The Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, Musikilu Mojeed, and the CEO of the Media Trust Group, Ahmed I. Shekarau, have been re-elected President and Secretary of the Nigerian chapter of International Press Institute (IPI) respectively.
Delegates at the Nigerian chapter of International Press Institute (IPI) forum
Mojeed, Shekarau and four other officials, elected unopposed and sworn in on Thursday, December 12, 2024, will direct the affairs of the Nigerian affiliate of the global media body for the next three years.
A statement issued by a member of the global executive board of the IPI, Raheem Adedoyin, disclosed that other members elected into the executive committee of IPI Nigeria include Fidelis Mbah of Al Jazeera Television (deputy president), Rafatu Salami of Voice of Nigeria (treasurer), Yomi Adeboye of Herald Newspaper (assistant secretary) and Tobi Soniyi of Arise News (legal adviser).
Speaking during the inauguration of the new leaders, Mojeed, who promised inclusive administration, solicited the support and commitment of members to enable his team to achieve the organisation’s set objectives of enhancing the Nigerian media operating environment.
The election of new leaders was preceded by the organisation’s annual general meeting (AGM) where the Mojeed-led executives rendered account of their three-year stewardship and updated members on the financial state of the body. Some sections of the organisation’s constitution were also amended during the AGM.
A major highpoint of the event was the arrival of ex-Governor Segun Osoba, a renowned journalist and prominent, longtime member of the IPI. He praised IPI Nigeria members for their commitment to press freedom, journalists’ rights and independent journalism.
Mr. Osoba, who recently returned from an overseas trip, further commended the organisation’s leadership for ensuring a successful conference.
Apart from ex-Governor Osoba, some other prominent journalists who attended the AGM included a former Editor-In-Chief of Tribune Newspapers (who chaired the forum), Folu Olamiti; former presidential spokesperson and ex-President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Garba Shehu; chairman of the Editorial Board of the Herald and member of the global board of the IPI, Mr. Adedoyin; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Oluwafisan Bankale; and the Executive Director of the organisation, Dayo Aiyetan.
Some of the other dignitaries at the congress were Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of the University of Lagos; Kunle Babs, the Nigerian Bureau Chief of Feature Story News; Danlami Nmodu, publisher of Newsdiary Online; Fabian Benjamin, editor-in-chief of JAMB Bulletin; Sule Yau Sule of Bayero University, Kano; Dotun Oladipo, publisher of The Eagle Online; Funke Egbemode, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors; Ochiaka Ugwu, an editor with Peoples Daily; Ken Ugbechie, publisher of Political Economist; Lawal Sabo Ibrahim, former managing director of The Triumph newspapers; Mohammed Danjuma, publisher of Katsina Times; Christopher Isiguzo, former president of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ); Lanre Arogundade, executive director of the International Press Centre; Zainab Suleiman Okino, chair of the editorial board of Blueprint Newspapers; and Hameed Bello, chief operating officer of Peoples Daily newspapers.
Earlier on Wednesday, IPI Nigeria hosted a conference with the theme: “Democracy, Media Freedom and the Imperative of Protecting the Nigerian Civic Space.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who chaired the conference’s opening day session, said press freedom exists in Nigeria. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Tony Iredia. He disagreed with the minister, arguing fiercely that press freedom does not exist in Nigeria.
The Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, gave a presentation on “Dissecting the Frosty Relationship Between the Nigerian Media and Security Agencies” while the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, spoke on “How the Media and Journalists can Partner Anti-corruption Agencies in the Fight Against Corruption.”
In the same vein, a former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, addressed participants on the topic “Government Vs Media: How to Reduce Tension, Enhance Mutual Understanding, and Avoid Censorship”.
The three-part event concluded on the night of December 12 with a dinner for the organisation’s members, partners, and supporters.
The International Press Institute (IPI), with headquarters in Vienna, Austria, is a global network of media executives, editors, and leading journalists. Since its establishment in 1950, it has consistently advocated for journalists’ rights and media freedom worldwide.
IPI Nigeria is the Nigerian branch of IPI Global and is totally committed to credible and independent journalism, media freedom, freedom of speech and the free flow of news and information in Africa’s most populous country and the continent’s biggest economy.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Federal Government’s support for initiatives aimed at expanding Nigeria’s hydrocarbon exploration, storage and refining.
Vice President Kashim Shettima and delegates at the inauguration of the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel
Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, said this at the inauguration of $315 million Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The vessel is owned by Nigeria’s Oriental Energy Resources Ltd.
The FPSO vessel, with a storage capacity of one million barrels, will kick off with an initial production of 17,000 barrels per day before increasing its production capacity to 30,000 per day.
It is expected to depart for Nigeria in Q1 2025 and start production at the Okwok Oil Field in the first half of 2025.
Shettima noted that the FPSO vessel symbolised a future where Nigerian ingenuity met global standards, saying “we will be here every step of the way to ensure its utility and success.”
He described the facility as more than just a maritime infrastructure project, adding that it was a pointer to the success of Tinubu’s reforms in the sector as well as Nigeria’s growing global influence.
According to him, what sets Nigerians apart is not merely the audacity of their ambition, but their unique understanding of where the world is headed.
“This FPSO vessel is more than just a technological achievement; it is a symbol of Nigeria’s ambition and our readiness to meet global energy demands.
“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we are witnessing the transformation of the oil and gas sector, which is central to our economic revitalisation efforts,” he said.
According to him, the vessel is a critical link in Nigeria’s ambition to optimise productivity.
“This will enable the country to become a central hub for hydrocarbon demand, both domestically and globally,” Shettima said.
He commended Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, the Executive Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources Ltd., for his remarkable contributions to the industry.
“Over the decades, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi has stood as a model businessman and symbol of excellence in the oil and gas industry.
“So, it’s not surprising that his vision has transformed Oriental Energy Resources Ltd., into a global phenomenon.
“This outcome testifies to what is possible when ambition is matched with perseverance and expertise.
“His journey reminds us that Nigeria is a land of opportunity, and with dedication, there is no limit to what we can achieve,” said Shettima.
“As Nigeria’s home-based refineries come alive, vessels like this will be instrumental in maximising the nation’s production capacity and driving economic growth.
“Recently, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, was in Paris, where he oversaw the expansion of one of Nigeria’s indigenous banks into that sphere of the European financial market.
“That historic moment reflected our collective aspiration as a nation,” he noted.
Shettima pointed out that the UAE demonstrated what could be achieved when natural resources were leveraged effectively.
Earlier, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State, commended the vision and tenacity of the Chairman of Oriental Energy Nigeria.
Zulum said Indimi’s investment would stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities for many Nigerians, as well as ensure steady growth and development of the nation’s economy.
“Today is one of my happiest moments to stand before this gathering. I make my brief remark because Alhaji Indimi is from Borno State.
“I’m happy to note that the production of this vessel was born 100 per cent by his own company, which has never happened in Nigeria.
“This goes to show how committed Alhaji Mohammed Indimi is to the growth and development of not only Borno but the entire country,” said Zulum.
Also, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State applauded Indimi and his technical partners, saying “to truly appreciate the oil mogul, it will be best to know that he wasn’t the only person that was allocated an oil block in the 90s.
“There were so many of them. But from what we are witnessing today, he will go down as one who believes in Nigeria, who believes in investing in Nigeria, who believes in the government of Nigeria, who appreciates Nigeria.
“And that is the reason why he is investing in this baby here that is going to store one million barrels of crude oil.”
On his part, Indimi, revealed that the facility was the first FPSO to be fully funded by a Nigerian company.
The vessel named ENEM FPSO, the chairman added, heralded an effort for a Nigerian oil and gas company to independently develop a marginal field.
He stressed that it was an important milestone for Nigeria and its oil and gas sector.
“When operating at full capacity we expect the Okwok Oil Field to produce up to 30,000 barrels of oil a day, significantly enhancing Nigeria’s oil production.
“The Okwok field is just one step towards our long term ambition to deliver 100,000 barrels of oil per day of production in Nigeria.
“We have a strong set of proven assets, and a development pipeline that can deliver it,” he said.
He thanked President Tinubu, Vice-President Shettima, and the dedicated officials and civil servants in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the other agencies that provided the enabling environment for the investment.
Capt. Antolovic Rado, the Chief Executive Officer of Drydocks Dubai, assured that the vessel, when fully operational, would contribute significantly to the sustainable development of the Okwok oil field region.
He also said the facility would support economic growth and energy security, noting that the success achieved by Oriental Energy’s investment in the oil sector, had set a benchmark for operational excellence and safety.
After two weeks of intense negotiations on how to tackle land degradation, desertification and drought, the largest and most inclusive United Nations land conference wrapped up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, December 13, 2024.
Under-Secretary-General and UNCCD Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Thiaw
The nearly 200 countries convening at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) committed to prioritise land restoration and drought resilience in national policies and international cooperation as an essential strategy for food security and climate adaptation.
Nations also made significant progress in laying the groundwork for a future global drought regime, which they intend to complete at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026. In the meanwhile, more than $12 billion were pledged to tackle desertification, land degradation and drought around the world, especially in the most vulnerable countries.
Among the main agreements reached at COP16 were the creation of a Caucus for Indigenous Peoples and a Caucus for Local Communities to ensure that their unique perspectives and challenges are adequately represented; a continuation of the Convention’s Science-Policy Interface to strengthen science-based decision-making, and the mobilisation of private sector engagement under the Business4Land initiative.
COP16 has been described as the largest and most inclusive UNCCD COP to date: it attracted more than 20,000 participants, around 3,500 of them from civil society, and featured more than 600 events as part of the first Action Agenda to involve non-state actors in the work of the Convention.
In a prepared statement, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, emphasised: “Our work does not end with the closing of COP16. We must continue to tackle the climate crisis – it is a call to action for all of us to embrace inclusivity, innovation, and resilience. Youth and Indigenous peoples must be at the heart of these conversations. Their wisdom, their voices, and their creativity are indispensable as we craft a sustainable future with renewed hope for generations to come.”
In his closing remarks, COP16 President, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Abdulrahman Alfadley, said the meeting marked a turning point in raising international awareness of the pressing need to accelerate land restoration and drought resilience.
“The Kingdom’s hosting of this important conference reflects its ongoing commitment to environmental issues and sustainable development. It reaffirms its dedication to working with all parties to preserve ecosystems, enhance international cooperation to combat desertification and land degradation, and address drought. We hope the outcomes of this session will lead to a significant shift that strengthens efforts to preserve land, reduce its degradation, build capacities to address drought, and contribute to the wellbeing of communities around the world.”
Addressing COP16 closing plenary, Under-Secretary-General and UNCCD Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Thiaw, stated: “As we have discussed and witnessed, the solutions are within our grasp. The actions we took today will shape not only the future of our planet but also the lives, livelihoods, and opportunities of those who depend on it.”
He further emphasised a significant shift in the global approach to land and drought issues, highlighting the interconnected challenges with broader global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, forced migration, and global stability.
Financial needs and pledges
During the conference, participants heard that UNCCD estimates that at least $2.6 trillion in total investments are needed by 2030 to restore more than one billion hectares of degraded land and build resilience to drought. This equals $1 billion in daily investments between now and 2030 to meet global land restoration targets and combat desertification and drought.
New pledges for large-scale land restoration and drought preparedness were announced, such as the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership which attracted $12.15 billion to support 80 of the world’s most vulnerable countries in building their resilience to drought, including a $10 billion pledge from the Arab Coordination Group.
The Great Green Wall (GGW), an African-led initiative to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land, also mobilised EUR 11 million from the Italian Government for landscape restoration in the Sahel and EUR 3.6 million from the Austrian Government to strengthen the coordination and implementation of the initiative across 22 African countries. The drive is part of the GGW Accelerator, a UNCCD-supported effort to achieve the ambitions for a greener, more prosperous Sahel.
Additionally, the United States and several partner countries and organisations announced total investments of nearly $70 million to advance the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS). The initiative looks to build resilient food systems grounded in diverse, nutritious, and climate-adapted crops grown in healthy soils.
The first-ever UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa provided an opportunity to shine a light on the specific challenges facing the region and bring to the fore innovative solutions to land degradation and drought.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced five new projects valued at $60 million to ramp up climate and environmental efforts as part of the Saudi Green Initiative. The UNCCD COP16 Presidency also announced the launch of an international sand and dust storm monitoring initiative. This effort, part of a regional early warning system, aims to complement existing efforts overseen by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
The International Drought Resilience Observatory (IDRO), whose prototype launched at COP16, will be the first global AI-driven platform to help countries assess, and enhance, their capacity to cope with harsher droughts. This innovative tool is an initiative of the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), of which Saudi Arabia recently became a member.
Greater voice for Indigenous Peoples and other non-state actors
In a landmark decision, Parties requested the creation of a Caucus for Indigenous Peoples and a Caucus for Local Communities. The objective is to ensure that their unique perspectives and priorities are adequately represented in the work of the Convention. The declaration“Sacred Lands”, presented during the inaugural Indigenous Peoples’ Forum at a UNCCD COP, underscored the role of Indigenous Peoples in sustainable resource management and called for greater involvement in global land and drought governance, including through participation in land restoration efforts.
“Today, history has been made,” said Indigenous People representative, Oliver Tester, from Australia. “We look forward to championing our commitment to protect Mother Earth through a dedicated Caucus, and leave this space trusting that our voices be heard.”
COP16 also saw the biggest youth participation to date, building on the UNCCD Youth Engagement Strategy and Action Plan, that seeks to give youth a more prominent role in land and drought negotiations and action, and provide technical and financial support for youth-led initiatives.
On the gender front, countries underscored the need to pay special attention to all forms of discrimination faced by women and girls when designing and implementing policy and programmes related to land degradation and drought.
In recognition of the important role of the private sector, which currently contributes only 6% of financing towards land restoration and drought resilience, Parties have mandated the UNCCD Secretariat and the Global Mechanism to mobilise private sector engagement under the Business4Land initiative. The decision emphasises the critical role of private sector advocacy, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies, and sustainable finance in addressing DLDD challenges.
The decision comes after the Business4Land Forum, which brought together the largest-ever number of private sector participants at a UNCCD COP – more than 400 – from industries like finance, fashion, agri-food, and pharmaceuticals.
Stronger science on land and drought
Acknowledging the role of science as the foundation for sound policies, the Parties agreed on the continuation of UNCCD’s Science-Policy Interface (SPI), which was created at COP11 in 2013 to translate scientific findings into recommendations for decision-makers. At COP16, for instance, the SPI presented definitive evidence that three quarters of the Earth’s ice-free surface have become permanently drier in the past 30 years, with a predicted five billion people living in drylands by 2100, showing the urgency to take action.
A new UNCCD report,The Global Threat of Drying Lands: Regional and global aridity trends and future projections, revealed that some 77.6% of Earth’s land has experienced drier conditions since the 1990s compared to the previous 30-year period. Over the same period, drylands – an arid area with low rainfall – expanded by about 4.3 million km2 equal to an area nearly a third larger than India, the world’s 7th largest country. Drylands now cover 40.6% of all land on Earth excluding Antarctica.
Seven of nine planetary boundaries are negatively impacted by unsustainable land use, highlighted the UNCCD report boundaries, produced in collaboration with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, which explains how land degradation is undermining Earth’s capacity to sustain a growing human population. The report reiterates that agriculture accounts for 23% of greenhouse gas emissions, 80% of deforestation, and 70% of freshwater use, and calls for an urgent land use transition to step away from the precipice.
According to UNCCD’s newly released World Drought Atlas and Economics of Drought Resiliencereports, droughts affect the livelihoods of 1.8 billion people worldwide, pushing already vulnerable communities to the brink. They also cost an estimated $300 billion per year, threatening key economic sectors such as agriculture, energy and water.
From Riyadh to Mongolia
For the first time, UNCCD Parties made a decision encouraging the sustainable management, restoration and conservation of rangelands – vast ecosystems used for grazing – ahead of COP17, to be hosted by Mongolia in 2026 during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. These ecosystems cover half of the Earth’s terrestrial surface and are the dominant land use in the world’s drylands, but have long been overlooked and are disappearing faster than rainforests.
The degradation of rangelands threatens one-sixth of global food supplies, potentially depleting one-third of the Earth’s carbon reserves. Some two billion people who live in pastoral areas are among the world’s most vulnerable in the face of desertification, land degradation and drought.
A coalition of experts, farmers, women and youth groups, and civil society organisations (CSOs) has called for a ban on the use and consumption of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria.
Protesting members of the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance
The group, operating under the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance and led by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), submitted a protest letter to the Human Rights Commission in Abuja on Friday, December 13, 2024.
The letter was also presented to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), as part of the group’s efforts to raise awareness and call for action regarding the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria.
Simultaneously, rallies were held across 10 states, including Rivers, Edo, Katsina, Plateau, Oyo, Lagos, Cross Rivers, Enugu, Jigawa, and the FCT, demanding the prohibition of GMOs, which they referred to as “poison.”
GMOs are products of genetic engineering that involve manipulating genes at the cellular level in a laboratory to create new plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Ms. Mariann Orovwuje, the Coordinator of the Food Sovereignty Programme and Friends of the Earth, speaking on behalf of the alliance, stated that many staple foods in Nigeria have been genetically modified.
She expressed concern about the rising number of allergies and cancer cases among children who would typically not be prone to such diseases.
“We are coming to the Human Rights Commission to present our petition so you can look into it.
“Nigerians do not want GMOs. Our farmers, if properly supported with infrastructure, can feed this country and even export food.
“We are here because this is not just an infraction, but an abuse of our human rights. If our food is abused, we are equally abused,” she said.
Upon receiving the petition, Mr Harry Obe, the Director of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights at the National Human Rights Commission, commended the alliance for their peaceful approach.
He acknowledged that the issue of GMOs fell directly within the commission’s mandate and assured the group that their petition would be analysed, with necessary actions taken.
“This is the National Human Rights Commission, and our establishment is specifically for the protection and promotion of human rights in Nigeria.
“We will analyse your petition and get back to you as soon as possible,” Obe said.
He also encouraged the public to approach the commission whenever they feel their rights were being violated.
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector have urged the Federal Government to prioritise regional and continental strategies rather than focusing solely on national measures.
They made the call during an interview at the ongoing 2024 World LNG Summit and Awards in Berlin, Germany, on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
Human emissions of methane are second only to carbon dioxide in contributing to global warming
Mr Abdulmalik Halilu, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), emphasised the importance of adopting an integrated approach to carbon emissions reduction.
“We must not look at net-zero goals as a stand-alone national issue.
“Instead, Nigeria should consider these regulations from the ECOWAS and African perspectives, recognising our interdependence,” he said.
Halilu also noted that regulations on emissions must operate at regional or continental levels, rather than being confined to individual countries.
“Our collective efforts are crucial, and each country should tailor its net-zero pathway to its unique circumstances, while aligning with broader regional and continental objectives.” he added.
The director highlighted the positive impact of the conference, especially in addressing issues related to decarbonisation, LNG infrastructure, and the role of renewables in reducing carbon footprints.
“The discussions around LNG, renewables, and reducing emissions have been enlightening, particularly in terms of ensuring responsible development and reducing the impact of carbon emissions,” Halilu explained.
He also touched on the importance of financial institutions in promoting responsible environmental and social practices in energy projects.
“Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) requirements are not intended to limit funding but to ensure that projects are developed responsibly, with care for the environment and social inclusion,” he said.
Halilu further stressed the importance of responsible hydrocarbon development, using the Ogoni cleanup incident as a cautionary example.
He encouraged the Nigerian energy sector to invest in ddecarbonisation echnologies and consider the long-term environmental impact of energy production.
“Nigeria must develop solutions that ensure low carbon intensity, especially as new LNG projects expand.
“We must invest in innovative, sustainable technologies and build local capacity to manage and maintain these solutions,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Mr Olajide Bamidele, Director of Weight and Measures at the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, emphasised the growing importance of LNG in Nigeria’s energy future.
Bamidele noted the need to balance LNG’s dominance with the rise of alternative renewable energy sources.“We must prepare for the future by addressing challenges in LNG development and exploring new energy solutions to ensure long-term sustainability,” he said.
He said that the conference provided a valuable opportunity for Nigerian stakeholders to learn from global best practices, particularly regarding emissions reduction and energy transition strategies.
Both Halilu and Bamidele highlighted the need for Nigeria to adapt successful international policies to its own context, with a focus on creating a more sustainable energy landscape.
“As the country moves toward its 2060 net-zero target, the discussions at the summit underline the need for collaboration, innovation, and responsible development across the energy sector.
“With significant investments in LNG and upstream gas projects expected, the focus on decarbonisation and environmental responsibility remains crucial for Nigeria’s energy future,” they explained.
The five-days World LNG Summit and Awards, organised by DMG Events Ltd., attracted 750 attendees and featured 200 speakers from 500 companies across the energy value chain.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, on Friday, December 13, 2024, urged owners of Federal Government owned lands and houses in Lagos State to remit their ground rent to the government’s coffer.
Dangiwa said this during a stakeholder- citizens engagement on land administration and a physical assessment of Banana Island, Osborne Phase one and two, Park view/ Foreshore estates and shorelines.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa
He said that the ministry planned to optimise its revenue collections by ensuring that all the occupiers of Federal Government’s asset pay their ground rent to enable it improve on the facilities.
According to him, while the Federal Government is committed to renovating, safeguarding and optimising the value of its assets nationwide, it will also enforce strict compliance to its land and estates administration laws.
Dangiwa said that the Ministry of Housing under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu had resolved to restore order in federal land and asset management.
“The Ministry is resolved to ensure strict adherence to the provisions of the law regarding the control and administration of its assets to maintain order,” he said.
The minister directed the estate associations to stay within their limits, noting that they have the right to collect facility management fees based on agreement with the occupants of the estates.
He warned that whatever the occupants agreed to pay should be used to maintain the estates in terms of electricity, roads and all other facilities they use in the estate.
“This is known to be the facility management fees which all estates usually charge in order to maintain the estate, but they should not go beyond that to collecting ground rent from the occupants.
“The ground rent is meant for the Federal Government.
“If they are collecting it on our behalf, they should remit it fully, otherwise we are going to engage our own staff to do it or engage consultants to do so on our behalf,” he said.
On the need for collaboration between the ministry and the Lagos State Government in resolving land disputes, the minister said that both parties had agreed to form a joint committee.
He said that the committee was expected to resolve longstanding land issues and foster a coordinated approach to land administration across the state.
He said that the federal and Lagos state governments were in talks to harmonise payment of tax on its assets and land administration, to address double taxation on owners of the Federal Government estates and lands.
“We are one government, and it is vital that we work as partners to ensure effective administration of Federal Government assets.
“Proper coordination will prevent exploitation by third parties and ensure compliance with the law,” he said.
Dangiwa said that the stakeholder engagement on land administration provided an opportunity to share insights and contribute to the Federal Government’s strategy for sustainable urban development.
He also said that the interactive session was a critical step toward improving land administration in Lagos, and delivering on the ministry’s promise of affordable housing and urban development for all Nigerians.
He said the ministry was ready to address the myriad of challenges affecting the estate and land owners, having understood their needs, concerns and areas for improvement.
The Minister expressed concern over the poor condition of federal assets and uncompleted housing projects, vowing to expedite their renovation, upgrade, and completion.
“We have resolved to optimise these facilities and put them to good use so that they can provide value to the government and Nigerians.
“Our aim is to fast-track the completion of housing projects to increase the stock of affordable housing for Nigerians in Lagos,” he said.
According to him, plans are underway to transform the Ministry of Housing field offices into modern, functional workspaces to boost staff productivity and enhance operational efficiency in Lagos.
Addressing irregular developments along the Lagos shoreline, Dangiwa reiterated the Federal Government’s authority over shoreline titles.
He warned developers who failed to comply with legal requirements of appropriate sanction.
“To curb these practices, the ministry issued a one-month ultimatum for all developers on shorelines to regularise their papers or risk having their properties revoked and demolished.
“We have observed numerous haphazard developments along the shoreline, where people have reclaimed and built on land without proper clearance or authorisation. This is unacceptable,” Dangiwa said.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has displayed its milestones in restoring mangroves in Ogoni to the international community.
Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, the Project Coordinator (PC) of HYPREP, said this in an interview in Abuja on Friday, December13, 2024.
Mangrove exploitation. Photo credit: Jerry Chidi
The PC was one of the plenary speakers at the just concluded 1st International Conference on Mangrove Restoration and Conservation held in Abu Dhabi from Dec.10 to Dec. 12.
The conference brought together mangrove management practitioners, researchers and policy actors to share lessons learned and innovative thoughts on enhancing mangrove ecosystem services.
Zabbey said that HYPREP’s next steps would be to consolidate on the immediate and long term gains of the mangrove restoration.
“These include restoring the West African bloody cockle, eradicating single-use plastic bags for growing mangrove seedlings,” he said.
Zabbey noted that the mangrove restoration plan would also enhance shoreline elevation.
“We are using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to monitor the impact of the mangrove restoration on fisheries, and assessing the carbon stock of the restored mangroves,” he said.
As the two weeks of hearing on the landmark International Court of Justice hearing on climate change ended on Friday, December 13, 2024, Arnold Kiel Loughman, Attorney General for the Republic of Vanuatu, underlines the need for climate justice
The two weeks of oral hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) have highlighted a compelling legal case, led by the Global South. We have argued, one statement after the other, that international environmental laws and fundamental human rights are applicable international legal obligations that must not be excluded from States responsibilities in the context of climate change.
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Historical polluters are responsible for the harm that our small island State and many other nations have been left to deal with as a result of climate change impacts, while uncurbed greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel subsidies and ongoing exploration and extraction from these same historical polluters continue to fuel the climate crisis.
The ICJ is now carefully considering all of our submissions, and more than half of the UN member states have united to speak forcefully on the global stage even as climate change tramples rights and erodes hard-earned economic gains from the past several decades.
This landmark case has shown a shared determination from representatives across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Pacific Island States and even a few European States to uphold and apply the rule of international law in the context of climate change. We are coming to the Court seeking justice.
We cannot wait another couple of decades in the hope that climate negotiations will deliver the climate action needed to stop the ongoing catastrophic consequences of climate change, let alone provide remedies for the harm we have already experienced.
As pointed out by some States in the proceedings, historical polluters continue to hide behind the safety of the climate regime (UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement), which limits State responsibility to procedural obligations that avoid any real accountability.
On the other hand, the large majority of the Global South States and Organisations participating are arguing that excluding other obligations under environmental and human rights laws, exceptionally, in the context of climate change undermines the rule of law. Why should the international laws that have protected and provided the foundations of the international legal system, such as the duty to prevent harm to another State (in simple terms), not be applicable now?
One of the common threads of statements over the past two weeks has been the importance of the right of self-determination, and how climate change has impaired efforts to assert that right. In this light, the prominence of the case has furthered our efforts to decolonize the global economy where, currently, the impacts of industrial activities in high-emission countries still disproportionately impact the Global South.
All of us look forward to the ICJ’s coming Advisory Opinion and its potential to inspire global action. In Vanuatu, we understand that a rising tide may lift all boats, as the Global North saying goes. But in Vanuatu, we need our boats lifted fast, before the sea-level rise permanently swamps our coasts.
On Sunday, December 8, 2024, East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP)-impacted communities gathered in Kikuube district in Uganda to hold a press conference and peaceful demonstration in response to the recent claim by the Government of Uganda indicating that financing for the controversial East African Crude Oil Pipeline would come through from numerous Chinese state-owned entities by the end of December 2024.
Since September 2023, the Government of Uganda has repeatedly stated that Chinese financial institutions, including Sinosure and China Exim Bank, are expected to finance the project.
StopEACOP protesters
However, the anticipated support from China appears to have been delayed, prompting EACOP shareholders to increase their equity stake from 40% to 52%.
However, the silence from the Chinese stakeholders regarding the claims by the Government of Uganda has raised serious concerns among the affected communities and civil society in Uganda and Tanzania.
These concerns are further compounded by the significant role already played by the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and various Chinese contractors in the operation and development of EACOP and its associated projects.
During the press conference, community leaders and impacted persons put forward clear demands for the Chinese financial and insurance actors, including Sinosure, China Exim Bank and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China to decline any and all support for EACOP, emphasising the immense environmental and socio-economic harm caused by the pipeline and its associated projects.
Impacted communities have also put out clear calls for Chinese commercial and political decision-makers to prioritise mutually beneficial developmental partnerships with their communities, with their country and with the continent as a whole – stressing the potential role that the Chinese state and its entities could play in spurring meaningful growth through the provision of support for decentralised renewable energy infrastructure and other green economic and social development initiatives.
On Thursday December 11, 2024, activists in Kampala and Dar Es Salaam marched to the embassies of China in Uganda and Tanzania respectively to ensure that the demands, testimony and aspirations of EACOP-impacted communities are heard and treated seriously by Chinese stakeholders who continue to consider throwing their weight behind EACOP and its associated projects.
The campaign calls on Chinese financial institutions to respect the decision of affected people and to publicly commit to not funding the project or the associated oil fields.
“We urgently call upon the Chinese government and its financial institutions to publicly refute these claims about funding this controversial pipeline, address outstanding human rights violation allegations against CNOOC Uganda, engage meaningfully with local communities living in the Albertine region where CNOOC operates, and explore renewable energy investments,” said Balach Bakundane, Coordinator of EACOP Host Communities Organisation (EACOP-HC), Uganda.
“The oil and gas sector in Uganda has been characterised by human rights violations, environmental and biodiversity destruction, and widespread land grabbing that disrupts household livelihoods. The CNOOC-led Kingfisher project has further exacerbated these issues, with reports of destroyed fishing equipment, the arrests and assaults of community members protesting these injustices, and a troubling rise in sexual and gender-based violence. These violations are unacceptable in any society.
“We urge Chinese financial institutions and insurance companies to demonstrate leadership and solidarity by rejecting financing for projects that harm our communities, do not make sound economic sense, destroy the environment, and contribute to the climate crisis,” Samuel Okulony, Executive Director of Environmental Governance Institute (EGI), Uganda, said.
“The choice is clear: Chinese entities must not replicate the exploitative and destructive agenda of the West. We marched to the embassy in Dar Es Salaam today because, like our brothers and sisters in Uganda, our communities are suffering- displaced from their lands and stripped of their livelihoods.
“We demand that Chinese decision makers engage with us, listen to our voices, and pursue real alternatives that prioritise people over profit,” said Richard Senkondo, Executive Director of the Organisation for Community Engagement (OCE), Tanzania.
“Chinese state-owned institutions are at a critical crossroads: they must decide whether to back destruction, exploitation, and neo-colonial plundering, or align themselves with the growing global consensus rejecting the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The tide is turning against projects like EACOP, with 42 major banks and 28 (re)insurance companies already distancing themselves from its devastating environmental and social impacts.
“Communities affected by EACOP have been vocal and resolute in their demands for justice and an alternative developmental path. It would be both careless and reckless for Chinese decision-makers to dismiss these calls. Doing so risks not only significant reputational damage across the African continent, where trust and cooperation are essential, but also potential financial fallout from a project rife with controversy and opposition,” declared Zaki Mamdoo, StopEACOP Campaign Coordinator.
The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) has trained a host of stakeholders on the concept of carbon market policy and manual procedure as part of efforts to help increase the nation’s capacity to execute its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) effectively.
Nigeria demonstrated that it was even more ready to reduce and explore the carbon market in 2024 when it proposed a draft of Articles 6.2 and 6.4 of the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) of the Paris Agreement.
Participants during the three-day workshop held by NCCC in Abuja to strengthen stakeholders’ capacity for NDCs implementation
The country’s long-term goal is to participate in the compliance market and carry out the required assessments on the various dynamics.This gesture provides Nigeria with a unique and twofold opportunity to achieve this goal.
The first involves the opportunity to create transactions and choose which nation to work with, and the second comprises a credit mechanism that encourages a marketplace for nations to exchange carbon credits.
Given the foregoing, the socialisation and knowledge-building programme that was held in Abuja from Wednesday, December 11, to Friday, December 13, 2024, brought to light a number of gaps that Nigeria must fill, including putting in place a suitable institutional framework, increasing the level of operations and bilateral agreements, and securing important private sector participation.
Speaking at the ceremony, NCCC director-general, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, said Nigeria has shown conditional commitment and is executing a number of climate action projects.
She, however, expressed concern that the issue of tracking the results of these projects still exists.
She slammed the idea of asking countries to adopt lofty NDC targets without providing a clear roadmap for how to attain such objectives.
“How do we socialise and deconstruct the NDCs on where we want to be, looking at the past and how we get there?”
These are some of the questions the NCCC boss hopes to have answered in order to strengthen the formation and implementation of NDCs.
The workshop, according to her, was organised to create the platform for stakeholders to brainstorm on how to provide answers to the above-mentioned issues.
Dr. Maduekwe concluded her speech by hailing the attendees and drawing their attention to the fact that their participation in the exercise reveals their intentions and commitment to contribute to solving the country’s climate challenges.
In the same vein, Mrs. Lolalade Awogbade, the head of sustainability at the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), emphasised the importance of correcting misconceptions about access to climate and development finance.
According to her, it is only when commercially valued projects and concept notes are submitted and other processes followed by Nigerian entities are openly vetted by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) that such money will be released to the DBN for disbursement and implementation.
“So far, there’s no money that has been given by the GCF to DBN. It reads zero in the account,” Awogbade revealed.
