Abuja-based finance watchdog, Follow The Money (FTM), has said that it initially found it difficult to track the $55.5 million Federal Government health grant to the 36 states of the federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) because of secrecy as well as contradictory reports about the fund. Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive of Connected Development (CODE) and Co-Founder ...

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced plans to invest 600 billion dirhams ($163 billion) in projects to generate almost half the country’s power needs from renewables. “Our aim is to balance our economic needs with our environmental goals,” Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum said on Twitter as the Gulf state unveiled its “Energy Strategy 2050” on Tuesday, ...

The German city of Essen has won the European Green Capital Award for 2017. The “Green Capital” is a title awarded by the European Commission, for the city’s success in transitioning from a heavily polluting mining centre to a clean and green economy. The award helps to highlight the crucial importance of city climate action in the run-up to the ...

A 16-year-old Nigerian needs your help to raise N580,000. The money is to enable him pay for surgery to remove a cell tumour that has deformed his face. Vivienne Irikefe reports.

The seventh technical analysis of biennial update reports (BURs) from developing country Parties was convened in Bonn, Germany, from 5 to 9 December, the final round in 2016. These reports are submitted by developing countries every two years, showing their actions in tackling climate change and support received to undertake them, as well as outlining associated challenges and constraints in ...

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has urged the federal government to immediately impose a minimum of 150% special levy on tobacco products as a means of raising revenue while also reducing the consumption and health impacts of tobacco use. The group, in reaction to the newly-announced import duties on tobacco products, said the new policy falls ...

Howard Bamsey has officially begun his duties as new Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund Secretariat. He was selected last year by consensus during the Board’s 14th meeting, following an extensive global recruitment process to select a new head of the Secretariat. Ambassador Bamsey is said to be a prominent figure in climate change diplomacy. With more than 30 years ...

The mangrove is a very unique specie of plant that helps in protecting our coastal area from certain disaster. It is also a plant that most communities depend on as their source of livelihood. The mangrove is fast depleting due to human activities and an invasive specie of plant called the Nypa palm. There is a serious cry-out for all ...

The Federal Neuro-psychiatric hospital’s School of Occupational Therapy is appealing to the public to help fund the school. The profession was almost extinct in Nigeria until the school was established 14 years ago. I attended their matriculation ceremony for the new batch of students. By Vivienne Irikefe

HIV advocates call for school campaign HIV/AIDS The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that two million adolescents are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, and that 82% of them are in sub-Saharan Africa. Advocates say anti-HIV/AIDS campaign should be made compulsory in schools. By Vivienne Irikefe