As communities in Akwa Ibom State continue to face severe incidents of flooding and pollution, youths have issued a crucial call to government and private organizations: invest strategically in climate adaptation infrastructure to mitigate these impacts.
These calls emerged from youth entries (stories) presented at the Ibeno Green Youth Hub event in Ibeno Local Government Area. The event was organized by the Clement Isong Foundation (CIF) in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, as part of the International Youth Day 2025 celebrations. The theme of the day was ‘Youth SDG Storytelling and Solutions Convergence.’
The Youth’s Core Demands
The young people observed that communities across Akwa Ibom are increasingly vulnerable to flooding, plastic pollution clogging waterways, and rising air pollution from open waste burning.
Therefore, they issued the following demands to government and policymakers:
- Strategic Investment: Invest strategically in climate adaptation infrastructure.
- Integrated Education: Integrate climate education into school curricula.
- Policy Integration: Ensure that Green Youth Skills are embedded into policy frameworks.
Furthermore, they called on the private sector to prioritize and fund youth-led solutions that directly address local climate challenges.
CIF and Partners Emphasize Holistic Development
In his welcome address and overview of the SPAII project, Utibe Ekanem, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for CIF, urged policymakers to ensure the needs of vulnerable people in communities are actively addressed. He explained that the program’s essence was to give young people the platform to share real stories and propose possible solutions to relevant authorities.
Mbetobong John, Climate Justice Inspirator at ActionAid Nigeria, noted that no Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) issue can be addressed in isolation.
Specifically, John highlighted that based on the youth entries, a lot of work is needed in the education and health sectors, especially in rural communities. She called for:
- The establishment of healthcare facilities in all public schools.
- The expansion of community health outreach and mental health programs.
- Strengthened implementation of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) policies and safe spaces for survivors.
Earlier, the Vice Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Council, Ukpong Okon, expressed delight at the event, calling it a welcome development to help young people discover their niche. He pledged the council’s support for the advocacy project.
The Clement Isong Foundation is proud to champion these youth-led voices, linking local challenges to policy advocacy and working with partners to achieve a sustainable and just future.
