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How to sustain, harness River Benue’s resources, by stakeholders

Michael Simire
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How to sustain, harness River Benue’s resources, by stakeholders

The Faculty of Environmental Sciences at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University Makurdi (MOAUM), Benue State, in collaboration with the Environment and Safety Management Institute and civil society partners, hosted the 1st International Conference on “River Benue and Sustainable Development in the 21st Century” from September 9–12, 2025. The event drew over 200 participants from academia, government, civil society, and development organisations.

In his welcome address, Professor Simon Terver Ubwa, Acting Vice-Chancellor, highlighted the global significance of rivers in sustaining civilisations, drawing parallels with the Nile, Indus, and Tigris-Euphrates. He stressed the urgent need to safeguard the River Benue amid threats from climate change, flooding, and unsustainable practices.

River Benue
Participants at the 1st International Conference on “River Benue and Sustainable Development in the 21st Century” in Makurdi, Benue State

Professor Daniel Serki Ortserga, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, described the river as a “resource giant” with immense ecological and socioeconomic potential, while noting challenges such as farmer-herder conflicts, unsustainable fishing practices, and untapped tourism opportunities.

The conference featured lead papers from distinguished scholars. Professor Temi Emmanuel Ologunorisa of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology discussed climate change, flood hydroclimatology, and policy-science integration for flood risk management. Professor Olarewaju Oluseyi Ifatimehin of Kogi State University addressed land degradation, climate resilience, and sustainable river basin development.

Additional insights came from key stakeholders.

Professor Member Genyi, Director of Gender Studies, MOAUM, emphasised proper management of the River Benue for its economic gains.

She noted, “The things we say about linking resources from River Benue and the extent of sustainability of the process of development is very important because we will not just be raising proposals in this hall, but that they will be taken out to be made into policy options, how it serves the environment, climate change, economic opportunities, etc.”

Terese Ninga, Managing Director of the Lower Benue Development Authority, highlighted that the river is undergoing changes detrimental to the wellbeing of its people, noting the importance of academic research in guiding sustainable solutions.

Dr. Kenneth Uchua, Director of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA), stated, “When very good decisions are taken on the premise of high verifiable results, they will be guaranteed for livelihood, sustainability of our environment, and improvement of wellbeing.”

Dr. Daniel Dam, Deputy Dean of the Faculty, described the River Benue as one of God’s natural gifts, emphasising the need to harness its resources for regional and national development, and to ensure food security.

Over 60 papers were presented in technical and plenary sessions, covering key themes:

  1. Climate Change and Water Resources – rainfall variability, water level changes, flood risk mapping, and community resilience.
  2. Ecosystems, Land Use, and Sustainability – erosion, contamination, fisheries, riparian vegetation, and renewable energy solutions.
  3. Socioeconomic Development and Livelihoods – farmer-herder conflicts, inland water transportation, fisheries-based livelihoods, and migration impacts.
  4. Health, Community, and Gender Dimensions – public health risks, WASH interventions, and inclusion of women, displaced persons, and vulnerable populations.
  5. Tourism, Culture, and Education – sustainable tourism potential, secondary education, youth-led climate action.
  6. Innovation and Technology – geospatial analysis, GIS and remote sensing applications, and AI in climate change mitigation.

A consistent message across all sessions was that the River Benue is not only an ecological resource but also a socioeconomic lifeline, requiring urgent policy action, technological innovation, and inclusive community engagement.

The conference received goodwill messages from partner civil society organisations (CSOs) including:

  1. Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), delivered by Dr. David Michael Terungwa, Executive Director, called for safeguarding the river as a lifeline for over 20 million people and aligning interventions with the SDGs.
  2. Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI), delivered by Stephanie Temang, Acting Deputy Executive Director and Gender Desk Officer, emphasised gender-responsive approaches to environmental risk reduction.
  3. Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), delivered by Abuh Monday Stephen, National Network Coordinator, stressed the need for climate-smart agriculture, policy integration, and ecosystem-based management.
  4. Global Health Education Foundation (GLOHEF) reaffirmed its commitment to community-driven health and environmental initiatives and support for sustainable management of the River Benue.

The conference also featured a Tiv cultural dance performance, reflecting the deep connection between the river and local heritage.

The event concluded with a communiqué affirming the River Benue’s centrality to food security, biodiversity conservation, and socioeconomic resilience. Key resolutions included:

  1. Strengthening collaboration among academia, government, CSOs, and communities.
  2. Mainstreaming climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction into river basin management.
  3. Promoting sustainable livelihoods through eco-friendly practices and renewable energy.
  4. Enhancing community awareness and participation, particularly of women and youth.
  5. Developing policies to harness tourism, transport, and agricultural potentials of the river.

The deliberations and resolutions will feed into ongoing advocacy and policy dialogues aimed at repositioning the River Benue as a driver of sustainable development in Nigeria and beyond.

Global action ‘Draw the Line’ moves against genocide, injustice, fossil fuels, calls for rights, jobs, justice

Michael Simire
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Global action ‘Draw the Line’ moves against genocide, injustice, fossil fuels, calls for rights, jobs, justice

 In the lead-up to COP30 and as world leaders gather in New York for the General Assembly of the United Nations tens of thousands of people across the globe are taking to the streets in a wave of coordinated protests under the banner “Draw the Line” in 93 different countries around the world.

Communities are demanding urgent action from governments to end extracivism and stop fossil fuel expansion, deliver a fast, fair, funded and just transition away from fossil fuels, address the injustices and inequalities driven by the current neo-liberal and imperialistic economic systems and ensure a just transition to a world that protects life.

COP29
Draw the Line is a global action with widespread mobilisations

Workers, women, farmers, fishers, young people, Indigenous Peoples, migrants, refugees, pastoralists, people of color and LGBTI People are rising together to demand system change and reclaim the commons for a world that is in harmony with nature, centred on solutions by and for the people and not on false solutions.

This global moment comes at a critical time when the rich and the powerful countries and corporations continue their colonial and extractivist agenda, while world leaders fail to prevent and stop the genocide taking place in Palestine, Sudan, and Congo, and the governments across the world are veering towards authoritarianism, undoing decades of progress.

With every tenth of a degree of global heating, the consequences for people and ecosystems multiply, as seen in the devastating wildfires, typhoons, cloudbursts, floods, and extreme heatwaves already sweeping across continents this year. 

The Draw the Line mobilisations are a global call to action against inequality, destruction, and climate chaos and for rights, jobs, justice, and a safe planet. Across the world, people are demanding a feminist, fast, fair, funded, and forever phase-out of fossil fuels, investment in renewable energy,resilient food systems, real peoples led solutions funding for the future through climate finance from rich countries to the Global South, debt cancellation and taxing billionaires. At its heart, this movement is about justice, defending human rights, reclaiming democracy, restoring ecosystems, and building solidarity across peoples and nations.

Protests, artistic actions, vigils, and marches will take place in hundreds of cities around the world during this Global Week of Action in September, showing that people everywhere are united in demanding climate justice.

Draw the Line will be taking place alongside the Disrupt Complicity Weekend, September 18 to 21, called for by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS) and stands in solidarity with their call to action.  

As COP30 approaches in Brazil, activists stress that leaders must make the most of this narrowing window of opportunity: the choices made in the next few years will define the future of generations to come.

Events will take place in over 100 countries, with large mobilisations expected in Belem, Berlin, Dhaka, Istanbul, Jakarta, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Johannesburg, Istanbul, Suva, London, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai, Nairobi, New Delhi, New York, Paris, Tokyo, and Wellington, among other cities, territories, and villages.

Lidy Nacpil, Coordinator, Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), said: “We are drawing the line against deceptive tactics led by rich nations and big corporations to perpetuate fossil fuel dominance and delay the equitable just transition to a fossil free and healthy planet. We demand a complete coal phase out in Asia by 2035 and a rapid and just energy transition out of fossil fuels and to 100% renewable energy before 2050. We demand the full delivery of climate finance obligations of the Global North to the Global South for urgent climate action including Just Transition! This is a crucial part of their reparations for historical and continuing harms to our people.”

Tasneem Essop, Executive Director, Climate Action Network International: “We are living through immensely challenging times right now: increasing injustices, human rights violations, wars, conflict and genocide, devastating climate impacts, rising cost of living and more. A global movement of movements is rising up to respond to the moment with the launch of the ‘Draw the Line’ Global Week of Action.

“Youth and women, workers and communities, young and old, across our ravaged planet are drawing the line against those fighting to keep us locked in a world of pollution, exploitation, wars and injustice. We are saying enough is enough and call for a Just Transition that puts people at the centre and serves the needs and interests of the masses of people who are suffering. As laid out by the UN Secretary General today, the energy transition is here and it is unstoppable, but it has to be just, fair, inclusive and fast. Our united actions across the globe in September will be our call for a just future.”

Rachitaa Gupta, Global Coordinator, Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice (DCJ): “We are drawing the line against genocide, against fossil fuel expansion, and against false solutions that destroy our lands and extract from our communities. We refuse to let corporations profit off our lands, our resources, our food systems, and our bodies while our communities at the frontline continue to face the devastating impact of this crisis that we did not create. We demand an end to corporate capture and to the systems that turn war and extraction into profit.

“We call for a complete overhaul of the international financial architecture to dismantle debt traps, tax injustice, and neocolonial control. The Global North must pay up urgent climate finance in trillions, not as charity, but as reparations for centuries of plunder and pollution. This is not just a protest; it is a global movement for liberation. We demand a system change rooted in justice led by the peoples and communities. Our fight for climate justice is the fight for freedom, for dignity, and for life. And we are not backing down.”

Anne Jellema, Chief Executive, 350.org: “This mobilisation is about power, people power. The power to reject the lies of fossil fuel billionaires and remake our world for the many, not the few. We are drawing the line, because when governments fail to act, we rise. When polluters and profiteers try to divide us, we unite. We have the answers to this crisis, and we are calling on world leaders to listen, act, and follow the will of the people, not the whims of autocrats and billionaires. It’s our future, and it is for us to decide what it looks like.”

Tyrone Scott, Senior Movement Building & Activism Officer, War on Want: “In the UK, we’re joining movements worldwide and are drawing the line against inequality, climate breakdown, and the billionaires fuelling our global crises. On 20 September, thousands of us, backed by over 60 organisations, will march through the streets of London to demand justice.

“We’re part of a global movement rising together to say: enough is enough. From debt and poverty to fossil fuel tyranny, we are uniting across borders to resist more destruction and reclaim our future. This is a moment of reckoning. We are drawing the line for justice, for life, for the planet. Ordinary people didn’t cause this crisis; billionaires and corporations did. Now it’s time to make them pay to fix it.”

Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the BDS movement for Palestinian rights, recipient of the 2017 Gandhi Peace Award: “In the current, most depraved, induced starvation phase of the US-Israeli livestreamed genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians in the Gaza ghetto, Palestinian civil society stands united in calling on people of conscience and grassroots movements for racial, economic, social, climate and gender justice worldwide to help us build a critical mass of people power to end state, corporate and institutional complicity with Israel’s regime of settler-colonial apartheid and genocide, particularly through effective BDS actions and pressure. We are not begging for charity but calling for true solidarity, and that begins with doing no harm to our liberation struggle, at the very least, as a profound moral and legal obligation.”

Hari Krishna Nibanupudi, Global Climate Change Adviser, HelpAge International: “Twenty-nine COPs and a million broken promises. Another summit, another letdown. It’s time to radically reform how global climate negotiations are conducted—and take power out of the hands of the polluters who profit from delay.”

Brice Böhmer, Climate & Environment Lead, Transparency International: “Too many past COPs have been undermined by undue influence and a lack of integrity. COP30 offers a vital opportunity to change course. Transparency International calls for clear rules of engagement, a strong conflict of interest policy, and an accountability framework to ensure that climate decisions serve the public good, not private profit. This is our chance to put ethics at the centre of climate action.”

Sara Washburn, Ottawa-Gatineau Climate March Organiser, Fridays For Future Ottawa, Canada: “I’m here because I’m a parent, and I worry about the world my kids are inheriting. We’re drawing the line because we all deserve a future built on care, not chaos. I’m taking action now because I want my children – and all our children – to have a safe, just, and livable planet.”

Africa needs to leverage Loss and Damage Fund to enhance resilience of its cities

Michael Simire
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Africa needs to leverage Loss and Damage Fund to enhance resilience of its cities

The issue of climate change and its associated impacts, especially on African cities, is a critical topic that demands urgent attention.   

Every day, Africa faces the consequences of something it did not cause. While 7 out of the 10 world most climate vulnerable countries are in the African region, Africa only emits about 4% of greenhouse gases, and in terms of historical contributions the content ranks even lower – according to World Meteorological Organisation’s State of the Global Climate report 2022.

Dr Muhammad Gambo
Dr Muhammad Gambo

Heatwaves, heavy rains, floods, tropical cyclones, and prolonged droughts, which are some of the effects of climate change, are having devastating impacts on communities and economies, with increasing numbers of people at risk across the continent. Africa’s rapidly expanding cities are hotspots of this vulnerability and impact.

According to the OECD report, Africa is one of the world’s least urbanized continents yet hosts the most rapidly urbanising region – the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The region has an urban population of 500 million people, accounting for approximately 40% of the continent’s population, and an urban growth rate double that of the global average at 4.1% per year, compared to the global average of 2.1%. By 2050, it is estimated that over 60% of Africans will be living in urban areas.

This accelerated urban growth puts further pressure on existing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient access to basic services, unemployment, and housing shortages. About 56% of urban population in Africa reside in informal settlements, compounded by insecure land tenure and constrained access to essential infrastructural services such as sanitation, water and energy, according to the African Cities Research Consortium and Brookings – 2024 reports.

A Climate Crisis

It’s widely acknowledged that climate change will affect Africa’s socio-economic development trajectory, threatening the continent’s attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the Africa Union’s Agenda 2063.

In UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ own words, “Africa is on the frontlines of the climate crisis. The time for action is now. We must invest in sustainable solutions to protect our people and planet.”

But all is not lost. One of the recent global developments in climate policy has been the establishment of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), which aims to provide financial support to vulnerable countries affected by climate disasters.

The Fund, established during the COP27 negotiations, holds significant potential for African nations, especially in the context of urban development and the challenges faced by rapidly growing cities across the continent. It has the potential to serve as a powerful tool to address both the immediate impacts of climate disasters and the longer-term need for sustainable urban development in Africa, through the principle of “building back better”.

Firstly, the Fund could be channeled into immediate relief and rebuilding efforts, such as reconstructing homes, improving drainage systems to mitigate flooding, and ensuring access to clean water and sanitation. For example, funding could support the delivery of infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters, such as resilient affordable housing and other related climate resilient infrastructure for cities. Ensuring climate resilience and addressing key infrastructural shortages that exacerbate vulnerability is crucial in all activities the Fund will support.

Such projects would create more sustainable cities that are better equipped to handle the intensifying impacts of climate change while simultaneously offering economic opportunities through job creation.

Secondly, the Fund could be used to empower local communities, particularly marginalized populations in urban slums and informal settlements, who are often the hardest hit by climate disasters. Supporting these actors to adapt and develop is crucial for sustained resilience. Also, the informal economy – which forms a significant part of Africa’s urban economy – should not be left behind.

Finally, the Fund could be used to support capacity building initiatives such as training local leaders, strengthening disaster management systems, and creating meaningful climate partnerships.

Reimagining African cities

That said, the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage has the potential to play a transformative role in the urban development of African cities, particularly in mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Whether this potential is reached depends on the setup of the Fund and the criteria used to assess projects – and whether those are in line with African realities in terms of data and capacity availability. It also depends on careful planning and effective collaboration to ensure that the Fund benefits those who need it most.

This is a unique opportunity to not only address the consequences of climate change, but also to reimagine African cities as models of sustainability and inclusivity for the future.

By Dr Muhammad Gambo, Head of Policy, Research and Partnerships at Shelter Afrique Development Bank

Nana Amoah: Africa’s youth can lead the food revolution

Michael Simire
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Nana Amoah: Africa’s youth can lead the food revolution

Africa stands at a defining moment. The continent has the world’s youngest population, vast arable land and abundant natural resources, yet many families still face food and nutrition insecurity as millions of young people look for work that never comes. This contradiction is alarming but solvable. The answer is to treat agriculture not as a relic or a last resort but as a modern, innovative and rewarding career path for young Africans, writes Nana Yaa B. Amoah

Nana B. Amoah
Nana B. Amoah

The Africa Food Systems Forum in 2025 offers a timely platform to reset priorities. Its focus on youth leadership in collaboration, innovation and implementation signals a clear truth.

The continent’s future depends on empowering its greatest asset, its young people.

Africa’s population is about 1.2 billion and could double by 2050. More than 400 million people are between 15 and 35, the youngest profile of any region.

Yet far too many are unemployed or underemployed.

Agriculture has the greatest capacity to absorb labour, generate income and spark innovation, but the sector remains unattractive to many.

The gap is not an opportunity.

It is imagination, investment and support.

Youth unemployment has become a failure of imagination. Too often, policy is framed around counting jobs rather than unlocking the promise that already sits in our fields, markets and research stations.

We must reimagine agriculture as a space of aspiration and impact for young Africans. That shift demands coordinated support from governments, the private sector and development partners to back youth in modern agri-entrepreneurial roles.

Rebranding agriculture as a technology-powered enterprise will turn the tide.

Across the continent, young innovators are building mobile apps that connect farmers to buyers, using drones to monitor crops, applying artificial intelligence to detect pests and creating digital platforms to verify inputs. Farming is becoming digital, data-driven and dynamic.

Young people are already leading much of this change.

But they still face heavy barriers. Land access remains the quiet gatekeeper of opportunity.

Legal, financial and customary hurdles keep land out of reach.

Without it young people, especially young women, cannot build wealth or invest with confidence. Land reform must be treated as a core youth issue, not only a rural one.

Finance is another hurdle. Many young people lack collateral and formal credit histories.

A new wave of digital financial data offers a breakthrough. Mobile money transactions and utility payments can be used to build verifiable records of financial behaviour.

Alternative credit scoring then opens the door to loans for inputs, technology and growth. Digital financial inclusion is essential if agriculture is to become a vibrant space for young entrepreneurs.

Education and training often lag behind market needs. Curricula can be outdated. Market access is weak, infrastructure is thin and new technologies are priced out of reach.

These challenges feed the myth that farming is only hard work with little reward. To make agriculture a viable career, we must remove the obstacles. Reform land tenure. Expand affordable finance.

Modernise education and training. Strengthen market linkages. Embed digital tools from production through processing and distribution. Young people should be at the forefront of this innovation wave.

The opportunities run across the value chain. Beyond growing crops or keeping livestock, youth can thrive as agro dealers who supply inputs and offer advice and delivery through digital platforms.

More than 40,000 agro dealers already support farmers, reducing distances to inputs and lifting adoption of better technologies, with yield gains reported at up to 40 percent in Nigeria.

In seed production, youth work with companies on multiplication, quality control and supply chain management.

As agricultural advisers and extension workers, young professionals train farmers in climate-smart practices that raise productivity sustainably.

The growing agri-tech sector invites youth to design tools for input verification, market information and farmer training.

Youth-led small and medium enterprises in processing and value addition create jobs, drive local industry and cut post-harvest losses.

Many are building market linkages by brokering deals, running storage and facilitating regional seed trade.

Others are advancing regenerative farming and championing drought-resistant crops that help communities adapt to a changing climate.

Young people are also shaping policy.

They are engaging ministries, regulators and national platforms to push for youth-inclusive policies and to monitor delivery, so that decisions reflect the needs of the next generation.

This agenda aligns with the new continental strategy under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme for 2026 to 2035, which calls for reimagining and reinvesting in food systems. Innovative financing is central.

Tax reforms, local government bonds, remittances, pension funds and climate-aligned investments can be mobilised. Social and environmental bonds, parametric insurance, and debt for nature swaps can back youth-led agribusiness and climate-resilient models.

Inclusive dialogue will make these ideas real. Ministries of finance, agriculture and social development should work together to streamline support for youth and for women across low- and middle-income countries.

Only a coordinated effort can build a system that supports young people from farm to market.

Any youth strategy that ignores gender is incomplete. Women form the backbone of agricultural production, yet remain underserved.

There is no path to unlock Africa’s food potential without gender equity. Secure land rights, tailored finance, modern training and a seat at the table are not only fair. They are essential for sustainable growth.

If we do not centre young women, we do not centre Africa’s future.

As Africa confronts food insecurity and youth unemployment, the path forward is clear. Agriculture is the future.

It is rich with innovation, powered by technology and full of opportunity.

With the right investments, policies and vision, it can become a dynamic engine of economic transformation and social inclusion.

Africa’s youth are ready to lead. The question is whether we will give them the chance.

Nana Yaa B. Amoah is the Director for Gender, Youth and Inclusiveness at AGRA, an African-led organisation that puts farmers at the centre of the continent’s growing economy

ACS2: Foundation advocates for agroecology to safeguard Africa’s climate future

Michael Simire
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ACS2: Foundation advocates for agroecology to safeguard Africa’s climate future

A non-profit group known as the EcoSteward and Humanitarian Foundation has called on government leaders and stakeholders to explore the adoption of agroecology and renewable energy as two powerful solutions to Africa’s climate crisis and development trajectory.

The body made the call during a side event it hosted on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the recently concluded Second African Climate Summit (ACS2), which was held in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

EcoSteward Foundation
Participants at the EcoSteward and Humanitarian Foundation (EHF) side event in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, which was organised with assistance from the Global Alliance for the Future of Food in partnership with the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), Frontline Food Leaders (FFL), GreenFaith Africa, GreenFaith Nigeria, BBCU GreenFund, and Community Action for Food Security

In their evaluation of the programme’s theme, “Advancing Food Justice & Energy Just Transition: Multi-stakeholder Actions on Climate and Food Systems,” the participants argued that agroecology should not be seen as a backup plan because it is actually the continent’s original climate pathway for reclaiming degraded lands, ensuring food sovereignty, and increasing resilience to climate shocks.

As usual, the meeting ended with another historic Addis Ababa Declaration and startling financial commitments, most notably the introduction of the Africa Climate Innovation Compact (ACIC), a $50 billion yearly fund for renewable energy, innovation, and climate adaptation. The other pledges outlined in the new arrangement include the Expanded African Climate Change Fund and the African Just Resilience Framework. All of these initiatives seek to open up funds and direct them towards locally driven solutions that protect disadvantaged groups from climate-related risks.

Dr. Pius Oko, the head of the grassroots organisation, has a different opinion about the summit’s outcome; he believes that it was time to move Africa’s climate and development discourse from words to action.

Climate finance, he insisted, must flow directly to smallholder farmers, women, and young people who are powering grassroots solutions, not stop at governments and institutions.

According to him, this is critical if the continent is serious about delivering energy to the roughly 600 million people who are currently estimated to be living in darkness. It will also help to provide access for another 900 million Africans who presently lack access to clean cooking technologies, as well as the 118 million predicted to migrate by 2030.

“If global finance fails to reach the grassroots, these promises will remain empty headlines,” he asserts.

Dr. Oko appealed to leaders and international development agencies to emphasise grants over loans to alleviate Africa’s debt burden and achieve environmental justice by investing in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.

The just concluded ACS2, which brought together political leaders, development partners, and grassroots movements, represents a critical shift and turning point in Africa’s climate leadership, as the continent is no longer on the sidelines but rather at the centre of global climate negotiations. With the Addis Ababa Declaration, Africa has spoken with one voice, and the rest of the world must listen and act immediately.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

Experts advocate stronger enforcement of safety rules in water sector

Michael Simire
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Experts advocate stronger enforcement of safety rules in water sector

Some environmentalists have called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in Nigeria’s water sector.

They made the call on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in Lagos at the close of a two-day International Natural Resources Conference and Water Sector Awards (iNatConf & WoSAwards 2025).

Awards
Participants at the International Natural Resources Conference and Water Sector Awards, in Lagos

Mr. Oluwadare Oyebode of the Afe Babalola University, Ondo State, decried poor governance, weak enforcement of safety laws, and inadequate funding of the sector.

He said that the gaps had left many people vulnerable to illnesses and injuries, undermining service delivery and public confidence.

Presenting a paper on “Occupational Health and Safety in the Water Industry”, Oyebode said that workers remained exposed to chemical, biological, physical and ergonomic hazards.

He said that provision of protective equipment, climate-resilient infrastructure and regular training for safety officers were important in enforcing safety measures.

“Protecting the workers is both a moral duty and a key step to ensuring sustainable water supply,” he added.

Mr. Cletus Akhigbe, the Director-General of the Quality and Management System Auditors Institute, highlighted the importance of internationally-recognised standards.

Akhigbe said that standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 helped organisations to manage risks and adapt to modern disruptions.

According to him, Management System Standards integrate safety, governance and environmental performance, leading to fewer workplace incidents, stronger trust, cost saving and alignment with global environmental, social and governance principles.

Mr. Peter Ahunarh, National Director of the Ghana Red Cross Society, urged members of the public to acquire basic first aid knowledge.

He said that such knowledge could save lives and reduce pressure on hospitals during emergencies.

Ahunarh said that first aiders were often the first to arrive at accident scenes and their actions could determine survival.

He outlined basic principles such as ensuring safety, calling for help, stopping bleeding and arranging hospital transfer as important.

The director cautioned against rushing into danger.

He added that cardiopulmonary resuscitation, recovery positions, and management of shock, wounds and burns remained essential skills.

“First aid is a humanitarian service that strengthens community resilience in times of emergency,” Ahunarh said.

Kasai Province outbreak: Ebola vaccination begins in DR Congo

Michael Simire
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Kasai Province outbreak: Ebola vaccination begins in DR Congo

Vaccination of frontline health workers and contacts of people infected with Ebola virus disease has begun in Bulape health zone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kasai Province where an outbreak of the disease has been declared.

An initial 400 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine – from the country’s stockpile of 2000 doses prepositioned in the capital Kinshasa – have been delivered to Bulape, one of the current hotspots of the outbreak. Additional doses will be delivered to the affected localities in the coming days.

Ebola Vaccine
Ebola vaccine

The vaccine is being administered through ring vaccination strategy, which entails vaccinating individuals at highest risk of infection after having come into contact with a patient confirmed with the virus. It is also recommended for health care and frontline workers responding to the outbreak who may be in contact with Ebola patients.

The Ervebo vaccine is said to be safe and protects against the Zaire ebolavirus species, which has been confirmed as the cause of the ongoing outbreak.

The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision has approved around 45,000 additional Ebola vaccine doses to be shipped to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of the ongoing outbreak response. WHO supported the health authorities to develop the request for additional doses, and with partners, including UNICEF, also supported the development of a vaccination plan for the rollout of the doses. Vaccination teams are also being trained in data collection and receiving field support.

In addition to the vaccines, treatment courses of the monoclonal antibody therapy (Mab114) drug have also been sent to treatment centres in Bulape for clinical care. 

On the ground, WHO has so far deployed 48 experts in disease surveillance, clinical care, infection prevention and control, logistics and community engagement who, along with partner organisations, are supporting the government to rapidly strengthen outbreak response measures to halt the spread of the virus.

In countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of Congo, WHO is working with national authorities to bolster operational readiness to enable rapid detection of cases and prompt initiation of measures to curb further spread.

WHO assesses the overall public health risk posed by the ongoing outbreak as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level and low at the global level.

Beans farmers debunk use of cement as preservatives

Michael Simire
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Beans farmers debunk use of cement as preservatives

The Cowpea and Beans Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (C&BFPMAN) has debunked allegations of the use of cement as preservatives of beans produce.

The National President of C&BFPMAN, Mr. Kabir Shuaibu, disclosed this in an interview on Sunday, September 14, 2025, in Lagos.

Beans
Bags of beans

A video making rounds on the social media suggests where some boys are seen mixing beans with what looked like cement.

But Shuaibu noted that no legitimate member of the association would engage in such underhand practices.

“We are not aware of the use of cement for the preservation of beans. As an association, we engage in international best practices in the preservation of beans and other allied products.

“Our member-farmers do not engage in unscrupulous practices in the preservation of our beans or cowpea produce.

“We had recently stopped the use of any additive in the preservation of beans. What we do now is to purchase thick nylon bags from the sack companies to package our produce.

“The nylons are fixed inside the sacks and beans poured directly into the nylon bags before sealing the sacks.

“With the nylon bags as the first package for the beans, the package is airtight and will not allow weevils or any insect to penetrate the bags,” he said.

According to him, the farmers make use of friendly additives to prevent weevils from eating up old beans.

“We also make use of a friendly additive, known as ‘Topstoxin’ to prevent weevils from eating up old beans.

“The bag of beans is divided in quarters with the additives applied in them. This additive poses no danger to human health or damage to the produce.

“In other cases, dried peppers are sealed alongside the bags of beans to prevent the proliferation of weevils into the bag.

“However, the addition of nylon bags into the sacks of beans, is currently the best bet in adequate preservation of the beans.

“It is common sense that the use of cement for beans preservation will be easily detected, and the consumers will not patronise us.

“So, we will never engage in such harmful practices,” he said.

By Mercy Omoike

Africa steps up fertiliser, soil health agenda to secure food future

Michael Simire
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Africa steps up fertiliser, soil health agenda to secure food future

On Monday, September 1, 2025, the Africa Fertiliser Industry Development Association was officially launched during a special event on “Advancing the Momentum of the Implementation of the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Plan”, held on the margins of the Africa Food Systems Forum 2025.

The event was hosted by the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), the African Union Commission (AUC), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and the Coalition of Implementors for Fertiliser and Soil Health (CIFSH).

Moses Vilakati
Moses Vilakati, AU commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment

The Association aims to unite Africa’s fertiliser sector, strengthening collaboration, advocacy, and investment across the continent. For smallholder farmers, who make up the backbone of Africa’s agriculture, this is a major milestone toward better access to quality fertilisers and sustainable soil management.

Why Soil Health Matters

Healthy soils are the foundation of Africa’s food security. More than 60 percent of Africans depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, yet many farmers face declining soil fertility. Restoring soils and ensuring access to affordable fertilisers is key to boosting productivity, adapting to climate change, and feeding a rapidly growing population.

A Continental Push for Action

Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment at the AUC, emphasised the urgency of tackling soil health challenges. Since taking office in March 2025, he has prioritised eight key areas to implement the Nairobi and Kampala Declarations.

“Our priorities include resuscitating the African Centre for Fertiliser Development, establishing Regional Fertiliser Blending Facilities, and advancing Soil Mapping to enable context-specific, evidence-based decision-making,” he said. His department has rolled out a 100-day plan that sets the stage for long-term action over the next four years.

The event highlighted the power of multi-stakeholder partnerships in transforming agriculture. Governments, the private sector, youth, women, and technical experts all play critical roles in improving soil health. Inclusive participation ensures that vulnerable groups gain equitable access to resources, training, and decision-making roles – an essential element of Africa’s agricultural transformation.

Driving the Action Plan

AUDA-NEPAD CEO, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, spoke on the importance of coordinated continental action.

“The implementation of the 10-year Action Plan on Fertiliser and Soil Health is now at the top of our agenda. We are domesticating the Nairobi Declaration and helping Regional Economic Communities establish Regional Hubs – with launches already in West and Southern Africa, and progress underway in East and North Africa,” she said. AUDA-NEPAD is working with multiple development coalitions to ensure the Plan’s success.

On the launch of the Association, the CEO continued: “The private sector coalition is represented here by some of its members that I’m advised will launch a new Pan-Africa Fertiliser Association at this event. This is exciting news as it signals an acceleration in the implementation of the Nairobi Declaration. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the new Association and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to working with them.”

Innovation and Partnerships

Dr. Asseta Diallo, Senior Specialist, Soil Health & Integrated Management AGRA, highlighted the link between soil health and resilient food systems.

“Sustainable soil health and equitable access to affordable fertilisers are central to Africa’s agricultural future. AGRA is committed to working with governments, the private sector, farmers, and partners to create enabling environments and innovations that restore soils, boost productivity, and secure a sustainable future for smallholders,” she said.

Larry Umunna, Executive Director of CIFSH, emphasised revitalising institutions and building local ownership. “Our coalition is focused on reviving the African Centre for Fertiliser Development and promoting the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Action Plan at both country and regional levels. We prioritise capacity building, resource mobilisation, and leveraging research and innovation to improve fertiliser efficiency and build resilient agricultural productivity,” he added.

Participants also showcased innovations in fertiliser formulations, soil testing technologies, digital tools, and modern agronomic practices already making an impact across Africa’s diverse agro ecologies. The private sector’s role in delivering affordable, quality fertilisers and ensuring efficient supply chains for smallholder farmers was highlighted as indispensable.

A Shared Commitment
The event ended with a collective pledge: as Africa works to boost agricultural productivity and resilience against climate change and population growth, the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Action Plan and its partners are ready to deliver science-driven, inclusive solutions for a sustainable, food-secure future.

Dangote urges prioritisation of food security in Africa, as AfricaRice seeks public-private partnerships

Michael Simire
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Dangote urges prioritisation of food security in Africa, as AfricaRice seeks public-private partnerships

President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has called for the prioritisation of food security and self-sufficiency across Africa, stressing the continent’s vast agricultural potential.

Speaking over the weekend during a courtesy visit by the AfricaRice Centre – a pan-African Centre of Excellence for rice research, development, and capacity building – at his Lagos office, Dangote highlighted agriculture as a key pillar for sustainable development on the continent.

AfricaRice
L-R: Executive Chairman Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistic, Sammy Adigun; President / CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; Director General, Africa Rice Centre, Dr Baboucarr Manneh; Managing Director of Dangote Rice, Thabo Mabe, during a courtesy visit by Manneh and his team to the Dangote Industries’ Head Office in Lagos on Friday, September 12, 2025

“Africa is richly endowed with arable land. With the right policies, adequate investment, and the adoption of modern technology, farmers can significantly increase their yields and return on investment,” he said.

He noted that strengthening agriculture could help tackle many of the continent’s socio-economic challenges, given its role as a major source of employment and income.

“With effective policy frameworks and technological advancement, Africa can achieve food security and become self-sufficient. Investing in agriculture will also unlock growth across various sectors of the economy,” Dangote added.

Dangote Rice Limited, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries, recently signed a landmark N1.8 trillion purchase and sale agreement with Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited, owned by the Niger State Government. The agreement will ensure a steady supply of high-quality paddy rice to Dangote Rice in support of Nigeria’s broader food security agenda.

Dangote Rice has made substantial investments in rice mills and plantations across Nigeria. Through its out-grower scheme, the company aims to create employment opportunities while promoting food self-sufficiency nationwide.

Director General of AfricaRice, Dr Baboucarr Manneh, commended Dangote’s renewed focus on agricultural investments, describing it as a critical step towards achieving food security on the continent.

He also lauded the recently formalised partnership with Niger State, noting its potential to transform regional food systems.

“Niger State has set an ambitious target of producing five million tonnes of rice over the next five years. To put this into perspective, Africa currently imports around 15 million tonnes of rice annually,” said Dr Manneh. “If realised, this target will have a significant impact on rice self-sufficiency and food security in Africa.”

He emphasised the importance of leveraging public-private partnerships to strengthen the agricultural ecosystem, combining government leadership with private sector expertise and investment.

“This partnership can serve as a blueprint for other states and countries across the continent. With strong support from agricultural science and research, it can dramatically boost productivity and reduce Africa’s reliance on food imports,” he added.

Dr Manneh also called for better management of imports to support local farmers and strengthen domestic economies.

Also speaking during the visit, Executive Chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to transforming rice production. He revealed that AfricaRice is set to support Niger State in increasing annual rice paddy production from the current 1.5 million tonnes to 10 million tonnes, through the deployment of climate-smart technologies, mechanisation, innovation, and the integration of both large-scale and smallholder farms.

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