A Story of Advocacy and Solidarity: Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu’s fight against Climate-driven food challenges in Nigeria

A Story of Advocacy and Solidarity: Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu’s fight against Climate-driven food challenges in Nigeria 🇳🇬.

By Chief Daniel Akwari, reporting from the Pan-African Parliament, Midrand, South Africa

It was a defining moment at the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa. The grand hall, filled with speakers and delegates from across the continent, was abuzz with the urgency of a crisis gripping the heart of Africa.

The floods ravaging Nigeria had displaced over a million people, destroyed vital infrastructure, and crippled the nation’s food supply. Leading the charge for international support was the Nigerian House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.

His presence at the Twelfth Annual Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments would become a pivotal chapter in the quest for climate justice and humanitarian aid.

The crisis was severe. Torrential rains had lashed Nigeria for weeks, submerging entire villages, farms, and livelihoods. Borno State, in particular, was a scene of devastation.

Over a million people had been displaced, leaving them without homes, clean water, or access to basic needs. Crops, which formed the backbone of the region’s food security, were washed away in the floods, leaving farmers in despair and the nation grappling with a looming hunger crisis.

Hon. Kalu had come to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) with a singular mission: to lobby his fellow African leaders for tangible solutions and immediate relief.

As Hon. Kalu took the floor, the weight of his responsibility was evident in his voice. “Nigeria, my country, and indeed the entire African continent, are facing an existential threat induced by climate change,” he began, his tone somber but resolute.

“In Nigeria, we are experiencing the worst of it, with floods displacing over one million people in Borno State alone. The consequences are dire, affecting not only our people’s livelihoods but also our infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social stability.”

The room fell silent as Hon. Kalu laid out the grim details. Schools had been destroyed, hospitals were overwhelmed, and access to clean water had become a distant memory for many.

The floods had turned life upside down, causing job losses across multiple sectors. With most of the agricultural land submerged, the impact on food security was catastrophic.

For a country like Nigeria, where agriculture plays a central role in feeding its population and sustaining its economy, the damage was almost irreparable.

The Deputy Speaker's appeal was not just for Nigeria; it was for all of Africa. He framed the floods as part of a larger continental issue tied to climate change—a force that knew no borders.

"We need to understand that climate change is not just an environmental issue but a threat to our very existence," he continued. "The floods that have ravaged Nigeria will not be the last. We must come together as Africans to find long-term solutions that will protect all of us."

His words resonated with the assembly. Floods, droughts, and other climate-related disasters had become all too familiar across Africa, from the Horn of Africa to the Sahel. The urgent need for African unity in addressing these crises was undeniable.

Hon. Kalu was not only calling for immediate aid to Nigeria but also for a continental response plan to ensure that Africa could weather future storms—literally and figuratively.

The Pan-African Parliament, moved by Hon. Kalu’s plea, deliberated on the severity of the situation. The Speaker of the Parliament, along with representatives from multiple countries, quickly grasped the importance of the moment.

African nations had to act in solidarity, or risk facing such disasters in isolation, one after another. The PAP members echoed Kalu’s call for an African-led solution.
In response, a powerful Statement of Solidarity from the Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments in Support of the People of Nigeria and All Flood Victims Across the Continent of Africa was drafted.

The statement was a bold declaration of unity, acknowledging that the floods affecting Nigeria were a manifestation of a broader climate crisis that would require collective action to mitigate.

“We, the Speakers of the African Parliaments, convened at this important conference, express our profound solidarity with the people of Nigeria and all victims of flooding across the African continent,”

the statement began. “Recent catastrophic floods have caused widespread devastation, resulting in the loss of lives, displacement of communities, and significant destruction of infrastructure.

It is our collective responsibility to stand with those affected and address the underlying challenges that exacerbate these crises.”
The statement called for several key actions that Hon. Kalu had advocated for in his address:

Immediate Humanitarian Assistance: Recognizing the urgency of the crisis, the Pan-African Parliament called upon African nations and the international community to provide immediate humanitarian aid.

Food, medical supplies, shelter, and psychological support were paramount to helping flood victims recover from the disaster.

Strengthening Disaster Preparedness: The statement emphasized the importance of investing in disaster risk reduction strategies, including early warning systems and infrastructure improvements, to better prepare for future floods.

Promoting Climate Resilience: The Speakers of African Parliaments acknowledged the root cause of the floods—climate change—and urged their governments to invest in sustainable land management and renewable energy to build resilience against climate impacts.

Facilitating Regional Cooperation: Hon. Kalu’s call for greater African collaboration was answered. The PAP urged African nations to share knowledge, resources, and best practices for managing flood risks and other climate-related challenges.

Advocating for Long-term Solutions: The statement recognized that disaster relief alone was insufficient. African nations needed to tackle systemic issues such as poverty, inequality, and lack of access to essential services that exacerbated the impact of such disasters.

Hon. Kalu’s advocacy had not only secured a statement of solidarity but had also ignited a sense of urgency among African leaders. The PAP’s response was more than just words on paper—it was a call to action.

In the days following the conference, international aid organizations began mobilizing resources for Nigeria, with the promise of more sustained support to follow.

African governments pledged to invest more in climate resilience and disaster preparedness, with Nigeria’s flood crisis serving as a stark reminder of the continent’s vulnerability to climate change.

The immediate need in Borno State, Hon. Kalu noted, was significant. The floods had caused damage amounting to nearly US$200 million. For life to return to normalcy, swift and decisive action was required.

“We need help to rebuild, to restore dignity to our people, and to prepare for the future,” Kalu had pleaded at the conference. And his words had struck a chord.

The aftermath of the Pan-African Parliament’s statement saw a renewed sense of unity across the continent. African nations recognized that climate change was not an abstract concept but a real and immediate threat.

Hon. Kalu’s tireless lobbying had sparked a movement—a movement driven by the belief that Africa, united, could weather any storm.

As Hon. Kalu returned to Nigeria, he carried with him a message of hope and solidarity from his African brothers and sisters.

While the road to recovery would be long and arduous, the support of the Pan-African Parliament was a testament to the power of collective action in the face of adversity.

Through his efforts, the people of Nigeria were no longer alone in their fight against climate change. Africa stood with them, ready to build a future where resilience, solidarity, and sustainability would guide the way forward.