Nearly 13 million children in East and Southern Africa suffer from acute malnutrition, with almost 4 million facing its most lethal form, UNICEF has reported.
Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF
The agency warns that funding shortages totalling $110 million for nutritional supplies threaten to worsen the crisis, with stocks of critical therapeutic food expected to run out by mid-2025 in the hardest-hit countries.
“What we are witnessing is a malnutrition crisis which is being exacerbated by the global funding crisis,” said UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Etleva Kadilli.
“This is not the time to scale down our support, it is the time to significantly scale up.”
The crisis affects one in three children across the region, many surviving on just one or two food groups daily. UNICEF attributes the widespread malnutrition to extreme climate shocks, insecurity, economic instability and reduced humanitarian funding.
Somalia faces particularly severe conditions with 4.4 million people – nearly a quarter of its population – experiencing crisis-level hunger.
Approximately 1.7 million Somali children are expected to suffer acute malnutrition this year, including 460,000 with severe acute malnutrition.
In South Sudan, over 2 million children under five risk acute malnutrition, a 26% increase from 2024.
Cases of severe acute malnutrition have risen 33% to 650,000 children. An additional million pregnant and breastfeeding women face acute malnutrition, with numbers expected to climb amid ongoing instability.
Ethiopia, despite UNICEF and partners reaching nearly 3 million malnourished children and women last year, continues to struggle with prolonged drought and regional conflicts that threaten to increase malnutrition rates.
The impending shortage of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a high-energy fortified paste essential for treating severe malnutrition, poses the greatest immediate threat.
“Due to donor generosity, we were able to treat more than 2.2 million children suffering from severe wasting in 2024,” Kadilli said, “but we need your continued investments not only in curative interventions but also around building community nutritional resilience.”
UNICEF’s long-term response includes prevention strategies, integrated interventions for access to nutritious food, safe water and basic healthcare, and addressing root causes of regional malnutrition.
In 2024, UNICEF provided counselling to 58 million caregivers on infant and young child feeding practices and screened 215 million children and 27 million pregnant women for wasting across Eastern and Southern Africa.
The government of Delta State has struck a collaboration with petroleum industry solutions provider, Xenergi Limited, to establish a robust infrastructure and facility base for development of the KGG Gas Eco-Industrial Park (KGIP).
Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State
The collaboration, according to the partners, brings the Xenergi consortium, the Delta State Government and the Delta Special Economic Zone (DSEZ) together in a strategic initiative to attract global investments to an infrastructure enhanced operating haven conceived to be hosted in the state.
The partnership is focused on securing world-class infrastructure and facilities essential for the development of gas-based industries and the financing, engineering, procurement, and installation of such within the KGIP.
Activities in the new KGIP area are to be fired with clean, affordable and sustainable gas from the existing Kwale Gas Gathering (KGG) facilities for speedy industrial evolution and efficient commercial operations across the DSEZ.
The strategic step by the Delta State Government and Xenergi Limited plugs directly into the Nigerian gas vision, the realisation of which is currently accelerated by the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration of the federal government under the Decade of Gas agenda.
The Decade of Gas programme addresses a combination of economic needs, environmental responsibility and energy diversification as captured in the Nigerian vision for its abundant gas resources. The federal government has in recent years challenged the petroleum industry with a set of economic targets to harness produced gas for catalysing national economic and industrial growth, fire power generation and also fuel transportation.
With the robust policies and programmes being implemented under the Decade of Gas programme, government has mandated the petroleum industry to drive domestic economic development and accelerate industrial growth with sustainable and efficient gas resources.
To enable private companies like Xenergi Limited commit funds towards deepening the domestic gas market and diversifying the nation’s energy products, government has, through the Decade of Gas agenda created robust commercial arrangements for development of gas-based industries to drive the economy along global trends in energy transition.
The public-private partnership and the ambitious KGIP project therefore mark a significant step forward in realisation of the collective industry mandate to stake huge investments in developing new infrastructure and facilities for domestic gas supply. The project therefore forms a key success factor for the viability of the DSEZ industrial area in Kwale, Delta State, Nigeria.
“Together, we intend to create a robust environment that will not only facilitate the growth of gas-based industries (GBI) but also attract and retain investors and industry leaders in related fields of business,” the partners declared in a statement.
Secretary to the State Government of Delta State, Dr. Kingsley Emu, emphasised the importance of the KGIP to the local economy.
“This partnership underscores our commitment to driving economic development and creating opportunities for our people which aligns with His Excellency the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda. The KGG Gas Eco-Industrial Park is a testament to the potential we have here in Delta State, and we are proud to work alongside Xenergi and its joint venture partners to bring the Governor’s vision to fruition,” he pointed out.
He stated that development of the KGG Gas Eco-Industrial Park represents a pivotal moment for Delta State, adding that the project comes along with job creation, technological advancement, and economic growth to realization. It is a privilege to work with esteemed partners like the Xenergi consortium and DSEZ to realize this vision, which will benefit our people and economy.
The Managing Director of the DSEZ, Mr. Godwin Akpovie, highlighted the role of the industrial park in attracting global partners and stakeholders.
“The KGIP stands as an emblem of progress and opportunity. We eagerly welcome investors and off-takers to experience our region’s potential. It is a clear indication of Delta State’s readiness to embrace the future of industrialization. Our economic zone is uniquely positioned to facilitate seamless investment and collaboration, ensuring that all stakeholders gain immense value from their participation,” he stressed.
Chief Executive Officer of Xenergi, Mr. Emeka Ene, stated that the KGIP, with the support and partnership of upstream and midstream government agencies and regulators, is conceived to enhance Nigeria’s industrial capacity by pooling global investments that provide economic and commercial opportunities for all stakeholders.
“Our dedication to sustainable industrial growth aligns perfectly with the goals of this partnership. By collaborating with upstream operators, the Delta State Government, the DSEZ, and by extension, the federal government, we can collectively elevate Nigeria’s industrial capacity and provide unparalleled opportunities for local and international investors,” Mr Ene declared.
He added that the strategic location and positioning of the KGIP, alongside its cutting-edge infrastructure, is expected to attract top-tier investors and off-takers, establishing it as a leading industrial hub within the region and beyond.
According to him, “Xenergi and her strategic partners are excited to embark on this journey with the Delta State Government and the Delta Special Economic Zone. The KGIP also supports and aligns with the federal government’s drive to accelerate gas-based industrialization with the CNG transportation initiative and the Decade of Gas program. The industrial park shall be an eco-system for gas infrastructure development, industrial efficiency, and innovation, paving the way for a new era of economic growth in the region.”
According to the project promoters, the partnership aims to establish the KGIP as a beacon of industrial excellence and efficiency, providing a fertile ground for future investments to drive socio-economic development in the area.
More than 100,000 Istanbul residents spent the night outside their homes for fear of aftershocks following a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that struck the city, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced.
Earthquake
Speaking at a press conference in Istanbul on Thursday, April 24, 2025, Yerlikaya said that approximately 101,000 people were provided temporary shelter in mosques, schools, and dormitories across the city.
He added that meals were distributed through mobile catering units and tents to support those affected.
The earthquake, which struck on Wednesday, had its epicenter in the Marmara Sea, just off the coast of Istanbul.
As of 9:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) on Thursday, a total of 266 aftershocks had been recorded.
According to Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister, Murat Kurum, no residential buildings collapsed, apart from one abandoned structure in the Fatih district.
Health Minister, Kemal Memişoğlu, reported that 60 people were still receiving treatment in hospitals, primarily for injuries sustained during panic or from jumping out of buildings. He had earlier confirmed a total of 236 injuries, with no fatalities reported.
The National Programme Officer, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Dr Reuben Bamidele, has charged manufacturers to embrace sustainable practices to minimise ecological footprints and environmental impact.
UNIDO Director General, Gerd Müller
Bamidele made the call at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ikeja Branch, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)/Managing Directors Forum on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Lagos.
The event was themed: “Sustainability of the Manufacturing Sector in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward”.
He observed that sustainability had become a key focus for businesses across various industries, and the manufacturing sector was no exception.
Bamidele noted that manufacturing activities consumed vast amounts of energy and water, generated substantial waste, and contributed to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
He said by embracing sustainable practices, manufacturers could minimise ecological footprint and reduce the impact the sector has on the environment.
He noted that governments and regulatory bodies were attempting to speed up this process by imposing stricter environmental regulations and standards.
According to him, non-compliance can result in hefty fines, legal repercussions, and damage to a company’s reputation.
“While sustainable manufacturing holds tremendous promise, it is not without challenges such as high initial costs, change management, supply chain complexities, regulatory compliance and data.
“However, to improve sustainability outcomes, manufacturers can improve product design based on sustainability goals, go green across all operations, and upskill people for green transition,” he said.
The Director-General, MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said that for Nigeria to deliver on inclusive growth, manufacturing performance must improve.
He stressed the need for continuous engagement with government and all stakeholders to expose the real situation of the country’s real sector.
Ajayi-Kadir also urged government to prioritise the manufacturing sector.
He saluted the resilience of all manufacturing CEOs for staying the course and projected that they would reap the benefits of renewed economic development in Nigeria.
“MAN is poised to support government policies that would promote manufacturing, and we would continue to leverage our access to government to ensure they pay attention to the sector to support its growth,” he said.
The General Manager, Lagos State Wastewater Management, Mr. Adefemi Afolabi, said sewage, which was not really paid attention to, made up a large percentage of waste.
Afolabi urged manufacturers on the importance of abiding to the state’s laws on sewage and other waste products for environmental safety and sustainability.
“We are concerned about waste generated by industries and would continue to engage MAN on sustainable measures on waste disposal and waste management.
“As issues of sanitation have a direct nexus to public health, we would work with the association to create models to monitor and manage waste disposal,” he said.
The Chairman, MAN Ikeja Branch, Mr. Robert Ugbaja, noted that the event’s theme spoke directly to the realities industrialists faced in an increasingly dynamic global and local environment.
Ugbaja stressed that sustainability was no longer a buzzword, but an urgent call for manufacturers to embrace.
He expressed manufacturers readiness to embrace insights on global standards, practical interventions, and proper positioning within the sustainable manufacturing framework.
Some medical experts and researchers on Thursday, April 24, 2025, appealed to policy makers in developing countries, especially Nigeria, to champion the fight against air pollution, describing it as a “silent killer.”
Soot spreading over a neighbourhood in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
The experts spoke at the International Summit on Climate Change/Air Pollution jointly powered by the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) and Manchester 1824 of the University of Manchester.
The Summit, which had several panel sessions on air pollution, was held at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos.
The theme of the summit was: “Advancing Air Quality Policy through Innovation, Research and Youth Engagement.”
Speaking, Prof. Akin Osibogun, Professor of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said that climate change and air pollution had so many health and environmental implications.
“So, if we understand all this as policy makers we should put in place policies to help to reduce atmospheric pollution, and thereby help protect the health of our citizens.
“That is where we should be going,” Osibogun, who is also an Executive Director with the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Alliance Nigeria, said.
He said that Nigerian citizens needed to know the causes of climate change, its effects, and how to protect their health.
“Our people need to know that climate change affects the respiratory tract causing respiratory diseases.
“It’s affecting the cardiovascular system, so there are cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension.
“And current studies have also shown that atmospheric pollution is related to Diabetes Mellitus and aggravates other non-communicable diseases as well,” Osibogun noted.
According to him, policymakers need to be more proactive in terms of looking at the problem on ground, putting in place policies that relate to the existence of the people, and enforcing the policies.
“It’s not sufficient to ask people not to cook with firewood without providing the enabling environment for them to use alternatives,” he said.
Speaking on vehicle emission inspection, the don noted that policy enforcement should not be used as an avenue to raise revenue, but rather to protect the environment and citizens’ health.
Also, Prof. Obuks Ejohwomu of the University of Manchester, shared a story of a young girl called Ella who passed away at the age of nine because of exposure to air pollutants.
Ejohwomu, a Reader in Sustainable Built Environment and Founder of SQUARE, said the girl lived very near a busy road network.
“This meant that when she was going to school, she was exposed to pollutants. When she entered her house, she was also exposed to pollutants,” Ejohwomu said.
He said that if such could happen in a developed country, only God knew how many lives had been lost to exposure to air pollution in developing countries.
Calling for awareness creation about the dangers of air pollution, Ejohwomu said: “It is a silent killer. Nobody can see it. It’s a new revelation that is dangerous, in fact, one of the major killers in our world today.
“We need to be seen to understand it and react to it immediately. We must act now to put in actions.
“Act now! The evidence is already visible. Evidence is pointing to the fact that air pollution is killing our people,” he said.
Speaking further on climate change and air quality, the expert called for policies to mitigate some challenges of air pollution, even in schools to save the lives of children.
Also, Prof. Chinwe Obuaku, Consultant to Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, advocated rigorous public sensitisation against pollution.
Calling for renewed efforts at planting economic trees, Obuaku said there was the need to inject climate change study in school curriculum.
In his remarks, Dr Kingsley Akinroye, the Executive Director, NHF, called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders – young and old, including the media, to prevent air pollution and climate change.
“People should be discouraged from using firewood and our government should support this initiative. We must have friendly cooking stoves if we don’t have to use firewood.
“We don’t have to use fuel that will produce fumes. Give us clean air through cooking. Let us control vehicle emissions.
Reading the summit’s call to action, Akinroye said countries must adopt the new WHO Global Guidelines on Air Quality, and the policies must be domesticated.
According to him, there is the need for improved air pollution monitoring and modelling, as well as networking in rural and urban areas for accuracy.
Akinroye read: “Countries, multilaterals and philanthropies must create budgets for air pollution solutions and campaign awareness.
“There must be provision of clean domestic fuels and need to move from solid fuel to the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas and solar panels. There is need also for innovative city designs to curb air pollution.”
The Presidency says the Tax Reforms Bill, when passed, will make housing more affordable and available to Nigerians by reducing tax burden on the construction and real estate sectors.
Ahmed Dangiwa
Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, made this known in Abuja on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at a Building and Construction Industry Forum.
The forum was organised by the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) and Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN).
Speaking on the theme “Nigeria’s Tax Reforms and the Building and Construction Industry: Implications and Opportunities”, Oyedele said the bill has many benefits, but it is being misconceived by some people.
According to him, when the bill becomes law, Value Added Tax (VAT) on real estate transactions will be exempted, thereby lowering the cost of building materials and houses.
“The bill is designed in a way to favour low income earners contrary to what is being claimed, it will also ease their burden.
“There will be no VAT on lands, sale of real estate, and rent is exempted from VAT. Some of these are areas of controversies in the past.
“There is an exemption on stamp duties for rents below N10 million a month and capital gains tax is also exempted on the sale of dwelling houses.m,” he said
Oyedele added that, in the bill, building materials production including non-metallic products are eligible for priority sector incentives to boost production.
He said reforms will be carried out on land transactions including titling and harmonisation of property taxes.
“The Tax Reforms Bill will improve the affordability of housing. It will provide relief for people who are paying rent because what this bill is going to do is to remove a lot of the tax burden.
“The essence is to make life better for everybody and improve the economic activities in the building and construction sectors, and by extension, the whole of the economy,” he said.
Oyedele encouraged Nigerians to seek more understanding of the tax reforms and stop relying on social media and headlines that were misinforming them.
Speaking in the same veins, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, said the bill offers a whole relief to construction firms and contractors.
Dangiwa, represented by the Director, Public Building, Temitope Gbemi, said the ministry has fully aligned its housing policies with fiscal reforms.
He said they were also working with tax authorities to ensure that real estate and housing investments were guided by clarity, equity, and investor protection.
On his part, the CORBON Chairman, Samson Opaluwah, identified poor access to finance and multiple taxation as major drawbacks toward the expansion of the council’s potentials.
He expressed the hope that the tax reforms bill would address the challenges and more
The Executive Director of HDAN, Festus Adebayo, said the VAT exemption on lands, real estate and building materials producers was a welcomed development.
He advocated for incentives in the tax reforms bill that would attract real estate developers and investors to go into building low-cost houses for low-income earners.
Kristina Obame, Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) friend of the month for April 2025, is a bilingual Gabonese writer/producer currently residing in Libreville, Gabon. Her primary focus is nature and environmental documentaries, particularly wildlife films that explore the intricate relationship between nature and culture and how Indigenous knowledge systems can inform modern-day conservation work.
Kristina’s current development slate includes documentaries on historic wildlife translocations, archaeological expeditions, and human-wildlife conflict, reflecting her commitment to telling impactful stories that bridge science, culture, and conservation.
Kristina in Doussala village (Gabon) during the production of her film “Ndossi”
There are not many full-time wildlife filmmakers based in Gabon. Please tell us a little bit about your life story and how you reached this point.
My story isn’t exactly typical, but it’s full of adventure. I was born in Washington, D.C., to Gabonese parents and spent my childhood there before moving to Japan at age 10 with my family. I lived in Japan until I was 18, before returning to the United States for university. I worked in several different sectors before finding my way into the nonprofit world, joining a large conservation organisation based in the D.C. area. That’s where I developed my passion for conservation and the idea of working to protect our planet. Although my role was more focused on fundraising, I was always drawn to environmental communications and storytelling.
Even on weekends, I’d find myself creating content or interviewing people in my community because I was fascinated by their stories. I wasn’t sure how to turn that passion into a career, but the idea was always in the back of my mind. It wasn’t until the pandemic, when the world paused, that I had a chance to rethink what I wanted in life. During that time, I moved to Gabon, where, despite my roots stemming from the soil of its beautiful rivers’ mangroves and rainforests, I hadn’t spent much time there. Being in Gabon, surrounded by its incredible wild spaces, I was struck by the lack of environmental communication and education. It seemed unimaginable that such a precious place could exist without the people living there fully understanding its intricacies or the urgent need for its protection.
That realisation sparked something in me. I began to wonder how I could help spread awareness, showcase these wild spaces, and tell the stories of the people who know them intimately. I wanted to do all of this in service of Gabon: its stories, its rainforests, and its future. That moment of clarity set me on a new path, leading me to become Gabon’s first wildlife filmmaker.
Let’s talk about elephants in a moment, but…. we understand you’ve also been involved in a fascinating film project about lions. Are there any lions in Gabon? And what is your film about?
The story of the Batéké lion is a prime example of what happens when we eradicate species and when the people who traditionally inhabited a landscape find themselves fewer and farther between, leaving their stories to perish. Memories become legends, and legends become myths. This is what drew me to this story. The history of the lions of Gabon and Congo is all but forgotten: few remember that these large mammals once roamed the southeastern Gabonese Congolese forest-savanna complex. During colonial rule, ranching and logging led to repeated poisonings of local lion populations. The decline was then made worse by poaching in later years. Ultimately, when the hunter became the hunted, the result was the apparent eradication of the species in the country by the 1990s.
That would have been the end of the story if not for a single male lion who was filmed walking through the lush rainforests of Batéké Plateau National Park in 2015 and remained in the park for over five years. His appearance proved that lions could once again survive and even thrive in this landscape, despite the devastation caused by poaching. It also single-handedly sparked an initiative to reintroduce lions to the area, which is the project I am documenting. What started as a quest to find this one elusive lion turned into an opportunity to right a historical wrong: to bring this subpopulation back to life and, with it, gather new scientific data that could forever change what we know about lion behaviour in this unique habitat.
To me, this is truly a story about memory, and I love the idea of rediscovering the landscape through the eyes of the elders, who have a spiritual tie to the lion and this land. The future of this project now lies in the hands of the Gabonese government, which must approve the transfer permits for the translocation to proceed. If approved, it will mark the first translocation of its kind in Central Africa: an event that would be truly historic for conservation on a global scale.
Gabon is well known for its forest elephants. We understand you’re trying to make a film about them, through the eyes of one extraordinary man. Please tell us all about it.
It was during a scouting trip, while meeting the inhabitants of villages near where I would eventually be shooting my lion film, that I had an incredible encounter. I met a local healer who shared an amazing story about a wild elephant he had befriended, and the incredible bond they shared for many years before ending in tragedy. His story profoundly moved me, and what began as a brief visit turned into two days of walking, talking, and connecting. His graciousness and extraordinary journey inspired me to commit to returning to his village to make this film. In a world of poachers, crop raiding wild elephants, and fear-driven hostility, it was incredible to learn how this man and this animal shared mutual trust, understanding and a lasting friendship that withstood the bounds of time.
I see this film, which is currently in development and that which I am actively fundraising, as an intimate exploration of the delicate relationship between humans and elephants in Gabon, set against the lush, vibrant, but increasingly fragile backdrop of its rainforests. At its core, it tells a powerful and emotional story of friendship and loss through the intertwined lives of a local healer and guide who recounts his past, and a scientific team working to resolve the escalating human-elephant conflict in the present.
Are you optimistic that we can find lasting solutions to mitigate or even reduce conflict between elephants and people in Gabon?
I remain cautiously optimistic that we can find lasting solutions to mitigate or even reduce conflict between elephants and people in Gabon. It is a complex and contentious issue, especially as elephant populations have grown in certain regions. At the same time, we must acknowledge that human-driven industrial activities, such as logging and other industries, are pushing these animals out of the deep forest and closer to human populations, creating conflicts over resources. This is particularly challenging for communities that rely on subsistence farming.
However, there are organisations actively working on the ground to address this issue. For instance, Space for Giants, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, has developed a national fencing plan. I believe their goal is to establish 1,800 electric mobile fences across all provinces in Gabon within the next two years, with more than half already in place. Initiatives like this demonstrate that serious thought is being given to finding practical solutions. We can only hope that the future holds one of coexistence, as elephants are vital to the health of these ecosystems. They are true architects of the forest, providing essential ecosystem services. I hope that I can show through my film that protecting them not only preserves a species but also supports the broader health and resilience of Gabon’s rainforests.
When you’re describing Gabon to people who have never been there, for example, in the United States, where you’ve lived part of your life, what do you tell them?
Gabon, first and foremost, is a feeling. While we can talk about its rainforests (88% of the country is covered in them, making it the second most forested nation on the planet) there’s something much deeper. There’s a very specific feeling that comes from being in these forests, surrounded by all their inhabitants (human, animal or plant), and enveloped by the incredible soundscape. It’s a deeply spiritual place, and I think the Indigenous communities who have lived in Gabon’s rainforests for generations can attest to that. From a cultural perspective, there’s an understanding that there is a spirit in nature that is very much alive. In short, to describe Gabon, I would say it’s a beautiful, green space: when you travel through Gabon and find yourself surrounded by lush jungle for what seems like an eternity (until you hit the ocean at least!), it serves as a powerful reminder that there are still incredible places on this planet, and that we are merely visitors here.
Some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen are in this country: sailing down the Akaka River and witnessing a leopard come to drink or watching forest elephants wander along the beach. Every December, giant turtles come to lay their eggs, and a few months later, the hatchlings make their great journey to the ocean. It’s an incredibly special and unique place, and I feel blessed and grateful to be from such a land. These spaces are essential not just for the incredible fauna and flora that inhabit them, but also for us as people who depend on these ecosystems as well for subsistence.
You’ve achieved a lot so far in your career, but what are your ambitions? What would you like to be doing 10 years from now?
I’m still early in my career, but I’m trying to hit the ground running, especially because I’m the first person in my country devoted to nature and environmental film. I feel a strong responsibility not only to set an example but also to open doors for those who come after me, helping them see what’s possible. I take that responsibility very seriously, particularly because so many stories about our wild spaces need to be told before they are forgotten. I also think people need to feel connected to these places to want to preserve them, and there are few better tools for this than the art of good storytelling. Luckily, as Africans, we have a huge bank of knowledge and great stories about nature that exist in our folklore, which is always a huge inspiration to me.
With that in mind, I try to work as effectively and efficiently as I can to maximise impact. In my way, I hope to provide some form of environmental education and inspire a deeper understanding of these ecosystems. Moving forward, I’d love to focus more on impact work with my films to reach more people, spark meaningful change, and see shifts in perceptions and behaviours. This could be local programming, for example, especially for children. I love the idea of making nature fun and helping reconnect people with these environments, even if only visually. Getting local or governmental support for this would be incredible.
Right now, I’m very much in the documentary space, but I have also written a fiction story that was deeply inspired by my time in Lopé National Park in Gabon. That landscape awakened a story within me, and I hope to pursue it further down the road. I believe all mediums are valuable for storytelling, so I try to stay open and flexible as an artist. Ultimately, I would love to see strong environmental stewardship bolstered as a result of my films. That would be truly gratifying. For now, my goal is to keep creating and making an impact with the stories I tell.
In a pivotal announcement at the Leaders Meeting on Climate and the Just Transition that held virtually ahead of the COP30 UN Climate Conference on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s commitment to climate action.
President Xi Jinping addressing the leaders’ summit of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity via a video link
President Xi pledged to deliver a new climate plan, formally known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – and clarified for the first time this target will cover all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases, a move described by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as “extremely important”.
China’s current climate target under the Paris Agreement NDC target remains insufficient, as it includes:
Only a topline target of peaking carbon dioxide emissions “before 2030”; whereas a Paris-compatible climate target would require a 20%-reduction of all greenhouse gases, not only carbon dioxide;
Coal power in China is still expanding and recorded a total increase of 1% last year.
China already surpassed its wind and solar power capacity target of over 1,200 GW by 2030 last year.
Analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air concludes, an ambitious Chinese NDC must include:
Reduce overall emissions by at least 35% by 2035
Reduce coal power by at least 40%
Achieve 5000 GW of renewable energy capacity
Andreas Sieber, 350.org Associate Director of Global Policy and Campaigns, says: “This is a major breakthrough: Xi Jinping has confirmed that China will announce a new climate target this year – one that finally covers all greenhouse gases and all sectors of the economy. It’s a long-overdue shift that could reset the global pace on climate action. The question now is not whether China will act, but how far it is willing to go. Above all, real ambition means confronting the country’s coal dependence head-on – and delivering a rapid and orderly decline in coal consumption.”
Chuck Baclagon, 350.org Asia Regional Campaigner, says: “In the wake of the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement – a move that left a gaping hole in global climate leadership – China’s bold stance signals a strategic shift in power: one where Asian nations are stepping forward to lead the way. China’s forthcoming updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), expected before COP30 in Belem, Brazil, may offer game-changing momentum, setting the stage for interventions that increase the capacity of countries to thrive, not just survive, in a warming world. For climate-vulnerable countries across Asia, this could mark the beginning of a long-overdue shift: one where climate action is seen not as a burden, but as a development pathway. But the promise lies not in top-down declarations alone. China must ensure that its energy transition is rooted in strong community ownership. Without it, no plan – no matter how ambitious – will be durable or just.
“As the world eyes COP30, the onus is on China to live up to its pronouncements. China’s renewed commitment must translate into measurable, transformative action to accelerate decarbonisation across energy, transport and industry. It must stop the construction of new coal-fired power plants, which undermines China’s clean energy progress. At the same time, other major historical and high per capita emitters must be held to account by ensuring predictable climate finance flows, honoring commitments to climate-vulnerable countries, and delivering deep emissions cuts in line with the urgency of the crisis. In this collective effort, leadership is not about who speaks first, but who acts at the scale and speed the moment demands.”
Officials in the United States are urging Japan and South Korea to make a formal commitment within the next few weeks to a $44 billion natural gas project in Alaska.
Alaska L.N.G. is a centerpiece of President Trump’s energy agenda
The effort, known as Alaska L.N.G., is a centerpiece of President Trump’s energy agenda, and aims to ship gas from northern Alaska in a liquefied form to nations in Asia. Its feasibility hinges on securing backing from the region, home to some of the world’s largest purchasers of liquefied natural gas.
A group created by Mr. Trump that is advising him on domestic energy production, the National Energy Dominance Council, is seeking to convene officials from the trade ministries of both Japan and South Korea for a summit in Alaska on June 2, according to three people with knowledge of the confidential outreach who requested anonymity.
The project’s proponents want to be able to announce at the summit that they have received signed letters of intent from Japan and South Korea to invest in Alaska L.N.G. or purchase its gas, the people said. Taiwan formally signed a similar letter of intent to purchase gas from Alaska L.N.G. last month.
The White House, as well as the Japanese and South Korean trade ministries, did not respond to requests for comment.
Alaska L.N.G., first proposed more than a decade ago, had been considered by many in the energy industry to be a long shot. But it occupies a prominent spot in Mr. Trump’s efforts to reshape the U.S. energy landscape and restore momentum for fossil fuel.
A delegation from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, visited MT Valves West Africa Free Zone at Lekki Free Zone, Lagos, to assess the firm’s operations and plans to invest in a 15,000 tons per year valves manufacturing facility.
Officials of NCDMB and MT Group in a group photo
The company is a subsidiary of MT Group, a global manufacturer of industrial valves, with presence across Africa, Middle East and Asia, manufacturing 60,000 tons of valves per year from its plant at Abu Dhabi, United Emirates, and a research and development centre and manufacturing base at Shanghai, China, the global headquarters.
The Board’s delegation was led by the Special Technical Assistant to the Executive Secretary, Harmony Kunu; Manager Media and Publicity, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi; and Manager, Commercial Ventures, Ms. Chika Enwerem.
MT Valves West Africa was represented by the Managing Director, Mr. Thomas Zhang, and Sales Director, Mr. Elliot Aigbokhade, and they hinted that their company specialises in the design and supply of various kinds of industrial valves to the oil and gas industry, petrochemical and allied sectors and is currently a vendor to Shell in Nigeria, despite just setting up in Nigeria a few years ago.
Taking the Board’s officials through company’s plans and shop floor, the representatives said their operations in Nigeria are in adherence to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act. The firm has started the processes of establishing an advanced manufacturing workshop at Lekki Free Zone, which would serve as a hub for value addition locally, capacity building and compliance with national development objectives, they said.
They asserted that no company was manufacturing industrial valves in Nigeria yet, adding that their firm aimed to close this critical gap by developing a facility similar to their factory at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, which supplies to several countries across the world.
The Lekki facility is projected to start with an initial production capacity of 15,000 valves per year, with a strategic focus that includes phased growth, local value addition, and development of a resilient supply chain. The investment plan targets the Nigerian market, taking into cognisance the projects in the funnel, with potential to supply to the regional market, the officials indicated.
The facility will also carry out maintenance and repair services, as well as assembly and manufacturing operations. The officials outlined plans to secure necessary certifications from the NCDMB and other relevant agencies and demonstrate return on investment potential.
The investment plans include sourcing some raw materials from the local supply chain, creation of employment opportunities, actively engaging Nigerian partners and training Nigerians overseas and locally to work in the facility. The company wants NCDMB to be an integral part of its investment journey, noting that some equipment had been installed in their facility, while other critical equipment was currently sailing to Nigeria. The officials sought the Board’s support and regulatory backing for their investment as well as introduction to players in the industry, to facilitate patronage.
Responding, NCDMB officials conveyed the agency’s backing for credible investments in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, capacity building and gap closures, in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act. They emphasised that the mantra of the Nigerian Content Act is domiciliation and domestication of critical industry capacities, to create job opportunities for Nigerians, in line with the mandate of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and industrialize the nation’s economy.
They challenged MT Valves West Africa Free Zone to develop a robust investment plan, specifying milestones and targets and projected Nigerian content values, planned sources of raw materials and projected contributions to the economy. The Board’s officials also invited the company to participate at the forthcoming Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) planned for May 20-22, 2025, where they would get updated on new projects and opportunities planned by industry players and market potentials for their investment.
As part of the next steps, MT Valves invited officials of government and other key agencies like Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to visit the firm’s facilities at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and global headquarters at Shanghai, China, to appreciate their company’s capacities and the scale of investment they plan to make in Nigeria.
