Health
Group Raises Eco Champion Youths To Drive Gender-responsive Climate Action
By Justina Auta
SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria (SOSCVN) has unveiled the second phase of its Eco Champions Project to empower young people to drive gender-responsive and inclusive climate action across communities nationwide.
Country Director, Mr Eghosa Erhumwunse, said this on Wednesday in Abuja during the close-out ceremony of Phase I and the unveiling of Phase II, highlighting youth-led solutions for climate sustainability.
“The first phase of the Eco Champions Project showed us what is possible when we trust and invest in young people,” Erhumwunse said, noting the emergence of bold youth-led climate solutions.
“We saw young leaders rise with bold ideas, practical solutions, and unwavering determination.
“We saw young women take up space, speak with confidence, and lead conversations on sustainability and resilience,” he said.
He said the initiative proved that climate action began at the grassroots, adding that communities now understood that environmental action starts where people live, work and raise their families.
“We witnessed communities begin to understand that climate action is not distant or abstract; it starts where we live, work, and raise our children,” he said.
Erhumwunse said that advocacy, awareness campaigns, capacity building and engagement had shown that young people were key drivers of development rather than passive beneficiaries of aid.
He said Phase II, themed “Empowering Youth for Gender-Responsive Climate Action,” would strengthen community-driven responses and deepen youth participation in environmental decision-making processes.
He described climate change as both an environmental and human issue affecting livelihoods, education, health, safety and the future of children and young people across communities.
“The new phase will empower young activists, particularly young women in vulnerable situations, to lead climate initiatives while engaging communities in decision-making processes.
“By placing young people at the centre of action and decision-making, this project seeks to change the reality that those most affected are often least represented,” he added.
He reaffirmed commitment to gender inclusion, emphasising that effective climate action could not exclude women, girls and vulnerable groups in society.
Erhumwunse urged government, civil society and the private sector to create enabling environments for youth participation and innovation in climate action and environmental advocacy.
Mr. Adelopo Ayodeji, Chief Programme Officer, SOSCVN, noted the growing climate crisis and its threat to livelihoods and future generations.
He urged eligible young people to apply for the next cohort of the project to contribute to solutions that promote environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.
Ayodeji explained that the first phase of the project reached 18 million people through community sensitisation, school-based climate education, media engagement.
Dr Helen Idiong of Plan International said youth-led climate action strengthened girls’ rights, noting that modest funding could drive impactful community change and inspire sustainable initiatives nationwide.
Federal Ministry of Women Affairs representative, Mr Kingsley Obiorah, Principal Community Development Officer, pledged continued support for initiatives promoting climate action and reducing environmental impacts on society.
Ms Awele Ikobi-Anyali, Head of Legal, National Council on Climate Change representative, called for stronger awareness creation and implementation of environmental protection measures.
Lagos Environment and Water Resources Commissioner, Mr Tokunboh Wahab, said environmental policies must be embedded in youth consciousness, urging adoption of waste-to-wealth initiatives.
Wahab, represented by Mrs Monsurat Banire, Director, Environment Education, urged youths to adopt waste to wealth initiative to further protect the environment and address climate change challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the outgoing eco champions and Founder Ecosmart Club, Miss Hannah Omokhaye, said the project empowered over 100 teachers on inspiring young students to choose career paths in the climate and environmental space.
Other activities include panel discussions, conferment of awards to the beneficiaries of the first phase of the eco champions.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru