Children rally community leaders for sustainable climate action in Zuba community

In a significant step towards combating climate change, children from the Zuba community gathered on Thursday to voice their concerns and advocate for climate action before their community leaders.

The initiative, supported by Save the Children and Teens Connect Africa, aimed to bring the devastating effects of climate change to the forefront of local governance and seek commitments from community leaders for sustainable solutions.

Speaking at the Child-led engagement in Zuba community, Faith Osaretin from Save the Children highlighted the urgency of the children’s appeal. “We are here to support the children in speaking up on climate change. These children have been deeply affected, some by floods that have washed away their homes, schools, and books,” she explained.

According to her, the children, who have experienced the destruction of their homes and schools due to flooding, want their community leaders to commit to climate action.

The children, empowered by their experiences and guidance from the organisations, identified several critical areas where community leaders can take action. Among these are the need for better waste management systems, flood prevention measures, and support for education, especially for those who have lost their school materials to the floods.

Teens Connect Africa, a community-based organisation that engages young people in community development, has been at the forefront of these efforts. Anne Obize, the founder, recounted how the 2022 floods devastated the community, displacing many and destroying personal belongings.

“In response, Teens Connect Africa launched ‘Project Keep Zuba Clean,’ a community-wide initiative aimed at changing attitudes towards waste disposal and cleanliness.

“We started with the children, making them aware that they can be agents of change. The children themselves are now more conscious and actively participate in keeping the community clean. It’s a journey, but with ongoing sensitisation and awareness, we are confident that the transformation we seek will happen”, Obize said.

She further revealed that the initiative’s impact was evident as children and community members participated in various activities, including tree planting and waste management awareness campaigns. The children also led efforts to distribute disposable waste bins throughout the community, encouraging proper waste disposal practices.

One of the most poignant moments of the event was the testimony of 16-year-old Climate Champion, Olaniyi Shakira, who recalled the devastating floods that struck Zuba five years ago.

In her words, “Lives were lost, including a friend of mine. It’s essential that policies are put in place to prevent people from building in flood-prone areas, and that drainage systems are improved.”

She also stressed the importance of proper waste disposal to prevent future disasters.

The representative of the District Head of Ikwa community, Zuba, Musa Saliu, commended the organisations for their initiative. He echoed the children’s concerns, urging the government to designate appropriate areas for refuse disposal to prevent it from clogging gutters and causing floods.

Saliu also advocated against tree felling, emphasising its role in mitigating climate change. “Cutting down trees is not the best solution,” he said.

He called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to provide the community with basic amenities such as good roads, electricity, security, and water.

One of the flood victims, Olumba Deborah, shared her harrowing experience of how the flood submerged two houses in her area, forcing children out of school. “My elder sister lost everything, and I couldn’t go to school for a week. We need better drainage systems to prevent such disasters,” she pleaded.

The highlight of the event was tree planting by young people and community leaders.

The event marked a significant moment for the Zuba community, demonstrating the power of youth advocacy in driving change. With the support of their community leaders, the children of Zuba are hopeful that their voices will lead to concrete actions that will safeguard their future against the impacts of climate change.