Rep. Ugbor launches initiaive to address the impacts of climate chnage on farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria

The Deputy Chairman House Committee on Environment, Rep. Terseer Ugbor launched a documentary "Behind the Valley" to raise awareness of the plight of displaced persons as a result of climate conflict and to advocate for support to rehabilitate and sustainablyreintegrate these people back into their communities and livelihoods.

The event, held at the National Assembly Library, Abuja was attended by distinguished guests, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, the Minister of State for Environment, as well as various national stakeholders and experts in the environmental sector.

In his opening speech, Rep. Terseer Ugbor highlighted the devastating impact of climate change in Nigeria and emphasised the urgent need for concerted efforts to address these challenges and support those affected.

He said “In the heart of West Africa, a relentless transformation is unfolding, driven by the invisible hand of climate change. Across the Sahel region, the once verdant pastures that sustained nomadic herders for centuries are succumbing to the encroaching desert, their vitality sapped by rising temperatures and erratic rainfall. This ecological upheaval has set in motion a wave of migration, as herders are compelled to venture southward in search of sustenance for their livestock.

“The ripple effects of this forced displacement have been felt acutely in North Central Nigeria, particularly in the Benue Valley. This has ignited a cycle of violence with farmers bearing the brunt of the conflict, leading to the deaths and displacements of thousands of people.

“According to the International Crisis Group, between 2013 and 2022, there were over 1,800 deaths and 2.5 million people displaced from their homes due to clashes between herders and farmers in Nigeria.

“In proffering solutions to this humanitarian crisis, we have designed this initiative to address the problem of affordable green housing for displaced persons, restoration of degraded farming and grazing lands, training and capacity building, resource and water management, renewable energy integration, and peace building through dialogue and mediation.

In his keynote address at the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, emphasised that the world has become increasingly aware of the severe impact of climate change on humanity. 

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant, (Technical), Prof Bolaji Babatunde, the SGF noted that the acknowledgment of this threat to human existence by world leaders signals the need for global development and protection policies to be centered around climate change.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Rep. Dickson Takighir, the Member representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, emphasised that climate change exacerbates the farmer-herder clashes in the country.

The Speaker emphasised the importance of discarding outdated herding and farming practices in favor of adopting modern agricultural techniques aligned with global farming trends in the face of climate change challenges.

The Minister of State for Environment, Dr Ishaq Salako, in a speech, said that cooperation between the legislature and the executive arm of government is fundamental to addressing the challenge.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, noted that the effects of climate change are far-reaching.

The Minister, who was represented by a Director, Engr Ngozi Agbowo, called for more proactive measures to be put in place to address the situation.

The event premiered the documentary “Behind the Valley”, a story of climate change and farmer-herder conflicts in Benue State, and an interactive session to discuss collaborative efforts to address climate change and support those who are most affected.