As Indigenous Peoples and local communities celebrate the approval of the new Programme of Work, they call for the adoption of the Subsidiary Body on Article 8j now
Jennifer Corpuz of IIFB
As we head to the final stages of the Sixteenth Meeting of the conference of the parties (COP16), the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) celebrates a victory after the adoption of the new Programme of Work on Article 8j, yesterday at the Plenary.
The new Programme of Work is the main instrument for parties to put into practice their commitment to respect, preserve and maintain traditional knowledge and to promote the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the use of such knowledge.
“This sets us on a path to making sure that the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) is implemented in full partnership with Indigenous Peoples and local communities,” said Jennifer Corpuz, from IIFB.
Although Parties adopted the Programme of Work, the Subsidiary Body on Article 8j (SB8j), is still being negotiated. The adoption of a permanent body will provide an institutional workspace dedicated to traditional knowledge and it will represent a step forward in recognising and respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and their contributions to the conservation of biodiversity.
“We need to take action urgently. We would like to send this message out very strongly. We need to establish the SB8j now. If there are issues that are outstanding, we can deal with those at the next COP. But the main message is that we need it now,” concluded Corpuz.
“The SB8j is the only mechanism that will guarantee that our systems, customary practices and traditional knowledge are recognised and that we can keep fulfilling our stewardship of biodiversity,” said Manuel Mavisoy, from the Mesa Permanente de Concertación (MPC) of Indigenous Peoples of Colombia.
These were the main topics addressed at the IIFB press conference held on Thursday, October 31, at COP16, in which IIFB spokespersons took stock of the progress and pending challenges to achieve the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Another victory for Indigenous Peoples and local communities was adoption of a Traditional Knowledge indicator as a headline indicator, which means it is mandatory for Parties to report on it. The land use and land tenure indicator will monitor the situation of indigenous lands and waters and changes in land use, and crucially this will be done in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
“This means that in the coming year, Indigenous Peoples and local communities will be working with parties to monitor the secure tenure of indigenous and traditional lands and waters,” explained Joji Cariño, from IIFB.
In regard to Digital Sequence Information (DSI) the IIFB has been calling for the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the governance of both the DSI mechanism and its multilateral fund. One of the biggest areas of negotiation with the multilateral fund is direct allocation. The IIFB are working to ensure to ensure that they are the primary beneficiaries of this fund, as they are most effective guardians of biodiversity.
“We need money to flow directly into the fund and then out to communities as soon as possible. The global biodiversity crisis is happening right now. We don’t have any more time to wait. We urge them to keep this in mind”, said Katie Lee Riddle, from IIFB.
“Biodiversity can´t wait. We urge all of you to raise awareness to the parties, delegates, so that the SB8J becomes a reality tomorrow. So that we can actually call this COP the COP of the people,” said Ramiro Batzin, co-chair of the IIFB.
The Egyptian city of Alexandria on Thursday, October 31, marked World Cities Day 2024 by gathering young climate advocates, senior officials, and urban leaders under the theme “Youth climate changemakers: Catalysing local action for urban sustainability.” This year’s theme celebrated youth leadership in climate action, highlighting their innovative and impactful contributions to building resilient urban environments.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Held at the iconic Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the observance spotlighted youth-led initiatives tackling urban climate challenges, particularly in rapidly urbanising regions. Messages from global leaders, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, praised young people’s role in advancing climate resilience in cities, which contribute over 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“Cities are at the forefront of the climate crisis,” Guterres noted in a prepared statement, “and they need the energy and vision of youth leading the charge for change.”
UN-Habitat, UNOPS, and Cities Alliance collaboration
In the lead-up to, as well as during and after World Cities Day, UN-Habitat, UNOPS, and Cities Alliance joined forces in a social media campaign to amplify the stories of Africa’s young climate champions. Launched on October 25, the campaign highlights the crucial impact of young leaders on urban sustainability, particularly in informal settlements and vulnerable regions.
With Africa’s urban population projected to double by 2050, young leaders are already paving the way for resilient urban growth, especially as African cities face increased climate vulnerability. The campaign shares daily posts, video testimonials, and real-life stories of youth-driven climate initiatives to inspire broader youth engagement through #Youth4Climate and #WCD2024.
Spotlight on youth-led urban solutions
World Cities Day 2024 featured youth-led panels on urban climate solutions and a ministerial dialogue on scaling up local climate action through partnerships and investment. The Shanghai Award 2024 honoured the cities of Agadir (Morocco) Thiruvananthapuram (India), Iztapalapa (Mexico), Melbourne (Australia), Doha (Qatar) for outstanding urban projects that promote sustainability and climate resilience.
Launch of the Shanghai Manual 2024
The event also celebrated the launch of the Shanghai Manual 2024, a comprehensive guide to urban policies that align with the Sustainable Development Goals. Cities were encouraged to submit case studies for future editions, supporting a global exchange of best practices.
Recognition for the City of Alexandria
In a special presentation, the Executive Director of UN-Habitat awarded a certificate of recognition to the city of Alexandria, acknowledging its commitment in addressing urban climate challenges and its role in hosting World Cities Day 2024.
Forging partnerships for urban sustainability
World Cities Day underscored the importance of collaboration across public and private sectors to amplify youth-led urban climate solutions. The event concluded with a call for investment in resilient urban infrastructure, setting the stage for more global dialogue at the upcoming World Urban Forum in Cairo this November.
In a bid to repair erosion and flood areas in the country, the House of Representatives Committee on Ecological Fund on Friday, November 1, 2024, assured Nigerians of judicious use of the funds.
The Nigerian House of Representatives in session
The Deputy Chairman of Ecology Fund, Shina Oyedeji, who led the House Committee team, made the assurance while speaking with journalists after the on-the-spot assessment of the erosion areas.
“We have seen quite a lot of areas since the inspection started this morning and the reason why we are here is to do on the spot assessment of ecological challenges and erosion problems.
“Here we are in Lagos, we have seen the devastating impact of erosion coming from climate change and why we need to make use of ecological funds judiciously.
“You were with us when we got to the Ogba area, Haruna and Obawole streets, and this is a very serious problem.
“The reason why we are doing this now is because we want to see how we can change the way we use the ecological fund,” he said.
Oyedeji noted that the ecological problems in the state needed huge amount of money to solve the menace.
“No small amount of money can help any state to solve this problem so we really need to see for ourselves and advise properly on how we can pull more funds to state to actually do what they need to do.
“This is not a job of N20 or 200 million, these are billion of Naira jobs but if we do not see it how do we justify, hence, this is why we are here.
“If funds are coming, it must be to the quality and quantity that is required by those state,” he said.
He, however, warned that this was not the time for an individual to demand for funds on behalf of a community, adding that such should be handled by each state.
“This is not the time when an individual will go to the Federal Government and say I have erosion in my area. They should allow the state whom must have seen for themselves have a list and do what needs to be done.
“We have been to the North, East and South-West, so we are looking at it holistically and we want to see that the fund is judiciously utilised for what it is actually meant for,” he said.
He added that the situation required immediate action.
“This is an immediate thing and the process for that immediate action is why we are here. If it is not going to be immediate, that means we will not be here.
“We really need to let the government know that it is immediate.
“You could see that since this administration, they put a pause on the use of ecological fund because they want these things to happen first before rolling out jobs.
“This is why we are partnering with all the states to say that if you don’t need it, you don’t need to approach the government and if you need it, we want to see that you actually need it,” he said.
Mr Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner For Environment and Water Resources in Lagos State, while speaking with journalists, appreciated the efforts of the house committee for visiting the erosion areas.
“I thank the committee deeming it fit to come to Lagos. We took them to some areas that needed urgent interventions which for us, it is about the collaboration between the state and the federal.
“Ecological and intervention funds to help state bring succor to people fix ecological challenges and I am glad they are here, they have taken stock, they will meet the governor, and we will take it from there,” he said.
The committee went to areas around Ogba, Orimolade area, Ikosi in Ketu and Toll Gate around Ota, among others.
As the 16th Conference of the Parties or COP16 draws to a close, UN negotiators have cracked open the door to Indigenous Peoples and local communities seeking to influence the global plan for stopping the destruction of biodiversity. But Indigenous leaders from some of the world’s most biodiverse countries called the announcement a mere nod to the significant body of evidence that supports their demands.
Participants at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Columbia
COP negotiators agreed to adopt the hard-won programme of work that relates to Indigenous Peoples and local communities. But the delegates stopped short of approving the creation of a subsidiary body that would allow organisations representing the communities to influence the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
“We welcome this first step in recognition of our role in protecting most of what remains of biodiversity, but there is still much work to be done before we have a level playing field,” said Joseph Itongwa, Coordinator, Network of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities for the Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems (REPALEF), Democratic Republic of Congo. “We need the subsidiary body to be approved now, before we leave Cali. We can work out the details between now and the next biodiversity COP. But there is no time to lose.”
The decision is supposed to come later today, when negotiators will release their final text and bring the conference to an end.
Friends in high places
During the course of the UN conference, scientists, top UN officials and more than 16 national governments spoke in favour of the subsidiary body to support Indigenous peoples and their demands, within the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
At an official press briefing at the COP this week, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Indigenous peoples “guardians of our nature,” noting that their traditional knowledge ‘offers essential insights for biodiversity conservation, yet they are too often marginalised or threatened.”
Guterres called for the establishment of this body “to ensure Indigenous voices are heard throughout policy-making processes…’Peace with nature means peace for those who protect it,’” he said.
Indigenous leaders at COP warn of need to heed the science
During their long days in Cali, Itongwa and other Indigenous leaders have called on UN negotiators to act on evidence suggesting that Indigenous and local communities are vital to addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, pandemic risk, threats to food security and the extinction risk that endangers thousands of species.
“If our rights are not strongly defended in every relevant target of the biodiversity framework, our people will be kicked off our lands to benefit powerful interests seeking to enrich themselves, whether their goal is conservation or development,” said Cristiane Julião of the Pankararu people in the Brazilian Northeast and a leader with the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB).
UN climate scientists already have shown that Indigenous communities and their territories are at risk of displacement from investments aimed at reducing climate emissions.
“There can be no funding to promote so-called green solutions if they do not respect our rights,” said Dinamam Tuxá, of the Tuxá Peoples of Brazil, a lawyer and executive coordinator of APIB. “My own community was displaced to build a hydroelectric plant, and I know firsthand how green solutions can turn red when done violently, displacing and causing harm to our communities, disregarding our role as guardians.”
“Without our presence as participants, investing our knowledge and our ability to monitor and protect our lands, there is no guarantee that the COP’s goals can be achieved, putting all of humanity at risk.”
DSI tied to traditional knowledge cannot escape its roots
Concerns regarding the use of genetic resources based on traditional knowledge rate high among the Indigenous leaders who attended the COP, particularly when the resources are turned into digitised genetic sequences or DSI (Digital Sequence Information) “that almost exclusively benefit rich economies.”
“Indigenous people are not opposed to DSI, but we have not been properly briefed on what it means and the extent to which its management will be based on our values,” Julião said. “Yes, we must fairly and equitably benefit from the sharing of our knowledge, but this is not a question of money alone. Regardless of the form those biodiverse genetic resources take, however science transforms them, there must be recognition that they came originally from uses that have evolved over centuries, guided by spiritual forces that science cannot explain.”
Protected areas need their protectors
A paper commissioned by the High Ambition Coalition in 2020 suggested that expanding protected areas to cover 30 percent of the planet by 2030 would require increasing “the area recognised as lands of Indigenous Peoples and local communities by between 63% and 98%, depending on the scenario.”
The authors also concluded that communities occupying those lands – as central holders of rights and knowledge – should be involved strongly “in the decision-making processes about whether an area should be formally protected at all (based on the principle of Free Prior Informed Consent).”
But such language is currently missing in Target 3 of the Convention, which seeks to conserve 30 percent of the Earth’s land and seas by 2030.
“As of now, there is no indicator for Indigenous territories and for ensuring our land rights and free, prior and informed consent,” said Oswaldo Muca Castillo, general coordinator of OPIAC, the organisation that represents the Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon. “We demand that this debate remain open for the next biodiversity COP in two years. You can’t talk about us and say we are the best protectors and then leave our role and our rights out of the text of the agreement.”
Place rights of communities at centre of all relevant biodiversity targets
Amid some uncertainty regarding what the final outcome would be, Indigenous leaders from Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia called on parties to the CBD to recognise the role of communities and the vital need for their rights and participation to be included in all relevant biodiversity targets.
“States cannot achieve the biodiversity goals they have set forth without respecting Indigenous rights and supporting our work, and yet, governments continue to favour industry and agriculture, while failing to enforce or recognise our rights. Humanity will pay the price,” said Monica Ndoen an indigenous woman leader from Rote, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, and currently the Special Envoy to the Secretary-General of Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN).
According to the world’s top biodiversity scientists, Indigenous peoples and Afro-descendant and other local communities outperform other managers of carbon-rich ecosystems that are vital to the battle against both climate change and biodiversity loss.
“Indigenous lands have proven to store the most carbon and represent some of the most biodiverse regions in the world,” said Kleber Karipuna, Indigenous leader of the Karipuna people of Brazil; executive coordinator for APIB, and representative of COIAB, the organisation coordinating the Indigenous organisations of the Brazilian Amazon.
“Our communities have lived on these lands and kept them whole. We appreciate the interest in keeping our territories intact to address both the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis. But for our role to be effective, our rights must be respected.”
Earlier this week, Joseph Itongwa took part in a session where researchers cited the role of deforestation in fuelling spillover of viruses in the wild into domestic animals and eventually infecting humans.
Looking out at an audience of public health experts, Itongwa invited them to advocate for the land rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities as a health solution.
“We are ready to be of service,” Itongwa said. “Science says we are the best at protecting forests, which allows us to prevent climate change and biodiversity loss. And now we know we can also protect human health.”
The Federation of Nigeria Mining Host Communities, Ebonyi Chapter, says it is committed to addressing the injustice and deprivations suffered by mining host communities in the state.
Mining in Nigeria
The state Coordinator of the group, Dr Francis Orji, said this on Friday, November 1, 2024, when he led other members on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Ebonyi State, Dr Ben Odoh, in his office in Abakaliki, the state capital.
He said that the core mandate of the federation is to assist mining communities articulate their common struggles and demands for extractive justice and equity in resource distribution.
According to him, Global Rights in 2019 catalysed the formation of the federation across the 36 states of the country in an attempt to amalgamate mining host communities.
“The federation is a citizens-led initiative to demand accountability and protect the rights of mining host communities and ensure a trickle of the benefits of mineral resources down to the communities from which they are harnessed.
“Ebonyi chapter of the federation, in line with the mandate of the federation, aims to create a strong platform for host communities in the state and the government, toward the protection of the rights of the host communities.
“The federation is equally committed to ensuring transparency in extractive revenue receipts that feed into the state and federation accounts.
“It is sad to note that almost all the host communities in the state wallow in abject poverty and without social amenities, including roads, electricity, water and education, among others.
“The communities suffer from pollution and environmental degradation, despite the huge financial gains that extractive companies make from the communities,” he said.
Orji, a one-time Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Community Development, also said that there were reported but uninvestigated cases of human rights abuses and exploitation of host communities by the extractive companies.
“Members of the federation commit to working collaboratively with your ministry in developing and communicating strategies, advocacy plans, and broader, holistic efforts geared at community empowerment, social and economic justice, and corporate extractive accountability.
“In the light of the above, we have identified your ministry as one of the cardinal organs of government that will assist us to meet our legal requirements in the pursuit of our objectives,” Orji further said.
The group also informed the commissioner about it’s proposed visit to mining host communities and some sites to engage them and understand their challenges.
“We shall also engage non-state actors on judicial conflict mediation, where mining induced conflicts exists, in order to promote healthy and peaceful environment necessary for business to grow and profit the state and host communities.
“We shall also be building capacity of host communities and members on their mining and legal rights within the context of Community Development Agreement and Environmental Protection,” it said.
It commended the state Gov. Francis Nwifuru for his landmark achievements so far, especially over the digitisation of justice delivery system in the state.
In a remark, Odoh thanked the federation for their visit and commitment to the fight for justice and rights of people in mining host communities.
He said that the Ministry of Justice and State Government would support and partner with the federation in providing legal safe haven for both the host communities and mining companies.
He said that the mining industry had so much to offer to the people and government, adding that government would support any efforts and strategies to ensure equity, social and economic justice.
He further said that operators in the sector should be monitored to ensure that their operations and activities were in consonance with the approved legal standards.
“We commend your efforts and assure you that as a government, we will continue to provide the legal framework necessary to ensure equity, transparency, social justice and accountability in the sector,” Odoh said.
Chief Lecturer, Department of Building Technology, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Emmanuel Akinsola, has called for establishment of effective facility management units in organisations to promote maintenance culture.
Dr Emmanuel Akinsola, Chief Lecturer, Department of Building Technology, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) delivering the college’s 16th Inaugural Lecture on Thursday
Akinsola, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Builders in Facilities Management, made the call on Thursday, October 31, while delivering the 16th YABATECH Inaugural Lecture Series 2024.
The lecture had “Maintenance Management of Public Infrastructure: A Cinderella without a Suitor – Absit Culture of Waste” as its theme.
Akinsola said that culture of waste had continued to take its toll on property and infrastructure in healthcare, sports, recreation, electricity, public transport, water reticulation and educational facilities.
He advised that experts should be engaged to bring their knowledge to bear on public infrastructure maintenance as well as provide information on the implications of delayed maintenance on economic growth.
“The inaugural lecture recognises the need for development of new infrastructure by governments and managements but underscores the importance of facility maintenance.
“Public infrastructure is the proverbial Cinderella without a suitor.
“Nigeria has spent a lot of money on infrastructure development but it doesn’t maintain them, and that is why we have failures in many sectors,” Akinsola said.
He identied funding as the driver of maintenance operations.
“Public infrastructure receives less than average allocations to thoroughly and regularly execute maintenance exercise.
“This affects the maintenance operations of the facilities and consequently their performances.
” It is then inevitable for the infrastructure to finally break down before emergency maintenance is carried out.
“There is a need for government to devise a way to maintain its infrastructure,”vhe added.
Akinsola, also a fellow, Institute of Facilities Management and Office Administration, recommended that facility condition assessments and building surveys should be carried out at five years intervals.
“Every new development should be accompanied with a build drawing and maintenance manual,” he said.
He said that there was the need to train maintenance staff on routine repairs and upkeep: establishing reporting system for users’ feedback and complaints.
Akinsola added that there was need to implement enhanced and security protocols: developing cleaning schedule, enhancing security measures, and upgrading building facilities with energy-efficient system and renewable energy sources.
The senior lecturer urged YABATECH to live according to its mantra: “First Among Equals” by ensuring maintenance culture and timely upgrade/renovations as well as securing adequate funding for maintenance services.
In his remarks, the Rector of YABATECH, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, appealed to governments and organisations to deploy competent hands to their maintenance departments.
Abdul said that preventive maintenance should be encouraged to avert breakdowns and their consequences.
“The traditional analogue maintenance methods are out of tune with today’s needs. The solution is shifting the paradigm to computerised maintenance.
“Due to absence of maintenance tools and appropriate equipment, operators adopt rules of thumb in the discharge of their responsibilities.
“It is clear from the lecture that the result of this neglect culminates in total collapse of our infrastructure, equipment and building components, thereby denying the citizenry the benefits of their functionality,” he said.
The rector said that there were no maintenance manuals for YABATECH’s multimillion naira buildings.
“These buildings running into billions of Naira do not have maintenance and repair manuals, whereas a handset of N20,000.00 comes with a maintenance and repair manual,” he said.
The Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has advocated the use of a minimum of three waste bins in all homes to ease separation and recycling process.
The public presentation of “Recycling in Nigeria” written by Terseer Ugbor, in Abuja
The SGF made the call at the public presentation of a book “Recycling in Nigeria” written by Terseer Ugbor, member, House of Representatives and deputy chairman, Committee on Environment in Abuja on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
Senator Akume, represented by his Chief of Staff, Christopher Tarka, stressed that waste management is a big business that has been overlooked, adding that recycled market products are readily available everywhere.
He said: “By the time we go through this book we will see enormous business opportunities embedded in it.”
Speaker, House of Representative, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Terlunmo Seskaa, said the book is written as a motivation for people of all ages to go into the business of waste management.
Former Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, described the book as one that offers essential guidance of recycling business in Nigeria.
“The Federal Government has taken significant steps to reduce waste and create jobs, it underscores the importance of proper waste management, and it aligns with Federal Government’s plan on environmental sustainability,” she said.
Earlier in his address, the author, Ugbor, harped on the need to educate young Nigerians on the need to maintain a clean society that could also put money in their pocket.
The federal lawmaker representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in Benue State said it is appalling to observe that many Nigerians are not taking advantage of the huge opportunities embedded in waste management and recycling.
“It is high time Nigerians knew more about recycling, waste management and waste-to-wealth, including plastics, tyres, e-waste, metal waste, papers, and waste oil, among others. This helps to kick-start the culture of recycling in Nigeria and educate young people on the practice and how they can make a livelihood from it.
“There is a huge potential in the sector and we need to get more people involved to boost employment opportunities. Nigeria generates several thousands of wastes every day, and these wastes have a lot of value and resources that can be recovered from proper recycling. The job opportunities are enormous and the energy potential is there for entrepreneurs,” he stated.
He said the National Assembly had recently proposed amendments to several laws on recycling in the country.
Ugbor also identified the policy of Extended Producers’ Responsibility that ensures every manufactured product in the country passes through a waste recycling process as one such effort.
“At the National Assembly, we have proposed a bill called the EPR Act to mainstream and ensure that all manufacturing companies, commercial enterprises and individuals in the country take responsibility for the waste we throw away in our daily activities.
“To achieve this, the Ministry of Environment and NESREA launched the EPR survey where every manufacturer, importer and individual who produces or uses a product that becomes waste must take responsibility throughout the entire life cycle of that particular product.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria has released two new chicken breeds and 14 new high-yield crop varieties towards increasing agricultural production and improving the nutritional status of Nigerians.
Noiler breed chicken
The release of the new chicken breeds and the crop varieties were announced on Thursday, October 31, 2024, during the 34th meeting of National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries.
The Chairman, National Variety Release Committee (NVRC), Prof. Soji Olufajo, presided over the meeting attended by committee members as well as researchers, geneticists, scientists and breeders.
Olufajo explained that the registration and release of the two new chicken breeds and the varieties of seven crops were based on the recommendation of its two technical sub-committees.
He said the new chicken breeds are Noiler and Cobb 500, while the high-yield crops are wheat, barley, maize, caassava, rice Castor and conchorus.
The technical sub-committee chaired by Prof. S. Ado during its 38th meeting on Tuesday deliberated on the 19 varieties received.
The sub-committee, after deliberation and consideration of the 19 submissions, recommended 14 varieties, which were put before the NVRC for final approval during the Thursday meeting.
In the same vein, the technical sub-committee during its 9th meeting on Wednesday deliberated on the two new chicken breeds received.
The sub-committee, chaired by Prof. Waheed Akin-Hassan, reported that the new chicken breeds – Noiler – was a locally developed dual purpose chicken while the Cobb 500 was a meat type chicken breed.
The two technical sub-committees thereafter on Thursday put their recommendations before the NVRC for final approval.
The NVRC, after exchange of ideas and proper scrutiny of the recommendations put before it, announced the registration and release of the 14 new crop varieties and the two new chicken breeds.
He emphasised that the two breeds were already in the hands of end users, such as poultry farmers, consumers and researchers, saying the release and registration of the breeds are to make it official.
In his remarks, the Director of NACGRAB, Dr Anthony Okere, expressed optimism that the release and registration of the crop varieties would enhance food sufficiency in the country.
Okere urged farmers to embrace the newly-released crops to enable them produce quality and quantity with little stress.
He equally commended the research institutions and other organisations which contributed towards the hosting of the meeting.
The Federal Government has apologised over the recent collapse of the national grid which caused power outages for several days in 17 states in the region.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima (right) at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, gave the apology on Thursday, October 31, 2024, during a courtesy visit to Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State, describing the situation as “very unfortunate.”
Adelabu said the Federal Government was overhauling the national grid to reduce the frequent disturbances in the system and improve power supply across the country.
He said that the national grid was over 50 years old, with components that are weak, obsolete, and dilapidated, including the lines and substations, with old transformers.
Adelabu said most of the towers installed on the system a long time ago were falling due to the effects of weather and climate change, adding that they need continuous maintenance.
The minister said: “This grid requires a lot of money to maintain.
“So, what we have now, we will continue to manage it and prevent frequent disturbances until we are able to overhaul this infrastructure 100 percent.”
Adelabu said the Federal Government was revamping the entire grid structure as various programmes were being put in place to ensure that old infrastructure were replaced.
He listed the programmes to include: Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), known as the Siemens project, which is currently ongoing.
According to him, there is also the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)’s expansion programme supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) .
Adelabu said that the pilot phase of the Siemens project had just been concluded and it involved the importation of 10 power transformers as well as 10 power mobile sub-stations.
He said that phase one of the Siemens project would soon commence after which the grid performance would be better than what was being experienced presently.
The minister said that the improvement witnessed in the power sector was not accidental, explaining that many old power transformers were replaced by new ones.
“We have also installed and inaugurated all the mobile sub-stations where they were needed and that was what contributed to the stability being witnessed,” Adelabu said.
He appealed to Nigerians to protect the nation’s power infrastructure from vandals, as they cost a lot of money.
Earlier, Yusuf, represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shehu Sagagi, said that the state government was completing work at the 10 megawatts hydropower plant at Tiga and 6 megawatts at Chalawa hydropower plant.
”They are assisting five per cent of the population as well as the installation of solar power in the metropolis, which has assisted the security situation in the state
“When we came on board, we procured 500 transformers and they were distributed to improve power supply,” he said.
Yusuf said that the state government would soon establish a state electricity market to attract the private sector.
He urged, “We are calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and set up emergency mini grid power plant that will supply adequate voltage in the state and diversify generation to reduce dependence on the national grid.”
In a related development, Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said that the Federal Government will promote constitutional framework that empowers states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid.
Shettima gave the assurance on Thursday at the 145th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Addressing the Council, the Vice-President said that the decentralisation of the national grid would put an end to incessant collapse that has plunged some states in the North into total darkness.
“The recent blackouts caused by the actions of vandals remind us of our urgent need to expand our energy infrastructure.
“I believe the governors here would agree that the decentralisation of electricity is our path forward.
“We will continue to promote the constitutional framework that empowers constituent states within the Nigerian federation to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid,” he said.
Shettima added: “Together, we can make instability a relic of the past. Furthermore, our energy sector must embrace the potential of renewable energy.
“We must leverage solar and mini-grid solutions tailored to regional needs. I urge the Council to support the implementation of the Nigeria Energy Sector Implementation Plan (NESIP).
“If we capitalise on our diverse regional energy resources – from northern Nigeria’s solar potential to the south’s gas reserves – we can build a resilient, decentralised energy system that drives growth and empowers our communities.”
The Vice President listed some of the measures for the decentralisation of the national grid to include the establishment of mini-grids, solar and renewable energy sources like solar photovoltaic and wind turbines.
He also stressed the urgent need for the implementation of the Nigeria Energy Sector Implementation Plan (NESIP).
The Vice President also assured the council that the tax reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu would broaden the nation’s revenue base, foster economic stability, and diminish dependency on specific sectors.
He said the tax reforma had opened avenues to address stakeholders’ concerns, particularly regarding VAT reform and its implications for sub-national revenues.
“As representatives of diverse interests, I have no doubt that you share a common aspiration: to broaden our revenue base, foster economic stability, and diminish our dependency on specific sectors,” he noted.
On Human Capital Index, Shettima cautioned that it was a tragedy that must be confronted following Nigeria’s low ranking.
“We grapple with alarming statistics related to life expectancy, maternal and child mortality, and educational attainment,” he said
Shettima also shed light on the progress made so far in the bid to mitigate flood disasters, noting that “the past few months have tested the durability of the solutions” implemented to advance flood resilience.
“Although the floods caught many of us off guard in various parts of the nation, our proactive mitigation efforts have inspired sustainable strategies to address the extensive damage caused, including significant property losses and health risks.
“I commend the Minister of Water Resources and the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their foresight and swift action.
“Today invites us to reinforce our commitment to implementing approved mitigation measures, ensuring that states report their flood damages comprehensively, as outlined in our NEC Ad-hoc Committee report
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, also briefed the Council on several key national accounts.
According to him, the Excess Crude Account stands at 473,754.57 dollars, the Natural Resources Fund at ₦26,105,837,627.67, and the Stabilisation Account at ₦36,299,452,763.62.
The Minister also updated NEC on current economic relief measures, with 25 million Nigerians benefitting from federal social protection initiatives.
This, he said, include the digital outreach, microenterprise loans, and sector-specific support for power, agriculture, manufacturing, health, and compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives.
Edun also announced a new government policy that would permit Nigerians who currently hold dollars outside the formal banking system to bring those funds into the financial system.
This, he said, will be done within a nine-month period, without facing any legal liability or financial penalties.
The council addressed Nigeria’s flood crisis affecting 34 states, 217 local government areas, and over 1.3 million people.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, reported that there were 740,743 displaced individuals, 321 fatalities, and extensive property and farmland losses.
The council resolved that the Ministry of Water Resources conduct an integrity review of all waterways and dams across the country.
It urged state governments that have not done so to immediately submit their flood reports, that the Green Climate Fund should have an infrastructure resilience fund component.
“And that all MDAs should immediately implement flood resilience and adaptation mechanisms.”
Similarly, the council also reviewed the World Bank-supported SOLID project, presented by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu.
The project aims to bolster services and economic opportunities for IDPs and host communities in northern Nigeria, including initiatives for sustainable livelihoods and resilient infrastructure.
NEC urged cooperation among states and the World Bank to ensure funds meet designated project goals.
The Federal Government says that 7.68 million crude oil barrels were either stolen or lost in 2023, urging civil society organisations (CSOs) to focus on significant findings for environmental protections.
Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary, NEITI
Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), said this at a CSOs Roundtable, in Abuja on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
The programme was organised by the NEITI in partnership with Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC).
Orji said that there was a 79 per cent drop in the crude oil theft in 2023 compared to 2022.
He urged the gathering to focus on the significant findings in the recently released NEITI 2022/2023 Oil and Gas Industry Reports, where several critical issues call for civil society engagement.
“CSOs should monitor the government’s strategies to combat oil theft and advocate for more robust environmental protections.
“The civil societies have a crucial role in creating forums that include government, private sectors and community groups.
“This is to ensure that the concerns of impacted communities, particularly regarding environmental and social issues are considered in national resource management policies,” he said.
Orji said that CSOs must push for improved revenue collection mechanisms to ensure full value of Nigeria’s oil resources benefits the nation.
He also urged the CSOs to use the report’s environmental data to advocate stronger protections and corporate accountability, particularly in Niger Delta.
He said the CSOs have a crucial role in ensuring that Nigeria’s wealth from natural resources were managed to benefit all citizens, not just a select few.
He said that the CSOs could identify gaps in governance, revenue management and environmental protection in analysing advocacy for policy reform.
“Their issue-based advocacy helps push for legislative reforms that address these challenges.
“A key priority is to ensure that NEITI’s reports, particularly the 2022/2023 Oil and Gas Industry Reports, are used constructively to promote public debate and policy reform.
“While NEITI publishes the reports, it is the duty of civil society to ensure that the data leads to action,” he said.
The executive secretary said that the roundtable was put together to ensure that transparency and accountability lead to tangible policy changes and public welfare improvements.
He said that the NEITI would soon complete its data centre, which would serve as a one-stop shop for extractive sector information, housing all industry reports from 1999-2004 onwards.
“This centre will facilitate public access to data and analysis, enhancing NEITI’s compliance with the EITI Open Data Protocol,” he said.
Orji called on the CSOs to collaborate actively with both urban and rural people to help them share resources and strategies to ensure the voices of all Nigerians were heard.
“The future of Nigeria’s extractive industries depends on the active engagement of civil society.
“With the 2022/2023 NEITI reports providing a roadmap, we stand at a critical juncture.
“Let us seize this opportunity to empower CSOs urban and rural alike to drive the change we seek.”
Dr Erisa Sarki, CSO Representative on the NEITI Board, said that the forum was designed to encourage open dialogue, innovative thinking and actionable steps.
Sarki said that the actionable steps aligned with NEITI’s vision of a Nigeria where extractive resources would benefit all citizens.
