Social media, viable tool for climate advocacy —Cross River Most Beautiful Girl, 2015

BY DOYIN ADEOYE
TWENTY-YEAR-OLD Cross River Most Beautiful Girl 2015, Queenette Awukam is an environmentalist, advocating for more youths’ involvement in climate friendly activities.
“I have been advocating for forest conservation even before I became Cross Rivers’ Most Beautiful Girl. And I believe that being in this position is an avenue to further promote this. I am passionate about the sustainable livelihood of my people, coupled with the drive from my governor, Professor Ben Ayade, who is a source of inspiration in the course of championing climate change.
“I grew in a state that is very environmentally conscious; very clean and green. So having grown up in such place, I believe everywhere in Nigeria should be conducive enough for breathing and our day-to-day activities,” she said.
Using the platform to create awareness on climate change and its effect, Queenette said her green pictures which went viral of recent, is meant to reach out to more youths to be environment conscious.
“As a beauty queen and an artiste, I know that pictures are good sense of communication, as they speak louder than words. In one of the pictures, I, being the only live tree in the middle of dead logs, is an appeal for forest conservation.
“There have been innovations over the years; every youth is on the social media. So I feel that the best way to go reach out to them is to create more awareness using the social media. Every youth now wants to have fun, so we can as well educate them while they do that.
“For instance, the recently held Calabar Carnival had the theme: ‘Climate Change,’ which was used as a platform to educate youths on being environment friendly. More youths need to champion the course for a greener environment, and must take further steps in acquiring more knowledge on problems and particularly solutions on climate change,” she said.