NIGERIA: EARTH DAY IN JOS A SUCCESS

UNCLAS ABUJA 000841 SIPDIS DOE FOR GPERSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV ECON KPAO SUBJECT: NIGERIA: EARTH DAY IN JOS A SUCCESS REF: STATE 27697 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: The Jos American Corner (AC) partnered with local environmentalists and non-government organizations (NGO) to stage an Earth Day event with the theme A Call for Climate Change. The program was an all day event held outdoors at the AC with guest speakers representing the Plateau State government, Federal Ministry of Energy for Power, University of Jos, and a civil society speaker on mining. Embassy officials presented two Green Awards, and NGOs posted environmental displays. The event provided networking opportunities for Nigerians interested in the environment. Civil society groups, local students and media were well-represented. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) The Embassy's Econ and PAS sections supported a grass roots community event commemorating Earth Day and Green Awards at the AC in Jos. Environmental displays ranged from ecotourism to solar food dryers. Local media outlets from the Nigeria television Authority, Africa Independent Television, and the state owned radio and Television stations attended and reported from the event. ¶3. (U) An Embassy Green Award was presented to Dr. Newton Jibunoh in recognition of his extraordinary efforts to bring people of diverse interests and cultures together to solve environmental problems and his strong advocacy on the threat of desertification. The second award was presented to Dr. Babajide Agboola in recognition of his extraordinary passion for nature and the environment and for using his veterinary skills to establish an NGO that teaches and demonstrates the use of environmental conservation to develop a sustainable community. ¶4. (U) The Earth Day event brought together individuals, organizations, and educators all interested in the environment. The event resulted in the creation of a Jos community network for the environment and the State Commissioner for the Environment invited Dr. Agboola for a meeting to discuss Agboola's ideas on sustainable conservation on the Jos Plateau. SANDERS