A comprehensive three-day training program has begun in the Ogulagha community, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, focusing on sustainable development, climate-smart agriculture, and stakeholder collaboration. Organized by Academic Associates PeaceWorks (AAPW) in partnership with the Government of Denmark, the training aims to improve local livelihoods and empower community members with strategies for adapting to climate change.
Mr. Isu Menidin, AAPW Project Manager, inaugurated the program by introducing the AAPW team and facilitators, and sharing the objectives of the Danish-sponsored project. Menidin emphasized the shared commitment to enhancing the participants’ capacity for climate resilience and sustainable resource management.
A key session on the Green and Blue Economy was led by Mr. Godspower Atangemi, Principal Livestock Officer at the Bayelsa State Ministry of Agriculture. Atangemi outlined the critical impacts of climate change, including flooding, loss of biodiversity, and conflicts linked to resource scarcity. He discussed the importance of mitigation and adaptation practices like water management reform and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, all essential steps in promoting a sustainable environment.
Mr. Dauseye Torki, an expert in Community Development and Environmental Sustainability, led a session on climate-smart agricultural practices. He introduced agroforestry and soil management techniques such as mulching, crop rotation, irrigation, and integrated farming. Torki also provided practical guidance on soil analysis and nutrient replenishment through organic manuring and composting, encouraging sustainable and resilient farming practices.
Expanding on the causes of climate change, Mr. Menidin detailed human activities such as deforestation, fossil fuel consumption, and excessive transportation emissions. He highlighted the pressing impacts on the local environment, including biodiversity loss and increased flooding, and proposed solutions like tree planting, biodiversity conservation, and effective waste management to mitigate these effects.
Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, Executive Director of the Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative, conducted a session on stakeholder engagement and collaboration. He underscored the importance of transparent communication and free prior informed consent. Egedegbe encouraged participants to engage in socially inclusive and participatory processes as part of effective community development.
Aluzu Pereghebofa Diepreye, a development expert, addressed waste management and pollution control, explaining methods to reduce, recycle, and manage waste effectively. He highlighted the environmental advantages of reducing single-use plastics and discussed pollution control through community cleanups, responsible water use, and sustainable fishing practices.
Participants were highly engaged, contributing their perspectives and raising concerns throughout each session. The training underscored a collective commitment to equipping the Ogulagha community with sustainable skills and knowledge for a resilient and environmentally conscious future.
