She, therefore, reaffirmed that the Upper Chambers of the National Assembly remained committed to ensuring that the most vulnerable in Nigeria are well protected.
Delivering her keynote address during the launching of “No Smoke” Music Video organised by the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves (NACC), in partnership with the International Centre for Energy Environment and Development and Heinrich Boell Foundation, to commemorate World Environment Day in Abuja, Senator Tinubu, who recognised enormous challenges of using firewood for cooking, said the music video would create more awareness about the dangers of air pollution and encourage everyone to switch to cleaner methods of cooking.
Tinubu was of the view that mothers and children could stay healthier and environment would be better if Nigerians are determined to switch to clean cooking solutions.
According to her, “I am proud to be associated with this event that the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves has put together.
It is my hope that “No Smoke” will get a lot of airplay and the video being launched will be a feature on our television screens.
“It is my hope that beyond today’s celebration, the advocacy for cleaner and safer cooking methods will be intensified and the message taken to rural communities that may not see the video.” She stated.
Senator Tinubu then assured that her committee would not wane in its commitment towards achieving a healthier environment.
Earlier in his welcome address, the National Coordinator of Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, Ewah Eleri, acknowledged the efforts of various partners and stakeholders from government, private sector, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the international community in moving the clean cooking industry forward.
He stated that he was glad the issue of clean cooking was being raised at the policy level, hoping that the music video would contribute to raising awareness about the need for clean cooking.
In his speech, the representative of Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Jonas Bervoets, who commended the efforts of the NACC and other stakeholders in promoting clean cooking solutions, underscored the need for safe and environment-friendly access to fuels and energy for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
He noted that FAO in collaboration with other partners including ICEED was facilitating a coordinated and effective response to the fuel and energy needs of crisis-affected communities in Northeast Nigeria through the Safe Access to Fuels and Energy (SAFE) workgroup.
Bervoets noted that FAO in partnership with ICEED has set up three clean cookstoves production training centres in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Also his speech, the Director, Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr Yerima Peter Tarfa, noted that the Federal Government was committed to promoting the issue of clean cooking which has the potential to help Nigeria meet its obligations under the National Determined Contributions (NDCs) agreed upon at the Paris Climate Summit.
He remarked that the music video would play an important role in raising awareness about the need for clean cooking among policymakers and private sector as well as contribute to behavioural change in how we cook.
The song in the music video, however, was rendered by the duo, Tai n Kenny, in support of clean cooking solutions, especially for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in North-East Nigeria.
It highlights the health hazards and sufferings of millions of people, especially women, cooking with open fire using firewood. About 95% of IDPs, host communities and returnees in the North-East depends on firewood and charcoal for cooking and 85% of these households face protection risks when collecting firewood.
The event had in attendance over 100 stakeholders from government, private sectors, NGOs, CSOs, as well as international community and media
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