FG to encourage more Nigerians to use renewable energy

The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has promised to intensify efforts toward encouraging more Nigerians to use renewable energy to mitigate the effects of climate change in the country.


The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Habiba Lawal stated this on Wednesday at a symposium to mark the 2016 World Environment Day.

The symposium was organised by the Abuja chapter of the Society of Women Engineers, Technologists and Scientist (SWEST) with the theme: ``Combating Climate Change is Everybody’s Business.’’

Lawal said that this was to reduce emissions and increase adaptation efforts toward effects of climate change.

She noted that affordable and scalable solutions were now available to enable many countries to move to cleaner and more resilient economies.

``Climate change is a global challenge that does not respect national borders because emissions anywhere affect people everywhere.

``It is an issue that requires solutions that need to be coordinated at the international level and it requires international cooperation to help developing countries move toward a low-carbon economy,’’ she said.

The SWEST Chairperson, Mrs Vera Ogwatu said the symposium was to enlighten targeted audience on climate change and proffer some practical solutions to combat it.

According to her, SWEST African is a coalition of female professionals with a mission to stimulating women to achieve full potentials in their chosen career and field of endeavour.

``As a non-profit, educational and service organisation, our activities are focused mainly on schools and community enlightenment programmes and improvement projects,’’ Ogwatu said.

She said the theme was chosen to underscore the role of human activities in climate change as well as responsibility of all sectors and persons in combating it.
 World Environment Day (WED) is observed June 5 of every year to raise global awareness on environmental issues.