CSOs Take Natural Resource Governance to Abuja School

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Two Abuja-based Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have highlighted the need for young people to gain early knowledge of natural resource governance in Nigeria, reiterating that youngsters have a role to play in that respect.

Speaking at  ‘The Head Girl Initiative’ of the Spring Hall British School in Abuja, the Executive Director, Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), Faith Nwadishi, stressed that by learning about and engaging in natural resource governance, children can make a significant impact now and in the future.
She explained that this will help to ensure that the planet remains healthy and that resources are available for generations to come.
“Children play a crucial role in natural resource governance by helping to protect and manage our natural resources. Children can learn about the importance of natural resources and share this knowledge with others, promoting awareness about conservation.

“They can join school clubs or community groups focused on environmental issues, getting involved in activities that protect and sustain natural resources.
“By doing simple things like recycling, conserving water, and reducing waste, children can help preserve resources,” she added.
In addition, Nwadishi, a former board member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) stated that children can voice their concerns about environmental issues and suggest ways to improve resource management, participating in community meetings or projects.
Also speaking, Executive Director, Extractive 360, Juliet Alohan-Ukanwosu, said that Nigeria gets significant revenue from solid minerals such as limestone, sand, stones, among others.

She stated that the world is entering a phase where the next big earners will be countries endowed with transition minerals such as lithium used for batteries and ceramics.
She listed copper used in building construction, electrical grids, electronic products, transportation equipment and home appliances as another energy transition mineral resource.
Others, she said, are cobalt used to make airbags in automobiles, and petroleum and chemical industries as well as nickel used for batteries, turbine/propeller blades, among others.
In her remarks, the initiator of the Head Girl Initiative, Oluwateniola Olowoporoku, stated that the initiative was set to increase children’s knowledge, build capacity and create awareness of various topics affecting children in Nigeria.

Also, an employee of the Nigerian Extractive Initiative Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Etareri Dekpe, said that it was good to catch the young ones early to know all about how to be accountable and transparent to handle natural resource governance.