Jonathan asks African scientists to tackle climate change

Lagos  -  President Goodluck Jonathan in Lagos on Monday stressed the need for African countries to key into global activities aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.

The president spoke at the opening ceremony of the Annual Meeting of African Science Academies (AMASA 8) with the theme, : “ Climate Change in Africa: Using Science to Reduce Risks’’.

Jonathan, represented by Prof. Ita Ewa, Minister of Science and Technology, said: “as a continent, we must now vigorously key into global activities to mitigate the effects of the phenomenon.

“Beyond science, climate change is also about the future of Africa and the survival of its citizens.

“Rather than discuss simply as representatives of science academies, participants should seize this platform to relate science and climate change to the future of our continent and humankind.”

The president said that if the factors affecting climate change in the country were not adequately addressed, the situation  would negatively affect food security.

Dr Anthony Anuforo, Director- General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, said the meeting would discuss  how to mitigate disasters, especially flooding.

Anuforo, who represented the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Odua-Ogiemwonyi, said the theme of the programme was appropriate against the background of recent  events in Nigeria.

Dr Enriqueta Bond, Chairperson of the African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI), now called  AMASA, said that engaging policy-makers through the outcomes of the meetings could create a voice for African science academies.

Bond noted that “no single academy can provide solution to the climate change challenge but only together can we solve the problem.” (NAN)