The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, has stressed that good governance and transparency are crucial for driving sustainable progress and combating corruption in Nigeria.
UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, October 7, 2024, at MacArthur Foundation’s 30-year celebration and the conclusion of its On Nigeria programme, Mohammed emphasised that strengthening accountability ensured resources reached those most in need, built trust, empowered communities, and fostered robust social contracts.
Mohammed advocated for strategic investments in education, sustainable food systems, jobs, social protection, climate action, digital economy, and youth development.
“Let us recognise the power of good governance, transparency, and accountability in driving sustainable progress and combating corruption,” she urged.
She called for accelerated efforts as only five years remained to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030,
Shettima Kole, MacArthur Foundation’s Country Director in Nigeria, reflected on the foundation’s positive initiatives and commitment to Nigeria, highlighting its role as grant makers, thought leaders, and responsive collaborators.
The event, tagged “30 Years of Forging Partnerships for Development”, marked MacArthur Foundation’s 30-year presence in Nigeria since its inception in January 1994.
The Ministry of Petroleum Resources has inaugurated a Technical Working Group to enhance gas reticulation practices in Nigeria’s building industry.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Amb. Nicholas Ella, inaugurated the Technical Working Group (TWG) between the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) and the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
Reticulation refers to the process of creating a network of pipes or tubes to distribute gas or other utilities to buildings or industrial sites.
The permanent secretary restated the importance of creating energy smart cities, saying that modern urban development relies on efficient gas and utility distribution systems,
“Most modern cities in developed countries have evolved to energy smart cities where energy, specifically gas and other utilities are piped to districts and estates.
“However, one of the key tools in creating energy smart city is the National Building
Code which, in essence, sets the guidelines on Building Pre-design, designs, construction and post-construction stages,” he said.
The permanent secretary reiterated the benefits of reticulated gas systems for households and businesses alike, adding that it ensured metered supply akin to water and electricity,
According to him, it eliminates the need for cumbersome refills, and also enhances safety by burying pipes and incorporating advanced safety equipment.
“The TWG is tasked with designing a comprehensive policy to implement best practices for gas reticulation using LPG, PNG, and Bio-Gas across Nigeria’s building sector.
“Key responsibilities include reviewing the current National Building Code, examining global gas distribution systems, and proposing quality standards for materials used in gas installations,” he said.
The permanent secretary emphasised the need for rigorous safety protocols and guidelines to ensure the efficient and safe use of gas in construction.
He urged the group to prioritise environmental sustainability in its recommendations, adding that the group is expected to submit its report by Nov. 15.
Earlier, Mr Samson Opaluwah, the Chairman of CORBON. expressed the council’s commitment to collaborate with the group to ensure safe uptake of gas for use in houses and housing estates in Nigeria.
“I assure you of the willingness of CORBON to leverage the expertise and resources at her disposal to ensure that steps are put in place for gas infrastructure in buildings and estates.
“The gas infrastructure will be safe, sustainable and world-class.
“Our collective efforts will yield clear, standardised guidelines for safe and effective gas systems in buildings, matched with a skilled workforce to meet growing demands in Nigeria,” he said.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged communities to heed to its early warnings to reduce impacts of flood in Nigeria.
Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar
The Director-General of the agency, Zubaida Umar, made the call on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, in Dutse, Jigawa State, while handing over 155,020 litres of liquid fertiliser to the Jigawa government.
Umar, represented by Sani Ahmed, Director of Administration and Finance, said the call was imperative in order to reduce the impact of flood on communities and properties.
“The most important thing is if an advice is given to the communities that there will be flooding, please take that advise seriously.
“If you’re asked to relocate, please do so, it’s for your own safety and your property,” Umar said.
She pointed out that it was the responsibility of communities to first intervene whenever disaster occurs, hence the need to heed early warnings by authorities.
“As we’ve been saying in NEMA, disaster occurs in a community, in a local government and in a state. So, it’s the responsibility of that community first to intervene.
“How do they intervene; we give them early warnings, the seasonal predictions, including areas that will be affected by the flood.
“So, we expect the communities to first intervene by helping themselves before the state or NEMA comes in.
“It’s not something that we’re happy doing, but it’s a natural disaster that we cannot prevent, but we can reduce it,” she said.
According to her, the 155,020 litres of the liquid fertiliser were supplied as replacement of balance of NPK fertiliser.
The fertiliser was approved for the state under the National Food Security Council-Emergency Agricultural Intervention (NFSC-EAI) to farmers affected by 2018 flood in the state.
“I’m here to formally hand over this consignment to Jigawa state government for onward distribution to the beneficiary farmers for their use in current planting season,” the DG said.
She added that each one little is equivalent to 50kg 20-10-10 NPK fertiliser.
Responding, Gov. Umar Namadi commended the agency and federal government for the gesture, assuring that the items would be distributed to deserving farmers.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Aminu Usman, added that the fertiliser would be handed over to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for onward distribution to the beneficiaries.
He also urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the fertiliser in order to enhance food production and food security in their communities, state and the nation in general.
In his remarks, SEMA’s Executive Secretary in state, Dr Haruna Mairiga, promised that the items would be fairly distributed to the beneficiaries.
A recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts a dramatic surge in the world’s renewable power capacity over the next decade, potentially matching the combined electricity generation capacity of major economies such as China, the European Union, India, and the United States.
Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA)
According to the IEA Executive Director, Fatih Birol, “Renewables are moving faster than national governments can set targets for. This is driven not just by efforts to lower emissions or boost energy security, but increasingly because renewables today offer the cheapest option to add new power plants in almost all countries.”
Birol further noted that the growth of renewables, particularly solar, will transform electricity systems worldwide within a decade. “Between now and 2030, the world is on course to add more than 5,500 gigawatts of renewable power capacity – roughly equal to the current power capacity of China, the EU, India, and the US combined. By 2030, we expect renewables to meet half of global electricity demand.”
The Renewables 2024 report indicates that global renewable energy additions are expected to exceed almost three times the increase recorded between 2017 and 2023. China is set to lead this expansion, accounting for nearly 60% of all new installations, which would position it to host almost half of the world’s total renewable power capacity by the end of the decade.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is projected to dominate this growth, contributing to 80% of the new capacity through the development of large solar power plants and increased rooftop installations. The wind sector is also expected to rebound, with its expansion rate predicted to double in the coming years. This shift to renewables is vital not only for reducing emissions and enhancing energy security but also for economic benefits, as wind and solar become the most affordable electricity generation options in numerous countries.
However, the report highlights several challenges, particularly in integrating renewable sources into existing power systems.
Many countries currently face significant rates of electricity curtailment – where potential renewable generation goes unused – reaching around 10% in some areas. To address these issues, governments must focus on improving grid infrastructure, enhancing system flexibility, and streamlining permitting processes.
With the share of renewables in final energy consumption expected to rise to nearly 20% by 2030, policymakers are urged to accelerate the adoption of renewable fuels such as biofuels, biogases, and hydrogen. Although these fuels remain less competitive than fossil fuels, their integration is essential for meeting international climate goals.
The manufacturing landscape is also evolving, with global solar manufacturing capacity projected to surpass 1,100 GW by the end of 2024, largely driven by China. However, significant disparities in production costs present challenges for other countries, highlighting the need for balanced policies that promote local manufacturing while considering job creation and energy security.
In its drive towards ensuring availability of potable water services to the people at the grassroots, WaterAid Nigeria through the financial backing of PepsiCo Foundation has provided residents of Araromi and Itele-Nla communities in Ikorodu North LCDA in Lagos with solar-powered water facilities as part of its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Improvement Project.
WaterAid Nigeria and Lagos State Government officials at the presentation of the facilities
Godfrey Iloha, WASH Manager, in his remarks during the project commissioning and handing over ceremony on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, noted that WaterAid has the resources with the support of the government to saturate the entire Ikorodu North LCDA communities and beyond with clean water sanitation and hygiene to ensure that as many as 10 million people are reached through the intervention programme currently ongoing.
Besides the project’s 6,000-litre capacity for Itele-Nla and 3,000-litre capacity for Araromi communities, which is being powered by solar energy, Iloha noted that the projects also come wirh treatment component.
In his words: “Interestingly, as we are drilling we also conduct water quality test and in all the tests we have carried out before the facilities were installed, most of them came with bacteriological contamination and acidity low pH, so it is important that for us to give clean water to the communities, it is important that we install the treatment facilities to ensure that the water is safe for drinking.”
He charged the government to prioritise WASH in all nooks and cranies of the state in ensuring that people at the grassroots are not left out.
“There are so many communities yearning for this type of facilities, so government needs to scale this type of project up in all communities around the state to ensure that by 2030 the SDG Goal of adequate water supply is achieved,” he maintained.
In his submission, Prince Niran Ogunbanwo, WASHCOM Coordinator and Chairman CDC, commended WaterAid Nigeria and PepsiCo Foundation for the project.
“Surely, WASHCOM and CDC are very happy to receive these facilities. What the facilitators are doing within our domain here is very wonderful and as you can see everyone around the eighty-seven communities are happy for witnessing this project commissioning.
“The most interesting part of it is that the water is drinkable which is quite different from what most residents have in our homes. We know more is still in the pipeline so we thank WaterAid for this intervention project.”
Amin Olawale Ibrahim, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, disclosed that “in terms of clean water service delivery, this is one of the best projects we have around our vicinity here because for a community battling with electricity supply, but this one is solar-powered with other facilities that ensure the water coming out of here is safe for drinking because of the water treatment. So our people can drink this water without entertaining any fear of water borne diseases. It is safe for drinking.”
The Vice Chairman, who spoke on behalf of Adeola Adebisi Banjo, Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, however charged the residents to make good use of the facilities and ensure proper maintainance to ensure sustainability of the project.
Oyedele James, representing Mahmud Adegbite, Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources of Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, noted that the assessment of the project is okay because several tests were run on the output from the facilities and they all met the standards set by the government.
According to him, “water from this facilities has specific alkaline and alkaline water is good for the body system unlike some water which has negative impact on the body system, so the beneficiaries of these facilities should maintain the project for their good.”
Highpoint of the event was signing of an MoU between Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA and the benefitting communities as well as handing over of two sets of WASH Maintenence Kits to the two WASH Management Committees.
The event witnessed dignatories such as Nìyí Odugbesi, Secretary tó Local Government, Ikorodu North LCDA; Adijat Adebola Salako, WASHCOM Chairman of Araromi Community; Chief Adebola Kazeem, Baale of Araromi Community; Henry Adenigba, Executive Director, Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED); Ogomide Peter Fatoye, Chairman, Temidire CDA; and Pastor Tunde Ige, Chairman of Ashiwaju/Itele-Nla/Igbaloye CDA, among others.
Climate Action Network’s latest Renewable Energy Tracker Report has revealed that not one country is doing enough to provide clean, accessible, and affordable energy. The latest findings show that the world is therefore not on track to reach 100% Renewable Energy by 2050.
Solar panels: According to the report, achieving net zero by 2050 is still possible by tripling renewable energy capacity
According to CAN, renewable energy remains concentrated in just a few, often rich, countries, inaccessible to people globally – notably the rural poor, who are often dependent on toxic cooking fuels.
“Despite the continuing growth in investment in renewable energy, there are still too many barriers for developing countries to access the right kind of finance to grow their own renewables, these include mounting debt, limited public grants-based finance available, and high cost of capital in their regions,” stated the group, adding:
“Meanwhile, in the name of ‘clean energy’, big corporations are supplying the world with the hardware needed for the energy transition. At the same time, they are extracting the critical minerals needed without the consent of Indigenous Peoples and impacted communities, and at a high cost to the environment.”
Julie Ducasse, Coordinator on Renewable Energy Data at Climate Action Network International, said: “The current distribution of renewable energy is highly unequal, leaving millions without clean electricity and stalling socio-economic progress, especially in rural areas. Meanwhile, developed countries are not deploying enough renewables to phase out fossil fuels nor providing sufficient financial support for developing countries.
“It’s time for richer countries to step up. The industry must uphold the highest standards for human, land, and environmental rights to ensure a just and equitable energy transition that truly benefits local communities and workers across the entire supply chain, from the mining of critical minerals to the supply of renewable electricity.”
Elizabeth Wangeci Chege, Energy Efficiency & Cooling Specialist at Sustainable Energy for All, said: “We are now beyond the halfway point of the Decade of Action to achieve SDG 7 targets by 2030, with roughly 2,000 days left to significantly increase the share of renewable energy. Yet, alarmingly, the global share of renewables in total final energy consumption has regressed.
“We must urgently reverse this trend and accelerate the transition to clean energy by 2030. Still 685 million people worldwide – including 591 million in Africa – lack access to electricity. We must end these inequalities, prioritise people and nature, and unlock the full potential of renewables.”
Karabo Mokgonyana, Renewable Energy Campaigner at Power Shift Africa, said: “Behind the growth of renewable energy lies deep inequalities. Africa and other developing regions are being exploited and left behind in this global energy race, locked out by high capital costs, foreign debt, limited technological access, and a lack of support from rich nations. This injustice must end – we want an energy transition that is a tool for development for all.”
In an effort to champion the strides for a hunger-free future, the World Food Day community-based sensitisation was held to raise awareness about sustainable agriculture, food security, and the importance of establishing planting hubs in individual homes.
The BATN Foundation World Food Day sensitisation walk in Lagos
The event, hosted by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, in commemoration of the 2024 World Food Day, was chaired by Mrs Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture.
The sensitisation session organised in partnership with Tropical General Investment (TGI) Group, and other private groups, kicked off from Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park, opposite the Lagos House of Assembly in Ikeja and its environs.
According to the Commissioner: “The walk symbolises a collective commitment to promoting sustainable practices that ensure food security for all.
“This year’s theme, ‘Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future’, emphasises the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat food insecurity, particularly through local initiatives and sustainable agriculture that promote self-sufficiency. The critical need for sustainable food system was underlined.
“Individuals, families, and communities were encouraged to adopt sustainable practices such as home planting hubs, urban gardening, and community farms. These grassroot efforts play a crucial role in building resilient food systems that can respond to future challenges,” she maintained.
Olusanya said: “Lagos State, the smallest state in Nigeria, occupies a unique position with its complex network of lagoons, rivers, and water bodies constituting 22% of its territory. Yet, it is also the most populous state, making access to food critical.
“Identifying and implementing solutions that support both farming and food security is essential to the state’s future. In 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture developed a five-year Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap aimed at increasing food production to 40% self-sufficiency by 2025, up from the current 20%.
“This Roadmap outlines strategies to encourage youth participation, stimulate private sector investment, attract donor funding for agricultural projects, and create new partnerships across the agricultural value chain, focusing on areas where Lagos has competitive and comparative advantages,” stressed the Commissioner.
She however commended the Lagos State Government’s continued efforts toward food security, emphasising the need for unified and intensified actions to build more sustainable food systems.
Odiri Erewa-Meggison, Board member, BATN Foundation, in her remarks emphasised the significance of the day’s activities, saying, “Today is not just about walking together; it’s about walking towards a future where no one has to worry about their next meal. It’s about ensuring our communities thrive, our environment is protected, and our efforts to drive food security remain strong.”
She highlighted the importance of scaling food production and processing, reducing food waste, and providing decent livelihoods for Lagosians.
Erewa-Meggison who stressed that “Food security is crucial in bringing families together,” also noted that “food is an integral part of Nigerian society and the cultural heritage of the people”.
According to her, “The walk serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility toward fostering sustainability within communities, aligning with the global goal of food security and ensuring that no one is left behind.”
Odusanya Oludare, General Manager of BATN Foundation, on his part reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.
He said: “BATN Foundation’s partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture & Food Systems and other stakeholders is driven by a shared vision for sustainable agriculture. We must invest in agricultural innovations, promote planting hubs in homes, and communities, reduce food waste, and build resilient, sustainable food systems.”
World Food Day is celebrated on October 16 every year as set aside by Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
Local communities, civil society organisations and climate justice activists have converged on Saly, Senegal, for the African People’s Counter COP (APCC) which started on Monday, October 7, 2024, to discuss the realities of the African peoples in the face of climate crisis, as well as systematic and environmental oppression.
The African People’s Counter COP 2024 holding in Saly, Senegal
The APCC 2024 is being organised by the Africa Climate Justice Collective (ACJC) in collaboration with Lumière Synergie pour le Développement (LSD) – one of the 32 members of the ACJC, with the theme, “United Against Systematic Oppression and Climate Injustice in Africa”, with delegates from 21 African countries, including Togo, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mali, Kenya, Senegal, Madagascar, South Africa and others.
In her opening speech, Trusha Reddy who represents WoMin African Alliance, stated that Africa has been experiencing climate crisis for several years and striving towards survival in the face of these crises.
Africa produces less than 3% of the greenhouse gases (GHG), which is a small fraction compared to the pollution caused by the global North. The imbalance gave rise to the1992 United Nations Framework Convention on climate change to concentrate efforts and find solutions to the climate issues across the globe.
She, however, pointed out that, since 1992, the COP has not addressed the disproportionate impacts of climate change in Africa: “The global North and large corporations are only interested in launching projects just for profits, not for people’s benefit or the planet as they advance their agenda. This is why the counter COP was created to address and advance solutions that meet the interest of impacted communities.”
Speaking on behalf of the ACJC, Rumbidzai Mpahlo, the coordinator, stated that the APCC has gathered community members and climate justice activists from various organisations and movements to tell their stories of climate struggles and resilience as well as strengthen solidarity. She added that the ACJC is fighting for justice to proffer real solutions to the crisis in Africa.
In a keynote address, Ibrahim Thiam stated that we can work towards the Africa we want in the face of systemic oppression and climate injustice. He called for a return to our African identity that resounds resilience, innovation and solidarity.
“Indigenous knowledge must be preserved to adapt to the impacts of the evolving crisis, but most importantly the change must start with every African when we take autonomy to solve our problem our way,” Thiam said.
Executive Director of LSD, Aly Marie Sagne welcomed the delegates by calling on all organisations to stand firm in their fight against injustice, the right of the people to a healthy environment, as well as support communities to demand reparations and push the government to respect the public good.
Aly Sagne highlighted the need to promote local alternatives, such as agroecology. “We must return to environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Peasant agroecology can feed not only Africa, but the entire world,” he said.
Nahounou Daleba also stressed the importance of rethinking our consumption model. “Extractivism does not benefit Africans. We must review our way of consuming, favour sustainable practices and stop the race to exploit our resources,” he insisted.
The programme also featured stories of resilience against environmental injustice from the communities represented, breakout sessions that looked at Solid arity building that highlights community struggles and panel discussions. The APCC continues till October 10, with programmes and activities that will further highlight the climate issues in Africa.
Fuel queues have resurfaced across Lagos following an increase in petrol prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC) and other marketers.
An NNPC station in Lagos
Many filling stations, including those along Ikorodu Road, Ikeja and Bariga, have temporarily closed due to the price hike.
A correspondent who monitored the situation reports that pump price at NNPCL stations had risen to N998 per litre, while other marketers were charging even more.
Northwest filling stations are now selling at N1,000, Hyden Petroleum at N1,100 and NIPCO at N1,050.
This marks the third price increase in two months, following the start of petrol purchases from the Dangote Oil Refinery on the outskirts of Lagos.
NNPC Ltd. has raised petrol prices from N855 per liter to N998 in Lagos, with prices reaching N1,003 in North-Eastern states.
On Sept. 3, the fuel price rose from N568 in Lagos, the lowest at that time, and N617 in other regions to a minimum of N855.
Dr Ayodele Oni, an energy lawyer, suggested that the government could foster competition by promoting the establishment of modular refineries and revamping existing national facilities.
Oni, also a partner at Bloomfield Law Practice, said that increased competition among refiners could lead to better prices for consumers.
To stabilise exchange rate fluctuations, Oni recommended that the government partially defend the Naira with foreign exchange in the short term.
For the long term, he called for policies that encourage exports and foreign direct investment to boost dollar inflows.
Oni also advised diversifying the economy into manufacturing and agriculture to reduce import costs.
He proposed exploring alternative fuel sources such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and suggested that citizens take advantage of government incentives for CNG vehicle conversion.
Oni, therefore, urged the government to introduce mass transit systems to reduce the impact of fuel price fluctuations on the populace.
According to him, Nigeria is now operating under a deregulated regime, where prices are influenced by market forces, including exchange rates.
He attributed the recent price increases largely to the rising dollar exchange rate against the Naira, as the petroleum sector operates in a dollarised market.
He expressed hope that the crude-for-Naira arrangement between NNPC and the Dangote Refinery would help stabilise the Naira against the dollar and alleviate pricing pressures.
A Jigawa State-based civil society organisation (CSO), Green and Environmental Project, has planted 3,000 assorted tree seedlings in Auyo, Hadejia and Kirikasamma local governments areas (LGAs) of the state.
Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa State
The State Team Lead of the organisation, Mr Ahmad Ilallah, who made the disclosure in an interview in Dutse, the state capital, on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, said 1,000 seedlings were planted in each of the three local governments to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change.
According to him, the seedlings planted are neem, sandal and Jatropha, which are resilient species to protect the environment against the adverse effects of the climate change in the benefiting areas.
Ilallah said the CSO also sensitisised the communities on climate change to enable the residents know how to protect their environment.
He, therefore, urged the benefiting councils to help nurture the plants to maturity in their own best interest.
