On August 23, 2024, YandyTech Community, a youth-led organisation, launched the Youth Empowerment for Climate Change in Nigeria project in Gombe.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the project aims to empower 20 young individuals in the state to take action against climate change.
At the launch, Mohammed Bayero Yayandi, Founder and CEO, emphasised the devastating effects of climate change and the need for collective action to mitigate its challenges, particularly for youths aged 18-25 who are often excluded from decision-making processes.
“The project has launched an online survey to have a clear insight of the young people in Gombe State,” Yayandi disclosed. “The finding revealed that a total number of 215 respondents was recorded, where respondents between the ages of 18-25 recorded 28.97 percent, and age 25-35 recorded the highest percentage of 57.94, passing all age ranges.”
According to Yayandi, the YE-CAN project is committed to changing the narrative by providing support to young minds to engage in activities related to climate change, building capacity on leadership aspects, and providing mentorship to enhance their capacity on entrepreneurship incubation and other skills geared towards preparing their minds to bring lasting solutions to climate change.
Mrs Hadiya Usman, Focal Person, announced a call for applications to recruit 20 YE-CAN champions, with a two-week deadline. Applications are invited from all 11 Local Government Areas, prioritising gender balance and vulnerable LGAs.
“The application is free, as the project is fully funded by Comic Relief (CRUS)-Juntanza Fund,” Usman said.
Before the launch, the project team paid advocacy visits to various ministries, agencies, and civil society organizations to enlighten them on the project and its activities.
In their separate comments, stakeholders, including the Honourable Commissioner of Water, Environment, and Forest Resources, represented by Deputy Director Environment Absolom Baba, and the Executive Secretary of GOSEPA, represented by Deputy Waste Manager Khalid Muhammad and Director Administration at SDGS Musa Abduljalal, appreciated the YE-CAN project for coming to Gombe with this important initiative and assured support for the project.
Abubakar Mohammed Tukur, Communication Officer at SDGS, Gombe, witnessed the launch.
