Cablegate: Nigeria: Earth Day in Jos a Success

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DE RUEHUJA #0841 1291557
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R 081557Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2798
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 9192
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC

UNCLAS ABUJA 000841

SIPDIS

DOE FOR GPERSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ECON KPAO
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: EARTH DAY IN JOS A SUCCESS

REF: STATE 27697

1. (U) SUMMARY: The Jos American Corner (AC) partnered with
local environmentalists and non-government organizations
(NGO) to stage an Earth Day event with the theme A Call for
Climate Change. The program was an all day event held
outdoors at the AC with guest speakers representing the
Plateau State government, Federal Ministry of Energy for
Power, University of Jos, and a civil society speaker on
mining. Embassy officials presented two Green Awards, and
NGOs posted environmental displays. The event provided
networking opportunities for Nigerians interested in the
environment. Civil society groups, local students and media
were well-represented. END SUMMARY.

2. (U) The Embassy's Econ and PAS sections supported a grass
roots community event commemorating Earth Day and Green
Awards at the AC in Jos. Environmental displays ranged from
ecotourism to solar food dryers. Local media outlets from
the Nigeria television Authority, Africa Independent
Television, and the state owned radio and Television stations
attended and reported from the event.

3. (U) An Embassy Green Award was presented to Dr. Newton
Jibunoh in recognition of his extraordinary efforts to bring
people of diverse interests and cultures together to solve
environmental problems and his strong advocacy on the threat
of desertification. The second award was presented to Dr.
Babajide Agboola in recognition of his extraordinary passion
for nature and the environment and for using his veterinary
skills to establish an NGO that teaches and demonstrates the
use of environmental conservation to develop a sustainable
community.

4. (U) The Earth Day event brought together individuals,
organizations, and educators all interested in the
environment. The event resulted in the creation of a Jos
community network for the environment and the State
Commissioner for the Environment invited Dr. Agboola for a
meeting to discuss Agboola's ideas on sustainable
conservation on the Jos Plateau.
SANDERS

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