OAIC Holds Workshop on Climate Change Adaptation, Sustainability

Chinyere Abiaziem

The Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) Nigeria Region, has urged for a shift beyond awareness of climate change to practical adaptation, climate-resistant practices towards sustaining the changing climate that affects every sector of life, particularly agriculture.

At the workshop held in Ughelli and Asaba areas of Delta State, government officials, traditional rulers, agricultural extension officers, scientists, smallholder farmers, development partners and christian leaders were part of the participants drawn from Delta and Akwa Ibom States.

In his opening address, OAIC Nigeria Region President, Baba Aladura, Elder Israel Akinadewo, noted that the workshop supported by OAIC International, with Rev. Dr. Daniel Okoh as its International President, marked another significant step in collective journey to build climate-resilient communities and sustainable agricultural systems across Delta and Akwa Ibom States.

Akinadewo(represented by Senior Apostle Emmanuel Gbadebo) stated:”The OAIC, as many of us know, has always believed that the Church must not only preach salvation for the soul but also provide solutions for the sustainability of the earth, which God entrusted to humanity’s care.

“Our mandate compels us to act through: education, research, and community engagement; to assist the wider society adapt to the changing climate that now affects every sector of life, particularly agriculture.

“Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is a daily reality for farmers and rural communities who depend on the earth for their livelihood. It manifests in unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry seasons, flooding, declining soil fertility, and increased pest invasions, all of which have severely affected food security and household income.”

Akinadewo stressed that within these challenges, there are opportunities to learn, adapt, and thrive, as the workshop -the culmination of months of groundwork laid through the OAIC Nigeria’s Climate Change and Agriculture Initiative that began in 2023, was designed to help in seizing these opportunities.

He, also recognized the collaboration of government ministries and agencies, particularly the Delta State and Akwa Ibom Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources for their open doors, policy guidance, and field support.

Adding that their involvement reminds that addressing climate change requires a joint response between faith institutions, government, and communities.

In an interview with with journalists, Climate Change Expert, Professor Theophilus Odekunle, Department of Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, noted that it was essential to bridge the gaps between policy and practice.

Odekunle made known that doing this “will ensure that the challenges and needs of the smallholder farmers are acknowlegded and proactively addressed for a climate resilient and food secured agricultural future.”

He also made presentation of two papers entitled ‘Establishing Social Accountability Forums (SAFS) for Church Leaders and Smallholder Farmers’ and ‘Climate Change Adaptation For Church Leaders and Policy Makers’.

Where he noted that the workshop was held to empower church leaders, smallholderfarmers, agriculture advocates, community leaders and others stakeholders to “champion the cause of holding various government entities accountable for their actions, decisions and use of resources within society.”

He concluded that “faith without works is dead, climate change is faith in action.”

Adding his voice, OAIC Chairman Delta State, Bishop Eminence Most Rev. Dr. Jonathan Arhavwarien, tasked participants to take home the message of climate sustainability and measures of adaptation.

He bemoaned the effects of climate change on the maturity of crops and harvest, adding that the South South region is faced with perennial flood, the hazards of oil exploration, gas flaring etc.

He further said the training will guide participants in seeking help and rightly engaging government in providing support to combat the effects of climate change.