Representatives of almost 150 governments are on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, starting a week-long meeting with some of the world’s leading scientific experts on biodiversity in Windhoek, Namibia, to tackle a range of challenges related to biodiversity loss and the degradation of nature’s contributions to people around the world.
David Obura, first Chair of IPBES from Africa
The 11th session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (#IPBES11) will be the first ever meeting in Africa of the global body tasked with presenting decision-makers with the best-available science and expertise, to inform policy and action on nature.
“As the first Chair of IPBES from Africa, it is wonderful to also have the opportunity to conduct the first ever session of the IPBES Plenary on African soil,” said Dr. David Obura (Kenya).
“#IPBES11 is tremendously important to inform and help shape policy and actions that support biodiversity and just, sustainable futures for people and nature across the world. I would particularly like to thank H.E. President Nangolo Mbumba and all the people of Namibia for their remarkable hospitality and generosity in hosting the IPBES Plenary,” added Obura.
Addressing delegates in person about the importance of the meeting, Namibian Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, remarked: “Let IPBES-11 be a turning point where science, policy, and global collaboration come together to secure a future where biodiversity thrives, and humanity flourishes alongside each other. The findings of the IPBES Nexus and Transformative Change Reports highlight the urgent need for integrated, cross-sectoral approaches. Namibia calls on all stakeholders to strengthen international cooperation, increase financial and technical support for biodiversity-rich nations, and prioritise the inclusion of local communities in conservation strategies.”
Among the most important agenda items for the 11th session of the IPBES Plenary will be the consideration by the member States of two landmark new IPBES assessment reports. The IPBES Nexus Assessment explores the interlinkages and interconnections between crises in biodiversity, water, food, health and climate change – and will offer decision-makers a wide range of options for action across all of these challenges together, rather than in separate single-issue silos, which will also support just and sustainable outcomes across these crises.
The IPBES Transformative Change Assessment focuses on the underlying drivers of biodiversity loss and the kind of system-wide changes needed to conserve and restore biodiversity for a more just and sustainable world.
The Plenary will also consider approving the scope of a vital new assessment – the Second Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services – a follow-up to the seminal 2019 IPBES Global Assessment, which alerted the world to the fact that a million species of plants and animals now face extinction.
Between October 24 and December 5, 2024, Panzi health zone in Kwango Province of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recorded 406 cases of an undiagnosed disease with symptoms of fever, headache, cough, runny nose and body ache, disclosed the World Health Organisation (WHO), adding that all severe cases were reported to be severely malnourished.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO)
Among the cases, 31 deaths have been registered, disclosed WHO, pointing out that the majority of cases reported are among children, particularly those under five years of age.
“The area is rural and remote, with access further hindered by the ongoing rainy season. Reaching it from Kinshasa by road takes an estimated 48 hours. These challenges, coupled with limited diagnostics in the region, have delayed the identification of the underlying cause. Rapid response teams have been deployed to identify the cause of the outbreak and strengthen the response.”
According to the WHO, the teams are collecting samples for laboratory testing, providing a more detailed clinical characterisation of the detected cases, investigating the transmission dynamics, and actively searching for additional cases, both within health facilities and at the community level.
“The teams are also aiding with the treatment of patients, risk communication and community engagement. Given the clinical presentation and symptoms reported, and a number of associated deaths, acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, measles and malaria are being considered as potential causal factors with malnutrition as a contributing factor.
“Malaria is a common disease in this area, and it may be causing or contributing to the cases. Laboratory tests are underway to determine the exact cause. At this stage, it is also possible that more than one disease is contributing to the cases and deaths.”
The World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry (WAFMD) will on Monday, December 9, 2024, kick off a week-long flagship Africa Week for Mercury-Free Dentistry. It is themed: “Implementing the Children’s Amendment in Africa/Developing economies (COP 4.2)”.
President, World Alliance for Mercury Free Dentistry, Charlie Brown, in the company of officials and NGO leaders at a forum
Part of the decisions during COP4.2 include no dental (mercury) amalgam for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children from 1 to 6 years and women of childbearing age (15-39 years).
In a statement issued ahead of the week-long event which holds from December 9 to 13, 2024, in several African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Tanzania, among others, Chairman and Founder, Dentists Committee for a Mercury Free Africa, Prof. Godwin Toyin Arotiba, said Africa should not be a dumping ground for dental amalgam, and African countries have poor resources and technology to manage mercury wastes.
He pointed that the African dentist desires to practice 21st Century mercury-free dentistry (minimum intervention Dentistry – MID) and not 19th century tooth destructive “drill and fill” dentistry (which is not evidence based).
“While 21st century dentistry aims to keep all teeth and oral tissue healthy and functional for life, drill and fill dentistry often results in toothless ‘grandpa’ smile in old age with poor oral and general health outcome,” Prof. Aritoba added.
President of the US-based World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, Charlie Brown, during a recent visit to Abuja, Nigeria, disclosed that the organisation has activities in 23 African countries that all started after the Abuja Declaration of 2014 which became a prototype for the whole world on phase down of dental amalgam.
He went further, “The Abuja Declaration became the prototype for the whole world. After the Abuja Declaration, we did the Dakar Declaration, for Asia for mercury-free dentistry, the Declaration for Latin America, the Chicago Declaration for mercury-free dentistry in the United States. Then the Bonn Declaration.
“All these came from the Abuja Declaration because it just sounds governmental, it sounds official. It really was just eight of us in the room. We had the West African group, Dominique Bally from Ivory Coast, along with people from Benin, Senegal, Ghana, off course Nigeria and Tanzania. Everybody was so excited. So, the Abuja meeting actually started the campaign in East Africa too.
“Abuja Declaration is what those of us see as a vision Africa should have. Did we know what we were doing? Not yet. Did we have a plan? No, not yet. We had a vision and that was the Abuja Declaration,” he said.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted hazy and cloudy weather activities from Monday, December 9 to Wednesday, December 11, 2024, across the country.
Cloudy weather
NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday, December 8, in Abuja, envisaged the North and North central regions of the country to experience dust haze with visibility range of 1km to 5km.
It anticipated localised visibility of less than 1,000m throughout the forecast period.
According to it, the hazy atmosphere with patches of clouds is anticipated over southern region of the country during the forecast period.
“On Tuesday, the North and North central regions of the country are expected to experience dust haze with visibility range of 1km to 5km and localised visibility of less than 1,000m throughout the forecast period.
“In the South, early morning mist or fog patches are expected over the coastal region. However, sunny skies with patches of clouds should prevail over the inland and the coastal states during the later in the day.
“On Wednesday, good visibility dust haze is expected during the forecast period in the northern region. In the North Central region, dust haze with moderate visibility of 1km to 5km is expected during forecast period.
According to NiMet, in the southern region, early morning mist or fog patches are expected over the coastal region with few clouds in a hazy atmosphere over the inland States.
The agency predicted slim prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Bayelsa, Lagos and Akwa Ibom later in the day.
NiMet urged the public to take necessary precaution as dust particles are in suspense.
“People with asthmatic health condition and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather condition. Adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities.
“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.
“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng,” it said.
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has called for synergy among stakeholders to fight environmental degradation, as it planted 5,000 mangroves around the National Theatre in Lagos.
Dr. Joseph Onoja
Its Director-General, Dr Joseph Onoja, made the call while speaking with journalists at the sidelines of the foundation’s Annual Green Ball event held at the Muson Centre, Lagos.
Onoja said the green ball was used to create awareness and seek support for nature and environmental issues.
“As we always say, we cannot do it alone as NCF. We do it with all our partners coming together and also call for more people to join us as we work for nature and the environment, so the environment will eventually work for us,” he said.
According to him, strategic partnerships are critical to actualising NCF’s goal of promoting green recovery, fighting climate change, and preserving biodiversity.
Onoja said this year, the NCF would focus on the Rio Conventions – United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
“We want all of them to come together to create that synergy so that the resources that can be used to take care of one can also be used to take care of all.
“We don’t want the situation whereby, while you are combating one, you are exacerbating another one.
“For instance, you don’t want to be combating climate change while at the same time, creating biodiversity loss, deforestation and so on,” he said.
Onoja emphasised that the UNCCD seeks to protect livelihoods in arid and semi-arid regions, prevent forced migration caused by land degradation and contribute to achieving food security and ecosystem resilience.
“For instance, last year we looked at mangrove restoration. Mangrove restoration ties into what we call our Green Recovery Nigeria programme, which is ongoing.
“So this year, we have planted over 20,000 mangroves in communities along the coastal region.
“Even here in Lagos, we are working with the National Theatre to restore the mangrove in the wetlands there.
“In that area alone, we planted over 5,000 mangrove seedlings,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of the National Theatre wetlands, Onoja said the wetlands are valuable for flood protection, recreation, and aesthetics.
“This is why that place is very important. So we work very closely with the Bankers Committee, who are working on renovating the National Theatre to ensure that the mangrove ecosystem there is restored,” Onoja said.
The director-general said the event was also to raise funds for different NCF environmental programmes, commending partners who had been supporting the foundation’s work.
Similarly, Justice Bukola Adebiyi, Chairman of NCF’s National Executive Council (NEC), said the event had been impactful over the years, assisting in promoting conservation issues and raising funds for projects.
She urged everyone to take climate change seriously, while also advising the protection of the environment.
Nigeria’s progress in implementing its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and how to effectively channel climate finance to meet these targets were the major points of discussion at a side event hosted by Natural Eco Capital in collaboration with the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change and the Director General/CEO of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Dr. Eugene Itua, CEO of Natural Eco Capital (left), posing a question to one of the panelists during the event on Climate Actions and Finance Flow: Meeting Nigeria’s Needs at COP29, Baku
The event brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss the critical intersection of climate action and finance in advancing Nigeria’s sustainable development goals.
Key topics included sustainable financing mechanisms, climate governance, and private sector engagement in driving Nigeria’s climate resilience and regional development. Government officials, climate finance experts, development finance institutions, and private sector representatives discussed the successes, challenges, and opportunities in mobilising resources for sustainable development.
The session commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change and Director General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), who emphasised the importance of integrating climate action with financial strategies to ensure holistic and sustainable progress. Dr. Maduekwe’s insights set the tone for a day of engaging and informative discussions.
Professor Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank (AfDB), in a keynote address highlighted the bank’s role in supporting Nigeria’s climate goals and the broader impact of green growth strategies on regional development.
His presentation delved into Nigeria’s climate goals, the supportive role of the AfDB and other Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), and the transformative potential of green growth strategies on regional development. He emphasised the opportunities in aggregating support for increased climate finance, identifying strategies for mobilising resources, and promoting best practices and innovative financial instruments.
In his conclusion, he generated recommendations for policymakers and international organisations, stressing that, in discussing the carbon market, emphasis must be laid on investment rather than offsetting with the natural resources in the country.
The panel discussions featured:
• Mr. Andrei Chicherin, Climate Finance Director at Evercity UG, shared strategies and mechanisms for mobilising climate finance. • Dr. Mohammad Khokhar, Chairman & CEO of PK2100, Silicon Valley, provided insights on meeting the diverse needs of climate action through international cooperation and partnerships. • Dr. Jubril Adeojo, Climate Finance expert at Natural Eco Capital & SMEFUNDS, assessed the specific climate finance needs for achieving Nigeria’s NDCs and optimising existing mechanisms. • Dr. Bala Yusuf Yunusa, Senior Technical Adviser OSSAP-SDGs, Nigeria.
The session and discussions were moderated by Dr. Eugene Itua, CEO of Natural Eco Capital, who explored the topics related to climate finance and actions necessary to meet Nigeria’s needs. He highlighted the commitments and actions required from various stakeholders to enhance climate finance and action in Nigeria.
The side event also featured the presence of the Development Bank of Nigeria’s CEO, Dr. Tony Okpanachi, who announced to the audience the official signing of the accreditation of the bank with the Global Climate Fund (GCF), the world’s largest climate fund that accelerates transformative climate action in developing countries through a country-owned partnership approach and uses flexible financing solutions and climate investment expertise.
This positions the bank as the first financial institution in Nigeria to be accredited by GCF, a journey the bank commenced three years ago. It is noteworthy that the Development Bank of Nigeria is just seven years old and stands out amongst its peers in relation to its sustainability journey.
The event concluded with photo and networking sessions, allowing participants to engage directly with the panelists.
The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has reaffirmed its commitment to curb land degradation and desertification in Nigeria.
Members of the Nigerian delegation to the UNCCD COP16
Alhaji Sale Abubakar, Director-General of the agency, gave the assurance at the ongoing 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, said a statement on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
The Nigerian delegation at the conference is led by Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the Minister of Environment.
Abubakar said the convention marked the beginning of critical discussions on combating desertification, promoting sustainable land use and building resilience against droughts that aligned closely with the agency’s mission.
“The conference availed the agency the opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s successes under the Great Green Wall initiative, including the restoration of degraded lands, reforestation efforts, and community empowerment programmes.
“NAGGW is proud to contribute to these efforts and share our experiences in sustainable land management and climate adaptation.
“The convention also served as an opportunity for NAGGW to showcase its role in fostering regional and international partnerships,” Abubakar said.
He said the NAGGW’s delegation participated in key discussions on enhancing global and national policy instruments for proactive drought management.
“The agency’s expertise in implementing early warning systems, sustainable land use practices, and community-driven projects positioned Nigeria as a leader in this critical area.
“With a clear vision for building resilient ecosystems and communities, NAGGW’s participation at COP16 signals Nigeria’s unwavering dedication to combating desertification and promoting sustainable development,” said the D-G.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to achieving large-scale restoration goals, adding that restoring land was not just an environmental necessity but an economic opportunity.
According to him, investment in land unlocks the potential in agriculture, biodiversity, and resilient communities.
Abubakar, therefore, called for stronger international partnerships to bridge the financing gap, emphasising that climate resilience requires urgent and ambitious funding commitments.
He highlighted how desertification and drought had pushed vulnerable populations to abandon their ancestral homes, leading to a rise in migration and social instability.
He presented Nigeria’s strategic framework under the Great Green Wall initiative, which integrates land restoration with economic empowerment to curb forced migration and improve security.
The NAGGW boss said the agency empowered thousands of youths and women through skills training in sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, offering them viable economic alternatives to migration.
He shared success stories of communities in northern Nigeria that had transitioned from despair to prosperity due to these initiatives.
Abubakar also addressed security concerns linked to resource scarcity, which had often fuelled conflicts in fragile regions.
He said during the convention the agency participated in the “Middle East Greening Initiative,” where the agency shared its experience with large-scale greening efforts.
He said NAGGW also hosted a side event on integrating women and youth into land restoration efforts, highlighting grassroots success stories from rural Nigeria.
“The agency’s commitment to inclusive development inspired many stakeholders, positioning NAGGW as a leader in community-driven solutions for land restoration,” Abubakar said.
Over 230 experts from over 70 countries will gather at the Scoping Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from December 9 to 13, 2024, to draft the outlines of the three Working Group contributions to the Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Jim Skea, IPCC Chair
Working Group contributions are the three key pillars of the IPCC’s periodical assessment reports. They include the Working Group I report on the Physical Science Basis, the Working Group II report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability and the Working Group III report on Mitigation of Climate Change.
“This is the critical first step in shaping the contents of our next report assessing the science related to climate change. In this meeting, experts will consider the scientific substance and draft the overall structure of the three Working Group contributions for governments to consider and agree upon in the Panel’s upcoming Plenary scheduled for February next year,” said IPCC Chair, Jim Skea.
The Panel decided to produce its Seventh Assessment Report in January 2024 during its 60th Plenary Session in Istanbul, Türkiye.
The Seventh Assessment Report comprises the three Working Group contributions and a Synthesis Report which the IPCC decided should be ready in 2029. The Synthesis Report, which will draw together findings from the three Working Group contributions and a Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, will be the subject of a further scoping meeting.
The full set of reports assessing the latest climate change science during the seventh assessment cycle includes the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, a Methodology Report on Short-lived Climate Forcers, a Methodology Report on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies, Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage and a revision and an update of the 1994 IPCC Technical Guidelines on Impacts and Adaptation including adaptation indicators, metrics and guidelines. The latter will be developed in conjunction with the Working Group II report and published as a separate product.
The Seventh Assessment Report will assess scientific findings that have been published since the completion of the Sixth Assessment Report in March 2023.
The Sixth Assessment Report clearly stated that in 2020 global warming reached 1.1°C, above pre-industrial level, driven by more than a century of burning fossil fuels as well as unequal and unsustainable energy and land use. This has resulted in more frequent and more intense extreme weather events that have caused increasingly dangerous impacts on nature and people in every region of the world. Impacts are expected to intensify with every fraction of additional warming, particularly for the most vulnerable communities, accounting for 3.3 – 3.6 billion people.
This report underlined the urgency of transformative adaptation and immediate emissions reductions. It also noted that there are tools, such as renewable energy, and options across all sectors to limit warming to 1.5°C, but that progress needs to accelerate as the chances of achieving that goal are becoming increasingly thin.
Following the AR7 Scoping Meeting, IPCC Bureau Members will take part in a symposium on bridging climate science and policy to accelerate climate action organised by the government of Malysia, the British High Commission in Malaysia and the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe, on Wednesday, December 4, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, expressed profound gratitude to industry stakeholders, top-ranking vendors and staff of the Board for their contributions to the success of the Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum 2024.
Participants at the Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum 2024 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
Speaking at the official closing ceremony of the four-day event at the Conference Centre of the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), he said their active participation enriched discussions as the Board charts a pathway to the next frontier for Nigerian Content implementation.
Ogbe reiterated the Board’s determination to deepen engagements with local communities and oil and gas industry players through sundry schemes newly introduced, such as the Back-to-the-Creeks Initiative, the Revised Nigerian Content Community Contractors Financing Scheme, Nigerian Content Academy, and creation of more conducive and befitting zonal offices to enhance service delivery by the Board.
According to him, the Back-to-the-Creeks policy is “designed to equip youths in our communities with the skills to meet industry demands” through improvement of basic educational facilities and motivation of teachers. In regard to the Contractors Financing Scheme, he explained that the Board has increased the single obligor limit from N20 million to N100 million.
“What that does,” he noted, “is that it gives more opportunities for local contractors to be able to access higher figures” to enable them to secure and execute meaningful contracts in the oil and gas industry. In that way, the Scheme would serve as a mechanism “to bring the benefits of local content to communities.”
The Executive Secretary, who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Esueme Dan Kikile, expressed joy that the Board’s partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) is working well, that “performance is at optimal level,” and that the new funding scheme would be hugely beneficial to local contractors.
On the Nigerian Content Academy, he said NCDMB has the experience, the capacity in-house, and “the understanding of what it means to practise Nigerian Content,” having done that for 14 years, and that he believed the industry would take advantage of what the training facility has to offer.
Acknowledging the invaluable input of experts of diverse backgrounds in various panel discussions that held on Tuesday and Wednesday (December 3 and 4), Ogbe requested the NCDMB partner, DMG Events Limited, “to develop key actionable points” from the PNC Forum “that will guide the industry” as it moves to the next frontier of Nigerian Content implementation.
He assured all industry stakeholders that the Board would continue to collaborate with them to fulfil its mandate as set out in its enabling statute, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010.
Earlier in the day, resource persons made presentations on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and Marine Accelerator Programme (an initiative of the Oil Producers Trade Section, comprising the international oil companies), as well as a Spotlight on ‘Youth Empowerment Pathways.’
The Senior Trade Policy and Law Expert at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Abuja, Mr. Olusegun Olutayo, who spoke on the topic “AfCFTA: A Panacea for Africa’s Economic Rebirth,” explained the potential benefits of the Agreement by throwing light on its eight Protocols, namely, Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Rules and Procedures on the Settlement of Disputes, Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), Investment, Competition Policy, Digital Trade, and Women and Youth in Trade.
According to him, “It is within these Eight Protocols that that prosperity, that integration, that economic revolution, that industrialisation, actually comes,” arguing that “AfCFTA is the way to go.” AfCFTA came into force in 2018 after ratification in Rwanda in July 2028, with the aim of facilitating economic integration, trade and investment among African countries.
On the Marine Accelerator Programme (MAP), sponsored by the OPTS in conjunction with the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) and based in Bonny, Rivers State, the issue, according to the presenter, was: “A Quality Reassessment shows that the challenges in the marine services industry four years ago still persist.” Definite measures were required to make offshore operations in the industry safer through MAP.
The pilot programme, consisting of seven modules, was launched in May 2025 and focused on priority vessels. With the remarkable success of the pilot phase, the OPTS is set to launch the next wave of the marine accelerator training in the first quarter of 2025.
The Spotlight on Youth Empowerment Pathway focused on “The YEP Model: A Unique Approach to Employment,” and was presented by Mr. Tunji Idowu, Executive Director and Managing Trustee, PIND.
It dwelt on Workforce Development, which highlighted the imperative and strategies for bridging skills gaps, among other things, ecosystem strengthening, government engagement and partnerships, as well as YEP’s future vision-scaling for sustainability.
Panel discussions in three different sessions dwelt on “Nigerian Content Beyond Borders,” “Nigerian Content from the Grassroots: Community Capacity Building,” and “From Policy to Practice: Strengthening Domestication for Economic Development.”
Under “Nigerian Content Beyond Borders,” sub-topics were “Examining the major barriers hindering cross-border value chains – regulations, documentation, logistics and supply chain, costs, etc.,” “What steps are being taken to enforce standardization? How Can we prove that Nigeria meets global standards,” “What incentives exist to further encourage the export of local capacity and enhance Nigeria’s presence in international markets?”
The panellists were Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, Director, Monitoring and Evaluation in NCDMB, Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, Chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Mr. Paul Clement Pankes, Group Head – Chemical Technology, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and Dr. Doyle Edeni, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Blue Seal Energy Group Inc. Moderator was Mrs. Bukola Adubi, Chief Executive Officer, MicCom Cables and Wires Limited, and President, Cable Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
The second panel discussion, which centred on “Nigerian Content from the Grassroots: Community Capacity Development,” had as subtopics “Assessing the socio-economic impact of local content on host communities,” “What enabling structures have been built by the NCDMB to support the growth of community contractors? What gaps remain?” “Can shared asset responsibility within host communities be structured to achieve increased production levels?” and “How can research-based initiatives increase the impact of CSR on local content implementation?”
Panellists were Dr Ama Ikuru, Director, Corporate Services of NCDMB, Mr. Gorah Adams Ayuba, Deputy Director, Community Development and Education, Federal Ministry of Regional Development, Mr. Charles Epelle, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, Mr. Enar Otuks, Oilserv, Mr. Tunji Idowu, PIND, and Engr. Obidike Uzu, Vice Chairman, PETAN, and Managing Director, Global Process Pipeline Services Limited. The moderator was Mr. Olanrewaju Olawuyi, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Shell.
The final panel discussion, titled “From Policy to Practice: Strengthening Domestication for Economic Development,” had as subtopics “Outlining the limitations of the local supply chain, what funding and capacity building strategies are required?” “What are the main barriers to entry for manufacturers in the oil and gas space? How can the government develop an enabling environment for local manufacturers to thrive?” “What opportunities have the NCDMB’s R&D initiatives unlocked for the oil and gas sector over the years?” “What local content opportunities exist in the national adoption of CNG utilisation? How can indigenous companies tap in
Panellists were Mr. Ene Ette, General Manager, Planning, Research and Statistics, NCDMB, George Onafowokan, Managing Director, Coleman Cables and Wires, Engr. Tari Mayor-Bright, Sovereign and Subnational Coordinator, Presidential CNG Initiative, Mrs. Iroghama Ogbeifun, Managing Director and CEO, Starz Investments Company Limited, and Ms. Patience Ranami Abah, Director-General, Bayelsa Investment Promotion Agency. The Moderator was Dr. Timi Austen-Peters, Chairman, Dorman Long Engineering Limited.
The PNC 2024, ended on Thursday, December 5, with site visit by oil and gas industry captains to First Marine and Engineering Services Limited (FMES) shore base facility in Yenagoa. It is the 13th edition of the annual event, which is dedicated to deepening Nigerian Content across the energy sector to support the country’s energy sufficiency goals.
Tantita Security Services Ltd. says it is targeting a $320 million carbon credit scheme for the Niger-Delta region, as part of efforts to drive community development and sustainable environment.
Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Lawal
Capt. Waredi Enisuoh, Executive Director Operations and Technical, Tantita Security Service, said this at a lecture organised by Highstone Global University (HGU) Texas, USA, on Saturday, December 7, 2024, in Asaba, Delta State.
Enisuoh, who received an honorary doctorate degree at the event, spoke on the theme, “Sustainability Through Good Governance and Community Development”.
He explained that the carbon credit initiative would present a groundbreaking opportunity for communities within the maritime area.
According to him, many parts of the maritime area remain rich in vegetation, in spite of years of environmental degradation.
Enisuoh added that the goal of the company was to make the communities economically independent of oil and gas, by engaging them in carbon credit generation and carbon capture programme.
He said, according to research conducted in the region, mapped areas with approximately 50,000 trees could generate $320 million annually, providing a sustainable alternative income stream for the people.
However, he cautioned that the figure would require scientific validation and alignment with Nigeria’s Climate Change Act of 2021 to ensure long-term success.
“Our commitment is 100 per cent because we are in a contract, we are not just in it for the money but because it’s all about our environment.
“We do not want a situation where our future generation has nothing to fall back on in terms of the environment,” he said.
Enisuoh said that there was so much degradation in the past but added that work was being done to recapture the environment.
He also appreciated the Federal Government for giving the company the opportunity.
“We are not in anyway going to abrogate the responsibility towards our own environment. We will continue to sensitise the community to take their eyes off nefarious activities in the area.
“We will try as much as possible to change the behavioral activities of the community to ensure that investors come to the place with peace of mind and jobs to create,” he said.
Acknowledging the progress made in restoring the Niger Delta’s ecosystem, Enisuoh credited the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC) Pipeline Protection Programme, and the continuity of environmental policies from the previous administration to the current government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, these efforts have led to a resurgence of marine life in previously degraded waters, with fish, crayfish, and other aquatic species gradually returning.
In spite of the achievements, Enisuoh emphasised on the challenges posed by illegal ships entering Nigerian waters and advised on the need for stricter maritime security.
Prof. Jasper Ikpesu, a lecturer/HSE Manager at Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, said that the path to sustainability was deeply intertwined with good governance, human development, and active community participation.
“By fostering transparent governance, empowering individuals through education and health, and leveraging the strength of communities, we can create a sustainable future for all.
“It requires a concerted effort and commitment from governments, institutions, and individuals to work collaboratively towards shared sustainable goals,” he said.
The High Global University is an online university based in Texas, USA, founded in 2019 with the mission to empower working adults by providing accessible, high quality and affordable education.
Its wide range of flexible degree programme is designed to cater to the unique needs of students whether as an undergraduate degree, a postgraduate qualification, or professional development.
Enisuoh and 17 others were given HGU Lifetime Achievement/Sustainable Development Award, while 16 other persons were given Excellence Leadership Award.
