EXCLUSIVE

COP28: Nigerian Police makes history, to launch Green initiative to fight climate change

By Samuel Ogunsona reporting from Dubai

The Nigerian Police will be mobilised to join the battle against Climate Change, the new Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has said.

This is the first time that the Nigerian Police have come forward to table Climate Change combat as a focal point

The IG told Irohinoodia in Dubai that the Nigeria Police Force will launch its green initiative come early 2024 as part of its effort to fight against climate change in Nigeria.

Egbetokun who made this announcement during an interview with Irohinodua in Dubai said the green initiative development program is designed to provide green solutions that will support Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

The police chief among other Nigerian dignitaries had earlier unveiled the program titled “The Nigeria Police Green Initiative” which was held at the Nigeria Pavilion on the sidelines of the ongoing COP 28 in Expo city, Dubai.

He said, “The Nigeria Police go-green initiative is an emission reduction program.

The IG said further that “It is also a sustainable development program aimed at deploying green initiative solution to support Nigeria’s transition to low carbon economy and also to boost Nigerian Police efficiency and capacity to fight crime and maintain law and order in Nigeria.”

Egbatokun said that no specific official date has been fixed for the launch but that the event would take place in 2024.

“We have not fixed a date for the official launching but we intend to officially launch this program in January of next year” Egbadokun explained

He also said there is a growing global concern about climate change and Nigeria being a member of the United Nations Framework of Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) needs to act fast.

“What the Nigeria police is doing right now is to blaze the trail so that other agencies of government will follow. We expect other agencies of government to follow suit immediately after the launch of our initiative,” he said.