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Biodiversity: NCF, Renaissance Africa enlighten 46 community forest rangers

Michael Simire
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Biodiversity: NCF, Renaissance Africa enlighten 46 community forest rangers

No fewer than 46 community forest rangers have been trained by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in partnership with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd., with the aim of safeguarding the fragile Taylor Creek Forest.

This was made known by Mr. Adedamola Ogunsesan, Director of Technical Programmes, NCF, in a statement issued and signed by Mr. Olusomi Oduguwa, Media and Communications Manager, NCF.

Park rangers
Park rangers

He said that the partnership, which was in conjunction with the Bayelsa State Government, aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods.

Ogunsesan noted that the Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd., formerly Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, had deepened implementation of the Gbaran-Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)

He said that the initiative spanned 23 forest-dependent communities across four clans, which are Okordia, Zarama, Biseni, and Tarakiri, within Yenagoa and Sagbama Local Government Areas, Bayelsa.

“It is designed as a long-term programme to conserve biodiversity, empower host communities, and reduce pressure on the environment through sustainable alternatives.

“So far, the project has engaged and trained 46 community forest rangers across 26 communities.

“This has equipped them with skills in patrols, forest governance, tree nursery establishment, and sustainable forest management.

“The rangers have also raised and nurtured over 16,500 indigenous tree seedlings, now successfully planted across Taylor Creek Forest communities, reinforcing ecological resilience and contributing to climate action,” he said.

The NCF director added that more than 150 beneficiaries had been empowered in small-scale enterprises, including aquaculture, beekeeping, animal rearing and cassava cultivation.

“Starter packs such as collapsible fishponds, fingerlings, goats, and improved cassava cuttings have been distributed, creating green jobs and reducing community dependence on unsustainable forest practices,” he said.

Ogunsesan also highlighted the significance of linking conservation with people-centered development.

“What makes this project unique is the balance between protecting biodiversity and improving local livelihoods.

“By restoring the forest and supporting households with alternative sources of income, we are demonstrating that conservation and community prosperity can go hand-in-hand,” he said.

The statement quoted the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Douye Diri, as emphasising that the project marked a new phase of community-driven environmental stewardship.

Diri, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ben Ololo, said, “This project represents a turning point in how we manage our natural resources in Bayelsa.

“Beyond planting trees, we are nurturing a culture of responsibility and resilience in our communities.

“By empowering rangers and supporting alternative livelihoods, we are safeguarding Taylor Creek Forest for our children and generations to come,” he said.

The Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd. reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the programme, adding that the Biodiversity Action Plan was about people, livelihoods, and the shared future of Bayelsa communities.

By Olaitan Idris

Lagos engages Computer Village traders on relocation to Katangowa

Michael Simire
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Lagos engages Computer Village traders on relocation to Katangowa

The Lagos State Government on Monday, September 22, 2025, met with stakeholders of the Computer Village, Ikeja, on plans to relocate the market to Katangowa, Agbado-Oke Odo.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Mr. Gbolahan Oki, said the meeting was in line with Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive that the process must be inclusive and transparent.

Computer Village
State officials addressing Computer Village traders

“This is the first time in 15 years that government is holding this kind of meeting directly with you in your market. It shows the governor’s commitment to openness,” Oki said.

He said that the state government was speeding up work on the new ICT and Business Park at Katangowa.

The facilities there, he said, would include hotels, banks, recreation centres, car parks, a fire station, police post and good access roads.

According to him, moving the market would benefit both government and traders.

He noted that Ikeja’s original plan as a residential area had been distorted by business expansion, while the Katangowa site would provide a more organised and conducive environment.

Oki appealed to traders to support the relocation plan and to stop trading on the streets, setbacks and drainages in Ikeja.

A presentation was also made by officials of the Urban Development Department to explain the ongoing efforts and benefits of the relocation.

The Iyaloja of Computer Village, Chief Abisola Azeez, thanked the governor for the initiative, saying the new site would enhance the market’s potential and provide better opportunities for traders and customers.

Other officials at the meeting include the General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, Mr. Oladimeji Animashaun, and the Coordinating Director, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Mrs. Florence Gbaye.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Urban Development, Mr. Segun Williams, and executive members of the market association were also present.

By Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe

Govt begins verification of disputed oil, gas fields, wells in Niger Delta

Michael Simire
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Govt begins verification of disputed oil, gas fields, wells in Niger Delta

The Federal Government of Nigeria has begun verification of disputed and newly drilled crude oil and gas fields and wells in the Niger Delta region.

Addressing newsmen in Asaba, the Delta State capital, Dr Mohammed Shehu, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), said the initiative is aimed at ensuring that every oil and gas producing state received their rightful share of resources.

Dr Mohammed Shehu
Dr Mohammed Shehu, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC)

He said that the exercise was in consonance with the provisions of the law, citing paragraphs 32(a) Part I of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

Shehu noted that the exercise was also informed by the various petitions by governors of Anambra, Delta, Imo, Edo, Ondo and Rivers seeking to establish the rightful ownership and territorial boundaries of specific crude oil and gas assets.

According to Shehu, the assignment is to be carried out via Inter-Agnency Technical Committee (IATC) comprising the RMAFC, Representatives of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation(OSGOF) and the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

“We announce the inauguration of the IATC and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to accurately identify the locations of crude oil and gas fields and wells within the disputed areas and the newly drilled crude oil and gas wells.

“The 1999 Constitution as amended, empowers the RMAFC amongst other functions to monitor accruals into and disbursement of revenue from the federation account.

“This initiative is driven by former concerns expressed by the executive governors of some states such as Anambra -Imo, Anambra -Delta regarding the rightful ownership and territorial boundaries of specific crude oil and gas assets.

“Key among these is the Aneize oil field within OML 143; the Eyine and Ameshi fields. In Delta, we shall examine the identified locations and verify the coordinates of newly drilled oil and gas wells within the area spanning from 2017 to date,” he said.

The RMAFC boss said the verification exercise would be extended to Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo and Anambra states in response to their complaints.

He said that the verification exercise would rely on geospatial data provided by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission which would be validated and plotted while the Surveyor-Generals of the affected states would observe the entire process.

According to him, the goal is to ensure a fair and transparent allocation of oil revenue grounded in accurate data while addressing long-standing disputes over the location and rightful ownership of these vital energy assets.

“We are tasked with the plotting the coordinates of newly drilled identified crude oil and gas fields and wells across recognised oil-rich regions.

“This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to support the commission in obtaining precise location data for these assets, ensuring that the 13 per cent derivation fund is equitably disbursed to the rightful boundary states among the oil- producing areas.”

Shehu noted that the exercise was a strategic and proactive measure by the Federal Government aimed at resolving long-standing disputes among the affected states.

“This initiative is essential to ensure that every oil and gas producing states receives its rightful share of the resources to reduce tension and safeguard the integrity of the federation account.

“By promoting transparency and fairness, we are laying the groundwork for a more stable and conducive environment for continued exploration and development across the region,” Shehu said.

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Nigeria submits updated NDC, new climate plan wins UN backing

Michael Simire
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Nigeria submits updated NDC, new climate plan wins UN backing

Nigeria, along with Eswatini, Jordan, Tunisia and Honduras, submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat on Monday, September 22, 2025.

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Climate Change, described Nigeria’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) as a “significant step forward” in the country’s energy and climate transition.

Simon Stiell
Mr. Simon Stiell with the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal

Stiell, in a statement on Monday, said the clean energy economy presented Nigeria with an opportunity to usher in “a new era of economic growth.”

He described the plan as one that could create jobs, attract investment, and harness the potential of its youthful population.

“Every country is now in a race to realise the benefits of clean energy.

“By setting clear goals, including near-term targets to reduce emissions towards achieving net zero by 2060, Nigeria is sending a clear signal to the world: development and climate action go hand in hand,” Stiell said.

The UN climate chief also hailed Nigeria’s effort to strengthen inclusivity in its plan, noting that “involving more and more of society in climate action makes its plan stronger.”

Stiell emphasised that Nigeria’s revised plan sends “a clear signal to the world” that climate action and development were mutually reinforcing rather than contradictory.

The council had said that the updated NDC would be submitted to the UN agency before the 30th Conference of Parties on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) in November.

The third contribution, tagged: NDC 3.0, was unveiled and validated in August following a workshop on Aug. 27, organised by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).

LASPPPA embarks on physical planning permit sensitisation roadshow

Michael Simire
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LASPPPA embarks on physical planning permit sensitisation roadshow

The Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) on Monday, September 22, embarked on a road sensitisation campaign to educate residents on compliance with planning permit laws ahead of its 2025 stakeholders’ engagement.

The roadshow was aimed at creating awareness on the importance of adhering to physical planning regulations.

LASPPPA
L-R: The General Manager, LASPPPA, Mr Kehinde Osinaike; Special Advised to the Governor on Electronic Geographic Information System (e-GIS), Dr Babatunde Olajide; Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Olumide Oluyinka and Oluwole Sotire, Permanent Secretary of the ministry during roadshow to create awareness on physical planning permits organised by LASPPPA on Monday in Lagos

LASPPPA, an agency under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, kicked off the procession from its headquarters in Ikeja GRA.

Using public address systems, officials explained how timely compliance with planning laws guarantees equity in investments, ensures proper urban planning, prevents building collapse, and supports government in managing city growth.

Their officials stressed that approvals are mandatory before construction, demolition, remodelling or change of ownership of properties, warning that non-compliance attracts sanctions.

Residents were urged to avoid touts and instead register online, visit LASPPPA headquarters or any of its district offices across the state to obtain approvals within 10 days.

They also invited the public to the forthcoming stakeholders’ engagement on Friday with the theme: “Planning Permit: The Rebirth.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Olumide Oluyinka, received LASPPPA officials at his office in Alausa.

He addressed the gathering on the importance of sensitisation before joining the roadshow alongside the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oluwole Sotire, and other top government officials.

Speaking with journalists, Oluyinka said the campaign was designed to tackle low awareness about the value of planning permits.

“It will be an ongoing exercise because we must take this message right to the grassroots. Our people in riverine areas and local communities must also know and appreciate the importance of planning permits,” he said.

The commissioner explained that planning approvals help the state monitor development patterns and expand infrastructure to meet residents’ needs.

“You can’t drive a new car without registering it. If you buy a phone with a SIM card, it won’t work after a few days if it isn’t registered.

“The same applies here. There is no individual anywhere in the world without a birth certificate. For a building, that permit is its birth certificate, and every structure must have it,” he added.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Electronic Geographic Information System (e-GIS), Dr Babatunde Olajide, and the Permanent Secretary, Sotire, urged residents to be good ambassadors by complying with planning laws.

They outlined the benefits of compliance and warned that violations or inaction could negatively affect the wider society.

The General Manager of LASPPPA, Mr. Kehinde Osinaike, said the campaign was building on successes recorded from previous sensitisation drives.

He noted that compliance levels had risen as reforms had simplified the process of obtaining approvals.

“There has been a marked increase in submissions of planning permits and issuance of approvals,” he said.

A fuel attendant in Maryland, Mr. Mazi Alphonsus, commended the campaign.

“If they continue like this, people will not make mistakes,” he said.

Alphonsus added that it was “heartbreaking” to complete a building in error, especially given current economic realities, only to face the risk of demolition.

The procession began from LASPPPA Headquarters, Ikeja GRA through Ikeja under bridge, Oba Akran, Agidingbi, Alausa, Oregun Road, Opebi Road, Sheraton, Maryland and its environs.

By Grace Alegba

‘Reckless, unjust’ – Groups flay TotalEnergies’ ‘world’s deepest’ offshore well

Michael Simire
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‘Reckless, unjust’ – Groups flay TotalEnergies’ ‘world’s deepest’ offshore well

Fresh from their landmark victory in the Teepsa 5/6/7 case – where the courts set aside authorisation for another deep-water drilling project – The Green Connection and Natural Justice are warning of an even bigger threat to people, the ocean and the climate.

This time, the organisations are challenging TotalEnergies’ proposal to drill what would be the world’s deepest offshore well in the Deep Western Orange Basin (DWOB South).

Offshore well
An offshore well

The Green Connection’s Strategic Lead, Liziwe McDaid, says that the scale of the project is staggering: “If approved, this would mean drilling at depths of nearly 3,900 metres, only 211 km off the coast of Saldanha – home to many indigenous small-scale fisher families. It would be reckless to put their livelihoods and our marine heritage at risk.”

According to McDaid, the Draft Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report (DESIAR) reveals several governance failures.

“What is particularly concerning is how the report downplays the risk of catastrophic oil spills and makes unsubstantiated claims that a blow-out could be capped in just 20 days, while experts warn it could take months at these depths. A spill of that scale could devastate fisheries and wipe out tourism jobs and could even spread into Namibian waters.

“This month we celebrate our heritage, and this weekend the world turns to Coastal Clean-Up and Zero Emissions – yet this project could unnecessarily put people’s culture, the ocean, and climate action at risk if approved,” she explains.

“Some of the most concerning aspects of the DESIAR are that it seems to ignore cumulative climate impacts and appears to perpetuate injustice against marginalised communities, due to the lack of meaningful engagement with those who will likely be affected. Many fisher communities report that, as a result of meeting locations, they were not reached, while others report that they were only afforded limited consultation – as crucial baseline data was not shared in accessible formats.

“This may undermine people’s constitutional rights, especially since this is yet another project that could lock South Africa into a costly, carbon-heavy path that may be wholly at odds with climate science and the country’s just transition commitments, and which could negatively impact the marine ecosystems that coastal communities rely on,” adds McDaid.

The DESIAR also appears to present inflated economic benefits, but most skilled jobs could go to foreign contractors, which may leave locals with only short-term, low-paid work. In contrast, coastal fishing and tourism – proven, sustainable drivers of jobs and GDP – could be placed at risk.

The organisations also emphasise that impacts on marine biodiversity are barely assessed, even though the deep ocean plays a critical role in regulating the climate and sustaining fisheries. Noise pollution is similarly overlooked, with the report dismissing the risks of seismic blasts and drilling noise that can disorient whales, drive fish from their feeding grounds, and threaten endangered turtles and seabirds.

Legal Advisor at The Green Connection, Shahil Singh, adds, “The law is clear, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) must consider the full life cycle of a fossil fuel project, not just the exploration phase. By failing to properly address this, the report could mislead the public into thinking exploration is harmless, when in reality it is often the first step towards large-scale oil and gas extraction. The recent Teepsa 5/6/7 judgment confirmed this principle, with the courts making it clear that weak and incomplete assessments will not stand. These flaws may strike at the heart of the report’s credibility and could be grounds for legal challenge.”

South Africa already faces a strict carbon budget. Any new oil and gas production may push national emissions beyond Paris Agreement commitments, which could undermine climate obligations and possibly expose the country to potential EU/UK carbon border tariffs. The International Court of Justice recently reaffirmed that governments have a duty to prevent climate harms, yet the DESIAR does not appear to make any attempt to calculate full life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions.

Furthermore, multiple exploration and drilling projects are already underway in South African and Namibian waters. Each one could add pressure to fragile marine ecosystems, yet the DESIAR appears to treat them in isolation. Experts warn this approach is equivalent to approving multiple factories to discharge into the same river while claiming each has “minimal impact.”

“Additionally, calling gas a ‘transition fuel’ is misleading because, with gas, comes methane – which is estimated to be over 80 times more potent than CO₂ at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 20-year period, which may leak throughout the production cycle. Moreover, buying into gas takes us backwards, at a time when we should be investing in clean, affordable renewables – especially as the high cost of gas infrastructure and reliance on global markets could result in more expensive electricity for ordinary South Africans. True development should be people-centred – uplifting communities, restoring balance with nature, and securing livelihoods – not gambling with our oceans and heritage for short-term profit,” adds McDaid.

Nigeria’s health financing: Lessons from Canada’s $32.5bn tobacco settlement

Michael Simire
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Nigeria’s health financing: Lessons from Canada’s $32.5bn tobacco settlement

Nigeria’s decision to earmark SIN taxes – levies on alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks – for health financing, signals a firm commitment to prioritising citizens’ health. It also aligns with long-standing calls from Nigerian public health advocates and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The move could not be timelier. Earlier this year, a major investigation revealed that Nigerians spend about N1.92 trillion (roughly $1.26 billion) annually seeking treatment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Almost 30 percent of deaths in the country are linked to NCDs, with tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks among the biggest culprits.

Tobacco
Tobacco

Tobacco use alone fuels a raft of debilitating diseases: cancers of the lung, mouth, bladder, and colon; heart disease and stroke; chronic respiratory illness like COPD; type 2 diabetes; ectopic pregnancy; and premature, low birthweight babies. Globally, tobacco kills more than seven million people annually – 300,000 in Africa alone. Eight in ten smokers live in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria, feeding Big Tobacco’s multi-billion-dollar profits. In 2015, the six largest cigarette firms raked in $62 billion in profits – more than the annual budgets of several small nations.

These resources bankroll relentless marketing campaigns, youth-targeted advertising, lobbying against regulations, and deceptive promotion of so-called “reduced risk” products such as vapes, heated tobacco, snus, and nicotine pouches. Far from solving the problem, these new products hook a new generation on nicotine while undermining tobacco control efforts.

Yet Nigeria’s funding for tobacco control remains pitifully low. In 2024, following persistent advocacy, the government allocated N13 million to the Tobacco Control Fund (TCF) – but this falls far short of the about N300 million minimum required to operationalise it.

If Nigeria is serious about reducing tobacco’s deadly toll, it must explore innovative financing tools – including holding the industry itself to account.

In 2024, the Canadian government reached a landmark C$32.5 billion settlement with three tobacco giants – JTI-Macdonald Corp., Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, and Imperial Tobacco Canada. The payout compensates provinces, territories, and former smokers for decades of healthcare, social, and economic costs caused by tobacco. The deal, finalised in August 2025, capped a 27-year legal battle that proved the industry can be held liable for its deception and harm.

The Canadian settlement echoes the United States’ historic 1998 Master Settlement Agreement, where four leading tobacco firms agreed to pay $206 billion over 25 years (with payments continuing indefinitely).

For Nigeria, these precedents offer a roadmap. As WHO’s tobacco control chief Adriana Blanco Marquizo put it, the Canadian deal has “far-reaching” global implications – demonstrating that Big Tobacco can be forced to pay for its destruction.

Nigeria already has some experience. In 2023, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) fined British American Tobacco parties $110 million for breaching public health regulations – the largest fine ever issued by the regulator. This shows legal action is possible on home soil.

But to scale up, Nigeria needs legal groundwork, such as building airtight cases around healthcare costs, drawing on Canada and U.S. litigation. Civil society mobilisation is also key. Groups like Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) and the Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) are necessary to sustain advocacy pressure. Robust data is also critical to document the true cost of tobacco – hospitalisations, lost productivity, premature deaths. Furthermore, international collaboration with global networks that have taken on Big Tobacco before will smoothen the process and help to counter Big Tobacco’s legal tactics.

Nigeria should also emulate Canada’s Tobacco Claims process, which allows individuals who developed illnesses because of smoking, or from second-hand smoke (SHS), or family members of those who died from tobacco-related diseases to seek compensation directly, with no upfront legal fees. This is separate from the recent settlement funds. Such an approach would bring justice to victims while amplifying public support.

Perhaps the toughest fight is not against cigarettes but against the new wave of smokeless products and vapes, which Big Tobacco falsely markets as safer. Any Nigerian settlement must explicitly fund counter-marketing campaigns, research, and enforcement to dismantle this harmful narrative. Canada was careful to exclude industry-backed “harm reduction” foundations from its deal. Nigeria must follow suit.

Nigeria’s young population is already a prime target for flavoured vapes and e-cigarettes. Failure to act risks a generation addicted to nicotine, burdened by disease, and robbed of potential. But success could deliver a turning point – funding healthcare, empowering advocacy, and saving millions of lives.

The question is whether Nigerian leaders will put lives above the lobbying power of Big Tobacco. Canada has shown it can be done. If Nigeria follows through – with political will, legal rigour, and strong civil society support – it can not only transform its health financing but also send a powerful message across Africa that the era of tobacco impunity is over.

By Robert Egbe, tobacco control advocate at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)

Concern as Sterling Oil pipeline runs through homes, schools in Delta communities

Michael Simire
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Concern as Sterling Oil pipeline runs through homes, schools in Delta communities

The indigenous communities of Afor Clan in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State are facing an urgent environmental and constitutional crisis due to Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Co. Ltd.’s controversial pipeline project.

Despite strong community opposition and ongoing legal proceedings, the company is said to have proceeded with construction through residential areas, raising concerns about environmental safety, proper consultation, and constitutional violations.

Oil pipeline vandalism
Oil pipeline

Sterling Oil began exploration activities in the Afor Clan communities five years ago. In April 2025, the company returned to secure permissions for a pipeline running in these locations to its Flow Station in Beneku, which would affect five communities: Okolori-Afor, Ogbetitit-Afor, Umuachi-Afor, Ogbedigbo-Afor, and Obetim-Uno.

The pipeline is located near the Health Centre, as well as homes, schools, and it passes through farms. The route through which the pipeline would follow had initially been laid out by the community through a map it designed to accommodate the company showing the safer options.

The pipeline runs less than 100 metres from the only health centre serving the entire Afor region, thereby depriving communities of their only healthcare access. This poses environmental risks, threatening water sources, biodiversity, and agricultural lands, as well as significant safety concerns due to the potential for explosions, leaks, and contamination.

During a community visit, it was discovered that the community has a history of legal disputes with the company. Multiple protest letters have been submitted to Sterling Oil by the communities, although no response has been received. The communities, however, have secured legal representation through qualified law firms, and a petition to the National Assembly has been submitted through Nnamdi Eziechi (Ndokwa/Ukwuani Constituency).

However, the petition is still pending a final hearing at the National Assembly, and Sterling Oil has reportedly proceeded with excavation despite ongoing legal proceedings, without addressing the concerns of the communities or responding to legal communications.

The company’s actions appear to violate human rights, with the initial plan being to route the pipeline behind Owoi Creek, an undeveloped and safer area. The company has allegedly failed to present a mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to the affected communities, nor has it engaged in meaningful dialogue with legitimate community representatives. The project reportedly violates Sections 43 and 44 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which guarantee citizens’ rights to own property and protect against forceful takeover of landed properties.

Mr. Cletus Ifeadime, President of Afor United, the umbrella organisation representing the affected communities, noted: “We are not against oil and gas development, but we cannot accept a pipeline running through our homes, schools, and health facilities, Sterling Oil promised to route the pipeline behind Owoi Creek, away from residential areas, but instead they are bulldozing through our towns.”

Also, Amb. Chukwuyenum Kind Uzor, Secretary of Afor United, who joined in protesting the location of the pipeline, mentioned: “When we protested the route change in April, they brought soldiers to chase us away and continued with their plans. This is not how responsible companies should engage with host communities. The pipeline will traverse our developing residential areas, which will result in irreparable environmental damage and harm to local biodiversity, the legal petition states.

“We demand strict adherence to our position on this matter, including adequate compensation and community development projects as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.”

Dr Otive Igbuzor, a human rights advocate, further calls for the review and audit of Sterling Oil’s environmental compliance, verification of proper consultation procedures, and Assessment of alternative route feasibility.

“This situation represents a critical test of Nigeria’s commitment to environmental protection, constitutional rights, and corporate accountability. Immediate intervention is required to prevent a potential environmental disaster and protect the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens in Delta State. The convergence of environmental risks, constitutional violations, and corporate overreach demands urgent attention from government authorities, regulatory bodies, and civil society organisations.”

The executive director of HOMEF, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, noted: “We keep seeing this utter disregard of the welfare of our communities and any regard to their environment. Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Co. Ltd has no right whatsoever to place its pipeline close to the community when the community has offered them a safer, better route that doesn’t endanger them. What does Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Co. Ltd want? To bomb the peaceful community? They should stop work immediately and reroute the pipeline.”

The communities require immediate action to be taken, which includes the following:

  1. The cessation of all construction activities by Sterling Oil, pending proper consultation and agreements. The re-routing of the pipeline behind Owoi Creek is as initially planned.
  2. Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment conducted by accredited agencies.
  3. Meaningful community consultation with legitimate stakeholders, and adequate compensation and community development projects as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
  4. The communities further demand that the company stick to the community-proposed route behind Owoi Creek, as this will ensure minimal impact on residential areas, water sources, and livelihoods. They demand inclusive dialogue with all affected communities, and
  5. Regular updates and community involvement in decision-making.

Civil society groups recommend that the following recommendations be made to all concerned parties: for government authorities to immediately intervene and halt construction pending a proper environmental assessment, begin an investigation into Sterling Oil’s compliance with Nigerian environmental laws, and enforce the constitutional rights and property protections of the Afor communities.

UNGA: Colombia offers to host first International Conference for the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels

Michael Simire
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UNGA: Colombia offers to host first International Conference for the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels

During the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, Colombia has announced its plan to host the First International Conference for the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels in April 2026. The landmark conference will provide a global platform for countries to cooperate on strategies to phase out oil, gas and coal extraction, complementing and reinforcing the Paris Agreement.

It also aligns with the historic International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (ICJAO), which recognises States’ legal obligation to protect the climate, including by addressing fossil fuel production.

Irene Vélez Torres
Irene Vélez Torres, Minister in Charge of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia

The decision to convene the conference was reached by the 17 countries participating in discussions to develop a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Participating nations agreed to advance a series of diplomatic conferences starting in 2026, with the goal of fostering international cooperation for a just transition away from fossil fuels.

Irene Vélez Torres, Minister in Charge of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, said: “Colombia is proud to host the First International Conference for the Phase-out of Fossil Fuels in 2026. This historic gathering will be a pivotal moment for the Global South to lead the charge in transforming our energy systems and addressing the intertwined crises of climate and justice. Together, we will chart a path that prioritises life, equity, and sustainability over destruction and inequality. This is our moment, our mandate – to build a future beyond fossil fuels and ensure reparative justice for everyone.”

Ralph Regenvanu, Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management of Vanuatu, said: “For vulnerable nations like Vanuatu and our other Small Island States, the phase-out of fossil fuels is not merely an environmental imperative, it is an existential one. This conference represents a pivotal step towards forging a common roadmap, ensuring that no community or nation is left behind as we build a resilient, sustainable future that protects our people, our economies, and our planet.”

Tzeporah Berman, Founder and Co-Chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “This announcement from Colombia signals a bold and necessary step towards climate leadership. The proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty is gaining momentum, and this conference offers a vital opportunity to translate growing support into concrete action, accelerating our shift towards a more sustainable and just energy future for all.”

The conference will serve as a strategic space for dialogue among diverse stakeholders across all sectors – including government representatives, experts, rural and Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant communities, civil society, climate advocates, industry leaders, and academia – to explore viable, fair, and equitable pathways for transitioning to sustainable, diversified and accessible energy. Focused on fostering robust and structural transformations, the summit aims to facilitate a planned, just, and sustainable phase-out of fossil fuels.

This announcement marks the first political step towards the formal launch of the conference, with further details to be unveiled at COP30 in Belém. During a High-Level Ministerial Meeting, participating nations will outline the contours of the 2026 conference, and issue a joint political declaration, solidifying their commitment to decisive action in confronting the climate crisis: through a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels, one that recognises the need for a structural shift in our socioeconomic model.

The idea of a global conference builds upon successful examples of previous diplomatic summits that have led to increased international cooperation and treaty negotiations to address major global threats including the Mine Ban Treaty (Ottawa Process); the Convention on Cluster Munitions (Oslo Process); and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, for which a series of three conferences, known as the Humanitarian Initiative, shifted the framing of nuclear weapons from one of security to a humanitarian discourse, leading to successful treaty negotiations within the UN General Assembly.

This announcement comes at a critical moment, amplified by the release of the 2025 Production Gap Report today. The findings reveal a stark misalignment between global fossil fuel production plans and the levels essential to limiting global warming to 1.5°C. According to the report, government projections for 2030 indicate fossil fuel production will surpass Paris Agreement-compliant levels by more than 120%, and by 2050, production is expected to exceed necessary levels by 4.5 times for a 1.5°C pathway.

This systemic failure to reduce fossil fuel production demands even more drastic future cuts to meet Paris targets, underscoring the urgent need for a swift and decisive global transition away from fossil fuels.

By Adaobi Ogbuani

World Cleanup Day: YASIF, others want reorientation to strengthen Nigeria’s waste sector

Michael Simire
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World Cleanup Day: YASIF, others want reorientation to strengthen Nigeria’s waste sector

The Young Advocates for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future (YASIF), the Federal Ministry of Environment, and civil society groups have called for a wide range of public awareness campaigns to help address the challenges of poor waste disposal and its impact on Nigeria’s economy.

The group, which referred to waste as wealth, made the call on Friday, September 20, 2025, just after a cleanup exercise in Karonmajiji, a small community on the outskirts of Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, as part of its activities to celebrate this year’s World Cleanup Day.

World Cleanup Day
Participants at a cleanup event in Karomonjiji, Abuja, gathered to commemorate the 2025 World Cleanup Day. This event was organised by the Young Advocates for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future (YASIF) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment

It continued by saying that Nigeria will be more than halfway to tackling the problem and accomplishing its sustainability objective if it can persuade its citizens to realise this hidden truth.

Blessing Ewa, the founder of YASIF, told EnviroNews in an interview that the desire to confront the aforementioned problem actually motivated her organisation to earlier sensitise some selected women in the community on waste upcycling and recycling, and most of them reported that they were already earning income from the skills they had acquired.

According to her, the women leader informed her in a conversation that many of their members have generated over N150,000 each from selling some of their products which they made from pure water sachets.

Ewa said this is “what they previously considered as waste.” This gesture reveals how pleased the women are with the training, which has not only provided them with knowledge about environmental sustainability but has also enriched their pockets by allowing them to earn money from recycling agencies that buy their products.

She expressed her happiness at the development, which she says her establishment anticipates because of its impact in positioning the beneficiaries as pacesetters of ecological conservation.

In a similar vein, Lawrence Okechukwu, an assistant chief chemical engineer with Solid Waste Management and Technology in the Federal Ministry of Environment’s Department of Pollution Control, underscored the pressing need to change the stereotype that waste is typically associated with into its true value as an economic asset.

When asked about his thoughts on using the law to solve the issue, he strongly expressed his belief that people will be more reluctant to commit crimes if there is a shift in public perception ofwaste. So, for him, there is no need to go to such lengths because the majority of the people being referred to are already poor and require the environment for empowerment.

“The primary concern is reorientation; with effective reorientation, this issue can be addressed at its roots – that is my honest opinion,” he stated, commending YASIF for its efforts in working with women and young people to help them recognise that they can profit from the items they no longer need.”

On her part, Mrs. Rita Nnaji, assistant director of the Environmental Education and Awareness division with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Environmental Enforcement Agency (NESREA), acknowledged that her institution has regulations that deal with waste control, which spell out penalties that can be used to punish offenders.

This can be done by requiring the person or group to clean up the mess, taking them to court, or even providing them with an abatement notice, she continued. If the problem is not resolve, the offenders can be arrested. 

Like Ewa and Okechukwu, she supported the idea that public education should be the first step in resolving the crisis and urged the people of Karomonjiji to form a task force unit that would not only enforce good waste management principles but also ensure coordinated monitoring to protect the environment.

“All the communities have to set a day aside, which is compulsory, so that everybody will be mandated to clean up the environment,” she noted in her response to what she would do differently if in the position to put things into the right perspective.

Zainab Musa, the women’s leader of Karomonjiji, who spoke on their behalf, expressed gratitude for identifying the community for the cleanup exercise, especially given how filthy the neighbourhood is.

She reported that more than 50 women participated in the cleanup initiative, which impressed the Hakimi, the community’s traditional leader, after he watched the women’s efforts.

Musa bestowed blessings on YASIF for training women in the locality, specifically for empowering them to own a small shop where they produce and sell items created from waste products.

“People may look at what they have given to us as small, but we do really appreciate it, and thank God,” the women leader said, urging the government and stakeholders to support YASIF’s efforts by providing additional resources to expand their work.

To summarise, promoting sustainability through a waste management culture requires grassroots communities to consider themselves as environmental advocates rather than vulnerable groups or victims of environmental degradation.They must realise that everyone has a responsibility to play in trash management because a mountain of waste requires everyone to dump waste together, and a clean community requires everyone to practise waste management.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

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