On Thursday, October 16, 2025, a group will embark on a 3,000 km (1,864-mile) river journey from Coca, Ecuador to Belem, Brazil to draw attention to the role of Indigenous Peoples in safeguarding the climate – and the threats these communities face despite their role in keeping the planet livable.
The Yaku Mama Flotilla, a global coalition of over 60 Indigenous, territorial, and ally organisations, led by Indigenous Peoples from around the world with a special focus on the Amazon, is launching a historic 3,000 km river journey from Ecuador to COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The journey symbolises the fight for climate justice, a fair energy transition, and the end of the fossil fuel era, highlighting that real solutions to climate change emerge from the territories.
In a call for true climate justice, the Yaku Mama Flotilla will sail from the Andes to the Amazon on its way to COP30 in Belem
The flotilla is departing from the City of Coca, Ecuador, traveling over 3,000 km through Amazonian rivers and communities on its way to COP30.
Participants include Indigenous leaders from different continents, representing communities that are guardians of forests and rivers, uniting their voices to demand fair and binding climate policies.
Oil exploration in the Pan-Amazon overlaps with 441 ancestral territories and 61 natural protected areas (InfoAmazonia/Arayara). Peru recorded 831 oil spills between 2000 and 2023, and Ecuador 1,584 between 2012 and 2022, while projects like the FZA-M-59 block at the mouth of the Amazon have been rejected due to biodiversity risks. This situation underscores the urgency of a just and binding energy transition.
The journey denounces extractivism and the impacts of fossil fuel exploitation while highlighting living solutions from the territories: sustainable forest management, ancestral science, community monitoring, and sustainable productive practices.
Indigenous peoples manage or hold rights to a quarter of the Earth’s land surface, which includes 37% of intact natural lands and a third of the planet’s forest landscapes. Biodiversity remains more stable in these areas than in similar ecosystems outside of them, proving that Indigenous peoples not only defend their territories but also play a critical role in global climate governance.
Governor Ademola Adeleke has announced a new breakthrough as Osun State has been ranked 6th out of 36 states in Nigeria in the 2nd Edition of the Sub-national Climate Governance Performance Ranking Report, an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria with support from the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP).
The report provides a comprehensive assessment of how Nigerian states are implementing climate policies, strengthening institutional frameworks, and driving local climate action. It serves as a key tool for accountability, innovation, and collaboration toward achieving a sustainable and resilient future for all Nigerians.
Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State
In the 2025 edition, Osun State achieved a total score of 265, marking what looks like an exceptional leap from 30th position in 2024 to 6th position, and emerging as the second-best performing state in the South-West region after Lagos State.
This remarkable improvement, according to state officials, underscores the vision and strategic investments of Gov. Adeleke, whose administration has made climate change, circular economy, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability a core pillar of governance and development.
Under the Governor’s leadership, the state has implemented several transformative initiatives, including:
Increased budgetary allocation to climate change projects and programmes;
Establishment of a Department of Climate Change and Renewable Energy within the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation;
Implementation and monitoring of climate-related projects across local governments;
Integration of climate education and environmental awareness into schools;
Regular capacity building for state and local climate officers; and
Enhanced coordination and dialogue with the Federal Ministry of Environment and other national/international agencies.
Osun State also ranked high nationwide in online visibility for climate change governance, reflecting growing transparency and public engagement in the state’s environmental programmes.
Speaking at the unveiling event held at Bon Hotel Octagon, Abuja, which had in attendance the Minister of Environment, the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), and other distinguished stakeholders, the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, accompanied by the Director of Climate Change and Renewable Energy, received the award on behalf of the State Government.
They dedicated the achievement to the good people of Osun State and to the Governor, in recognition of his commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action.
Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Spokesperson to the Governor, said in a statement: “Special commendation also goes to the Director-General and Special Envoy of the Governor on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Professor Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe, whose leadership, resilience, and strategic coordination have been instrumental in positioning Osun State on the national map as a forward-looking and ambitious sub-national actor in climate governance.
“The Osun State reaffirms its commitment to advancing climate action, renewable energy transition, circular economy initiatives, and sustainable development programs that will ensure a greener, cleaner, and more resilient Osun for present and future generations.”
Meanwhile, Kano State appears to have recorded one of the most dramatic improvements in Nigeria’s climate governance history, moving from 35th to 4th position in the 2025 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking.
The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dahir Hashim, announced the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 15, in Kano, describing it as a product of “deliberate reforms, strengthened institutions, and community-driven programmes.”
Kano State receiving an award during the National Climate Governance Ranking release ceremony in Abuja
According to Mr. Hashim, the achievement reflects the state government’s commitment to building a responsive governance system that addresses both “the global urgency of climate change and the local realities of our people.”
He said that, over the past year, the government had expanded climate-smart infrastructure and deepened environmental governance through the implementation of the Kano State Climate Change Policy.
The commissioner highlighted several key initiatives that contributed to the ranking boost – including renewable energy deployment across public institutions, urban greening projects under the state’s Urban Renewal Programme, and large-scale afforestation and erosion control efforts across local communities.
“These initiatives have laid the foundation for resilience, cleaner energy transition, and inclusive growth,” Mr. Hashim stated.
He emphasised that the recognition was a testament to the collective efforts of the ministry’s teams, local governments, community leaders, civil society groups, and development partners who have worked together to advance climate action in the state.
“I am deeply proud to share that Kano State has recorded one of the most remarkable transformations in Nigeria’s climate governance history – moving from 35th position in the previous year’s ranking to 4th in the 2025 edition,” he said.
Mr. Hashim commended the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas-Lawal, and the Federal Ministry of Environment for their leadership in advancing subnational climate governance. He also lauded the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), and the University of Bristol, United Kingdom, for spearheading the ranking initiative that promotes “healthy competition, collaboration, and accountability” among states.
He attributed the milestone to the visionary leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, whose commitment to sustainability, he said, had placed climate action at the heart of Kano’s development agenda.
“Our gratitude equally goes to the UK-FCDO Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) Project and other development partners for their continued technical and institutional support to Kano’s environmental transformation journey,” he added.
Global agriculture company Alltech broke ground on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, on a new $4.6 million, 15,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that will produce biological fertilisers and crop inputs, providing farmers with an environmentally responsible alternatives to traditional chemical fertilisers and helping reduce reliance on imported, synthetic inputs.
Located on the campus of Alltech’s global headquarters, the facility will be the company’s first U.S. manufacturing plant dedicated solely to producing crop science technologies. Modeled after Alltech Crop Science (ACS) facilities in Brazil and Spain, the Kentucky site will produce more than 66,000 gallons of biological fertilisers per shift per month and create at least six new full-time jobs. It will also manufacture more than 30 natural products designed to help farmers enhance soil and crop vitality.
Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech
The project is supported by a $2.34 million grant from the USDA Fertiliser Production Expansion Programme (FPEP). The $500 million FPEP initiative, launched in 2022 in response to supply chain disruptions and rising fertiliser prices, aims to expand the production, availability and affordability of domestic fertiliser and nutrient alternatives and reduce reliance on imported synthetic fertilisers.
Alltech’s project was selected for its innovative approach to soil and crop health. Made with beneficial microorganisms, the company’s biofertilisers improve soil fertility, stimulate root development, enhance nutrient uptake and support a healthier soil microbiome, enabling farmers to maintain productivity while reducing environmental impact.
“This facility represents the next phase in scaling our biological innovations for agriculture,” said ACS vice president Dr. Steve Borst, who leads the project. “By expanding production here in Kentucky, we can bring farmers natural, science-based solutions that improve soil health, strengthen crops and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers. We’re grateful to the USDA and to our state and local partners for their support in making this vision a reality.”
In addition to supporting U.S. farmers in reducing dependence on imported synthetic fertilizers, the new crop science facility will enable ACS to expand the reach of its natural agronomic technologies across both the U.S. and international markets. Leveraging Alltech’s more than four decades of expertise in microbial fermentation and nutrigenomics, ACS delivers environmentally responsible alternatives to traditional chemical applications. These biological solutions restore soil balance, strengthen soil health, maximise crop yields, improve plant resilience, promote stewardship and create long-term value across the food chain.
Nationally, this project’s impact enables the export of domestic technologies, driving international uptake of U.S. products and supply chain resiliency for U.S. growers. In addition, Alltech’s new facility will be instrumental in growing the offering of its in-market sustainable technologies domestically and internationally.
The project aligns with Alltech’s purpose of “Working Together for a Planet of Plenty®,” which unites the agri-food community in creating science-based solutions that provide nutrition for all, revitalise local economies and replenish the planet’s natural resources.
“Fermentation has always been at the heart of our business, and this facility allows us to apply that expertise in new ways to support crop health, productivity and sustainability,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “We’re proud to strengthen our presence at our global headquarters in Kentucky, creating an innovation and manufacturing centre that will serve U.S. farmers, strengthen our local community and continue to advance the science of agriculture.”
The groundbreaking ceremony featured remarks from Rocky Adkins, senior advisor to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear; David West, Jessamine County judge-executive; and Alex Carter, mayor of Nicholasville. Alltech’s FPEP grant application was endorsed by Gov. Beshear, Mayor Carter and Judge West, along with U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr.
“Alltech has been a leader in the agriculture industry for nearly half a century and has provided Kentuckians with good, quality manufacturing jobs over the years,” Adkins said. “This project shows that companies are continuing to choose Kentucky as their home and as a prime place to do business. I want to congratulate Alltech on their new expansion and we look forward to seeing their success continue.”
“Alltech continues to set the standard for innovation in Kentucky’s agricultural economy,” said Congressman Barr, who supported Alltech with a letter of support for the company’s USDA grant application. “I’m grateful to Dr. Mark Lyons and the Alltech team for their persistence and dedication to expanding right here in Jessamine County. This grant will help expand production capacity, strengthen supply chains, and create more opportunities for Kentuckians.”
The event was also attended by leaders of more than 70 global agri-food companies who traveled to Kentucky for Alltech Presidents Club, an annual gathering that convenes industry leaders for peer-to-peer learning, thought-provoking discussion and collaboration on some of the most pressing issues facing agriculture and the agri-food industry.
The President of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), Mr. Akachukwu Nwokedi, has called for bold, coordinated action to unlock Nigeria’s immense gas potential and drive the nation’s industrial renaissance.
Speaking at the 3rd Edition of the Gas Investment Forum (GIF 2025), held on October 7, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, Mr. Nwokedi reaffirmed NGA’s unwavering commitment to positioning natural gas as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic transformation and sustainable growth.
President of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), Mr. Akachukwu Nwokedi
The event, themed “Charting New Opportunities: For Investment, Growth and Industrialisation,” brought together key industry leaders, investors, and policymakers.
“Natural gas is no longer just a fuel – it is an economic multiplier,” Mr. Nwokedi declared. “It powers energy access, enhances food security, enables clean cooking, strengthens industrial competitiveness, and deepens regional integration. Above all, it serves as our collective bridge to a low-carbon, high-impact economic future.”
He applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for making gas development a central pillar of Nigeria’s energy and industrial policy. He also welcomed the participation of the President of the International Gas Union, describing it as a testament to the growing global recognition of Nigeria’s role in the global energy transition.
Emphasising the need to move from rhetoric to results, Mr. Nwokedi urged all stakeholders to focus on translating Nigeria’s estimated 200+ trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves into tangible socio-economic value.
“This forum offers more than dialogue – it is a launchpad for ideas, partnerships, and investments that turn potential into performance,” he noted. “By fully harnessing our gas resources, we can ignite innovation, create sustainable jobs, enhance industrial productivity, and drive inclusive national growth.”
Nwokedi further called on participants to seize the momentum to design actionable strategies and policy frameworks that will position the gas sector as a driver of Nigeria’s industrialisation, diversification, and global competitiveness.
He commended the forum’s organisers, partners, and sponsors for sustaining this vital industry platform. He emphasised NGA’s role as a bridge between government, industry, and investors, working to accelerate the pace of policy reforms, infrastructure development, and market-driven investments that can unleash Nigeria’s gas economy.
Founded in 1999, the Nigerian Gas Association is the umbrella professional body for stakeholders across Nigeria’s gas value chain. As a chartered member of the International Gas Union (IGU), the NGA advocates for policies, partnerships, and investments that promote the sustainable development and utilisation of natural gas to drive industrialisation, economic growth, and improve quality of life across Nigeria and Africa.
Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, says Nigeria’s energy transition journey under President Bola Tinubu’s administration is unlocking an investment opportunity of over $410 billion between now and 2060.
Shettima said this on Tuesday, October 14, in Abuja at the inaugural Nigerian Renewable Energy Innovation Forum (NREIF) 2025.
According to the Vice-President, the investment will position Nigeria as the heartbeat of Africa’s renewable energy revolution.
Alhaji Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria
Shettima said that over $23 billion is needed to expand energy access and connect the millions of Nigerians who still live in energy poverty.
The Vice-President noted that as the world sails fast towards net zero, Nigeria and Africa must not be left behind.
“We have too much at stake. We are blessed with the minerals that power clean technologies, and Nigeria brings to the table youth, ambition, and untapped renewable potential.
“Let us seize this moment. Let us affirm that Nigeria is ready, ready to harness her resources, unlock her capital, and become the vibrant heartbeat of Africa’s renewable energy revolution.
“Nigeria’s energy transition is targeting an investment opportunity of over $410 billion between now and 2060, with over $23 billion needed to expand energy access and connect the millions of Nigerians who still live in energy poverty.”
According to him, beyond access lies the nation’s grander ambition, which is to deliver a power system capable of 277 gigawatts of total installed capacity by 2060.
“This ambition demands more than investment; it demands innovation, local capacity, and commitment,” he added.
He assured investors, development partners and other stakeholders at the forum of President Tinubu’s commitment to consolidating policy foundations that would lead to a renewable energy market that is self-sustaining.
“We are enhancing incentives for local manufacturing, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and deepening collaboration with State Governments, investors, and development partners.
“This is with a view to de-risk private capital and accelerate the emergence of a self-sustaining renewable energy market.
“Nigeria first’ industrial strategy demands that the future of Africa’s renewable energy supply chains be anchored indigenously.
“From solar panel assembly lines in Lagos to battery recycling hubs along our industrial corridors, Nigeria must not only participate in this revolution but lead it.”
Shettima hinted at the Federal Ministry of Power’s readiness to develop policies that would lay the foundation for a more decentralised, competitive, and inclusive electricity market.
The Vice-President, however, noted that efforts to prioritise energy transition cannot succeed without the private sector.
He called on development partners and Original Equipment Manufacturers to localise technologies, strengthen value chains, and invest in skills and knowledge transfer.
“We count on our State Governments to champion renewable industrial clusters and serve as engines of green growth across the federation.”
Shettima urged participants at the forum to reach agreements, forge partnerships and consolidate a national roadmap that would unfold the over $400 million investment in Nigeria’s renewable energy manufacturing value chain into a reality.
He announced that, through the engagements facilitated under the forum, more than 400 million dollars in new investment commitments are being mobilised into Nigeria’s renewable energy manufacturing value chain.
“These include solar panels, smart meters, battery storage, and recycling facilities. These investments are projected to create over 1,500 direct jobs across multiple states and reflect growing global confidence in Nigeria’s clean energy industrialisation drive. ”
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said the forum marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s energy transformation pathway that highlights the role of innovative partnership in targeting significant amounts of local solar energy production capacity.
Adelabu said the government’s multipronged approach is aimed at addressing Nigeria’s structural challenges and unlocking private capital in the bid to transform the entire energy sector value chain.
He described the Integrated National Electricity policy as a comprehensive sector-wide policy framework that is aimed at strengthening gains recorded in the sector, including the decentralisation of the value chain.
The world has officially crossed its first climate tipping point due to unchecked greenhouse gas emissions, scientists warned on Monday, October 13. The 2025 Global Tipping Point Report produced by 160 researchers across 23 countries warns that coral reefs, vital ecosystems that support a quarter of all marine life and protect hundreds of millions of people, are now in irreversible decline due to ocean warming and acidification. It also indicates other tipping points, including the Amazon rainforest, are at severe risk.
The report warns that the 1.5-degree threshold enshrined in the Paris Agreement will be breached within 10 years without a rapid and urgent decline in greenhouse gas emissions. This news comes just weeks before COP30 in Belém, Brazil, a pivotal moment for global climate negotiations, where local traditional communities and Indigenous Peoples are demanding a seat at the table at the summit.
The world has officially crossed its first climate tipping point due to unchecked greenhouse gas emissions
These groups are currently leading restoration projects that regenerate land, store carbon, and protect biodiversity in solidarity with communities the world over whose ecosystems and livelihoods are at risk.
Officials of environment watchdog group, 350.org, are expressing reservations over the development.
Anne Jellema, Executive Director at 350.org, says:“This is a heartbreaking loss. Future generations will inherit empty seas where magical kaleidoscopes of life once thrived. This irreversible collapse is a preview of what we’re about to lose next: rainforests, glaciers, entire species. COP30 must be the moment leaders choose to stop fossil fuels and protect what can still be saved.”
Fenton Lutunatabua, Deputy Head of Regions at 350.org, says:“This is not only an ecological tragedy but a profound injustice for the communities who did the least to cause this crisis. From the Pacific to the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean, people are at risk of losing their food systems, cultures, and livelihoods due to warming oceans and rising seas. Now more than ever we must draw the line to keep the 1.5 degree warming threshold intact.
“At COP30, the most polluting countries need to step up and stop putting profits over people and the planet. We’re tired of excuses and delays.”
Norly Mercado, Asia Regional Director at 350.org, says:“In Southeast Asia alone, more than 120 million people rely on the Coral Triangle’s rich marine habitats for food and income. These frontline communities have faced increasing hunger and declining incomes for years. This report only confirms their lived realities and warns us of the even greater destruction ahead. But the fight isn’t over. The renewable energy revolution is here, reimagining Asia’s future. At COP30, world leaders must deliver what the science now demands – an end to fossil fuels – or condemn future generations to a world without coral reefs and the life they sustain.”
350.organd partners are demanding COP30 deliver:
A rapid phaseout of fossil fuels, with no new oil, gas, or coal projects.
Increased finance and reparations for communities on the frontlines of climate loss and damage.
Protection and restoration of biodiversity through rights-based conservation led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
For the second year in a row, Lagos State has topped the table in the annual Subnational Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking exercise. This was announced on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, during the launch of the second edition of the report, in Abuja.
Speaking during the unveiling of the top performing states, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said Lagos polled a total of 315 points to come first. Katsina, with 310 points, and Kaduna, with 305 points came second and third respectively.
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, with project officials at the launch of the second edition of the report, in Abuja
An initiative of the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), the Subnational Climate Governance Rating and Ranking project seeks to motivate subnational climate action by measuring the extent of states’ actions using five thematic areas, listed to include: States’ Climate Institutional Arrangements; Status of Climate Policies, Action Plans, and legal frameworks at the State Level; Budgetary Allocation to Climate Change Projects; Climate Project Implementation and Monitoring; and Online Visibility and Publicity on Climate Change Issues at the State-level.
Explaining the rationale behind this, the President of the Society for Planet and Prosperity, Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, stated that the five thematic areas represent critical pillars of climate action. Therefore, an interrogation of States’ efforts along those lines will spur action and provide guidance on the path States must toe.
In her speech, the Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, Barrister Tenioye Majekodunmi, described the ranking as a critical milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards a robust grassroot driven climate action.
“This second ranking stands as a testament to the growing political will and commitment demonstrated by our state governments. The National Council on Climate Change as the apex regulatory body, is committed to translating the highest national ambition into local realities, and your performance is central to that mission,” she said.
This was further echoed by the First Secretary for Climate Diplomacy, UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Samantha Harrison, during her goodwill message.
“We know that subnational actors are the heartbeat of climate action. Without them, our policies remain spreadsheets on paper. Effective climate governance at the subnational level is not just beneficial, it is essential,” she said.
This year’s edition saw Kano and Enugu states breaking into the top five by making tremendous improvements from their outing last year.
Initiated in 2024, the rating and ranking project has helped create healthy competition and collaborative actions amongst states in Nigeria. Reflections from States and other stakeholders reveal that the initiative has been very impactful.
Accordingly, Dr. Dahiru Muhammad Hashim, Commissioner, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Kano State, affirmed: “Kano welcomes this platform as an opportunity to showcase progress, foster collaboration, and inspire greater ambition. The Ranking strengthens healthy competition, promotes knowledge exchange, and reinforces the urgency of addressing the climate crisis at the subnational level, where the impacts are most immediate and the solutions most impactful.”
Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, represented by Olakunle Olamidosu Rotimi-Akodu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, stated: “For Lagos, the ranking boosts our commitment to building resilience, driving green growth, and embedding climate action into every part of our economy. We value this initiative not only for the healthy competition it encourages among states but also for the opportunities it creates for collaboration and shared progress. Lagos State remains determined to lead by example, making sure that our climate actions deliver sustainable development and a better quality of life for our people.”
Donor agencies have also seen the initiative as an important measuring board which helps provide guidance on what form of intervention States need to boost climate action.
Professor Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank, sees the exercise as an “innovative approach to strengthening subnational climate governance in Nigeria, fostering accountability, and catalysing green growth and climate- resilient development across the continent.
It provides a valuable model for evidence-based policymaking and investment alignment to accelerate Africa’s just climate transition.” Nigeria’s subnationals remain the frontliners in the country’s efforts at addressing climate change. They are therefore critical for any meaningful impact to be made. The rating and ranking project seeks to inspire greater action.
In what appears to be major push to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) values into Nigeria’s energy landscape, Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has launched its flagship “Global Sustainability Campaign” in partnership with the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC).
The initiative, themed “Bringing Smiles with Each Barrel,” was unveiled at the NAEC Annual Conference held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, in Lagos. The event was attended by industry leaders, and media executives.
Speaking at the flag-off, representatives of Sterling Oil described the campaign as a defining step in the company’s journey towards building a more inclusive and sustainable future through measurable social impact.
A SEEPCO ‘Bring Smiles with Each Barrel’ campaign poster
“We take pride in flagging off this project where our joint initiatives and impact will get their deserved voice. Without bandeing loud, we will continue to bring our sustainability initiatives together channel every effort into a purposeful movement – one that brings real-life transformational activities for smiles that sustain,” said Aveek Biswas, Head, Corporate Communications, SEEPCO.
According to SEEPCO, the campaign embodies its enduring commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social transformation – values that have defined its over 20-year journey in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
“At Sterling Oil, we measure success not only by business growth but by the positive impact we create for our team members, communities, and the environment. Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond compliance – it is about responsibility, measurable progress, and shaping a sustainable future,” Biswas emphasised.
The campaign, designed to promote cross-sector collaboration, will spotlight sports, culture, art, health, gender equality, and environmental conservation as tools for nation-building, empowerment, and talent development. SEEPCO said these areas form a vital part of its vision for sustainable national growth.
SEEPCO also reaffirmed its position as one of Africa’s fastest-growing exploration and production companies, noting its resilience in navigating tough terrains where many others have exited.
“Our vision is to grow continuously as a social enterprise that contributes to national development, respects communities, and creates value for all stakeholders,” the company noted.
The “SEEPCO Smile” campaign – as it is fondly branded – celebrates Nigeria’s 65 years of resilience and progress, while reinforcing SEEPCO’s mission to blend industrial excellence with human-centered development.
“The pinnacle is to bring a meaningful and lasting smile – representing our belief of ‘Bringing Smiles with Each Barrel.’ It is a campaign crafted to envision millions of lasting smiles that sustain across the globe,” Biswas stated.
Industry stakeholders and NAEC members commended SEEPCO’s commitment to ESG and sustainable energy practices, describing the collaboration as a model for private-sector leadership in social responsibility.
The event concluded with a call for broad stakeholder participation to ensure the success of the campaign and its vision to create a future “where no one is left behind.”
Homelessness is rising in every region and must be addressed as a structural crisis rooted in inequality, unaffordable housing, and weak social protection, according to a new United Nations report presented to the General Assembly.
Prepared by UN-Habitat on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, the report Inclusive Policies and Programmes to Address Homelessness urges governments to shift from short-term emergency responses to long-term, rights-based housing solutions.
Homelessness
A systemic problem, not an individual failure
Millions of people worldwide still lack secure and adequate housing. Conflicts, climate impacts and rising living costs are worsening the situation, while many forms of “hidden homelessness” remain uncounted. A rights-based global definition, now being developed through a UN-Habitat-led expert process, aims to close these data gaps and strengthen accountability.
Promising shifts in policy
Across regions, more governments are adopting housing-led and prevention-focused approaches, such as integrated social protection, community-driven housing, and rental mediation. Local authorities are playing a key role, driving innovation through inclusive urban planning.
The report warns that punitive measures like forced evictions and criminalizing people in public spaces only deepen exclusion. Instead, countries are urged to strengthen tenure security and uphold human rightsin urban development.
Housing and dignity at the centre of policy
Countries that link housing with robust social protection systems are better able to prevent homelessness and support long-term stability. Expanding universal access to social protection, particularly for marginalized groups, is essential to tackling root causes.
The Secretary-General calls on governments to adopt rights-based data systems, end criminalization, invest in permanent and affordable housing, and integrate prevention across health, education, justice, and social protection systems.
By treating housing as a human rightand focusing on prevention and inclusion, the report concludes, governments can move from managing homelessness to ending it for good.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), and the European Union, through its Global Gateway strategy, have come together to fully finance the “Construction, Equipment, and Start-up of Lines 1 and 2 of the Costa Rica Electric Train System” for $800 million.
GCF is co-financing $178.7 million and donating another $21.3 million of the CABEI’s $550 million investment, which is also supported by $250 million from the European Investment Bank. Thanks to a credit scheme with highly competitive interest rates and grace periods, this initiative is a fiscally responsible project that saves Costa Rica resources and requires no annual subsidy.
Electric train in Costa Rica
The project will include two lines comprising 51 kilometres of double track; one running from Paraíso Cartago to San José, and another between San José and downtown Alajuela. Also included are the procurement of 28 new electric units, 30 stations, two completely new terminals, and nine overpasses, which will allow for continuous, high-quality service, with buses running every 10 minutes, every day of the week.
“The electric train is no longer just a dream or a promise left on paper. Today it is a concrete and viable decision, financially backed by three international entities that believe in Costa Rica and its people. Unlike previous proposals that could not be sustained, this one is solid, fiscally responsible, and will not require a state subsidy. Because the train of progress does not wait – this is a train we can all board,” emphasised the President of the Republic, Rodrigo Chaves.
GCF Director of the Department of Latin America and the Caribbean Region, Kristin Lang, said: “This project is a big step forward for Costa Rica. Using the country’s nearly 100 per cent clean, renewable energy to power the new trains will cut harmful GHG emissions and make travel safer and faster. The Green Climate Fund is proud to partner with CABEI and the Government of Costa Rica to build a modern and sustainable transport system for the people of San José Greater Metropolitan, with an annual average of 68 million passengers expected to benefit from the services.”
European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said: “I would like to congratulate Costa Rica and its government on their decision to promote a modern, sustainable, and cost-effective public transport system, in which the European Union has been a strong partner in this vision. The support announced today will ensure a state-of-the-art electric train, with direct support to INCOFER, to maintain the highest standards of quality and environmental impact. This support reflects what Global Gateway stands for: investing alongside our partners in sustainable development that generates concrete benefits.”
CABEI Executive President, Gisela Sánchez, emphasised: “CABEI is proud to accompany Costa Rica in the development of a project that builds a more just and sustainable future for all.” Together with our strategic allies, the Green Climate Fund and the EIB, we have joined forces to fully finance this national project, which will transform the lives of more than three million people and mark a turning point in the history of urban mobility.”
For his part, the Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Ioannis Tsakiris, said: “This project is a great example of strategic cooperation between the European Union and Costa Rica, where for the first time the European Investment Bank is co-financing alongside the Green Climate Fund and the CABEI. The EIB reaffirms its commitment to supporting solid projects that improve connectivity, sustainability, and economic growth.”
Álvaro Bermúdez Peña, Executive President of INCOFER, stated: “We set out to optimise this project with a clear vision: to deliver a solid proposal to Costa Ricans, aligned with the real needs of the population and without unnecessarily indebting the country. It not only represents technical progress, but also a commitment fulfilled to Costa Rica.”
The project will prioritise the integration of multiple modes of transportation, with stations designed to provide efficient access to bus stops, taxis, and bicycle spaces. Critically, it is estimated that the operation of the national project will result in a reduction of 6.54 million tCO2 of greenhouse gas emissions, among other benefits – roughly equivalent to getting 1.5 million cars off Costa Rica’s roads.
