The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and haziness from Thursday, November 7 to Saturday, November 9, 2024, across the country.
Hazy weather
NiMet’s weather outlook released on Wednesday, November 6, in Abuja envisaged a sunny and hazy atmosphere over parts of Borno, Adamawa and Taraba states on Thursday with moderate dust haze.
It predicted localised horizontal visibility of 2Km to 5km over the other parts of the northern region during the forecast period.
“In the North Central region, moderate dust haze with localised visibility of 2Km to 5km is anticipated during the forecast period. In the southern region, a sunny and hazy atmosphere is anticipated over the inland states.
“Sunny skies with patches of clouds are anticipated over the coast in the morning hours.
“Later in the afternoon/evening hours, localised thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over Ogun, Lagos, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states,” it said.
According to NiMet, in the northern region, moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility of 1Km to 3km and localised horizontal visibility of less than or equal to 1000m is anticipated over the region during the forecast period on Friday.
It forecast moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility of 2 Km to 5km during the forecast period in the North Central region.
“In the Southern region, a sunny and hazy atmosphere is anticipated over the inland, while sunny skies with patches of clouds are anticipated over the coast during the morning hours.
“Later in the afternoon/evening hours, localised thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ogun, Southern Ondo, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states,” it said.
NiMet predicted moderate dust haze on Saturday in the northern region with horizontal visibility of 2Km to 5km and localised horizontal visibility of less than or equal to 1,000m over the region during the forecast period.
According to it, in the North Central region, moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility of 2Km to 5km is anticipated during the forecast period.
The agency envisaged sunny and hazy atmosphere over the inland in the southern region with patches of cloud over the coast during the forecast period.
NiMet urged the public to take necessary precaution as dust particles are in suspension.
It further urged people with Asthmatic health condition and other respiratory issues to be cautious of the present weather condition.
“Strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, public should take adequate precaution and adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities.
“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.
“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng,” it said.
Donald Trump, 78, recaptured the White House on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, by securing more than the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency.
Donald Trump
Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States of America, capping a remarkable comeback four years after he was voted out of the White House and ushering in a new American leadership likely to test democratic institutions at home and relations abroad.
The former president’s victory in the swing state of Wisconsin pushed him over the threshold.
“America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” Trump said early on Wednesday to a roaring crowd of supporters at the Palm Beach County Convention Centre in Florida.
But environmental activists are cautious and seem unimpressed over the outcome of the fresh emergence of Trump, who they see as a climate change denier.
For instance, 350.org says it acknowledges the outcome of the democratic process while also expressing concern that the election result could set back the rights of many communities, colleagues, partners and allies in the U.S., and that Trump’s re-election could mean violations of marginalised people.
In a statement made available to EnviroNews on Wednesday, the environment watchdog submitted: “In the face of this deep disappointment, we draw strength from the collective determination and strength of the climate movement. As the world grapples with runaway climate chaos, widespread cost of living increases, geopolitical instability, and violent conflict, it is time for collective constructive action. The need for strategic interventions and advocacy in the US will be even greater given the Presidency will be handed over to a known climate denier.
“The climate crisis is unravelling with record global temperatures, against a backdrop of deeply ingrained systems of power that influence which politics and policies move forward. The climate movement remains steadfast in its goal of pursuing climate justice and putting the interests of people and planet ahead of profit.
“Next week (Nov 11) the UN climate conference, COP29, starts in Baku, Azerbaijan, and countries from across the world have the opportunity to double down on their climate commitments. This is a time for us to keep faith in multilateralism, for global leaders to step up to the climate challenge, and for the climate movement to hold them accountable. The world needs leadership, accountability, and collaboration from Europe, China, climate-vulnerable nations, and climate allies like Brazil. The good news is that both the money and the blueprints for community-centred, renewable energy solutions exist. It’s time to put them together. The global renewable energy transition is inevitable and doesn’t rely on one country alone.”
Jeff Ordower, 350.org North America Director, said: “Achieving success in global climate politics necessitates having an engaged United States willing to own its share of the responsibility. The next Trump administration will be isolationist and dangerous to climate. But in that darkness, there is some hope that in diminished US power, other nations can step up, and states like California can follow.
“We will be fighting to ensure that Trump’s election creates a more resilient climate justice movement, one that realises we cannot separate decarbonisation, migrant rights, human rights, and demilitarisation. Working together on climate change is in everyone’s best interest. The energy transition in the US will proceed, with or without Trumpʼs support.”
The group emphasised that Trump isn’t in office yet and Joe Biden can increase U.S. climate ambition and finance at COP29.
“These crucial weeks before Trump is inaugurated in January 2025 will determine the Biden legacy he leaves behind and whether he will be remembered as the leader who tried to limit the Trump administration’s damage and keep the world from careening further into climate chaos. Biden must fulfil the US’s commitment to stop financing fossil fuel projects – pause all new Liquified Natural gas (LNG) exports and increase funding and ambition for renewable energy projects both at home and abroad.
“Trump’s re-election cannot be an excuse for other nations to scale back ambition. Those who have the least responsibility and are hit the hardest by the climate crisis are already demonstrating leadership, by offering examples of what a more equitable and healthier world could look like. We must not allow profit-focused nations to replace one broken system with another that suits their own interests. Developing nations can stand together and lead efforts to redirect funds from fossil fuels into renewable projects that benefit their communities and make them more resilient.”
In response to the US elections results, Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of Climate Action Network, said: “The climate crisis doesn’t care who is in the White House. If President Trump’s last time in office was anything to go by, there will be chaos and mayhem, but the climate movement will be defiant and continue fighting. The rest of the world will continue working. “Working together to address the climate crisis is in every nation’s self-interest. The impacts of climate know no boundaries and are felt across the world, including in the US. Nearly 200 countries carried on working on climate during the first Trump Presidency – collaborating with many US states and cities – and we fully expect that to carry on.
“The US is still in the climate battle. The energy transition is inevitable and accelerating in many countries and across the US, regardless of who is in power. If Trump steps out of the global clean energy race, they will be the losers. First mover countries will be the winners. Trump can withdraw from the Paris Agreement, or the UNFCCC as a whole, at his own peril. The US will lose its ability to influence the decisions that will change the trajectory of the world’s economic development.
“While the news that Trump plans to leave the Paris Agreement could cause initial anxiety at COP29, the world’s majority recognises that climate action does not hinge on who is in power in the US, and as we saw before and will see again, other countries will step up if the US reneges on their responsibilities and stands back. But the US will still be held accountable, by their own citizens as well as by governments and people across the world.
“The Trump administration also cannot think that it can leave the Paris Agreement, and still come to climate meetings and obstruct progress. We will not allow this obstruction even if the US stays in the Paris Agreement. Climate Action Network has been fighting for climate action since 1989, long before the first COP. We will not give up no matter how challenging it becomes; we remain defiant in our fight for climate justice.”
Ife Kilimanjaro, USCAN Executive Director, said: “The US Climate Action Network recognises the results of the 2024 election. While the path forward may present challenges, we remain undeterred in our pursuit of a just and liveable future for all. We stand in unwavering solidarity with communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis, and we are more committed than ever to building, alongside many, a resilient, inclusive movement. The recent election results underscore the urgent need for continued advocacy and action on climate change. We will not be discouraged, but instead will direct our focus and action into a renewed sense of purpose.”
Mohamed Adow, Executive Director, Power Shift Africa, said: “The climate crisis doesn’t stop because of one election result and the rest of the world isn’t going to let one country derail global progress in tackling it. The transition away from climate-wrecking dirty energy to clean renewables is more essential than ever.
“It makes COP29 an even more important summit as it will lay the financial groundwork for climate action in the coming years. Joe Biden remains US President for the next two months and his delegation needs to work with other countries to push for a strong outcome that will ensure the global momentum continues.
“This moment is especially important for Africa, which has vast clean energy resources but needs the finance for renewable energy technology to harness it. It may become more challenging to access that funding if the US reverses its climate finance commitments, so African leaders will need to work harder, and as one, to push for what we in Africa are owed. The facts remain that Africans haven’t caused the climate crisis. The rest of the world needs to deliver the finance that can unlock Africa’s potential.
“The benefits of clean energy and climate action are clear. It is now vital that a progressive coalition of countries, businesses, civil society groups and sub national bodies steps up to show that they will not let this progress be stalled. The first opportunity to show this will be at COP29.”
Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director, Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), said: “This is a bad day for the climate movement and the planet. Though the Democrats have remained actively engaged in international dialogue on climate change after President Joe Boden’s reversal of Trumps withdrawal from Paris Agreement, they have played obstructionist role rather than ensuring progress in negotiations.
“In other words, irrespective of whether Trump with withdraw from Paris Agreement or not, we don’t expect to have any difference in the Global solidarity to address one of the existential threats facing humanity. We will do better without Trump and his anti-people and racist government.”
Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), said: “It will be a sad day if Trump again pulls away from climate negotiations as he did during his first coming. His campaign promises to ‘drill baby drill’ will also compound the climate crisis seeing that existing oil reserves are unburnable if the world hopes to avoid catastrophic global burning. His victory will already be a damper on whatever hopes some may have had on COP29 delivering any serious signals that the widening emissions and financial gaps would be narrowed.”
Laurence Tubiana, CEO, European Climate Foundation: “The US election result is a setback for global climate action, but the Paris Agreement has proven resilient and is stronger than any single country’s policies. The context today is very different to 2016. There is powerful economic momentum behind the global transition, which the US has led and gained from, but now risks forfeiting.
“The devastating toll of recent hurricanes was a grim reminder that all Americans are affected by worsening climate change. America is All In accounts for 65 % of the population and 68% of GDP. This coalition – and other subnational actors worldwide – deserve a seat at the global table.”
Jennifer Morgan, Germany State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action: “We will work with the next US administration wherever possible to strengthen the international rules-based order and deal with shared security challenges, including the climate crisis. For Germany and the EU, the transition to climate neutrality is a cornerstone of our future competitiveness. We will work with all partners towards a level playing field in the race for green industries. We will continue to implement our climate laws and work with international partners across all levels of government, civil society and in the private sector on the swift and full implementation of the Paris Agreement.”
Christiana Figueres, former Executive Director, UNFCCC: “The result from this election will be seen as a major blow to global climate action, but it cannot and will not halt the changes underway to decarbonise the economy and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Standing with oil and gas is the same as falling behind in a fast-moving world. Clean energy technologies will continue to outcompete fossil fuels, not just because they are healthier, faster, cleaner and more abundant, but because they undercut fossil fuels where they are at their weakest: their unsolvable volatility and inefficiency.”
Raila Odinga, former PM of Kenya and candidate for Chair of the Africa Union Commission: “Actions of the United States on climate change at home and globally will shape how Africa, a continent that is least responsible for the climate crisis yet suffering most from climate impacts, will navigate its own development path, deliver energy access to over 600 million people who are without electricity access today.
“Climate negotiations at COP29 in Baku, coming on the back of US elections, is a perfect opportunity for the US to step up and be a global steward of the planet. At COP29, the US must lead from the front and support the delivery of ambitious grants-based and highly concessional climate finance to the trillions of dollars required to meet the adaptation and mitigation needs of developing countries and compensate for losses of damages in a timely and transparent manner.”
Gina McCarthy, former White House National Climate Advisor and 13th U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator: “No matter what Trump may say, the shift to clean energy is unstoppable and our country is not turning back. Our coalition is bigger, more bipartisan, better organised, and fully prepared to deliver climate solutions, boost local economies, and drive climate ambition. We cannot and will not let Trump stand in the way of giving our kids and grandkids the freedom to grow up in safer and healthier communities.”
Ambassador Dr. Pa’olelei Luteru, chair of Alliance of Small Island States: “The increasingly devastating climate crisis stops for no man, or woman. Our islands are at the frontlines, but we know no country – big or small – is immune from increasingly severe, unprecedented weather impacts. This is evidenced by incidents such as the horrifying loss of life from Hurricane Helene, and the recent shocking flooding in Spain which killed scores of people. Regardless of the outcome of this election, multilateralism is imperative in this process. Small island developing states, along with our partners in the international community, will continue to do the vital work to raise ambition across the board and pull our world back from the brink.”
Izabella Teixeira, former Environment Minister of Brazil: “There is no room for climate denialism in the context of the climate emergency. American society is co-responsible for global warming and, despite Trump’s victory, will undoubtedly be co-responsible for the solutions to the climate crisis.”
Mary Robinson, former Chair, The Elders and former PM of Ireland: “I sincerely hope that the recent hurricanes in the United States have caused President Trump to rethink his belief that climate change will create “more oceanfront properties.” It will only bring more death and devastation. It remains to be seen if he will once again isolate the U.S. by pulling out of the Paris Agreement.
“The outcome of the U.S. elections should not be used as an excuse by world leaders to avoid taking action against climate change. We should redouble our efforts and prove that we can work together for the common good by delivering the necessary climate finance needed at the upcoming COP29 in Baku.”
Bill Hare, CEO Climate Analytics, former IPCC author: “The election of a climate denier to the US Presidency is extremely dangerous for the world. We are already seeing extreme damages, loss of life around the globe due to human induced warming 1.3°C. President Trump will not be above the laws of physics and nor will the country that he leads. If Trump follows through with his threat to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, the biggest loser will be the United States. We have been there before – the US withdrawal in the first Trump presidency did not cause the Agreement to collapse, as some pundits predicted.”
Frances Colón, Senior Fellow, International Climate, Centre for American Progress, former deputy science and technology adviser to the Secretary of State: “While Trump ran for office on fossil-fuelled lies that endanger all American communities, the American people are waking up to the ravages of climate change in their lives, and recognising that every country, including the United States, must do our part to protect future generations. Today, clean energy manufacturing is popular with the American public and is bringing jobs to communities across the United States. We will hold this administration accountable for any attempts to dismantle climate investments and ensure that U.S. states, cities, and businesses continue to take climate action in the spirit of global climate cooperation.”
Adair Turner, Chair, Energy Transitions Commission: “There is no point denying that the election of Donald Trump as President is bad news for global efforts to address climate change. But the dramatic advance of key clean technologies such as solar, batteries and EVs, plus the commitment of other countries across the world, and of companies and individual states in the US, means that progress towards a global net zero carbon economy will still be maintained.”
Sébastien Treyer, Executive Director of Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), a major French think tank: “The Paris Agreement is holding in particular because the European Union and China are committed to it, and many American economic players, even among Trump’s supporters, are already developing technologies for a decarbonised world. However, commercial competition could further harden in the trade conflict between China and the United States, and the poorest countries will be victims even more than Europe. It will therefore be all the more important to close ranks, between countries for which cooperation is vital.”
Yao Zhe, Global Policy Advisor, Greenpeace East Asia: “Once again, China finds itself at a pivotal moment. Expectations are high that China will join key nations in reassuring the world that climate action will continue. In practical terms, a new NDC that outlines clear actions to transition away from fossil fuels will provide the world with the reassurance it needs. Climate played a crucial role in stabilising US-China relations during the Biden time. The Trump administration may undo some of the climate diplomacy gains of recent years, but US-China climate cooperation will continue at the subnational level and among non-state actors.”
Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW): “The proposed trade barriers will need careful navigation so that Indian industries, especially for clean technologies, do not suffer. Currently, India exports 90 per cent of its solar modules to the US. Over the next four years, India will need to be prepared and strategically nimble to deepen green trade, co-develop clean tech supply chains, and accelerate its energy transition.
“The US election results do not change the fact that India and the US will continue to be key strategic partners. With Donald Trump in power, India can count on continued oil and gas supply to ensure its developmental needs since the US is a net exporter of fuels now. Between 2017 and 2024, the US became the fifth largest liquified natural gas (LNG) and crude oil supplier to India.”
Rachel Cleetus, policy director with the Climate and Energy programme, Union of Concerned Scientists: “President-elect Trump ran a brutish campaign that disregarded or misrepresented scientific facts, while promising to boost fossil fuel companies’ fortunes. The nation and world can expect an incoming Trump administration to take a wrecking ball to global climate diplomacy. That will likely include the shameful act of taking the United States out of the Paris Agreement again. Many domestic climate policies aren’t safe either, though the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy provisions could prove durable as they’re delivering significant economic benefits to all states and have the support of workers, businesses and policymakers across the political spectrum.”
Adam Bandt, leader of the Australian Greens: “A second-term Trump presidency is going to be bad for the world and for the climate. But we can’t give up. Keeping global heating below 1.5 degrees is vital, as beyond this threshold, we risk causing chain reactions that humans will no longer be able to control. Hundreds of millions of people will experience extreme heat waves, drought will become significantly more likely, agriculture globally will become more challenging, and coral reefs will entirely collapse. It’s important that countries across the world continue to work together to take strong climate action, even if the new US president won’t.”
Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi: “The outcome of the US election is consequential for the climate. Efforts to fight against and mitigate climate change effects on the world and developing countries in particular hang in the balance. As a global superpower, we expect the US to do the right thing for the sake of the world and generations to come.”
Kostantsa Rangelova, an analyst at global energy think-tank Ember: “Solar and wind continue their unstoppable rise in the US. Technological advancement cannot be held back. The world is upgrading to a cleaner, more efficient and cheaper energy system, boosting energy security in many countries. The transition is inevitable, but putting up barriers to artificially slow it down would risk losing out on the many benefits of going faster.”
Gavan McFadzean, Manager, Climate Change and Clean Energy Programme, Australian Conservation Foundation: “With the election of President Trump the world will lose America’s leadership in lifting global ambition on climate action, while blocking efforts at home to reduce their domestic emissions as the world’s second largest climate polluter. We will also likely see an alarming escalation in US fossil fuel exports which will undermine the essential task to transition global energy systems to renewables. It is now more critical than ever that Australia, as one of world’s top three exporters of coal and gas, to show leadership at home and abroad to rapidly phaseout its fossil fuel exports and announce a strong science aligned 2035 emissions reduction target.”
Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Climate Justice Activist, Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines: “Countries like mine are already enduring life-shattering climate impacts. Hope alone will not save us. Now more than ever, we need bold and decisive action rooted in climate justice. While the fossil fuel industry and leaders like Trump cling to a collapsing system, we cannot give in. We must not allow global climate cooperation to be undermined by any single leader or country. We must continue to organise and campaign to bring the end of the fossil fuel era. COP29 will be the first of many international gatherings where the world must come together and show what real leadership in this crisis looks like.”
Yael Stone, Hi Neighbour Founding Director, actor and climate communicator: “Irrespective of election results the train to energy transformation has left the station and it will not be called back. The rollout of renewables goes beyond government handover and has powerful economic imperatives with scope beyond election cycles.”
Charles Wanguhu, founding director of the Enzi Ijayo- Africa Initiative: “As the biggest oil producer in the world, the United States bears a special obligation to support ambitious international climate targets. Collective global actions underscore its importance. The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is the most important component, which merits greater focus. It is imperative that the US election result does not have a detrimental effect on the future of climate concerns and the discussions in Baku.”
Julius Mbatia, Climate Finance Expert at ACT Alliance: “Climate change knows no national or geopolitical boundaries. We are all in boats being buffeted by the same challenge, but different circumstances of countries mean some of us are barely afloat with limited or no hope to survive while others remain afloat as they have mega, technologically modified vessels. COP 29 in Baku must address fundamental barriers to enhancing ambition and break through serious financial challenges of developing countries to tackle the climate crisis. Ambition in finance would mean higher financial provision and overall lower cost of finance to achieve climate and development objectives for regions such as Africa.”
Faten Aggad, Executive Director, African Future Policies Hub: “One of the key questions for Africa relates to the trade agenda of the Trump administration. Specifically, how his administration will handle the negotiations around AGOA and what impact would a likely acceleration of the trade war with China have on supply chains and therefore the affordability and access to key green technologies. A successful green transition hinges on trade cooperation and the likely increased protectionism in the US, which is likely to be mimicked in the EU, is a concern.”
Dr. Oulie Keita, Executive Director, Greenpeace Africa: “The African continent has consistently found itself at the forefront of various extreme weather events in recent years, resulting in severe consequences. It is important to recognise that Africa is the lowest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, yet it endures the most significant repercussions of the climate crisis. The results of the U.S. election should serve as a poignant reminder to the incoming Trump administration that the world is facing a climate emergency that necessitates immediate action from all nations. The scientific consensus is unequivocal regarding the need for countries to significantly reduce their emissions to achieve the 1.5-degree target. African communities expect the Trump Administration to uphold the global climate finance commitments as outlined in the Paris Agreement.”
Sophia Kianni, UN Youth Advisor & Founder of Climate Cardinals: “Our planet’s future hinges on the action we take now. This election outcome underscores the urgency for climate leaders and advocates worldwide to step up, collaborate, and hold leaders accountable. Even as the United States faces potential setbacks, we must keep the momentum going, reaffirming our commitment to the Paris Agreement and setting the stage for even bolder climate action at COP29. The science is clear: the cost of inaction is far too high. Now, more than ever, we must rise to the challenge and protect our planet for generations to come.”
Luisa Neubauer, Fridays For Future Germany: “This is a black day for the climate. It’s a shade of black we haven’t invented yet. And I fear there are many more black days to come. Hope is work, now more than ever. Hell is a spectrum and how we as civil society organise and mobilise will be decisive on where on that spectrum we land. People in the climate community will need to step up, and internationally we will have a huge gap to fill.”
Meghan Fandrich – a trauma-informed editor, parent, and climate disaster survivor, and the author of Burning Sage: Poems from the Lytton fire: “The 2021 wildfire in Lytton, British Columbia destroyed my small business, along with 90% of my hometown, the town I grew up in, the town I was raising my daughter in. So many years of my life, so much energy and dedication and love, were reduced to ashes and rusted metal. Climate change won’t stop just because there is a climate denier in the White House.
“All countries need to work together to address the climate crisis; there is no more time to waste. Millions of people around the world, like me and my young daughter, are experiencing devastating climate impacts, from wildfires to floods, heatwaves to hurricanes. When future generations look back at this moment, they will surely condemn any government who did not meet the moment with the urgency and compassion required.”
Carlos Minc, former Environment Minister of Brazil: “Trump’s victory is the planet’s biggest civilisational and climatic step backwards. A man who symbolises the most truculent and backward right-wing, who wants to promote the most authoritarian positions worldwide against the rights of women, environmentalists, LGBTQIA+ people and immigrants. It’s toxic. The first step he will likely take is to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, which is the country that has the most significant historical responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions. So, let’s mobilise all other countries and do what we can to stop this victory from becoming a civilisational and climate disaster.”
Gerry Arances, Executive Director, Centre for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) – Philippines: “A Trump re-election is alarming, given his past actions of supporting fossil fuels, rejection of climate science, and even withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. His victory only highlights the US’ historical responsibility as a major polluter, and movements in climate-vulnerable regions like ours are all the more encouraged to hold the US accountable. With Trump’s re-election, we intensify the call for global alignment to the 1.5°C pathway, including through an urgent fossil fuel phaseout, a just renewable energy transition, and delivery of climate finance and resources owed by developed nations to the world’s most vulnerable.”
Linda Kalcher, Executive Director of Strategic Perspectives: “Trump’s obsession with fossil fuels is short-sighted and ignores global market trends. The demand for oil and gas is falling across the world as we transition to cleaner sources of energy. This risks costing the jobs of the very people that voted for him and creating stranded assets that will not yield profit despite huge investments. The International Energy Agency estimates the global market for clean technologies to be worth over $2 trillion by 2035 according to the IEA.
“Major economies like China and the European Union are unlikely to follow the United States in giving up this opportunity, and the socio-economic benefits, of the new industrial era. They will turbocharge their investments in manufacturing electric vehicles, renewable energy and batteries.”
Alexandre Gubert Lette, Executive Director of Teranga Lab, Senegal: “Disappointment and concern: At a time when the climate crisis leaves no room for setbacks, Trump’s election feels like a blow on the eve of COP29’s opening. This return risks reigniting a climate of scepticism and slowing the efforts needed to achieve the Paris Agreement goals. With a climate-sceptical outlook and likely disengagement from the United States, emissions reduction promises could be hindered, potentially triggering a domino effect on other countries tempted to ease their commitments.”
Friederike Otto, Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London: “The world is in a very different place to what it was when Trump was last in power. The global move to renewable energy is now happening at an unprecedented pace. Nothing the US government can do will change the simple fact that renewable energy is cheaper and more reliable than oil, gas and coal. Fossil fuels are a thing of the past. The world is moving on. The US has never been a great team player at COPs, regardless of which party is in government. People don’t go to COPs expecting the US to push for more ambition. When Trump quit the Paris Agreement in 2016, many governments still stuck to their plans.
“As always, other countries need to step up at COP29. Trump can deny climate change all he wants, but the laws of physics don’t care about politics. As we speak, nearly every US state is experiencing drought and last month, back-to-back hurricanes wreaked havoc in the southeast. Extreme weather will keep getting worse in the US as long as the world burns fossil fuels.”
Malango Mughogho, Managing Director, ZeniZeni Sustainable Finance: “As with all election results, people’s responses are different. What is not different is that the realities of climate change are still with us. We are still on course for more global warming that affects every single country in the world, including the US. Which means that individuals, communities and businesses will continue to expect their governments to respond to climate change because it affects their ability to thrive and earn money, including in the US. So, while the face of the US president will change next year, it’s important to remember what must not change, which is multilateral solidarity to address climate change.”
Connie Hedegaard, former EU Climate Commissioner and former lead negotiator of COP15 in Copenhagen: “Trump is bad news for climate. Full stop. However, the green energy transition is happening and will continue not only because it makes climate sense but also because it makes economic sense and has proven that it can contribute to job creation. Just ask Texas! “It is now more important than ever that the US business community does what it does best: Deliver and scale solutions, innovate and invest for the future not for the past.”
Prof Mark Maslin, Professor of Climatology at UCL: “Domestically Trump is a vocal supporter of coal, but coal use declined during his first Presidency due to the switch to gas and renewable energy. This has continued under President Biden and will continue into the future due to simple economics. This reflects global trends moving away from coal to natural gas and renewable energy. But the transition from fossil fuels is too slow and the UN have suggested that with current trends we are looking at 3.1˚C warming by the end of the century. The other major trend that Trump has little influence on is the growth in the global green economy which is worth over $10 trillion annually which is 10% of the world’s GDP.
“In the US there are at least 10 million jobs in the green economy compared with 300,000 in the fossil fuel industry. Hence, if you want to grow your economy and make jobs, then investment in the green economy will be essential. In summary Trump may slow down the transition away from fossil fuels and allow other countries to delay action – but the writing is on the wall both politically and economically for fossil fuels. It is when – not if – fossil fuels cease to be used as an energy source.”
David Michael Terungwa, Executive Director, Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP): “To me, It is a dangerous mistake to elect a climate denier into the white house again. Although, the world passed through this route when President Trump won in 2016, I remember vividly at COP22 in Marrakech Morocco after Trump’s victory, the whole COP arena became very quiet but that was not the end of climate action in the world. Europe provided leadership and filled the vacuum.
“Agreed the United States is an important in this context but we have many people in the United States including republicans who agree with scientists that human induced climate change is impacting the world including the United States, according to Bloomberg, the total short- and long-term economic impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton its wake is estimated to cost taxpayers in the USA roughly $400 billion.
“Trump denied COVID19, and it cost him his re-election and hundreds of American lives. Therefore, it is a call for all citizens, scientists and businesses in the United States and around the world not to despair but to rise to the challenge and fight for the future of the planet. COP29 in Baku starting in a few days provides a unique opportunity for the world to rise in unison and demonstrates genuine climate action with or without the United States.”
Lena Moffitt, Executive Director, Evergreen Action: “Let us be clear: Climate progress didn’t stop under the first Trump administration, and it won’t stop now. Alongside our allies in the climate movement, we will fight tooth and nail against every attempt to dismantle the strides we’ve made in securing a safer, more just climate future. Trump has vowed to gut popular investments that are powering our clean energy economy and block lifesaving pollution standards that our communities need.
“Already, Republicans and Democrats in Congress have stood up in opposition to slashing the Inflation Reduction Act, and we expect a growing national outcry against Trump’s agenda. We’re ready to defend the hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in investments already transforming our economy and to stand united with the broader progressive movement to protect our communities and democracy against Trump’s attacks. States made historic progress on climate during his first term despite a hostile White House, and we’ll be ready to support robust state-led climate action in the coming years.”
Betty Wang, Senior Programme Officer of Climate at the Asia Society Policy Institute: “A second Trump administration will likely see the U.S. exit the Paris Agreement and cut back on climate funding abroad – a shift that will ripple across Asia, where countries depend heavily on climate finance and technology partnerships. Without U.S. leadership, other nations need to strengthen their own commitments and look increasingly to other regions, such as the EU, for cooperative frameworks, risking a slowdown in the crucial global collaboration needed to meet climate targets.
“Under Trump, formal U.S.-China climate cooperation would likely stall, halting coordination on key areas like energy transition and methane reduction. Losing these channels risks delaying essential emissions cuts, weakening global climate goals. With the U.S. stepping back, the world may increasingly turn to China to step up as a leading force in climate action.”
Professor Chris Hilson, Director of the Reading Centre for Climate and Justice, University of Reading: “Trump’s re-election may surprise on climate. Internationally, Trump may withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement for a second time, but that’s not likely to have the sort of impact it did before in terms of international diplomacy. It’s already more or less priced in. Other countries will carry on without the US.”
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and C40 Cities Co-Chair: “The lesson of today is that progress is not inevitable. But asserting our progressive values is more important than ever – re-committing to building a world where racism and hatred is rejected, the fundamental rights of women and girls are upheld, and where we continue to tackle the crisis of climate change head-on.”
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown and C40 Cities Co-Chair: “The climate crisis is a lived reality threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of people across the Global South through fires, floods, food shortages and mass migration. Cities are vital to tackling this crisis and C40 mayors will continue to do so.
“Mayors and local leaders across the United States and the world remain committed to creating green jobs and economic growth in sustainable industries, protecting our communities from extreme weather, and addressing environmental justice and equity.”
Mark Watts, C40 Cities Executive Director: “It’s deeply disappointing to see a climate crisis denier back in the White House. But mayors have always led on climate, and Donald Trump’s election doesn’t change that.
“Mayors will keep pushing for faster, fairer, and bolder climate action that delivers cleaner air, better jobs and more safe and resilient cities.”
Ana Toni, Secretary for Climate Change, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil: “The fight against climate change is a long-term commitment of all governments and a necessity for humanity. National elections or geopolitical tensions can obviously affect global climate governance, but we have a collective responsibility to maintain and strengthen the international multilateral climate framework. Brazil will do its part and will continue to work with all governments, as well as all other relevant players from the private sector, subnational governments and civil society to pursue this goal.
Abigail Dillen, Earthjustice: “We have seen this playbook before. The previous administration denied people’s basic rights, freedoms, and refused to uphold the rule of law. When they denied the climate crisis, denied justice to communities long overburdened by pollution, and gave industry open season to pollute our land and waters, we fought back. And we won. We are even stronger now, and we’re ready. We will see Donald Trump in court.”
The Sierra Club: “This is a dark day, but despite this election result, momentum is on our side. The transition away from dirty fossil fuels to affordable clean energy is already underway. Trump can’t change the reality that an overwhelming majority of Americans want more clean energy, not more fossil fuels. Through investments in the Inflation Reduction Act we are creating millions of new clean energy jobs. Clean energy is already cheaper in most cases than dirty fossil fuels, and wind and solar now generate more power in the US than coal.”
Dan Lashof, WRI: “There is no denying that another Trump presidency will stall national efforts to tackle the climate crisis and protect the environment, but most U.S. state, local, and private sector leaders are committed to charging ahead. And you can count on a chorus of world leaders confirming that they won’t turn their back on climate and nature goals.”
Andrew Reagan, Clean Energy for America: “America’s clean energy boom is improving people’s lives, making energy more affordable, and American clean energy factories are appearing across the country, driving a manufacturing renaissance. Over 3.5 million Americans work in clean energy and the workforce is rapidly expanding. This momentum is not guaranteed. We must continue the fight for clean energy, and winning support from policymakers is essential to maintaining this momentum. We will continue pushing for policies and supporting leaders that build America’s lead in clean energy innovation, jobs, manufacturing, and economic growth.”
Republican Presidents have pulled the US out of global climate cooperation before, and climate action continued to accelerate. Climate impacts have accelerated disastrously too, demanding greater global action. The task at hand is for the rest of the world to show the value of multilateral climate cooperation
Baku in Azerbaijan hosts COP29 in November 2024
So, what does the Trump win mean for the COP29 UN climate summit, which starts on 11 November in Baku, Azerbaijan?
In one sense, very little. US Presidential handovers mean that Donald Trump will only take office in 2025. The Biden administration will run the COP29 talks for the US.
In another sense, a lot. It’s very clear the incoming Presidency will loom large over talks in Baku. Trump is a proud climate denier who famously called it a “Chinese hoax” and has long lauded fossil fuels.
First, history is instructive. Countries largely stuck to their plans in 2001 when Bush quit Kyoto and 2016 when Trump quit Paris. The vast majority of governments recognise climate change as the threat it is.
Ironically it was under the first Trump Presidency that clean energy investments started to outpace fossil fuels. Eight years on finance flowing into wind, solar is double that of oil, gas and coal.
Second, COP29 will crack on. Envoys from nearly 100 countries are already in Azerbaijan preparing for the talks. The summit will open next week. It is business as usual.
It’s also a vital meeting. Nearly 200 governments need to work out how to meet a new finance target to help poorer, vulnerable nations make the transition off fossil fuels and invest in climate resilience.
If the finance does not flow, we can expect the next round of national climate plans from developing countries – due in 2025 – to be impacted as a result.
We know a Trump White House is likely to baulk at any new climate finance commitments and may well refuse to pay up on what the US already owes.
That’s a problem but it’s not insurmountable. A finance deal won’t only hinge on the US, which has long been a laggard under Republican and Democrat administrations alike.
Other countries need to step up. That was true before and it’s true now.
Yes, it’s likely Trump will signal he again plans to withdraw from Paris. We saw this last time round – and when it happened the international response was to overwhelmingly reaffirm commitments to the deal.
There’s speculation Trump could go further this time and leave the entire UNFCCC. That’s likely to be challenged in court, possibly taking years to resolve. Cities, states, and businesses across the US remain committed to the national climate target. Analysis shows that even without federal support, continued, high-ambition actions from non-federal actors can achieve more than 48% emissions reductions by 2035.
The key message here is we have been here before and broadly speaking we can expect the same response.
In recent weeks we have seen the EU, UK, most of the G7, G20, Brazil, the Commonwealth and others restating their continued commitment to climate action. Brazil’s President Lula who will host the next UN climate talks, COP30, is clear that “multilateralism is the only way to overcome the climate emergency.”
Ultimately, when you scrape away the rhetoric and social media fuzz there are two truths.
One – climate impacts are getting worse and are materially impacting all countries, killing people and wrecking economies. Leaders in China, India, the EU and across Africa, Latin America and Asia know this.
Two – investments in clean energy – our key route away from the fossil fuels which have caused this crisis – have accelerated since Trump first took office. Now is not the time to panic. Keep calm and carry on.
Three oil marketers have prayed a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals.
Dangote Refinery gate
The oil marketers, in a joint counter affidavit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024 filed in response to Dangote Refinery’s originating summons, told Justice Inyang Ekwo that granting that application would spell doom for the country’s oil sector.
According to them, the plan to monopolise the oil sector is a recipe for disaster in the country.
The three marketers: AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, in their response, said the plaintiff did not produce adequate petroleum products for the daily consumption of Nigerians.
Besides, they argued that there was nothing placed before the court to prove the contrary.
Dangote Refinery had sued Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) as 1st and 2nd defendants.
Also listed as 3rd to 7th defendants respectively in the originating summons dated Sept. 6 are AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.
The company had prayed the court to declare that NMDPRA was in violation of Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing licenses for the importation of petroleum products.
It stated that such licenses should only be issued in circumstances where there is a petroleum product shortfall.
It also urged the court to declare that NMDPRA is in violation of its statutory responsibilities under the PIA for not encouraging local refineries such as the company.
But the marketers, in their response filed on Nov. 5, told the court that they are well qualified and entitled to be issued import licence by NMDPRA to import petroleum products in Nigeria within the meaning of Section 317(9) of the PIA.
They argued that vesting Dangote Refinery with the power of monopoly in Nigeria’s petroleum industry as it sought vide the instant suit, would kill competitive pricing of petroleum products in the country.
They said that such act would further deteriorate the country’s critically ailing economy “and unleash untold hardship on Nigerians, all of which constitute a recipe for disaster in the polity. “
They said if Nigeria puts all her energy eggs in one basket by stopping importation of petroleum products and allowing the plaintiff to be the sole producer and supplier of petroleum products in Nigeria, with liberty to determine the prices at which it supplies the products, the prices of petroleum products would continue to rise, and energy security would elude Nigeria.
“That in the event of any breakdown in or obstruction to the production chain of the plaintiff which stops it from producing, Nigeria will be thrown into energy crises because it does not have the reserves that would last it for at least 30 days that it would need to order, pay for, freight and import refined products into tanks in Nigeria.
“That amidst the glaring absence of any credible and demonstrable proof that the plaintiff refines and supplies adequate petroleum products for the daily use/consumption of Nigerians, is a recipe for disaster in Nigeria’s energy sector.”
They further told the court that granting the reliefs sought by the plaintiff was a design to leave Nigeria and Nigerians at the mercy of the plaintiff with respect to availability and cost of purchasing petroleum products in the country.
They equally argued in their reply that they are fully qualified for the issuance of the import licences issued to them by the 1st defendant, as they duly met all the legal requirements for the issuance of such import licences, before same were issued to them.
“The import licences lawfully and validly issued to the defendants did not in any way whatsoever, cripple the plaintiff’s business or its refinery.
“The import licences issued to the defendants by the 1st defendant are in line with the provisions of Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 and other relevant laws,” they told the court.
Justice Ekwo had fixed Jan. 20, 2025, for report of settlement or service.
Ms Rakiya Sadiq’s story is an inspiration for youths especially women in agriculture.
Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security
Sadiq, a beneficiary of the Golden Morn Agripreneurship Programme of Nestle Nigeria PLC, through her farm, is contributing to ensuring food security and reducing hunger in the country.
A graduate of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Sadiq is the Chief Executive Officer of Zulru Integrated Farms, an integrated farm company into the cultivation of cereal crops and livestock, located in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Her business was incorporated in January 2021 in Jos, Plateau State, before extending to Bauchi.
Necessitated by the need to be self-employed and contribute to increasing food produce, Sadiq said she went into agriculture, focusing on cereal crops like maize, rice, and soya beans, as well as livestock.
According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), increasing food demand is a major concern in Nigeria as price increases worsen poverty.
Worrisome is also the fact that the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimated that approximately 22 million7i Nigerians would face food insecurity in 2023, with about 80 to 82 million being at risk of severe insecurity by 2030.
The indices get scarier as in 2024, Nigeria is expected to see about 26.5 million people dealing with high levels of food insecurity.
Many factors including continued conflict, climate change, and inflation and rising food prices are key drivers of this alarming trend.
However, the corporate programme – Golden Morn Agripreneurship Webinar Series, a collaborative initiative between the Golden Morn brand and the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University, aims to promote sustainable food systems by increasing youth engagement in the agricultural sector.
The programme, sponsored by Nestle Nigeria Plc, also provides seed grants support for young entrepreneurs within the age range of 18 to 35, who are already engaged or set up a business in the agricultural sector.
In 2023, 25 young agripreneurs emerged as winners of the Agripreneurship programme, and seed funds of N500,000 were presented to them to scale their businesses.
At the presentation of grants to the successful Agripreneurs, Mr Wassim Elhusseini, the Managing Director & Chief Executive Ofiicer of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, emphasised the pivotal role of youth involvement in agriculture for building sustainable food systems.
“To establish sustainable food systems, we must ensure youth participation in agriculture.
“Nestlé is, therefore, dedicated to helping young people develop the capabilities and skills they need to drive innovation in agriculture.
“Today, as we celebrate and empower the 25 agribusinesses who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and passion for shaping the future, we are delighted with the positive impact of the continuous investment by Golden Morn.”
The Category and Marketing Manager of Golden Morn, Ifeanyichukwu Orabuche, during the presentation of the grants to 25 agricultural entrepreneurs, said that developing farmers was essential for better agricultural practice.
According to Orabuche, the agriculture sector is one of the most viable sectors of the Nigerian society.
However, she decried that the average age of the Nigerian farmer was between ages 60 and 65 years, and that it posed a challenge to the agricultural value chain.
Consequently, she urged the beneficiaries to be more productive and sustainable in their business.
“As agripreneurs, you are employers of labour and that is why Nestle has decided to invest in your business. As a business, we all exist in an ecosystem.
“I am a firm believer in Nigeria’s commonwealth and I believe that the only way Nigerians would move forward is through the country’s collective commonwealth whether in agriculture, healthcare, or education.
“Everyone regardless of your income would share that common wealth. For us to coexist, we need to make sure the cycle continues.”
Evaluating the impact of the programme, the Project and Finance Manager of the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan Atlantic University, Obianuju Okafor, in a statement, said the average age of the Nigerian farmer was between ages 60 and 65 years.
Okafor added that this posed a challenge to the agricultural value chain.
According to her, the Enterprise Development Center is thrilled to partner with Golden Morn to provide essential skills and knowledge to young agripreneurs.
“The Webinar Series has been impacting individuals and businesses since 2021 with a focus on best practices in agribusiness.
“This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to empower and enhance the offerings of aspiring agripreneurs, contributing to the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector.”
On some of the challenges encountered in agriculture and businesses generally, Sadiq highlighted lack of technological expertise and in depth/updated farming principles, climate change, insecurity and funding.
According to her, through the Golden Morn Agripreneurship Webinar Series and being a grant recipients, she has been encouraged and motivated to increase produce, sales and even target being a top supplier of cereal crops within and outside the country.
Commending the brand for the grant for her business, she said, “I was about to stop this business due to some limiting factors but the training and subsequent support from Nestlé’s Golden Morn has encouraged me to continue the business of maize, soyabeans and rice farming.”
Sadiq advised youths and women to embrace agriculture, saying it creates employment, self-sufficiency, reduces poverty and hunger.
Another grant recipients, Chukwudi Imhokha, the Chief Executive Officer Azimhoc Ventures, Delta State, said, “The journey with Nestlé’s Golden Morn has been a great learning opportunity.
“The trainings on adopting business models and circularity for Business Sustainability and Profitability were particularly value adding and very practical for me.
“We are so grateful to Golden Morn and by extension Nestlé, for the huge investment in young people through this laudable initiative.”
Food security remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, with millions of people facing hunger and malnutrition.
Addressing this issue requires broad approaches that tackle some of the root causes, such as lack of access to funding, technology know-how-limitations, insecurity and climate change, among others.
However, by investing in farmer’s especially young ones, infrastructure, training, making grants and funds available, promoting innovative solutions and generally prioritising sustainable agriculture, significant and impactful progress can be made toward ensuring food security and improving the well-being of citizens.
As such, concerted efforts and collaboration among government, organisations, corporate bodies, civil societies, and international partners, are needed.
It is in line with this, with the aim of supporting stakeholders’ action to provide support for young entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector and to ensure sustainable food systems, the Golden Morn Agripreneur Webinar Series programme exists, and keeps achieving significant stride in enabling young agripreneurs expand their businesses.
In addition, the project keeps making agriculture more attractive and appealing to youths, thereby increasing their involvement level in the sector.
Since its launch in 2021, the Golden Morn Agripreneurship Programme has provided training, financial assistance, mentorship, and networking opportunities to over 2,000 young people involved in, or aspiring to venture into agriculture.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the annual economic value of the ocean is estimated at $2.5 trillion.
Minister of Marine and Blue economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola
Experts say ocean and sea covering more than 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface feeds the living, regulate climate, and generate most of the oxygen the living things breathe.
They explain that ocean provides nutrition, medicines, mineral and renewable energy resources as well as supporting jobs in fishing, seafood, leisure and science.
They observe that the ocean is the original “super-highway,” that links economies together and transport goods and people all around the globe.
However, Nigeria benefits little from the global blue economy due to inefficiency in port management system.
There is also lack of effective participation of Nigerians in shipping transportation subsector; difficulties in navigating the country’s inland waterways due to depth issues amongst others.
The House of Representatives in December said Nigeria’s seaports receive barely 10 per cent of West African imports out of 60 per cent destined for Nigeria, while others are lost to neighbouring countries.
Rep. Julius Ihonvbare and Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka made the statement at the joint sponsored motion on “Need to Investigate Gaps and Loss of Opportunities in the Maritime Sector” at the resumption of plenary.
According to the law makers, the country loses $7 billion in revenue revenue annually due to the inefficiencies and poor management of the nation’s ports.
Presenting the motion, Ihonvbare said it was unfortunate that the Nigeria was unable to provide adequate infrastructure and reduce pressure on Lagos ports.
They also wondered why the Calabar, Port Harcourt, Warri, and Koko ports could not be developed as a haven for importers in the region.
He said that the lack of adequate infrastructure and capacity in the growing cargo and maritime business was a significant issue.
“The maritime sector is crucial for the Nigerian economy`s survival which can increase the nation`s revenue and indeed the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Nigeria’s seaports receive barely 10% of West African imports out of 60% destined for Nigeria, a significant economic loss due to poor management and inefficiencies, estimated to cost $7 billion annually,” he said.
An environmental expert, Mr Ephraim Awaji, said in a forum recently in Abuja that the maritime transportation in Nigeria represented a complex structure.
According to him, such complex structure is a reason why Nigeria’s seaports do not receive imports meant for the country and as a result of shallow waters.
He said the country’s transportation system, in many ways, provided a number of inter-related and inter-connected activities.
He listed examples to include ship harbour that was pilotage, dredging, provision of berth, maintenance of navigable channels among others.
Awaji mentioned ship port interface loading and unloading of cargoes, freight and services also port land interface delivering cargo to and from the connected hinterland.
“These different functions require different strategies, approaches and organizations. However, their relationship must be seriously considered in Maritime Transportation Policy and Planning responses.
“Hence, efficiency or inefficiency of maritime sector affects import and competitiveness of export.
“Furthermore, directly and indirectly, the maritime transport sector is a large employer of labour both skilled and unskilled.
“This is if indirect employment generated through the maritime sector such as insurance, customs, haulage, clearance and logistics, storage, sorting out the incoming and outgoing cargo, among other value-added activities are considered,” he said.
Awaji, who stated that Nigeria had a great potential for an extremely buoyant maritime industry, however, said that Nigeria’s maritime transport system ought to operate efficiently and resourcefully to achieve the feat.
The Minister of Marine and Blue economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, promised upon resumption of office that dredging of inland waterways would be prioritised to fully harness their economic benefits of the country’s waters.
Oyetola said such move would enable mother ships to berth at Nigerian ports, thereby drawing in huge revenue for the country thereby growing the economy.
According to him, apart from Lekki Seaport, no other port has the depth to enable berthing, resulting in delay and increase cost of cargo transportation in the country.
“In connecting Nigerian inland water routes, dredging is key in navigation of ships or enablement of transportation in all seasons.
“Dredging is also key to solving Nigeria’s flood menace. The country’s water ways have been overthrown by sediments particularly sharp sand.
“We have a scenario where Nigerian water ways are filled up by sharp sand forcing water to look for alternative route for while moving, causing havoc to both lives and properties along the way.
“To this effect, the importance of inland waterways dredging cannot be overemphasized, particularly in tackling flood cases in Nigeria,” he said.
An Oceanographer, Mr. Olorundara Michael, said that navigable inland waterways would save transportation cost, facilitate trade and stimulate economic activities.
He also said navigable inland waterways would reduce the effects of emission currently being experienced on the road transportation.
According to him, the Federal Government should develop and enforce a comprehensive policy framework for the development and management of inland waterways.
Michael canvassed for Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) to boost investment in infrastructure and service delivery for efficiency and innovation.
“Government should provide technical assistance to small-scale operators to enhance their capacity and compliance with regulations.
“Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its inland waterways, boosting economic growth and improving the efficiency and sustainability of its transport network through strategic investment in the maritime sector.
“Nigeria, being blessed with an extensive coastline and abundant water resources, possesses a vast potential within the blue economy that remains largely untapped,” he said.
As agreed by a vast number of stakeholders in the maritime sector; by fully embracing the blue economy, Nigeria stands to gain numerous advantages.
According to them, there will be an opportunity for economic diversification and reduction of reliance on crude oil for national income.
The blue economy, which is still a new sector in the country, will help in creating avenue for sustainable economic growth, creating new job opportunities and attracting foreign investments if well explored.
On a vibrant Tuesday, the city of Port Harcourt in Rivers State buzzed with anticipation as 50 young lawyers from the River State University and the University of Port Harcourt gathered for a transformative workshop on climate justice.
Participants at the event
Organised by the International Climate Change Development Initiative and supported by the African Youth Commission, the event aimed to equip these emerging legal professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for environmental justice.
The participants, eager to tackle the pressing issues of climate change in their communities, engaged in a day filled with insightful discussions, interactive sessions, and inspiring success stories.
The workshop featured prominent speakers from various sectors, including environmental law, activism, and policymaking. Among them, Mr Michael Karikpo, a renowned environmental lawyer and Country Director for Natural Justice Nigeria, who captivated the audience with his insights on the legal frameworks surrounding climate justice.
He emphasised the critical role that young lawyers can play in influencing policy changes and holding corporations accountable for environmental degradation. Michael Karikpo’s passion for the subject resonated deeply with the participants, motivating them to become active advocates for sustainability in their respective communities.
Participants shared their success stories, highlighting how the workshop empowered them to take immediate action. One participant recounted his experience of organising a community clean-up drive after learning about the legal implications of pollution in local waterways.
“I never realised how much influence we could have as lawyers. The workshop opened my eyes to the intersection of law and environmental protection,” he stated.
Another participant, Chisom, expressed her newfound commitment to educating her peers on climate change laws, saying, “I now understand our responsibility to advocate for policies that protect our environment, and I am excited to share this knowledge with others.”
The follow-up workshop, scheduled for the following month, aims to build on the momentum generated during this initial event. Organisers plan to facilitate more hands-on activities, including mock trials and community outreach initiatives, to further engage the young lawyers in real-world applications of climate justice principles. The participants’ enthusiasm and commitment to ongoing education reflect a growing recognition of the urgent need for legal advocacy in addressing climate-related challenges.
The collaboration between the International Climate Change Development Initiative and the African Youth Commission has proven to be a vital step towards fostering a generation of lawyers dedicated to climate justice.
As the workshop concluded, it was evident that these young legal minds were not just participants; they emerged as passionate advocates ready to take responsibility for their communities’ environmental issues. With newfound knowledge, inspiration, and a strong network of peers, the future of climate advocacy in Port Harcourt looks promising.
In spite of global advances in the fight against malaria, Nigeria continues to grapple with this leading killer disease.
Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare
Nigeria’s struggles against malaria raises questions about the nation’s capacity to follow in the footsteps of Egypt, Algeria, Cape Verde and Mauritius where malaria has been successfully eliminated malaria in Africa.
Could Nigeria achieve similar success, or do its unique challenges require a new approach?
With a tropical climate and a vast population, Nigeria carries a disproportionate portion of the global malaria burden.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria accounted for nearly 30 per cent of global malaria cases and an estimated 194,000 deaths annually as of 2021.
In communities like the Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, malaria is not just a health concern it is also a threat that impacts family life, education and livelihoods.
For the likes Mr Peter Zaka, a farmer and patient receiving treatment at a primary healthcare centre in Kuje, malaria is a harsh reality. Zaka has lost two of his children to malaria in the past five years.
“We try to protect ourselves with mosquito nets but it’s not enough. Sometimes we can’t afford new nets. The ones we can afford wear out quickly,” Zaka said.
His story is tragically common in Nigeria, where malaria remains a leading cause of death, particularly in rural areas in the face of limited access to healthcare and prevention measures are often inconsistent.
Nigeria’s malaria burden varies significantly across regions, influenced by factors like climate, healthcare infrastructure and socioeconomic conditions.
The highest prevalence rates are often seen in northern and central areas, where healthcare facilities are fewer and far between, according to a 2022 WHO report.
In contrast, southern regions, while also affected, may have somewhat better access to healthcare resources.
This disparity suggests a need for region-specific interventions that address local challenges while ensuring resources reach areas of greatest need.
In Sokoto State in the north, for example, Mrs Mariam Abdullahi, a mother of three, faces constant worry about her children’s health, especially during the rainy season when malaria cases surge.
In spite of using Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), her youngest child has contracted malaria multiple times this year.
“Sometimes, we don’t have the money for transport or treatment, and I have to borrow from neighbors,” Abdullahi said.
She pointed at the financial and emotional toll malaria takes on families in underserved areas.
While awareness campaign has expanded inconsistent use of ITNs remains a challenge.
Cultural beliefs, economic constraints, and climate factors all play roles. In some communities, people avoid ITNs due to misconceptions about their safety or effectiveness, while others find them uncomfortable to sleep under, especially in Nigeria’s humid regions.
Additionally, the economic challenge of regularly replacing worn-out nets further complicates the issue for low income households.
Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2023-24 reveals both progress and persistent barriers.
ITN ownership has increased, particularly in rural areas where ownership rates outpace those in urban regions. However, usage rates remain inconsistent.
For example, in states like Zamfara and Kaduna, households may own ITNs but use them sporadically due to a lack of awareness on proper maintenance or affordability of replacements.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, recently called for a review of Nigeria’s malaria strategies.
During a visit by Malaria Alliance partners, RBM Malaria Partnership, and the WHO Global Malaria Programme, Pate acknowledged that, in spite of over 70 years of efforts, Nigeria still struggles with a high malaria burden.
“Nigeria is still struggling with a high burden of malaria,” he said, stressing the need for urgent interventions.
He highlighted staggering statistics: 68 million malaria cases and 194,000 deaths annually as of 2021.
Ms Amie Batson, president of WomenLift Health, said the disproportionate impact of malaria on women and young girls in marginalised communities.
“Women’s leadership is essential for developing innovative and gender-responsive solutions, especially as we face challenges like drug resistance and climate change,” Batson said.
Empowering women to lead in malaria eradication and climate-resilient health interventions could transform Nigeria’s approach to the disease.
Dr Adekunle Charles, Chief Executive Officer, RBM Partnership to End Malaria, emphasised that traditional methods alone will not suffice to eliminate malaria.
“When it comes to malaria, the approaches that have gotten us this far won’t be enough to eliminate the disease for good,” he said.
Chase called for innovative solutions and collaborative partnerships across sectors.
As Nigeria strives to join the ranks of malaria-free nations, experts recommend a combination of targeted interventions and increased resources for local healthcare systems, especially in rural areas.
Dr Olayinka Umar-Farouk, Deputy Project Director, Risk Communication at Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria, canvasses enhanced community engagement through education campaigns and increased distribution of ITNs and intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in high-risk areas.
“Addressing the emerging drug resistance issue is critical, as is improving surveillance to monitor malaria trends and respond to new threats swiftly,” Umar-Farouk said.
She said the survey’s findings suggest that while Nigeria has made commendable progress, there were still challenges to overcome in the fight against malaria.
She said that by implementing these targeted recommendations, the country could make significant strides toward reducing malaria’s impact on public health, improving the quality of life for millions across the country.
For Nigeria, reaching malaria-free status may require more than replicating the strategies of Egypt, Algeria, Cape Verde, and Mauritius.
The country’s unique demographic, climatic, and economic conditions necessitate a tailored approach that combines international best practices with local insights.
By implementing targeted recommendations from health experts and leveraging the strength of community leadership, Nigeria could make significant strides in reducing malaria’s impact and improving the quality of life for millions.
Pate’s call for a comprehensive review, coupled with community-driven approaches and gender-responsive solutions, reflect a critical push toward addressing Nigeria’s unique malaria challenges.
With focused, collaborative efforts among the federal and state governments, private sector, and international partners, Nigeria may yet overcome its malaria burden and set example for other endemic countries.
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, has emphasised the crucial role of biosafety in achieving environmental sustainability at the 2024 International Biosafety Conference (Biotech24) in Abuja on Monday, November 6.
Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Lawal
The conference, themed “Biosafety: An indispensable tool for achieving food security, health improvement and Environmental Sustainability”, was organised by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
The conference focused on biosafety as a vital tool for food security, health improvement, and environmental sustainability.
Lawal highlighted the importance of biosafety in ensuring global food security, improved health, and sustainable environmental practices.
“Biosafety is not just a technical issue, but a foundational aspect of our collective security, impacting the health of our ecosystems, food systems, and community well-being,” he stated.
Dr Agnes Asagbra Director-General of NBMA, assured of significant strides to enhance biosafety practices globally.
“As we embark on this important journey together we are reminded of the vital role biosafety plays in safeguarding our human health and the environment.
“In an era where global challenges like climate change pandemics and food insecurity are ever present, our commitment to biosafety has been more crucial,” Asagbra noted.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards of excellence to five persons, including Dr Rufus Ebegba, the pioneer Director-General.
Stakeholders in the environment sector on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, converged on Abuja to expedite actions on addressing impact of climate change ahead of the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) holding in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Nov. 11 to 22.
Climate change justice campaign rally
The stakeholders gathered under the aegis of the African Climate Caravan which featured the first inaugural Climate Media Spotlight Award and Arts for Climate event.
The event was organised by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) and OXFAM.
Rep. Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Environment, said that the house would address coastal challenges, issues of climate change and farmers/herders conflicts through the speedy passage of bills.
He said that Nigerians should take responsibilities and learn to adapt to all forms of climate change.
Dr Michael David, Executive Director, GIFSEP, said that climate change reporting for journalists in Africa was essential for educating the public, driving policy change, empowering communities and fostering resilience.
“It provides a platform for the continent’s unique climate challenges to be heard and addressed, paving the way for a more informed and proactive society,’’ he said.
On his part, Mr John Makina, Country Director, OXFAM, expressed worries about carbon emissions and called for urgent actions to reduce emissions.
“We are here to sensitise the public on climate issues as Nigerians move to COP29,” he said.
Some schools in the FCT were given arts exhibition awards while some journalists were given climate media awards for their publications between Aug. 1 and Oct. 1.
