Don advocates mangroves restoration to tackle climate change

Prof. Dileep Kumar, Vice-Chancellor Hensard University, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa, has advocated mangroves restoration to handle climate action and climate restoration, in Nigeria.

He made the case on Saturday, during a Workshop title: “Capacity Building Training for Community Women and Youths on Mangroves Restoration.

He commended the Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet) and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), community leaders, women of Toru-Orua, students of Hensard University, and climate advocates for the workshop..

The VC wasepresented by Prof. Femi Shaka, Dean Communication and Media Studies, Hensard University.

According to him: “This Capacity Building Workshop on Mangrove Restoration hopes that through this workshop, we open new doors of opportunity to our participants.

“Fellow participants, I say to you today that education is more than just the acquisition of information.

“Missing are opportunities to construct social circumstances in which people and nature coexist in a sustainable manner.

“We have come here not only to put an effort into conducting this workshop for the sake of holding it. Rather, there is an intention to make a real difference by harnessing a movement.

“Our objectives are straightforward as well: give the opportunity to a number of you women and youths with the skill sets to be able to restore our mangroves and take up leadership roles, like the ecosystems we strive to protect, are resilient,” he said.

According to him: “The path to environmental stewardship is paved not with grandeur, but with silent, mundane acts of care. Mangroves, often overlooked,”.

In his remarks, Prof. Aduabobo Ibitoru-Hart, Board Member, CSDevNet, Represented by Mr Patrick Amaibi, State Cordinator ClSDevNet, said mangroves are the backbone of the coastal resilience, shielding humans from erosion, nurturing biodiversity, and combating climate change.

“Yet, they face relentless threats from deforestation and unsustainable practices. A collaboration between Hensard University, CSDevNet, and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, is a bold step toward reversing this loss.

“Our goal is clear: To train 100 participants 30 women and 70 students in mangrove restoration techniques, fostering environmental stewardship and sustainable livelihoods.

“By focusing on women, we champion gender equity, recognizing their critical role in conservation and community resilience.

“Through hands-on planting at a degraded site and interactive sessions, we aim to spark leadership and build a lasting partnership between Toru-Orua Community, Hensard University, and CSDevNet.

“This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s climate goals and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13 on Climate Action and SDG 5 on Gender Equality.

“Together, we will restore a pilot mangrove site, develop a community action plan, and lay the foundation for ongoing restoration efforts,” he said.

He urged the participants to embrace the opportunity, not just to learn, but to lead ensuring the mangroves thrive for generations to come.

Speaking Mr Stephen Abu, National Coordinator CSDevNet, said that Nigeria is still faced with the issue of climate change, which must be addressed.

He said that planting trees is still another good way to tackle climate action on the part of human beings.

According to him: “Climate change affects everyone but flooding and oil spill does not affect everyone in Nigeria, but most of the people of the Niger Delta, while drought and desertification also thrives across Nigeria.

He said behavioral change can also rescue the impact of climate change, by doing things that will help restore the immediate environment.

According to him: This workshop is coming up following the MOU that has been signed yesterday as part of our ongoing effort in the Niger Delta region, to ensure mangrove restoration.

On her part, one of the beneficiaries Miss Mary Domotimi, a student of Hensard University, Toru-Orua, commended the organizers for the workshop training, that it has enlightened her on mangrove restoration.

High point of the event was planting of trees in the campus by the students, lecturers of the institution and the organizers of the workshop.