SERAP seeks law on financing presidential libraries
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to propose a bill that would specifically regulate and bring transparency to any future presidential library fundraising process, and make public disclosure of major donations towards the establishment of any such library mandatory.
In a veiled reference to the controversial Obasanjo library, the organisation submitted: “Osinbajo should work closely with the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of any such bill into law.”
In a statement made available to EnviroNews on Sunday, March 5 2017 and signed by SERAP Senior Staff Attorney, Timothy Adewale, the civil society group said: “The proposed bill would give Nigerians a better view of major donations going to presidential libraries, and provide access to information as to whether donors gain any special Aso Rock influence. The bill would minimise the potential for a quid pro quo, influence-peddling; and help to build trust and confidence among a citizenry that already questions the ethics of elected officials.”
The statement reads in part: “Proposing bill that would provide information to Nigerians and allow them to know those who help pay for presidential libraries is not only a matter of public interest but also crucially important to enhance transparency, accountability and strengthen this government’s anti-corruption efforts.”
“It’s unfair to Nigerians for a sitting or former president to raise an unlimited amount of money for a presidential library and not to have the obligation to publish information on the major contributors. Without transparency into donations, a president could potentially take an official action in exchange for or in expectation of a future donation to his or her presidential library and the public would be unaware.”
“Without openness and transparency, potential donors may seek to use library donations as a means to secure special access or political favours to authorities in Abuja.”
“The proposed bill should include a requirement to disclose details about each contributor, the total value of each contribution, the source(s) of the contribution, and the date of each contribution. Any such information must be publicly and widely published, including on a website that is free for the public to access and that is searchable, sortable, and downloadable.”
“The bill should also prohibit the making of a contribution through a corporation or other legal entity that may be used to conceal the identity of the person actually providing the contribution.”
“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo would serve public interest by making a voluntary disclosure of every single donation, particularly large donations, to his newly launched presidential library. This would contribute to greater openness, something that the presidential library seeks to promote about the work and achievements of Obasanjo while in government.”
World Wildlife Day 2017: How young people can make a change
Vigorous efforts need to be made to encourage young people to act at both local and global levels to protect endangered wildlife, the United Nations has said.
The UN, which made the submission against the backdrop of this year’s edition of the World Wildlife Day (WWD) 2017 that was observed worldwide on Friday, March 3 2017, pointed out that, being the future leaders and decision makers of the world, the engagement and empowerment of the youth is high on its agenda.
The theme of the WWD 2017 is: “Listen to the Young Voices.”
The UN says: “World Wildlife Day 2017 encourages youth around the world to rally together to address ongoing major threats to wildlife including habitat change, over-exploitation or illicit trafficking. Youth are the agents of change. In fact, we are already seeing the positive impacts on conservation issues made by some young conservation leaders around the world.”
The Youth for Wildlife Conservation has expressed delight that the WWD is celebrating the growing impact of youth in conservation efforts worldwide.
It says: “With people under the age of thirty representing over half of the world’s population, and the fate of some of the world’s most endangered and iconic species on the edge of existence, it is becoming all the more important to engage young people in decisions affecting the world’s wildlife.
“From patrolling forests to protect rhinos in South Africa or combating wildlife trade in Vietnam, to rescuing orangutans in Borneo and animating wildlife workshops in Canada, the collective youth impact is widespread and undeniable. It is now time, on World Wildlife Day, to acknowledge and applaud the dedication and energy of young wildlife lovers across the globe working towards a common goal, to protecting our priceless wild animals and plants for generations to come.”
Reactions have trailed the special day for wildlife.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres: “Poaching and illegal trafficking pose a significant threat to wildlife, especially some of the world’s most iconic and endangered species. Strict enforcement of laws is important, but so too is awareness. As consumers, we have the power to demand that all wildlife products come from sustainable sources. I particularly appeal to young people to protect their inheritance by becoming informed and acting to protect wild animals and plants from the threat of extinction.”
Deputy UN Secretary General, Amina J. Mohammed: “Over the past four decades, half of all wild animals and plants have been lost because of habitat loss, climate change, over-exploitation, poaching and illicit trafficking. Around the world, young people are playing an increasingly important role as responsible consumers and future conservation leaders to reverse this trend. On this fourth World Wildlife Day, I encourage people everywhere to stand up for the world’s wildlife and work for a better world, where all can live in peace and prosperity on a healthy planet.”
UNESCO Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova: “The stakes are higher every day. Crimes against wildlife have been increasing over the past years, fuelled by conflicts and the trafficking of wildlife and wildlife products. The impact is devastating on the populations of both iconic and lesser-known species. Despite a range of decisions and actions, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and Natural World Heritage sites have not been safe from these crimes.
“This calls for a new commitment by everyone to prevent these crimes and promote justice. Young women and men have a special role to play here, as change-makers today and future custodians. We must listen to them and nurture their engagement, to craft new forms of action to conserve and protect wildlife on the basis of solidarity.
“We must support young people in connecting the ‘local’ and the ‘global’ for more effective wildlife conservation. We need young people to speak out, to join hands and to collaborate in shaping new paths to sustainable development in ways that conserve wildlife and protect the shared wealth of biodiversity.”
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretary-General, John E. Scanlon: “Our generation has not yet succeeded in securing the future of many wild animals and plants. Meeting this challenge will now be shared with the next generation. And to succeed we must fully harness the innovation and energy of youth, and combine it with the wisdom that comes with experience, if we are to make the change we need to see happen.
“It is the obligation of the current generation to share their knowledge of wildlife conservation with the younger generations, whilst also empowering and encouraging them to actively engage and participate in creative ways. Investment in our young people will ensure the continued survival of wild animals and plants and help us in the fight against the devastating illicit trade in wildlife.
“World Wildlife Day 2017 gives us the opportunity to generate enthusiasm for wildlife conservation amongst younger generations, and to provide platforms for them to engage with one another on conservation issues. I encourage youth around the world to take a personal interest in wildlife conservation and to help fight wildlife crimes. Let your voice be heard on the safeguarding of wild animals and plants!”
United Nations Environment Programme Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS) Executive Secretary, Bradnee Chambers: “I think engaging with young people today is essential if we are to find solutions for environmental problems. Personally, I developed a passion for nature during my youth growing up in rural Ontario at a year-round outdoor education camp that provided experiences to children and families from the city. It inspired me to pursue a career in international law, bringing countries together to protect the environment.
“I want to ensure that future generations can still witness the world’s great migrations, from those of the animals that roam the plains of the African savannah and the swimways of marine turtles to the Monarch Butterfly and the characteristic v-shaped formation of birds in flight.
“We must take young people’s ideas seriously and encourage them to stay committed to tackling the environmental problems of our time. Their passion and idealism are essential to implementing sound conservation strategies so that wildlife and humans can coexist on the same planet.”
International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) President and CEO, Azzedine Downes: “It has never been more important to ‘Listen to the Young Voices’ and to harness the energy and enthusiasm of youth to tackle the current wildlife extinction crisis – one of the reasons IFAW hosted the first ever Global Youth Forum for People and Wildlife in advance of CITES CoP17 in September 2016.
“I had the privilege to interact with each of the 34 delegates and I have never met a more dedicated group of conservation leaders, who are bringing together expertise in diverse fields such as research, genetics, law and animal rescue. United by their willingness to collaborate, learn from each other and take action in their own communities – these young people truly will change the world for the better.”
NIREC and Nigeria’s biosafety, biotech bodies
Biotechnology and Biosafety Recently, there was a news report that the National Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) cautioned the Nigerian government with regard to permitting Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) foods into Nigeria. That significant report may have escaped many Nigerians.
However, the strident denial by the directors general of National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) that they were not members of the NIREC committee on GMOs helped to bring up the report again. Both officials are right to say that they were not members of the NIREC committee because they were not. I was a member, so I can testify to that.
They were invited to share information on GMOs with the committee set up by NIREC. And the director of NBMA did while NABDA was represented by an assistant director of the agency. A disclaimer published by Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology, Nigeria (OFAB) on behalf of NABDA opens with these words: “On the Daily Trust publication below (NIREC cautions FG against GMOs), the OFAB Nigeria Coordinator, Dr. Rose Gidado whose name appeared as part of the Committee wishes to state that she was called to answer questions at the Committee meeting but was never part of the Meeting not to talk of being part of the approval process of the final report that was produced.” She met with the committee as a representative of NABDA.
A preliminary comment that is of importance at this point is that these two agencies operate like conjoined twins. And that may be so because NBMA is purportedly the brainchild of NABDA. No, that is not my imagination. It is alarming because the NABDA, as the name implies, is a biotechnology research, development and promotion agency. Their job is to ensure that GMOs are placed on the dining tables of Nigerians whether we want them or not.
The fact of one being the brainchild of the other was revealed at one of the sittings of the committee. The inseparable nature of the two agencies was also illustrated before my eyes in the studios of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) where their two heads were invited to the Good Morning Show to which I was, unfortunately, also invited. They would not consider sharing the precious space with someone who would speak against their positions. They apparently do not want Nigerians to hear the other side of the story – about the impacts of GMOs and agro-toxics on the environment, humans and biodiversity. One of the chiefs literally dragged the other out of the studio with the NTA officials pleading with them to stay and participate in the programme, to no avail. That display of disdain to criticism must have shocked the staff of NTA and signified very clearly the sort of leadership we have on biosafety issues in Nigeria.
NABDA and NABMA work hand-in-hand in a manner that is unacceptable. A true regulator would be an impartial umpire on biosafety and GMO issues. In his rebuttal to the news report that erroneously stated that the two biotech leaders were part of NIREC, the head of NBMA stated that he was assuring Nigerians that his agency will supervise the safe deployment of GMOs in Nigeria. First, he takes the introduction of GMOs into Nigeria as a given. Why would a biosafety regulator consider himself as a supervisor of GMOs? Can we tolerate a referee, in a soccer match, who celebrates whenever one side scores a goal? Secondly, when he talks about the introduction of GMOs he used a militaristic terminology, deployment, probably signifying that the battle lines are drawn against Nigerians who are suspicious of any GMO hemlock.
It makes sense to see that it was patently wrong to have a biotech promotion agency operating in Nigeria, with tax payers’ money, in a situation where there was no biosafety law in place. So, they had to cook up something. And that is what we have: a NBMA whose board is populated by GMO promoters, including NABDA. This murky situation gives us a spectacular template for conflict of interest in the regulation of GMOs in Nigeria. And NABDA did not waste any moment in putting its insider placement in NBDA to work. How? They teamed up with Monsanto to apply for field trials of two GMO maize events in Nigeria and promptly approved the application.
However, when NABDA blames the NIREC committee of bias and in another breath claims that the NIREC committee endorses GMOs, that is a figment of the agency’s imagination. It simply is not true. The committee, made up of seasoned academics and religious leaders, raised questions over GMOs and did not recommend it as a way forward for Nigeria. With the attitude of brooking no dissent, it was curious to hear the chief of NABDA accuse the NIREC committee of bias, because, according to her, the committee did not have GMO promoters on it.
The committee was at pains explaining to two agencies that, in carrying out their work, they must understand that the critical baseline is the interest of Nigerians and our environment and not that of any commercial or political interest – no matter how powerful. The two agencies could not convince the expert committee that they had enough tools to adequately carry out their tasks. Among other things, the committee also saw that NABDA was functioning more as a GMO advocacy agency rather than engaging in useful research, while the Biosafety Management Act itself requires urgent radical review.
By Nnimmo Bassey (Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation – HOMEF)
Panelists demand equal opportunities for women in oil palm sector
Key players involved in oil palm in Indonesia have highlighted the need for equal rights and opportunities for women and men. Panelists at a policy dialogue on gender and oil palm in Jakarta on Friday, March 3 2017 outlined the need for women to have a bigger say in decisions related to land, employment and smallholder inclusion.
The Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), in collaboration with the University of Indonesia and the University of Brighton, organised a discussion bringing together multiple actors related to the oil palm sector. Advocacy organisations, certification bodies, government agencies, indigenous communities, private sector representatives, researchers and women’s rights groups discussed the challenges and opportunities that oil palm represents for women.
“Today’s dialogue shows that there is interest across the board on improving gender equality throughout the oil palm value chain and certification process,” said Dr. Bimbika Sijapati-Basnett, Scientist and Gender Coordinator at CIFOR. “Today wasn’t just about discussing problems but also about identifying workable solutions that will have real impact on the ground.”
Ongoing research by CIFOR points to the critical roles that women play as workers, smallholders and investors. However, gender issues are not considered in policies, certification bodies and regulations in the sector.
Oil palm expansion threatens to displace local women from their land, on which they cultivate food crops. Women’s work and contributions to oil palm production are largely unrecognised, lamented CIFOR, adding that when they are, women are overrepresented in the ‘casual worker’ category, with limited entitlement to decent working conditions.
The research is funded by the UK Department of International Development, the United States Agency for International Development, Rights and Resources Initiative, Oxfam and the CGIAR Research Programme on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry.