Tag Archives: #InsureOurFuture

Advocacy, Climate Change, SDGS

GROUP RALLIED TO END FOSSIL FUELS PROJECTS IN PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA, AS THEY HOLD INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE!

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Young Climate Activists, Leaders and Students at the rally

By Smith Nwokocha

On the 29th of February, 2024, exactly 10:00am WAT, the streets of Port Harcourt, GRA Nigeria was busy with young passionate activists and students of C.S.S. Oroworukwo and Government Comprehensive Secondary schools. With the presence of members of Civil society organization and grassroot campaigners, who joined to on a peaceful protest/rally to mark the Global Week of Action Insure Our Future, was a huge success in Nigeria, as over 60 Young Climate Activitsts, including students were part of the action as they all marched in front of AIICO insurance and AXA Insurance offices to demand for the end of Fossil Fuels projects in their Communities.

Signing in as Ambassadors to Insure Our Future Not Fossil Fuels

The young campaigners signed an Ambassadorial Seal as Ambassadors for Insure Our Future to ensure the stoppage of Fossil fuels investment and projects by Insurance Companies, with three core demands, which are:

  1. Stop insuring Fossil Fuels projects
  2. Respect Human Rights
  3. Support a Just Transition.

The essence of the walk was to hold Insurance companies accountable, which was what happened during the live walk/rally/peaceful protest and because insurers are passing the cost of the Climate crisis to the communities, especially Communities affected by the impact of climate change.

Climate Reality Leader Smith Nwokocha in an interview

In a brief interview with the Project Lead of Voice of the Vulnerable and Coordinator of Quest For Growth and Development Foundation (Smith Nwokocha); express excitement that insurance companies, at least AIICO/AIG Insurance and AXA insurance felt the impact of the campaign and know that it is dangerous to keep investing in fossil fuels project as it affects the wellbeing and environment of the communities, including communities in the Niger Delta region. Young advocates and Students present shared their thoughts on why insurance companies must stop insuring fossil fuels. The rally lasted for three (3) hours.

Advocacy, Climate Change, SDGS

PRESS RELEASE: COMMUNITIES AND CAMPAIGNERS JOIN GLOBAL FIGHT DEMANDING AIICO, AXA INSURANCE TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE

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Join the Campaign

By Smith Nwokocha

GRA Junction, Kilimanjaro Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on 29th February, 2024 by 10:00am WAT.

Local campaigners and community members, students, and group from Voice of the Vulnerable are protesting outside AIICO, AXA today, demanding that [AIICO, AXA Insurance take immediate action to slow the climate crisis and support the urgent transition from dangerous fossil fuels to clean energy. 

This action is part of a Global Week of Action organised by the Insure Our Future network, running from 26th Feb – 3rdMarch. Grassroots groups and activists from across the world are coming together to demand action, with events taking place in Nigeria, the UK, USA, Japan, South Korea, Uganda, DRC, Switzerland, France, Peru, Colombia, Germany, and Czechia. Demands to the industry include immediately stopping insuring new fossil fuel projects, phasing out support for existing coal, oil and gas projects, respecting human rights and supporting a just transition.  

2023 was the hottest year since records began, and extreme and violent weather events are increasing across every continent. Burning fossil fuels is the number one cause of the climate crisis, and fossil fuel projects – coal, gas and oil – cannot operate without insurance. This puts the insurance industry in a uniquely powerful position to have an impact on the future of our world. 

We will be converging at GRA Junction by Kilimanjaro through Mummy B Road in the city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria and we are taking this action, because of the impact of Climate change in our community, we experience blacksoot, suffocating heat, floods and it goes on, our communities deserve clean environment, and we all deserve healthy planet.

Smith Nwokocha, Project Lead, Voice of The Vulnerable and Coordinator Quest For Growth and Development Foundation and I am saying: “The insurance industry is meant to protect communities but instead it is deepening the crisis we face. AIICO, AXA Insurance are guaranteeing a future with more wildfires, floods, droughts and blacksoots if it continues to insure fossil fuels. Insurers have a choice – they can stop insuring dirty, planet-wrecking oil, gas and coal. We ask them to take action now to protect our children’s future, because later is too late.”