NNPJ marks interfaith harmony week with campaigns on climate action, environmental protection

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

The Nigeria Network of Peace Journalists (NNPJ) has organised a week-long series of activities aimed at promoting peacebuilding, climate action and environmental sustainability across the country.

The initiative formed part of activities marking this year’s World Interfaith Harmony Week, observed from 1 to 7 February 2026.

Speaking on the programme, the Team Leader of NNPJ, Ibrahima Yakubu, said the Network dedicated the week to intensive awareness campaigns through radio, television, print media and stakeholder advocacy engagements focused on peace and environmental protection.

According to him, this year’s commemoration placed special emphasis on engaging religious leaders, government institutions, civil society organisations, youth groups and development partners to address climate change, deforestation, desertification and other ecological challenges affecting communities.

Yakubu noted that Interfaith Harmony Week provides a strategic platform for media networks to conduct large-scale public education campaigns, both online and offline, on the importance of environmental responsibility.

He explained that religious teachings across faiths encourage stewardship of the environment and discourage harmful practices such as indiscriminate tree felling.

He added that media outlets used the week to sensitise the public on the dangers of deforestation and the long-term consequences of environmental neglect, while also highlighting the role of faith leaders in promoting afforestation, responsible land use and sustainable practices.

“As part of the activities from 1st – 7th February 2026, media organisations under the Network informed the public on the importance of tree planting to mitigate deforestation, desertification and other forms of environmental degradation,” he said.

The Network also leveraged its monthly Kaduna Climate Hangout Forum to engage media professionals, government representatives and environmental experts in discussions on how Interfaith Harmony Week can mobilise indigenous communities towards tree-planting initiatives and climate resilience programmes.

Other activities included interfaith dialogue sessions on climate justice and environmental peacebuilding, community tree-planting campaigns involving youth and women groups, public service announcements promoting eco-friendly practices, social media campaigns targeting young audiences and advocacy visits to relevant ministries and environmental agencies.

Yakubu stressed that environmental degradation is not only an ecological issue but also a peace and security concern, noting that resource scarcity, desertification and climate-induced displacement can heighten social tensions.

He called on religious institutions, media organisations, government agencies and community leaders to sustain climate advocacy efforts beyond Interfaith Harmony Week.

The Team Leader also urged faith leaders to integrate environmental messages into sermons, Friday prayers and community teachings to encourage responsible environmental practices.

Yakubu reaffirmed the Network’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that advance environmental stewardship, climate resilience and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.

He expressed appreciation to the King of Jordan for promoting global initiatives that encourage interreligious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among faith-based organisations.