While the industrial revolution raised the standard of living for Western states as early as the 1920s, Nigeria’s discovery of crude oil was not until 1956. Over half a century into the production of crude which has delivered socio-economic advancements for well organised societies like Norway, Nigeria is yet to realise its long-awaited resource-led prosperity.

One would think being one of the 10 biggest oil exporting countries in the world should guarantee progression. But Nigeria’s poor resource management and lax policy implementation coupled with corruption have stifled underdevelopment, fuelled inter-ethnic rivalries and stoke regional marginalisation. All of which comes at a price.

For instance, the ever-constant unrest in the Niger Delta region is strongly correlated to environmental despoliation in the wake of oil drilling. Lack of proper compensation to oil-bearing communities whose lands are being degraded with polluted streams and damaged agriculture are some of the externalities created by poor governance of oil resources.

Worse still, policies crafted to protect land and people are often not properly implemented for selfish reasons and citizens’ wellbeing and livelihood are compromised by state brutality or the effects of environmental damage. Added to that is the dilemma that is climate change, the most defining challenge of our time.

As climate change poses a direct threat to countries globally, there has been a sharp turn in many places towards clean and renewable energy to curb emission and reduce the pressure that humans exert on the planet. Among the countries now pioneering green energy and leading the fight against climate change is China. Though still with the US the joint highest polluter in terms of overall carbon emission, China is now the world’s leading nation in terms of investment in clean energy technologies, most prominently hydro/wind power.

China despite being the world’s largest consumer of coal and the second-largest consumer of oil is gradually transitioning to low-carbon energy and power industries. In 2017, renewable energy encompassed 36.6% of China’s total installed electric power capacity and 26.4% of total power generation.

So, it is both hypocritical and deplorable to witness China furthermore investing a wholesome $3 billion atop its $12 billion prior investment in Nigeria’s oil sector. This investment benefits China more than it does Nigeria, especially when one considers China’s ambition to surpass every other nation in clean and renewable energy production and consumption. China’s need to secure fossil fuels is mainly energy related geopolitical concern. For China to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, it will need to rebalance the economy away from energy-intensive industries, a smart strategic play Nigeria should learn from.

Investments in Nigeria’s economy aimed at helping to turn around the failing oil-based economic model will be welcome. By contrast, investments that merely reinforce failed models without taking account of externalities such as the massive number of deaths arising directly or indirectly from air pollution should be discouraged.

Other challenges such as the acid rain destroying crops or affecting the human body are also worth mentioning. Unless addressed consistently, they risk spiralling out of control, exacerbating the plight of entire regions such as the innumerable cases of water pollution, land degradation, environmental warming, and the clear threats that these and other externalities of fossil fuel use pose to our civilisation, including sustainable agriculture.

Nigeria has earned large oil revenues over decades without much developmental achievements to show for it. The periodic celebration of spikes in global oil prices does little more than trap the common people in poverty, health risks, and compromised quality of life. The countries that benefit more from our oil production have achieved exponential growth and whilst they are moving forward to the next phase of innovation, Nigeria continues to count very little in the way of sustainable development.

For Nigeria to realise its clean energy potential, it must be steadfast in its push for divestment from the oil sector following the Norwegian example that has prohibited its oil-backed sovereign wealth fund from investing in hydrocarbon assets as a way of hedging its decarbonisation risk. We must use current ventures to stimulate a clean energy industry. Even government-led investment using public grants to incentivise renewables could launch us on the path to a greener future. Nigeria must enact functional environmental conservation policies and ensure their implementation to protect people, regions and our collective future.

Nigeria can boost her green performance using a combination of subsidies, policy targets and manufacturing incentives to drive energy production and expand access to affordable electricity. With the right approach to supporting innovation we can to join the rest of the world in going clean and green. The world is currently on the fast lane to sustainability and we do not want to play catch-up.

By Nasreen Al-amin (Executive Director, Eco-Africa, Nigeria)

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has demanded the immediate release of Premium Times Security Reporter, Samuel Ogundipe, detained by the Nigeria Police Force for carrying out his constitutional duty.

A statement signed by the Guild’s Publicity Secretary, Olumide Iyanda, on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 also condemned the arrest by the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad and harassment of the online newspaper’s Editor-In-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, and Education Reporter, Azeezat Adedigba, both of who have been released.

The Guild noted with dismay that the Police action was carried out on the day Acting President Yemi Osinbajo ordered the restructuring of the dreaded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, which is notorious for blatant human rights abuses.

While Mojeed and Adedigba have been released after harrowing interrogations, Ogundipe was still in detention as at Wednesday morning with no contact with his family or employers.

GOCOP considers the circumstances of the journalist’s arrest as a damning indictment of the President Muhammadu Buhari Government, which has been accused by several groups and individuals of gross abuse of citizens’ rights.

Ogundipe was arrested over a report on a correspondence sent by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to acting President Osinbajo on the sacked Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura.

Daura was dismissed last week by Osinbajo for deploying DSS operatives to the National Assembly in a show of brute force.

Ogundipe’s commendable refusal to disclose the source of his report is the reason the Police have held on to him in flagrant disregard for the Nigerian Constitution, which states that the Press shall at all times be free to hold the government accountable to the people.

GOCOP condemned the arrest and harassment of journalists in whatever form.

It advised the Nigerian Government to lecture its security agents on the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, which confers Journalism Confidentiality Privileges on the media.

GOCOP demanded the release of Ogundipe and other journalists held by the Police and other government agencies without further delay.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has also joined other prominent individuals and groups in condemning the arrest and detention of the journalist.

In a statement on Wednesday, CPJ urged the Nigerian Police to immediately release the detained journalist, stressing that Ogundipe is not a criminal

Angela Quintal, CPJ Africa Programme Coordinator, speaking from Johannesburg, South Africa, said: “CPJ is gravely concerned by reports that Premium Times journalist Samuel Ogundipe was detained by Nigerian Police yesterday for his reporting.

“Samuel Ogundipe must be released immediately without any condition and be allowed to report without fear of reprisal.

“Journalists are ethically bound not to disclose their confidential sources and the fact that police reportedly arrested him because he refused to name his source is outrageous.

“Samuel Ogundipe is a journalist who is protecting his sources, and not a criminal. He must be freed now.”

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 flagged off planting of 100,000 varieties of economic trees across locations of the state.

The programme, which was designed by the Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Commission, took place at the Government Girls College, Sokoto, the state capital.

Tambuwal, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba, said that the exercise was designed to cover the 86 districts of the state.

“The programme as an annual event was designed to cover the entire 86 districts of the state to improve our revenue generation system.

“This year we intend to plant 100,000 seedlings of economic trees, across the districts as well as all boarding secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the state.

“Moreover, we are all aware of the general importance of tree planting in Islam, as reward of such acts will continue even after death.

“In addition, such projects if well protected in our various schools, will serve as a revenue source to take care of the schools’ needs in future,” Tambuwal said.

He commended the Sultanate Council for supporting the programme and the State Zakkat Commission for initiating the planting programme across the state.

He called on the 86 District Heads in the state to monitor and support the exercise for the overall development of the society.

Speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, commended the Sokoto State Government for its commitment towards supporting the living standard of the people.

Abubakar described the initiative as one of the greatest achievements worthy of emulation by all states.

“The gesture will no doubt serve to support the economy, protect the environment and reduce poverty among our people, as well as attract a lot of reward from Allah.

“Moreover, the importance of tree planting can never be over emphasised, as such, it will continue to support our future plans,” the monarch said.

Earlier, Chairman of the Commission, Malam Lawal Maidoki, said that the tree endowment programme was aimed at encouraging act of charity among Muslims faithful.

“Islam encourages its followers to cultivate, conserve and exploit nature so that it can be beneficial to humans.

“Planting trees is regarded as an act of charity (Sadaqa) and the planter receives blessings from all those who benefit from it.”

NAN reports that the economic trees planted on Tuesday at the event include Moringa, Mango, Cashew, Tamarind and Neem.

By Muhammad Nasir Bello