…New Structure to Strengthen Climate Governance, Build State Resilience
The Ekiti State Government has inaugurated Climate Change Desk Officers across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, and the 16 Local Government Areas of the State in a major step to strengthen climate governance and build a more resilient Ekiti.
The inauguration is part of the administration’s broader strategy to mainstream climate action into government planning, operations, and community development.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Erelu Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Sunday Omoya, said the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to a climate-resilient, environmentally sustainable, and economically prosperous Ekiti.
She noted that the impacts of climate change, including flooding, erosion, rising temperatures, and land degradation, are already being felt by communities across the State.
“Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action across government institutions and with stakeholders. The appointment of Climate Change Desk Officers will ensure that climate-related issues are properly integrated into the policies, programmes, and activities of MDAs and LGAs,” she stated.
The Commissioner urged the newly inaugurated Desk Officers to be proactive and to collaborate with communities, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, and development partners to address climate-related challenges at the grassroots level.
She further highlighted that climate action presents significant opportunities in areas such as climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, and afforestation. These, she said, have the potential to create jobs, improve livelihoods, and drive economic development in the State.
Erelu Aluko-Ajisafe assured that the State Government would continue to strengthen institutional capacity and promote collaboration among MDAs, LGAs, and other stakeholders to effectively tackle climate change.
In his remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr. Folorunso Olabode, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Babatunde Olaoye, emphasized the need for climate responses to be community-focused and data-driven.
He stressed the importance of effective early warning systems to enable communities to better prepare for climate-related hazards.
Delivering the keynote address, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Green Economy and Environment, Dr. Akinyemi Akinyugha, described the inauguration as a landmark step towards establishing a robust climate governance structure in Ekiti State.
He described environmental protection as a collective responsibility and called for greater participation from citizens, the private sector, and civil society organisations to sustain climate action.
The event featured a technical session and was attended by senior government officials, representatives of the 16 Local Government Areas, and key stakeholders in the environment and development sectors.
