Osun Climate Agenda Targets Best Practices, Says  Adeleke’s Aide

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Climate Change, Mr. Moruf Adedapo, has described the state’s climate change agenda as compatible with national and international best practices to mitigate the ravaging impact of climate change in the state.

Speaking after visiting the headquarters of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) in Abuja, Adedapo praised Governor Adeleke’s foresight and advanced understanding of the climate crisis even before he took over the leadership of the state.

“During the transition committee meetings, the governor mandated his spokesperson to make several presentations on climate change. This created the climate change agenda for the incoming administration.

“After inauguration, the governor again okayed the making of the Osun climate change agenda with deep technical contribution from the lead consultant, an international expert, Prof Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe.

“This led to the governor’s approval of the state climate change agenda. A major part of the agenda is the creation of the governor’s Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) for which His Excellency approved and appointed Mr. Olawale Rasheed as chairman.

“The state’s climate change agenda includes the making of a state climate action policy, the creation of a Climate Change Department at the Ministry of Environment, the development of a Carbon Data center at the Osun State University, the introduction of a state Climate Change Adaptation Fund (CCAF) and the implementation of several climate change adaptation projects.

“This is what I call best practices. The goal is not just to run after carbon credit in the form of funding and financing. We must put the structures in place. The policy framework must be perfected. That is why I commend Mr. Governor.

“He is not just a man of due process and rule of law but a man of best practices.

“So I interacted with the National Council and they were elated with the initiative of Mr. Governor. I met with the management of several global agencies on collaboration and they were all eager to partner with Osun State.

“As the SSA on climate change, I will provide support to the Lead Technical Consultant on Climate Change, Prof. Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe, in partnership with the governor’s Climate Advisory Council and the Honourable Commissioner for Environment.

“This is a great honour our governor has bestowed on me and I will work hard to meet the expectations of my Governor. My Governor is in reality the captain of Osun’s push for climate remediation and adaptation,” the SSA affirmed.