Abuja: Oxfam Country Director, John Makina, says Nigeria needs reforms in its political representation to make it more inclusive. He said this in Abuja at the Power of Voices, Fair for All, African Activists for Climate Justice Awards and Close-out five-year programme of the Oxfam-supported initiative.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Makina identified several areas that needed urgent improvement, including low women’s representation in politics and insecurity affecting girls’ education. He emphasized the need for deliberate national policies, such as quotas, to increase female participation in legislative houses, drawing comparisons with other countries that have allocated quotas for women.
Makina also praised Nigeria’s cultural richness, food diversity, and the warmth of its people. He highlighted Nigeria’s exceptional food diversity, mentioning foods such as yam, potatoes, cassava, and gari, which make the country stand out across Africa. Makina described Nigerians as friendly and welcoming, noting that negative media portrayals do not reflect the character of most citizens.
Speaking on the impact of the just-concluded programme, Makina said testimonies from community members showed that the initiative had strengthened local capacity. He mentioned that the programme would continue beyond Oxfam’s direct involvement, commending the Federal Government’s partnership through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the implementing partners such as the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Connected Development (CODE), among others.
Makina reiterated that Oxfam was not leaving Nigeria and would continue to support communities and partners in driving long-term development. Speaking on the sustainability of the project, Dr. Kenneth Akpan, the Project Lead for Climate Justice in Nigeria, AACJ, said the project had strengthened community resilience and helped in driving state-level implementation of Nigeria’s climate policies.
Akpan noted that the intervention contributed to the domestication of the Climate Change Act in Adamawa, Nasarawa, and the ongoing process in Bauchi State. This effort enables states to make decisions, develop policies, and implement actions that align with Nigeria’s climate ambitions. Increased awareness has led communities to adopt practical adaptation measures, such as interpreting early warning signs of flooding and establishing tree plantations for environmental protection and alternative income.
Enebi Opaluwa, Team Lead, Natural Resources and Climate Governance, BudgIT, one of the project’s partners, said communities were trained on sustaining the project. He noted that many women and people with disabilities are now taking control of their destinies, strengthening their capacity to build resilience and adapt to climate change impacts.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event featured the presentation of awards to partners, individuals, and a documentary of testimonies from beneficiaries of the project, as well as a magazine capturing the project’s milestones.