The Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit Zone B Kaduna, Shuaibu Usman presented a lead paper on the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) role in mitigating climate change during a three-day retreat held at the National Teachers Institute (NTI) in Kaduna, where he highlighted the pivotal role of the NCS, as a signatory to several Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), in addressing climate change.
The Comptroller was speaking at a retreat tagged“Youth Involvement in Tackling Climate Change in Our Community,” was organized by the Red Cross Kaduna North Division in collaboration with the NCS, Federal Operations Unit B Kaduna, as part of the Unit’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
He stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders and the need for the Customs Service to support renewable energy initiatives, promote sustainable trade practices, and combat wildlife trafficking as part of efforts to confront the global climate crisis.
Shuaibu reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its active participation in the nation’s climate change mitigation strategies.
He emphasized that Nigeria faces severe impacts from climate change, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events, all of which threaten the country’s ecosystem, economy, and society.
The retreat provided a platform for participants to discuss innovative approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation, with a focus on sustainable agricultural practices, renewable energy solutions, and eco-friendly policies.
Comptroller Shuaibu also outlined challenges hindering climate action in Nigeria, such as inadequate climate policies, weak institutional frameworks, dependency on fossil fuels, widespread poverty, deforestation, and limited public awareness.
“As part of their commitment to environmental sustainability, participants planted trees during the retreat, reinforcing their dedication to mitigating the effects of climate change.
The partnership between the NCS Federal Operations Unit B Kaduna and the Red Cross Kaduna North Division highlights their shared responsibility in environmental stewardship and community engagement.
He said,this initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing the critical challenges posed by climate change in Nigeria.