En Avant La COP21- Towards COP21

Today was the second day of the Weeklong event on Climatic Change which is being held at the Institute Francais du Nigeria. The event which involved a round Table session, had in attendance Guest speakers; Mr. Jacques Le Moalle from the French Research Institute for development and Ms. Ifeoma- Monwuba of Act!onaid, Mr. Suleiman Adamu, Honourable Minister of water resources who made a speech and Mr.Greg Odogwu, the tactful moderator.

Mr. Jacques making a speech

Studies from 2012-2014 by Mr. Jacques revealed that the lake Chad is susceptible to climatic change due to its proximity to the Sahel region. It's a great lake that straddles four countries. Cameroon, chad, Niger and Nigeria. It is divided into two by the great barrier into the northern and southern basins. The north fed by the Chari River and the south by the N'guigmi river. These basins have very distinct and different problems. Contrary to what many think, that the Lake chad is not shrinking, it actually has a pattern of shrinkage and rebound as studies show. Due to it's major source being rainfall, it has seasonal fluctuations.The eastern part is made of Archipelagos which were used for cattle and millet cultivation, however that has receded due to lack of sufficient rainfall. There are about 2million people living on the shore of the lake whose activities feed 13 million people spanning from Maiduguri to Ndjamena and there’s a highly agricultural system based on the variability of the lake. It functions on 3Ms Mobility, Multi activity and Multi functionality. Net export of the lake includes Fish, Cereals, Cattle, etc. Fishing is like a breath of fresh air to those who have lost all as it requires little investment. The Vulnerability of the Lake is largely due to insecurity, risk of change in the lake hydrology. An Interbasin project

Ms. Ifeoma speaking

AidC 2012 FROM the Ubangui River in Central Africa to the Lake Chad in order to help it rebound. The Lake Chad will be discussed At COP12, Paris next month. There are two books published last year February and early this year names atlas du lac Tchad and le development du lac Tchad (switch publishing dates). Mr. Jacques speech was followed by Ms. Ifeoma Charles’ who proceeded to educate the audience on the situation currently on ground. Ms. Ifeoma spoke at length and with great articulation about the need to understand the plight of the inhabitants before jumping to hasty conclusions. She correctly pointed out that due to the effects of the insurgency, the predominantly patriarchal system had been disrupted due to the heartless murders of family heads. This has thus flung on these women, the responsibility of catering for the family needs. She pointed out many solutions which could be extended and the methods that would be quickest and moat efficient.

The minister making a speech.

Afterwards, several members of the audience were permitted to air their views and ask question which the guest speakers answered to the best of their abilities.Somewhere in between, the Honourable Minister had to leave to meet up with an appointment and he made some valuable comments before exiting. The session ended with a Cocktail.

               A guest from the British high commision  asking questions

Mr. Jacques responding to some questions

Ms. Ifeoma answering some questions

A guest asking questions.