Lagos-based film maker and climate justice advocate, Olasimbo Aminat has emphasized the need for urgent climate change intervention in Lagos State.
She stated that “Lagos State being the commercial hub of the country and the largest city in Africa, hosting people of all race and tribe which makes it the most populated city in Nigeria. However, it is plagued with one of the most devastating effects of climate crises.
She laid emphasis on the need for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to implement policies to curb climate crisis especially flooding across communities in Lagos State like Abule-Ijesha, Alagbede, Abulenla, Iganmu, Ijero, Iwaya, Makoko, Ebute-Meta and Lagos Island amidst other places in this city being surrounded by water and is at a very high risk of being overrun.
Her words: “We have had several incidences in time past mostly overwhelming because of our under-preparedness and lack of proactivity in setting community based adaptive systems in place. In Nigeria according to NEMA reports, more than 2million people are directly affected by flooding most being in coastal cities like Lagos State.
‘’In 2021, I visited Makoko with my Team and the sight was disheartening. It dawned on me the extent of this menace and how terribly unprepared we are . We did the best we could with the limited resources available to us as I facilitated the project with my personal funds. As i reminisced on the sobering encounter with the people of Makoko and those displaced by flooding, i listened to them, heard their stories and engaged them in a needs assessment process. Myself and my partner Diolu Tobechukwu Prosper with more than eight years experience in different social work fields, decided to go deeper into the issues of climate change (Adaptation and Mitigation) hence the birth of my Foundation Blue-lily Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (NGO) which is focused majorly on climate Justice and human rights.
My aim through this initiative is to go beyond providing relief materials to these communities but also enlightening them on climate change.
At Blue-lily initiative, our goals are streamlined to systematically address the compounding issues of Loss of Biodiversity, Waste Management, Public Health, Malnutrition, Education and Climate Based Negotiation.
The Climate Justice advocate is seeking partnership with Lagos State government and other stake holders, to have a wider and more formidable spread and intervention plan.