By Ijeoma Obioma
Elim CVTC, a Non-Governmental Organization based in Ega Ibilla, Oju LGA, Benue State, has organized a two-day training for journalists in the region, focusing on Environmental and Climate-Related Risk Mitigation.
The event, held in Makurdi, aimed to enhance media coverage and visibility for the “Enabling Resilience to Climate Change Related Risks through Local Civil Society Organizations Strengthening (ER2CC)” project, which is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and Christian Blind Mission (CBM).
The Program Manager/Executive Director of Elim CVTC, Emmanuel Egbodo, through the project coordinator, Mrs. Rachel Achimba, emphasized the importance of equipping journalists with a deep understanding of environmental and climate-related risks in Benue State, including their causes, effects, and mitigation strategies.
Dr. Daniel Mailumo, the Director General of the Benue State Council on Climate Change, praised the state government’s proactive stance on climate issues, noting the recent inclusion of climate change in the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment. He stressed the urgency of moving from climate rhetoric to climate action and called on journalists to assist in public sensitization efforts.
Comrade Paul Idyu, Assistant Director of Climate Change at the Ministry, highlighted the growing unpredictability of rainfall and the increasing frequency of floods as evidence of climate change’s impact on the region. He urged collective action to address these challenges, including promoting tree planting and climate-smart agriculture.
Victoria Esa, representing the Environmental and Climate Change Amelioration Initiative (ECCAI), underscored the threats posed by flooding and deforestation in Benue State.
