Netizens slam Toke Makinwa’s presence at COP28 in Dubai

Some Nigerians on social media have slammed the presence of On-Air Personality, Toke Makinwa at the the ongoing COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai.

Toke Makinwa, in a Saturday tweet, had expressed excitement about attending COP28 in Dubai, noting the importance of global leaders, royalty, climate change advocates, and industry leaders coming together to discuss saving the planet.

She wrote, “When world leaders, Royalty, Climate change advocates and industry game changers gather to meet in Dubai to discuss how to save the planet, #Cop28 May your name be what the whole country decides to trend. (Amen). See you all at Cop30 in Rio Signed, Item number 7. #Cop28Dubai”

However, critics writing on social media platform X have condemned her presence at the event.

A Twitter user, Amasonic wrote, “All the 9 people #ClimateWed is taking to #COP28, none has any business with climate change. On the list, you’ve Toke Makinwa, IBD Dende, a Muri Tafida who from his IG is close to IBD Dende, two SSAs to the Lagos State governor (state lotteries & corporate finance/investments), The member that is representing Lagos Island II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, a businesswoman, and someone who works with PZ Cussons (at least, from her LinkedIn). BTW, one of the SSAs shares the same last name with the governor.”

Another X user, Oldura wrote, “What’s your own with climate as an OAP? Does Nigeria have enough industries that affecting the climate?”

“Toke Makinwa’s ‘femaleness’ isn’t the issue here. It is the power and access she has to partake of this blatant public looting. And yes, she’s getting the brunt because we know her, unlike the majority on that list. We know her and know she no climate anything”, AfroVII tweeted in broken English.

OpeBee also wrote, “If we praised PBAT for cutting down delegates to UNGA, he must take the blame for the fiasco happening in Dubai. Some have unwittingly chosen to focus on figure 1,400, here (on the right), we have 24 ministers in Dubai, for what exactly? The whole jamboree has taken away the essence of the trip and the need for action on climate issues in the country.’

“I honestly do not blame Toke Makinwa, I blame the people who waste taxpayers’ money on frivolous expenditures and turn official events into cruise trips. I blame all supporters of this rubbish government for making us see rubbish every day”. Mrsaijay added.

However, another user, mimi_kay2 praised Toke Makinwa for attending the event. “Tokstarr Makinwa, I’m super proud of you, and congratulations on your trip to the climate change advocate. some people are actually wishing to be in your position, so let them cry blood, keep pressuring them. You are worth being a part of the list… Keep up the hard work,” mimi_kay2 wrote.

The 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) is being hosted by the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is scheduled to run from November 30 to December 12.