CAN to Interrogate Climate Change Act, Its Impact on Churches, Smallholder Farmers

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said it would interrogate the Climate Change Act as passed by the National Assembly in order to see how it aligns with the goals of the church and smallholder farmers in alleviating the impact of climate change in Nigeria.
The apex Christian association said it would also step up engagement with governments at the international, state and local levels in tandem with its roadmap with a view to tackling food insufficiency through effective climate change adaptation.
The position followed a call by
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Archbishop Daniel Okoh, on church leaders across the country to pay greater attention to government policies in order to enlighten members especially smallholder farmers on mitigation measures against the impact of climate change.
Speaking at the ongoing workshop on “Climate Change Adaptation for Smallholder Farmers in Nigeria” themed: “Adaptation for Smallholder Farmers and Responsive Public Policy A Faith-based Response”, in Abuja, the President of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Nigeria Region, His Eminence Israel Akinadewo, who is also the Prelate Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, said it was imperative for the church to interrogate the Climate Change Act as passed by the National Assembly which he said the association was not aware of its existence in order to see how it aligns with the goals of the church.
“A presenter (at the conference) referred us to a Climate Change Act which we did know exists. It’s the responsibility of churches, government, NGOs to examine the bill and see how it impacts on the churches, smallholder farmers and the society and not just leave it in the archive”, he said while noting that 500 million families depend on the farming activities of smallholder farmers worldwide.
He said CAN would continue its engagement with governments at all levels and may intimate a private bill to the federal legislature if dissatisfied with the act.
He said the churches would also pursue provision of the needs of smallholder farmers.
“If anything is coming in form of a bill, CAN will take the initiative. The engagement (with governments) is a continuation of what the church has been doing from day one. We the church will do what we can on our own for smallholder farmers, who are also our members.
“Government palliatives of N8000 should have been deployed in transportation to help Nigerians.
We will see what we can do as churches, supplying fertilizers and other support programmes but government has a larger role to play”, he said.

CAN to Interrogate Climate Change Act, Its Impact on Churches, Smallholder Farmers

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said it would interrogate the Climate Change Act as passed by the National Assembly in order to see how it aligns with the goals of the church and smallholder farmers in alleviating the impact of climate change in Nigeria.
The apex Christian association said it would also step up engagement with governments at the international, state and local levels in tandem with its roadmap with a view to tackling food insufficiency through effective climate change adaptation.
The position followed a call by
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Archbishop Daniel Okoh, on church leaders across the country to pay greater attention to government policies in order to enlighten members especially smallholder farmers on mitigation measures against the impact of climate change.
Speaking at the ongoing workshop on “Climate Change Adaptation for Smallholder Farmers in Nigeria” themed: “Adaptation for Smallholder Farmers and Responsive Public Policy A Faith-based Response”, in Abuja, the President of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Nigeria Region, His Eminence Israel Akinadewo, who is also the Prelate Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, said it was imperative for the church to interrogate the Climate Change Act as passed by the National Assembly which he said the association was not aware of its existence in order to see how it aligns with the goals of the church.
“A presenter (at the conference) referred us to a Climate Change Act which we did know exists. It’s the responsibility of churches, government, NGOs to examine the bill and see how it impacts on the churches, smallholder farmers and the society and not just leave it in the archive”, he said while noting that 500 million families depend on the farming activities of smallholder farmers worldwide.
He said CAN would continue its engagement with governments at all levels and may intimate a private bill to the federal legislature if dissatisfied with the act.
He said the churches would also pursue provision of the needs of smallholder farmers.
“If anything is coming in form of a bill, CAN will take the initiative. The engagement (with governments) is a continuation of what the church has been doing from day one. We the church will do what we can on our own for smallholder farmers, who are also our members.
“Government palliatives of N8000 should have been deployed in transportation to help Nigerians.
We will see what we can do as churches, supplying fertilizers and other support programmes but government has a larger role to play”, he said.