Joyce Mmereole Okoli
Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) presented a pivotal paper on the role of the NCS in mitigating environmental challenges during a 3-day retreat held at the National Teachers Institute (NTI), Kaduna.
The event, running from October 6 to 9, 2024, was jointly organized by the Red Cross Kaduna North Division and NCS Federal Operations Unit B Kaduna as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
With the theme “Youth Involvement in Tackling Climate Change in Our Community,” the retreat focused on mobilizing young people to address the climate crisis in Nigeria.
Comptroller Shuaibu emphasized the significant role the Nigeria Customs Service, as a signatory to multiple Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), plays in the fight against climate change.
He highlighted the need for collaboration among stakeholders, the promotion of renewable energy, sustainable trade practices, and combating wildlife trafficking as crucial aspects of environmental sustainability.
“The Nigeria Customs Service is committed to not only enforcing trade regulations but also contributing meaningfully to the nation’s climate change mitigation strategies,” Shuaibu stated.
His address underscored the importance of collective action and NCS’s role in supporting eco-friendly initiatives that protect Nigeria’s environment and foster sustainable development.
Throughout the retreat, the devastating impacts of climate change on Nigeria’s ecosystem were laid bare, including rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and an increase in extreme weather events.
Participants discussed solutions such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy sources, and the implementation of green policies. However, challenges remain, including a lack of effective climate policy, institutional gaps, poverty, deforestation, and limited public awareness.
As a symbolic gesture of commitment, participants and organizers concluded the retreat by planting trees, further reinforcing the message of environmental sustainability.
The partnership between NCS and the Red Cross Kaduna North Division highlights their dedication to tackling climate change at the community level, marking a critical step forward in Nigeria’s broader environmental efforts.