Save the Child Initiative (STCI) and Jireh Doo Foundation (JDF) have commenced climate change awareness campaign at the grassroots to mitigate the effects of desertification.
The NGOs also enlightened the rural dwellers on community dialogue towards promoting peaceful coexistence among divers groups.
The activity was supported by the International Alert in commemoration of 2024 International Day of Peace.
Speaking at the event held at Asara community of Gwadabawa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, the STCI Programme Officer, Mr Abdulhamid Buhari, stressed the need for people, especially at the grassroots to understand the effects of climate change to their environment.
He also encouraged them to promote the culture of peace in the society where children would also learn to live in peace with one another.
Bubari observed that peace was not just the absence of conflict but also creating an environment “where everyone feels valued, respected, and be heard.”
He revealed that STCI and JDF through funding from International Alert have been working on peace building initiatives and conflict resolution with a focus on impacts of climate change.
He said the theme of the programme, “Cultivating a Culture of Peace”, was coined to bring together leaders, youth and several community members to deliberate on ways to promote unity and peaceful coexistence.
In his remarks, the District Head of Asara, Alhaji Musa Sarkin Gobir-Adiya, highlighted the significance of peace in building stronger and more resilient society.
Sarkin Gobir-Adiya urged citizens to respect individual and collective values, understand, appreciate and respect differences of one another for sustainable peace.
The activity featured discussions and a 3-kilometre road walk to sensitise people to importance of harmonious relationship, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and effects on climate change.
By Habibu Harisu
