COMMUNIQUE AT THE END OF A ONE DAY MEDIA ROUNDTABLE ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN GOMBE STATE NORTH EAST NIGERIA ORGANIZED BY AFRICA MEDIA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (AMDF) ON TUESDAY 8TH MAY 208 AT CACTUS HOTEL, SHONGO HOUSING ESTATE GOMBE.
Background
The meeting was organised to sensitise journalists on development and investigative journalism, especially as it relates to climate change in Gombe state and the need for media to create awareness among citizens on effects of climate change and action needed in line with current global realities.
Participants of the meeting include Government Officials, Journalists, Civil Society Organisations (CSO), The Academia and Security Personnel.
The meeting identified journalists as the major driving force in projecting issues surrounding climate change through adequate news reportage, feature stories, special reports and jingles.
Recommendations
Participants unanimously agreed that climate change is no longer a political issue as wrongly perceived in the past, but an unpleasing reality staring at residents of Gombe state at the face; and therefore, resolved to expedite action towards creating consciousness among policy makers and the governed on how to adapt and mitigate climate change collectively.
Participants suggested that the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Gombe state council should commence annual tree planting campaign exercise, starting from 2018 raining season.
Noting that the state government has plans to develop a climate change work plan, the House of Assembly was urged to ensure creation of a budget line to ensure adequate funding of activities on the workplan.
Participants call on government to intensify actions against deforestation and use of fire wood and charcoals as a source of domestic energy for cooking.
The meeting re- echoed the importance of tree planting by government and citizens towards curtailing soil degradation.
The meeting call on Policy makers in Gombe state to open their doors and provide information on climate change to journalists, strengthening of the special climate change unit in the Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources.
The Ministry of Education and other stakeholders should encourage the establishment of tree planting clubs and associations at schools at all levels.
The meeting also advised farmers to cut down on the use of inorganic fertilisers and embrace organic fertilisers.
The meeting advised journalists to always attend capacity building workshops and trainings to develop themselves professionally.
Participants implored media organisations to accord Development and human angle stories special privileges, rather than commercialising them.
Participants at the meeting also agreed that all recommendation made should be acted upon.
Signed
Abigail Kolo Maria James Iliya Kure
GMTV Amana Radio AMDF