Environmental rights activists, under the aegis of Climate Riders Nigeria, have embarked on a cycling tour from Abuja to Lagos to raise awareness on climate change and its effects.

Mr Ismaila Babatunde, the Campaign Team Leader, briefed newsmen on activities lined up to commemorate the official start of the exercise on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the group would ride from Abuja through Kogi, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos in the coming days.

According to him, the tour is aimed at drawing the attention of governments on the need to boost the capacities of communities affected by climate change.

“It is important that we look for alternatives to fossil fuels so that the country can meet its net-zero emission reduction targets by 2060.

“Nigeria, like other poor countries throughout the world, is still suffering from the severe effects of climate change.

“It has forced millions of people into hunger and jeopardised livelihood sources and disrupted peaceful coexistence.

“We believe that in order to overcome this problem and create national unity, there is a need for collaboration,” he said.

The team leader stressed that the campaign was about humanity; the future and the posterity of the entire human race.

Babatunde appealed to the developed nations to assist the developing countries with finances ahead of the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP28) in November.

He said that the finances, if utilised appropriately, would help developing countries cope with climate disasters.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria