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NCDMB, SPDC laud Brightwaters Energy for industry projects expertise

Michael Simire
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NCDMB, SPDC laud Brightwaters Energy for industry projects expertise

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe, in company with senior officials of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, undertook a tour of facilities at Brightwaters Energy Limited, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

NCDMB
Executive Secretary NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, leading top oil & gas stakeholders on a facility visit to Brightwaters Energy in Port Harcourt on January 29, 2025

The tour to the company’s facilities at Choba, Port Harcourt, and Emohua in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State was a follow up to the NCDMB’s boss earlier visit to the company and some pipe coating facilities in May 2024. At that visit he pledged the Board’s support for local service companies, giving them opportunities in the oil and gas industry and creating jobs in the economy.

The latest visit was to assess Brightwaters Energy’s upgrade of its technical capabilities, which would position them for upcoming industry projects.

Speaking ahead at the visit, Ogbe conveyed the Board’s determination to ensure that capabilities of local oil and gas service companies are known and adequately utilised by operating companies in the industry to boost local content and provide employment, in line with the economic aspirations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He recalled that Brightwaters had performed well in the execution of projects in the exploration and production segment of the industry over the years with a clientele that included SPDC and Chevron Nigeria Limited, among other major oil and gas operators. He was convinced that the company has the capacity required for key scopes in upcoming industry projects.

He charged operating oil and gas companies to always support qualified service companies, while ensuring that the best quality service is delivered at all times and on schedule.

In opening remarks at the event, the Community and Corporate Affairs Manager of Brightwaters, Mr. Solomon Aluge, confirmed that the firm had been engaging the team from SPDC and was equipped to carry out heavy or light fabrication works. He indicated that Brightwaters has carried out many onshore and offshore pipeline engineering and installation works for various clients.

Elaborating on the scope of operations of his company in the oil and gas sector, he pointed out that Brightwaters is “mobilising for Chevron and Tulcan pipeline works” at the moment.

Earlier in welcome remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Brightwaters, Mr. Scott Gregory, expressed happiness at the presence of the Executive Secretary, Engr. Ogbe, and the representatives of SPDC at the meeting, assuring all that the company has enormous capabilities for services in the oil and gas industry.

He provided technical details of a number of projects executed by the company offshore and onshore in its many years of operation in Nigeria, noting that some of the upcoming field projects were well within the company’s competencies.

Among key facilities visited in the tour were a blast furnace, where the process of smelting was demonstrated with hot compressed air being blasted into a furnace from below, and a multipurpose offshore construction vessel known as Sea Horizon Derrick Lay Barge, with a heavy-lift capacity of 1,320 tons.

Marine construction activities performed by the vessel, according to the company, include “installation of rigid and flexible pipelines, risers and umbilicals [flexible hoses that connect surface equipment to subsea equipment].”

In his comments after the facility tour, the General Manager Local Content Shell, Mr. Lanre Olawuyi, conveyed the company’s good impressions with the facilities and capabilities of Brightwaters Energy. He affirmed that the technical teams would review their reports and take decisions how to engage the company in some of their upcoming projects. He expressed delight that the company had upgraded its facilities since the last visit in May 2024, and expressed hope that facility would attract more patronage from the oil industry so it would bounce back to its former glory.

On the entourage of the Executive Secretary were the Director, Project Certification and Authorisation Division (PCAD), Abayomi Bamidele; Deputy Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi;  a technical staff in the Executive Secretary’s office, Mr. Ilu Ozekhome.

Kyari calls for proactive measures to combat climate change, insecurity in Lake Chad

Michael Simire
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Kyari calls for proactive measures to combat climate change, insecurity in Lake Chad

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has called for enhanced collaboration between government, banks and communities to combat the challenges of climate change, insecurity and poverty in the Lake Chad Basin.

Abubakar Kyari
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari (right)

Kyari made the call during a panelists’ session at the 5th Lake Chad Governors Forum on Thursday, January 30, 2025, in Maiduguri.

He stressed the need to address the barriers faced by smallholder farmers, particularly the lack of access to capital.

He disclosed that the Ministry of Agriculture was working with banks to assist farmers and
improve their livelihoods, being the key focus of government’s eight-point agenda.

Kyari added that “smallholder farmers lack access to capital and this is a major hurdle for them. We are actively engaging financial institutions to provide support because agriculture is the backbone of the region.”

He commended the proactive efforts of some states like Borno, noting that the leadership of Gov. Babagana Zulum had been instrumental to uplifting the livelihoods of the people, in spite of challenges in the region.

The minister emphasised the role of agriculture in poverty reduction and addressing broader socio-economic issues, including insecurity and corruption.

Kyari acknowledged that the region’s traditional farming methods were no longer sufficient to cope with, considering the changing weather conditions, particularly the unpredictable rainfall and desertification affecting local communities.

He added: “Climate change is real. The desert has moved south, and the pattern of rainfall has changed drastically. In the past, farmers relied on traditional knowledge, but today, this is no longer enough.

“We must adapt and innovate. Technology could play a role in predicting weather patterns and mitigating the effects of climate change.”

Kyari also pointed out the growing insecurity in the region, exacerbated by the shrinking of Lake Chad, which forced many communities to relocate.

He said that the lake, once a vital resource for agriculture and fishing, has now become a flashpoint for insecurity, affecting Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.

By Hamza Suleiman

River blindness, sleeping sickness eliminated by Niger, Guinea 

Michael Simire
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River blindness, sleeping sickness eliminated by Niger, Guinea 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has congratulated Niger for having met the criteria for onchocerciasis elimination, making it the fifth country globally and the first country in Africa to be acknowledged by WHO for interrupting transmission of the parasite Onchocerca volvulus.

Abdourahamane Tchiani
Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, President of Niger

“Eliminating a disease is a significant achievement that requires tireless dedication,” stated Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “I congratulate Niger for its commitment to liberating its population from this blinding, stigmatising illness that causes so much human suffering among the poorest. This success is yet another testament to the remarkable strides we have made against neglected tropical diseases and offers hope to other nations still battling onchocerciasis, demonstrating that elimination is possible.”

Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a parasitic disease and is the second leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, after trachoma. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of infective black flies, primarily found in riverine areas. The disease primarily affects rural populations in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen, with smaller endemic areas found in parts of Latin America.

Effective country-led efforts and partnerships

Between 1976 and 1989, under the umbrella of the WHO Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa (OCP), Niger undertook vector control measures by spraying insecticides that significantly decreased levels of onchocerciasis transmission. Following the donation of ivermectin by Merck, Sharpe & Dohme (MSD), areas still affected by lymphatic filariasis (LF) underwent mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin and albendazole from 2008 to 2019, followed by surveillance. Since ivermectin is effective against both diseases, and areas targeted for LF MDA were also endemic for onchocerciasis, this intervention also contributed to interrupting the transmission of the Onchocerca volvulus parasite.

Niger started preliminary assessments on interruption of onchocerciasis transmission in 2014 after stopping LF MDA in most areas. This was followed by entomological and epidemiological surveys which revealed that the combination of medicine and vector control had successfully eliminated transmission of onchocerciasis, as evidenced by the reduction in prevalence from approximately 60% to 0.02%.

In addition to the vector control interventions and the medicines donated by MSD, a key factor contributing to Niger’s success is the partnership between the Nigerien government, WHO and nongovernmental organisations, which has helped mobilise resources and technical support. Continuous monitoring of the disease’s prevalence and its impact has enabled timely adjustments in strategies and ensured the effectiveness of interventions.       

 “Onchocerciasis has long caused immense human suffering. It has also impeded the economic development of affected communities, driving people away from rivers, which are often lifelines for livelihoods,” says Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Niger’s success ends this burden for its people. It also positions Niger as a model for the elimination of neglected tropical diseases in Africa. The country previously demonstrated its leadership in public health, by eliminating Guinea-worm disease in 2013. Today, it takes another historic step forward.”

Global progress

Globally, 54 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.

Niger joins four other countries that have been verified by WHO for eliminating onchocerciasis, all in the Region of the Americas: Colombia (2013), Ecuador (2014), Guatemala (2016) and Mexico (2015).

In the WHO African Region, 21 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease. Onchocerciasis is the second neglected tropical disease eliminated in Niger: the country was certified free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission in 2013.

In a related development, the WHO has lauded Guinea for eliminating the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem. This form of human African trypanosomiasis, the only type transmitted in Guinea, is the first neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in the country. The news marks an important achievement in this public health field on the eve of the world Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, marked on January 30.

“Today’s announcement is both a testament to the global progress against neglected tropical diseases and a beacon of hope for nations still battling human African trypanosomiasis,” said Dr Ghebreyesus.

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by infected tsetse flies. Symptoms include fever, headaches, joint pain and, in advanced stages, neurological symptoms like confusion, disrupted sleep patterns and behavioural changes.

Effective country investments and partnerships

In the 1990s, HAT resurged along Guinea’s coast due to increased human activity in mangroves, driven by Conakry’s economic and population growth. In response to the critical threat posed by HAT, Guinea’s Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene established the National Programme for the Control of HAT in 2002, with support from WHO and the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), and later from partners such as the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative and the Institut Pasteur de Guinée. The programme began with mass medical screenings to diagnose and treat cases effectively, marking a crucial step in controlling the disease.

The programme introduced vector control interventions in 2012 aiming to interrupt contact between people and tsetse flies. Initially implemented in the Boffa-East area, this strategy expanded nationwide by 2016, with nearly 15,000 impregnated mini-screens (with insecticides to attract and kill the tsetse flies) deployed annually.

However, Guinea faced significant challenges in its HAT elimination efforts during the Ebola outbreak and COVID-19. From 2013 to 2015, the Ebola epidemic caused a suspension of medical activities, leading to a resurgence in HAT cases. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic posed further disruptions, but the programme adapted by implementing door-to-door HAT screening to maintain control efforts.

Collaboration with local communities played a critical role throughout these years, ensuring that interventions were culturally acceptable and widely supported. Advances in diagnostic techniques, treatment delivery, and consistent financial and technical backing from WHO and other partners bolstered the programme’s impact. As a result, Guinea successfully reduced the number of HAT cases to below the WHO threshold of 1 case per 10 000 inhabitants in all endemic areas, achieving a major milestone in its fight against this neglected tropical disease.

“The elimination of sleeping sickness is the result of many years of effort by the Guinean government, its partners and communities in the overall context of the national policy to combat all neglected tropical diseases,” said Dr Oumar Diouhé BAH, Guinea’s Minister of Health and Public Hygiene.

“The elimination of human African trypanosomiasis by Guinea is a significant public health achievement. Vulnerable families and communities can now live free of the threat posed by this potentially fatal disease,” said Dr Moeti. “I congratulate the government, health workers, partners and communities for this crucial milestone. WHO remains committed to supporting countries to eliminate human African trypanosomiasis and other neglected tropical diseases in Africa.”

With Guinea, seven other countries have been validated by WHO for eliminating the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis: Togo (2020), Benin (2021), Côte d’Ivoire (2021), Uganda (2022), Equatorial Guinea (2022), Ghana (2023) and Chad (2024). The rhodesiense form of the disease has been eliminated as a public health problem in one country, Rwanda, as validated by WHO in 2022.

NUEE, AUPCTRE, CSOs petition Senate on electricity sector woes 

Michael Simire
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NUEE, AUPCTRE, CSOs petition Senate on electricity sector woes 

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and two civil society organisations – the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) and the Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF) – have decried the precarious electricity situation in the country, urging the Nigerian Senate to urgently convene a Public Hearing on the sector’s performance since 2013.

Godswill Akpabio
Godswill Akpabio, Senate President

The groups, in a letter to the Nigerian Senate dated January 27, 2025, said that the electricity sector privatisation has failed Nigeria’s over 230 million people with power generation still oscillating between 4,000 megawatts and 5,800 megawatts, in addition to incessant power grid collapse which is now a huge embarrassment to the nation.

The letter, addressed to the Senate President, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, was jointly signed by Comrades Adedeye Adebiyi and Dominic Igwebike, NUEE National President and General Secretary respectively, Comrades Benjamin Anthony and Sikiru Waheed, AUPCTRE National President and General Secretary respectively, Comrade Sani Baba, Executive Director of CFSF and Philip Jakpor, Executive Director, RDI.

The position of the groups is coming a month after they organised a one-day Symposium on the Socio-Economic and Political Implications of Privatisation of Public Assets and the Way Forward which was held in Lagos in December 2024, where they x-rayed the report of the Senate Committee on Power which investigated frequent national grid collapses and related issues, and came to the conclusion that the sector was in turmoil.

In the letter, the groups noted also that the hike in electricity tariffs and the balkanization of Nigerians into electricity bands, suggesting who should get electricity the most, has equally created an unnecessary class system in the society. As a result of these, Nigerians are forced to depend on electric generators at huge financial, environmental and health costs.

They urged the Senate to immediately convene a Public Hearing and invite Nigerians to relate their experiences in the last 12 years of the electricity sector privatisation. Another key demand is a halt to World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggested initiatives on privatising Nigeria’s public assets under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) or any model that places profits over service delivery and human rights.

They want, instead, the adoption of the Public-Public-Partnership model which has proven to be successful as against privatisation which is inefficient and has become a conduit pipe to fleece the nation, as well as sustained investment in human capital development in the public sector to pave way for efficiency and transparency in their operations.

They also demanded an end to practices that unfairly target workers in exercises that are carried out to strengthen government institutions and advocated that workers should be regularly trained and rated based on performance. 

Robert Egbe: Tobacco industry’s deadly, discredited ‘Harm Reduction’ trick

Michael Simire
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Robert Egbe: Tobacco industry’s deadly, discredited ‘Harm Reduction’ trick

Despite the millions of people its products kill every year, and the thousands more whose health is destroyed, the tobacco industry is aggressively lobbying governments and the public to embrace newer kinds of harmful tobacco products that it presents as “less harmful” or “safer” than traditional tobacco use.

Tobacco Harm Reduction
Alternatives to cigarette smoking can create a big impact on health in society

According to the World Health Organisation, the industry is particularly bent on luring young people to use its so-called “smokeless” nicotine-filled tobacco products, so that it can create a new generation of addicts. The industry regards these novel products as its future, meaning it quietly hopes that these youth will replace those who die or whose health is destroyed from traditional tobacco use so that the industry can continue making huge profits at the expense of peoples’ lives.

Confronted with clear evidence of the deadly harm of tobacco use, the tobacco industry now claims that it wants people to stop smoking. However, it has refused to stop manufacturing cigarettes or other tobacco products – it makes over five trillion cigarettes every year. Rather, it is actively and hypocritically expanding its production in, and especially, lower-income countries.

In Africa, for instance, it is primarily targeting the huge youth populations in countries like Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa, among others, which it sees as untapped market potential for its products of death and disease. According to the WHO, between 2005 and 2020, tobacco leaf production decreased globally by 4.6 per cent, but in Africa – egged on by the tobacco industry – it increased by 35.7 per cent. The industry knows that many countries on the continent are wracked by political instability, social inequality, and a weak legislative environment, and it is exploiting this to produce and market its products with limited restrictions.

One of its tactics to hoodwink governments and regulators and ensnare new users to tobacco use – in whatever form – is to introduce fancy novel tobacco products. These alternative nicotine products include vapes, also known as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), heated tobacco products (HTPs), snus, and oral nicotine pouches, among others.

Of course, its claims that these novel products are “safer” are untrue: traditional tobacco products were never safe in the first place. More importantly, tobacco use is harmful in all forms, and there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco. Not even farmers who grow the tobacco plant are safe.

These novel products are part of what the industry calls its Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) strategies. This discredited tactic has its roots in the United States of America of the 1940s, and it has now been repackaged to impress unsuspecting, contemporary audiences across the world. For instance, almost 70 years ago, the industry introduced filtered cigarettes as part of its THR, falsely claiming that they were, yes, “safer” than other types of tobacco. However, the mass migration of tobacco users to filtered cigarettes did not prevent a rise in lung cancer.

Another failed THR strategy introduced by the industry in more recent years is the “reduced carcinogen” cigarettes and products which heated rather than burned tobacco, delivering a vapour into smokers’ lungs. Contrary to the industry’s claims, researchers found that these products were neither safe nor reduced user harm.

Vapes, HTPs, snus, oral nicotine pouches, etc, are the latest kids on the tobacco harm-reduction block, which the industry claims will help people who are unwilling or unable to quit smoking. What the industry is often silent on is that these products contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance from tobacco that can be as addictive as cocaine and heroin. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can harm the developing brain.

According to the European Respiratory Society (ERS), evidence is increasing that novel tobacco and nicotine products constitute gateways to nicotine addiction and the initiation of smoking among youth. A May 2024 ERS report referenced a recent review of 189 studies on vaping and e-cigarettes which concluded that non-smoking youths who use e-cigarettes have substantially higher likelihood of starting smoking.

Furthermore, and contrary to what the industry says, there are no safe nicotine products. For instance, Snus contains several harmful substances, including heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, tobacco-specific nitrosamines and tobacco alkaloids, such as nicotine which can damage the cardiovascular system. A June 2023 study by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health showed that the risk of throat and pancreatic cancer was three and two times greater, respectively, among frequent snus users. Furthermore, snus use has a detrimental impact on oral health and is statistically significantly associated with gum bleeding.

Vapes and other e-cigarettes are battery-powered and deliver nicotine through a liquid which turns into an aerosol. The e-liquids come in fruit flavours that appeal to youth. Cartridge-based and disposable e-cigarettes contain nicotine salts that do not produce vapour or visible emissions when the device is used and may make the product even more addictive. They almost always contain harmful ingredients, including nicotine. Acrolein, a known ingredient of many e-cigarettes, causes irreversible lung damage. No e-cigarette has been considered safe and effective by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in helping smokers quit.

These and more are why public health officials and tobacco control advocates have urged the government not to fall for the current phase of the tobacco harm reduction trick, which, is designed to keep the tobacco industry in its deadly business.

In Nigeria alone, tobacco use claims about 26,000 lives and inflicts debilitating conditions and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, heart disease, and chronic respiratory diseases on thousands more. The solution to this man-made crisis is not THR, and it is certainly neither legalising nor making these deadly novel tobacco products available to the Nigerian public.

Rather several evidence-based methods have been scientifically proven safe and effective for quitting smoking. These include:

Counselling – Behavioural counselling by certified tobacco control and other medical experts increases the chances of quitting smoking successfully.

Medications – Several countries have approved some medications shown to be effective in helping people quit smoking. These medications include five forms of nicotine replacement therapy and two non-nicotine medications.

Combination of counselling and medication – Although counselling and medication are each proven treatments alone, using them in combination can more than double the chances of quitting smoking.

In addition, some popular policies to reduce tobacco use include Increasing tobacco taxes, adding graphic warning signs to tobacco product packaging, banning tobacco product advertisements, passing laws to discourage young people, and using peer-based approaches to help people quit tobacco.

Furthermore, Nigeria should emulate countries like Côte d’Ivoire, whose cabinet has just approved a decree that extends the country’s smoking ban to all forms of novel and emerging products. This will shield non-smokers from second-hand and third-hand smoke, which are proven causes of NCDs.

In summary, the government and public should reject the tobacco industry’s deadly THR claims because smokers who switch to these alternative products are still exposed to toxic and carcinogenic substances that can kill them or severely damage their health.

Egbe is a tobacco control advocate at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)

UN wildlife treaty releases new reports on importance of community-led conservation

Michael Simire
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UN wildlife treaty releases new reports on importance of community-led conservation

Community-led conservation strategies can be instrumental for the successful conservation of migratory species, according to two major reports released by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), a global wildlife treaty of the United Nations.

Amy Fraenkel
CMS Executive Secretary, Amy Fraenkel

The report, titled “Community Participation and Livelihoods”, focuses on 10 key guiding principles for community-led conservation strategies, while the study, “Potential for Community-Based Wildlife Management in Central Asia”, presents real-world insights into how community-led initiatives can achieve biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

Indigenous peoples and local communities are custodians of over a third of the world’s most important places for biodiversity and play a vital role in the conservation of migratory species and their habitats. Integrating their traditional knowledge and practices with modern wildlife management approaches can lead to successful management, conservation, and sustainable use of wildlife and their habitats.

“For many migratory species of wild animals, having the engagement and expertise of local communities and traditional knowledge is vital for effective conservation. We are very pleased to issue these two reports on the critical role that local communities can play in ensuring that migratory species will continue to thrive for generations to come,” said Amy Fraenkel, CMS Executive Secretary.

CMS is the only global UN convention that focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species of wild animals and their habitats. Sustainable use is allowed for species listed on the treaty’s Appendix II, and can include both extractive and non-extractive uses, such as tourism, use of fur, and others. Appendix I-listed species are considered in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range and their use is prohibited.

Seasonal migrations and aggregations of wild animals affect local communities differently across regions and require international coordination, often beyond the immediate scope of local interactions.

Community-based wildlife management (CBWM) has gained significant attention in international policy from both human rights and biodiversity conservation perspectives. For example, several targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMFBG) are particularly relevant to CBWM, including Target 5 on ensuring sustainable, safe and legal use, harvesting and trade of wild species, and Target 9, which focuses on linking benefits from sustainable use to indigenous peoples and local communities.

To strengthen local engagement and maximise successful community participation in conservation, governments gathered at the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) to CMS adopted 10 key guiding principles on the involvement of communities in the conservation of migratory species. The Community Participation and Livelihoods study demonstrates how these principles are at play in real-world examples of CBWM experiences from around the world.

For instance, exemplifying land and user rights, local communities in Bolivia and Peru were granted sustainable use rights to shear live wild vicuña for high-value fibre. This has provided significant income ($3.72 million in Bolivia from 2007–2014), improved local tolerance for rising vicuña populations, and empowered communities with legal ownership and custodial rights.

Similarly, Vamizi Island, which harbours Mozambique’s most critical green turtle nesting site, has successfully implemented the Maluane Project since 2003, combining community-based conservation, sustainable development, and luxury tourism. This has resulted in reduced turtle bycatch and poaching, alternative livelihoods, empowered fisheries councils, and the establishment of a marine sanctuary.

50m persons face food insecurity in West Africa – FAO

Michael Simire
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50m persons face food insecurity in West Africa – FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on Thursday, January 30, 2025, said the number of people facing food insecurity in West Africa has risen to 50 million.

FAO
Panel discussion session at the 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri

FAO Country Representative, Kofi Dominic, who gave the alarming statistic at a panelist session in the ongoing 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, Nigeria, said that the figure indicated a sharp increase of 35 million in just five years.

The envoy, therefore, called for urgent intervention to prevent further deterioration of the region’s food crisis.

“In 2020, there were 15 million people in food insecurity across West Africa.

“Today, that number has surged to 50 million despite all efforts in agriculture, livestock, and food distribution,” Dominic said.

He, however, attributed the crisis to three major factors: conflict, climate change, and economic shocks, which have severely disrupted food production and supply chains across the region.

“Last year alone, 15 countries in West and Central Africa experienced devastating floods, affecting nearly seven million people.

“In Nigeria, floods destroyed 850,000 metric tons of food – enough to feed eight million people for six months,” the envoy said.

Dominic stressed the urgency of shifting from short term humanitarian aid to sustainable, long-term solutions, including large scale investment in agriculture, climate resilient seeds, and improved irrigation systems.

He commended the collaboration between FAO, the Nigerian government, and state authorities, adding that the Governor of Borno, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has indicated commitment to addressing food security challenges.

“With only five years remaining to meet the global target of zero hunger by 2030,” the envoy said.

Dominic also called on the donor agencies, governments, and private sector stakeholders to take immediate action.

“The pace at which food insecurity is growing demands urgent investment and coordinated efforts to reverse this trend before more lives are lost to hunger and malnutrition,

The FAO’s latest figures underscore the severity of the crisis and the need for a comprehensive response to secure food access for millions across the region,” he said.

Also speaking, David Stevenson, the Country Representative for the World Food Programme (WFP), highlighted the severity of the crisis in the region.

He said that the region was  grappling with numerous challenges, including climate change, conflict, and displacement, which have exacerbated food shortages.

“Currently, over 7 million people in the Lake Chad Basin are food insecure, and this figure continues to rise as the crisis deepens.

“In addition, we are witnessing the displacement of over 3 million people across the region, with acute shortages of medical services and essential supplies,” Stevenson said.

The WFP representative further explained that crop agriculture, particularly the cultivation of high value crops like cowpeas, moringa, and hibiscus, holds immense potential for transforming the region’s economy and addressing food insecurity.

He stressed the need for innovative solutions to modernise traditional agricultural systems, alongside efforts to restore ecosystems and mitigate climate change.

“The region has a rich history of cross-border trade and agricultural productivity, but the challenges of today require a shift towards scientific and sustainable farming practices.

“With the right investment and political commitment, we can unlock billions of dollars in economic potential,” Stevenson added.

He also stressed the importance of cooperation between countries in the basin, pointing out that regional partnerships, involving the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) would be critical in achieving long term solutions.

By Hamza Suleiman

US withdrawal from Paris Agreement effective from January 2026

Michael Simire
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US withdrawal from Paris Agreement effective from January 2026

The United States has officially notified the Secretary-General of its withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, effective January 27, 2026, UN spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, has said.

Donald Trump
President Donald Trump signs an executive order as he attends an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event at Capital One Arena, on January 20, 2025, in Washington. Photo credit: Evan Vucci/AP

Dujarric said this at a news briefing on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in New York.

The historic accord reached by 193 countries in December 2015 in a bid to keep temperature rises to below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, was signed by the U.S. on  April 22,  2016.

During the first Donald Trump administration the U.S. withdrew from the Agreement effective November 4, 2020, before his successor took the country back into the accord on February 19, 2021.

The UN spokesperson said the latest withdrawal would not lead to any slowdown in the UN’s efforts to combat climate change.

“We reaffirm our commitment to the Paris Agreement and to support all effective efforts to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” Dujarric said.

The international community continues to work towards the goals set by the Agreement, despite the U.S.’s decision to withdraw.

In a related development, UN World Health Organisation (WHO) has appealed for concerted action to tackle neglected tropical diseases, which impact more than one billion people – often with devastating health, social and economic consequences.

Every year, around 800 to 900 million people are treated for at least one neglected tropical disease, according to the UN health agency, which warned that global warming has emerged as a threat in this field of medicine.

The list of tropical diseases is a long one and includes Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, dengue, chikungunya and dracunculiasis.

They tend to thrive among vulnerable people who live in poverty and are caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins.

Progress in tackling these diseases remains hampered by a lack of investment and conflict, the WHO said, ahead of World Neglected Tropical Disease Day on Thursday, January 30.

Today, 54 countries have successfully eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease; WHO’s goal is for 100 countries to do the same by 2030.

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Stakeholders seek increased financial support for Lake Chad Basin

Michael Simire
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Stakeholders seek increased financial support for Lake Chad Basin

Regional leaders at the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum (LCBGF) have called for greater financial backing and strategic interventions to effectively implement the Regional Stabilisation Strategy (RSS).

Lake Chad
Delegates at the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum (LCBGF), Maiduguri, Nigeria

Gov. Ildjima Abdraman of Hadjer Lamis Region, Chad, who currently chairs the Forum, made the appeal at the 5th edition of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. 

Abdraman said the call was imperative in view of the urgent needs to addressing the region’s multifaceted challenges, ranging from security threats, governance issues to rebuilding of communities affected by insurgency. 

She enumerated the pressing challenges being faced by region, underscoring the interconnected crises of environmental degradation, political tensions, and transnational terrorism.

“The Lake Chad Basin is one of Africa’s most challenged regions, grappling with interconnected crises such as environmental degradation, political tensions, and transnational threats,” she  said.

Abdraman pointed out that the devastating impact of climate change had significantly reduced water resources, affecting livelihoods, agricultural productivity, and exacerbating competition for scarce resources.

“In response to these challenges, we must adopt a regional stabilisation strategy that strengthens the social contract with our populations.

“This strategy must also focus on the empowerment of women and youth, promoting their social inclusion and economic autonomy,” she said. 

The Forum, which brought together governors from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, as well as international partners, sought to address these challenges through enhanced cooperation and the effective implementation of the Regional SStabilisation Strategy (RSS).

Abdraman said that, for these efforts to succeed, substantial financial resources must be mobilised

“We call for increased financial support to effectively implement the RSS, which aims to address the root causes of insecurity, improve governance, and rebuild affected communities,” the governor said.

She urged all stakeholders to work in tandem to achieve sustainable peace and development in the region.

Abdraman also acknowledged the vital role of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) in overseeing the implementation of these initiatives, urging the Commission to intensify efforts in promoting social integration and regional peace.

“Strategic and political cooperation are essential for fostering connectivity and boosting regional productivity to address the threats we face,” she said.

Abdraman called for greater unity and cooperation among all partners for the betterment of the region and its people: “Long live sub-regional cooperation!”

In her address, Ms Anka Feldhusen, Director for Crisis Prevention and Stabilisation at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, reaffirmed her country’s ongoing support for the Lake Chad Basin’s recovery and peace efforts.

She noted that the Forum came at a crucial juncture, marking a new phase in regional engagement.

“This Forum represents a pivotal moment in our collective approach to the region’s sStabilisation.”

“Thanks to the impressive work done by regional leaders and partners, we have seen displaced people return home, livelihoods rebuilt, and hope restored,” Feldhusen said. 

She, however, said despite these efforts, significant challenges remained, adding that instability, poverty, and the impact of climate change continue to threaten the region.

“To succeed, we must foster even greater coordination and collaboration among governments, international organisations, civil society, and local communities,” she said. 

“We need collective ownership of the strategies, and I call on all stakeholders to support the Special Policy Development Library Fund and the Nexus Funding Facility, which are being launched today,” Feldhusen said. 

She expressed gratitude for the ongoing commitment of the International Support Group (ISG) and reiterated Germany’s determination to continue supporting efforts to build a stable and prosperous future for the Lake Chad Basin.

By Hamza Suleiman

Africa Energy Summit: Leaders commit to transformation with $50bn backing

Michael Simire
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Africa Energy Summit: Leaders commit to transformation with $50bn backing

Thirty African Heads of State and Government have committed to concrete reforms and actions aimed at expanding access to reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity.

Mission 300
Dignitaries at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit

This initiative is designed to power economic growth, improve the quality of life, and create jobs across the continent.

The leaders pledged their commitment in a declaration during the just concluded two-day Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

At the summit, Mission 300 partners pledged over $50 billion to increase energy access and accelerate economic growth.

The leaders signed the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a key milestone in tackling Africa’s electricity gap, where more than 600 million people still live without access to power.

The Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration is now set for submission to the African Union Summit in February for adoption.

It is a crucial component of the Mission 300 initiative and aims to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.

The initiative unites governments, development banks, philanthropies, and the private sector in a collaborative effort to bridge Africa’s energy divide.

By addressing the fundamental challenge of energy access, Mission 300 serves as the comerstone of the jobs agenda for Africa’s growing youth population and the foundation for future development.

Twelve countries which include Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia presented their detailed National Energy Compacts.

The National Energy Compacts set targets to scale up electricity access, increase the use of renewable energy and attract additional private capital.

These country-specific plans are timebound, rooted in data, endorsed at the highest level and focus on affordable power generation, expanding connections, and regional integration.

They aim to boost utility efficiency, attract private investment, and expand clean cooking solutions.

Deploying satellite and electronic mapping technologies, these compacts identify the most cost-effective solutions to bring electricity to underserved areas.

“Tanzania is honoured to have hosted such a monumental summit to discuss how, as leaders, we will be able to deliver on our promise to our citizens to provide power and clean cooking solutions that will transform lives and economies,” said Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the Republic of Tanzania.

Implementing the National Energy Compacts will require political will, long-term vision and the full support from Mission 300 partners.

Governments are paving the way through comprehensive reforms, complemented by increased concessional financing and strategic partnerships with philanthropies and development banks to catalyse increased private sector investment.

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, emphasised the need for decisive action to accelerate electrification across the continent.

“Critical reforms will be needed to expand the share of renewables, improve utility performance utilities, ensure transparency in licensing and power purchase agreements, and establish predictable tariff regimes that reflect production costs.

“Our collective effort ts to support you, heads of state and government, in developing and implementing clear, country-led national energy compacts to deliver on your visions for electricity in your respective countries,” he said.

Mr. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, stressed the importance of collaboration to achieve the summit’s ambitious goals.

He said, “Access to electricity is a fundamental human right. Without it, countries and people cannot thrive.

“Our mission to provide electricity to half of the 600 million people in Africa without access is a critical first step. To succeed, we must embrace a simple truth: no one can do it alone.

“Governments, businesses, philanthropies, and development banks each have a role, and only through collaboration can we achieve our goal.”

During the summit, partners announced a series of commitments: African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group plan to allocate $48 billion in financing for Mission 300 through 2030, which may evolve to fit implementation needs

Also, Agence Francaise de Development (AFD): £1 billion to support energy access in Africa while Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) promised $1 billion to $1.5 billion to support Mission 300.

Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group: $2.65 billion in support of Mission 300 and energy access in Africa from 2025-2030.

OPEC Fund made an initial commitment of $1 billion in support of Mission 300 with additional financing to follow.

Meanwhile, World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group: launched Zafiri, an investment company that supports private sector-led solutions, such as renewable mini-grids and solar home systems.

Zafiri anchor partners will invest up to $300 million in the first phase and mobilise up to one billion to address the persistent equity gap in Africa in these markets.

The firm commitments made by governments and partners at the summit demonstrate the unique power of the Mission 300 partnership.

By combining government reforms, increased financing, and leveraging public-private partnerships, African countries are positioned to turn plans into action, delivering tangible benefits to millions of people.

The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit was hosted by the United Republic of Tanzania, the African Union, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), and the World Bank Group (WBG), with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, ESMAP.

Others are Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa.

By Olawunmi Ashafa

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