (PAPPCC), a network of
Civil Society Organization and professionals concerned about the threat of
Climate Change to Lagos recently organized a 2 Day Sensitization workshop for
Media Professionals with two cardinal objective of; demystifying the concept of
climate change and advocate for a robust policy framework on Climate Change in
the State.
The
workshop for journalists and media practitioners was held in partnership with
DFID – State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI) with the theme,
‘Strengthening Citizens Voice and Climate Change: The Role of the Media’.
According
to the organizers, the workshop was aimed at building the capacity of Media
Professionals and prevailing issues on Climate Change in Lagos State.
The
Day 1 of the workshop witnessed training sessions by Speakers in the field of
Climate Change Advocacy and Intervention.
Speaking
at the workshop was Barr. TitiAkosa, Executive Director, 21st Centre
for Century Issues. She implored Media practitioners to be vaster while
reporting Climate related issues.
‘Reporting
should be human centers. Human faces should be on reports as regards Climate
Change. Taking cognizance of people that are socially vulnerable, people with
disabilities and hot it affects these different set of people differently for
the differences to make a difference while reporting’, Akosa noted.
The
Second Speaker was Dr. Ayo Tella, Producer, and ‘Our Environment’ Film with
focus on what the Media should look out for when it comes to delivering Climate
Change Reports.
According
to Tella, ‘for effective communication to enable the citizens know about
Climate Change, media practitioners need to share in the idea of the citizens
as well as their opinions. When communicating with the masses, media
practitioners must ensure barriers of noise, language, perception, jargons are
avoided’.
Rounding
off the workshop for the day was a presentation delivered by Francis Anyeagbu
giving insights on how to utilize Social Media Networks to report Climate
Change Issues as well as other advocacy services to Humanity with discussion
focusing on ‘Citizen Voice Advocacy: The Place of Social Media’.
‘The
Power that New Media has created ensured that different issues are generate and
solutions are propounded and implemented as prompt as possible’, Francis said.
The
Day 2 of the workshop was a field task where Media Practitioners cutting
across; Broadcast, Print as well as Online Media Networks took to Bishop Kodji
Community, a community under AmuwoOdofin Local Government Area (LGA harboring
about 25,000 – 30000 residents.
The
Island can be accessed from CMS with the aid of a speedboat in less than 30
minutes.
Bishop
Kodji Island is made up of seven communities amongst which are Sabo Kodji,
GonureKodji, Akopanawa, Iredu, AgalaAyedun. The major occupation of residents
on this Island is Fishing.
Other
Communities under this LGA include; SagboKodji, WhlakKodji, Akoponawa and
Agbonjido Communities.
The
aim of the field task was to identify Social issues the community was facing
and that which can be categorized under; Livelihood, Environment, Health, Water
and Energy. Also the visit to the community would also be used as a point of
reference for other communities under the AmuwoOdofin Local Government Area
(LGA).
To
witness the visit as well as have chat with Press Men on the field were
representative of the communities as well as their Head of the host community,
Chief Sewanu Felix.
According
to Chief Sewanu while addressing pressmen, he noted that the community is
presently faced with a lot of challenges, to mention a few, he places these
challenges under; Educational Challenges, Electricity and Water.
 |
| Bishop Kodji Primary School |
It
was also disclosed during the Press briefing by the Heads of Community that the
only Government Nursery and Primary School in Bishop Kodji community, Bishop
Kodji Nursery and Primary School needs total rehabilitation as the building is
totally dilapidated. Students don’t get to have access to a conducive
environment for reading and proper assimilation.
A
visit to the School environment also proved that Students in the best state of
reading as the environment looked unsafe and scanty.
Speaking
with Instructors in the School, it was disclosed that sometimes
when they get to class to start School Activities, they find dead Pigs in the
classroom, thus, Instructors have to first clear the pigs and clean up the
classroom in their little way before commencing classes with the students.
The
School building lacked doors, Sufficient Chairs and windows. Tutors also
complained about Security Level of the School which is loosed due to all these
missing factors and lack of Government Assistance.
 |
| Olumide Idowu with students at Bishop Kodji Primary School. |
Also
in the terms of water, Chief Sewanu noted that the people of the community do
not have access to portable water. They tend to sail their canoes away from the
community to get water that can be bought and drank by the residents.
A
visit into the community also proved that things are way behind when it comes
to development and livelihood.
Found
in the community is a non-functioning state-sponsored solar project at the
community which was installed years back. The solar project was meant to power
water pumps and fish driers in the tiny fishing and boat-carving community that
would help the water system of the community, but, reverse is the case now as
it i s not functioning.
Also
Residents are unstable health wise due to the community gradually taking over
by dirts and garbage from the Sea.
The
Deputy Baale, Bishop Kodji Community, Chief Victor, in the same vein implored
the government to come to their aid and help the present state of living of the
community as well as neighbor communities under the LGA.
