26.2 C
Lagos
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Home Blog Page 2037

Campaigners say Super Highway project promoters should address concerns

admin
-
0
Campaigners say Super Highway project promoters should address concerns

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has hailed the decision of the Federal Ministry of Environment halting further work on the Cross River State government-initiated Super Highway project until a proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is carried out.

Ekuri people kick against the project
Ekuri people kick against the project

The 260 km superhighway project which is expected to cut across the Cross River National Park and about 150 communities, was conceived by the Senator Ben Ayade administration when he was sworn-in as governor in 2015 and is to take off from a planned deep sea port in Esighi in Bakassi Local Government Area and run northwards via Obudu to Katsina-ala in Benue State. Estimated to cost US$3.5 billion, it is to be constructed by a company named Broad Spectrum Industrial Services Limited (BSIS), whose headquarters is the subject of controversy as some newspaper publications say it is sited in Israel, while others say it is in Germany or Port Harcourt.

Civil society aversion to the project was spearheaded by ERA/FoEN owing to the richness of forests of Cross River State, globally recognised for their importance as sites for biodiversity in Africa.  The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has documented the fact that they harbour an enormous diversity of plant and animal species almost unmatched anywhere else in the world.  In recognition of this, the United Kingdom invested millions of pounds into the Cross River State Forestry Department in the 1990s.  WWF also invested millions of pounds into the establishment of Cross River National Park over a period of seven years.

On 20th October 2015, a letter signed by ERA/FoEN, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Birdlife International, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Heinrich Boell Foundation was sent to President Buhari and the Federal Minister of Environment on the need to halt the project owing to its likely negative impact on biodiversity and the about 150 communities whose livelihoods depended on the forest.  The letter received no reply.

When the highway project was first announced, Governor Ayade said that he wanted President Muhammadu Buhari to flag off the construction. The president initially decided not to carry out the groundbreaking ceremony due to the lack of an EIA report as alleged by civil society and the locals. Following this, the governor ordered the road to be diverted around the Park. This allayed fears of the president and he eventually visited Cross River State to launch the superhighway on the 20th October 2015.

But, in the process of avoiding the Park, the proposed road’s new route now takes it right through pristine community forests.

However, with sustained outcry from civil society and the communities to be impacted by the Super Highway project, the Federal Ministry of Environment last week issued a letter stopping the project until environmental guidelines are followed.

In a statement issued in Lagos, ERA/FoEN said the decision of the Ministry of Environment is “exemplary” and clearly sends a clear signal to firms that may want to dodge their responsibility to local communities and the environment that impunity will never triumph over the will of the people.

ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Godwin Uyi Ojo, said: “The public notice from the Ministry of Environment stopping work on the project until a proper EIA is conducted will resonate beyond the communities likely to be impacted, to other communities across the country whose rights are being trampled by the powers that be. We commend their dogged resistance.”

Ojo explained that Ekuri and other communities, through their peaceful resistance to the project going forward until their concerns are addressed, have shown that they will not allow their collective destinies be mortgaged on the platform of so-called development projects.

“While we welcome projects that are expected to better the lot of our people, we urge the Federal Ministry of Environment to ensure that the promoters of the highway project carry out a verifiable EIA that will address the environmental and other concerns of the communities on the project right-of-way. Anything short of this is unacceptable,” Ojo insisted.

IATA seeks support for aviation sector’s carbon emission offset plan

admin
-
0
IATA seeks support for aviation sector’s carbon emission offset plan

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has taken up a campaign aimed at garnering support for the industry’s grand plan to address climate change by offsetting carbon emission from airliners. The proposal will be tabled for discussion at the Tri-annual Assembly of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) scheduled to hold in Montreal, Canada later this year.

IATA has begun garnering support for the industry’s grand plan to address climate change by offsetting carbon emission from airliners
IATA has begun garnering support for the industry’s grand plan to address climate change by offsetting carbon emission from airliners

IATA’s call comes seven months ahead of the ICAO summit, where governments from 191 Member States will meet to agree on matters which set the worldwide policy on aviation for the upcoming triennium. Top of the agenda will be the proposed adoption of a global offsetting scheme for international aviation.

Observers believe that achieving an agreement on this will be essential if the aviation sector is to meet its goal of carbon neutral growth from 2020 (CNG2020), which was adopted at the 37th ICAO Assembly in 2010.

Michael Gill, Director Aviation Environment, said, “The industry has taken impressive steps to reduce CO2 emissions, with representatives from airlines, airports, air traffic management and manufacturing all playing their part. New technologies have been developed, alternative fuels have proved themselves to be a viable option and more efficient operating procedures are being established. Collaboratively, the industry has exceeded its annual goal of a 1.5% increase in fuel efficiency. Additionally, significant steps have been made towards achieving the industry’s two further environmental goals, stabilising net emissions by 2020 and cutting emissions by 2050 to half of what they were in 2005.

Michael Gill, IATA's Director, Aviation Environment
Michael Gill, IATA’s Director, Aviation Environment

“Positive progress has been made but now the time has come for aviation to call on leadership from governments if we are to find a common solution to meet the goal of CNG2020. Only through the agreement of a global offsetting scheme will it be possible to establish a framework for aviation that is fair, transparent, practical and cost effective. That is why we are urging nations to agree on a global offsetting scheme at this year’s ICAO Assembly. We really wish to ensure that the momentum created by the recent ICAO agreement for a CO2 efficiency standard for commercial aircraft is not lost. A positive outcome at ICAO will support the sustainable future of aviation.”

IATA is holding a series of regional workshops across the globe to help raise awareness on the need for a market-based-measure in the lead up to the ICAO Assembly in September. A number of these meetings were earmarked for Africa, where those scheduled for Lagos (March 10) and Nairobi (March 11) have since held. In parallel, ICAO is hosting a series of Global Aviation Dialogues (GLADs) on market-based-measures to address climate change in five regions including one in Dakar, Senegal on March 23-24.

According to IATA, aviation has taken a proactive approach to reducing its climate impact and is committed to working to fulfil its ambitious climate change objectives. Air transport currently supports over 58 million jobs and $2.4 trillion in global GDP. The industry is forecast to support 103 million jobs and $5.8 trillion in GDP by 2032.

Having a global framework in place to achieve the industry’s environmental goals is essential to the sustainable growth of the industry, it adds.

In June 2013, at the IATA 69th Annual General Meeting (AGM), IATA’s (then) 240 member airlines representing some 84% of global traffic unanimously passed a resolution in support of a global market based measure.

In October, 2013, government leaders at the 38th Assembly of the ICAO reached a landmark agreement on Climate Change for ICAO to develop a global market-based measure (MBM) that will be an essential enabler for the industry to achieve carbon-neutral growth from 2020 (CNG2020).

Since that time, the aviation industry through IATA and Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) have been working very closely with governments, through ICAO, to work on the elements and the technical aspects of a global MBM. Since 2015, IATA and ATAG have been holding a series of Roundtables in key countries and regions to exchange views on the ongoing work in the ICAO on the development of a global MBM for international aviation.

The Lagos Roundtable highlighted the above, discussed the aviation industry’s climate change strategy and the implications of an aviation MBM for governments and airlines globally and in the region.

The main goals of the sector’s Climate Action Plan were listed to include:

  1. Improving fuel efficiency across the fleet by an average of 1.5% per year until 2020. The industry is currently tracking ahead of this goal, with an average fuel efficiency improvement of 2.9% per year.
  2. Stabilising net CO2 emissions from aviation at 2020 levels in order to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.
  3. Ensuring that, by 2050, CO2 emissions should be half of 2005 levels.

The Pillars of Climate Action include:

  1. Technology: Investing in new technology – including sustainable alternative aviation fuel.
  2. Operations: Flying using more efficient operational techniques – which help make individual flights more efficient.
  3. Infrastructure: Building and using more efficient infrastructure; taking a systematic view that impacts multitude of flights.
  4. Economic: the fourth pillar is the use of effective, global, MBM.

Images of deliberations on mercury treaty at Jordan INC7

admin
-
0
Images of deliberations on mercury treaty at Jordan INC7

The 7th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Mercury (INC 7) holding 10-15 March 2016 in Jordan entered its its fourth day on Monday.

On Sunday morning, delegates to INC7 convened in plenary to hear reports from contact groups on rules, finance and technical issues before moving ahead with work on issues including, inter alia, artisanal and small-scale gold mining, mercury supply sources and trade, environmentally sound interim storage of mercury other than waste mercury, mercury wastes, and contaminated sites.

The contact group on rules continued its work in parallel with the morning plenary and into the afternoon. The contact groups on finance, reporting and technical issues convened in the afternoon.

Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth

Dr I. A. Goji, Deputy Director, Pollution Department and Focal Point of the Minamata Convention for Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Environment...Thursday, 10 March 2016
Dr I. A. Goji, Deputy Director, Pollution Department, and Focal Point of the Minamata Convention for Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Environment…Thursday, 10 March 2016
Dr I. A. Goji (right), Mr Leslie Adogame of SRADev Nigeria (middle) and an African delegate review the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) preparatory to discuss proceedings
Dr I. A. Goji (right), Mr Leslie Adogame of SRADev Nigeria (middle) and an African delegate review the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) preparatory to discuss proceedings
Delegates gather for the start of plenary
Delegates gather for the start of plenary
Mr Leslie Adogame of SRADev Nigeria attending a session
Mr Leslie Adogame of SRADev Nigeria attending a session
Fernando Lugris, Uruguay, INC Chair
Fernando Lugris, Uruguay, INC Chair
Contact Group on Rules
Contact Group on Rules
Contact Group on Technical Matters
Contact Group on Technical Matters
Contact Group on Finance
Contact Group on Finance
Contact Group on Reporting
Contact Group on Reporting

 

Red-hot February breaks global temperature records

admin
-
0
Red-hot February breaks global temperature records

Warnings of climate emergency after surface temperatures 1.35C warmer than average temperature for the month

Monthly global surface temperatures (land and ocean) from NASA for the period 1880 to February 2016, expressed in departures from the 1951-1980 average. The red line shows the 12-month running average. Image credit: Stephan Okhuijsen, datagraver.com
Monthly global surface temperatures (land and ocean) from NASA for the period 1880 to February 2016, expressed in departures from the 1951-1980 average. The red line shows the 12-month running average. Image credit: Stephan Okhuijsen, datagraver.com

Global temperatures in February smashed previous monthly records by an unprecedented amount, according to Nasa data, sparking warnings of a climate emergency.

The result was “a true shocker, and yet another reminder of the incessant long-term rise in global temperature resulting from human-produced greenhouse gases”, wrote Jeff Masters and Bob Henson in a blog on the Weather Underground, which analysed the data released on Saturday.

It confirms preliminary analysis from earlier in March, indicating the record-breaking temperatures.

The global surface temperatures across land and ocean in February were 1.35C warmer than the average temperature for the month, from the baseline period of 1951-1980.

The global record was set just one month earlier, with January already beating the average for that month by 1.15C above the average for the baseline period.

Although the temperatures have been spurred on by a very large El Niño in the Pacific Ocean, the temperature smashed records set during the last large El Niño from 1998, which was at least as strong as the current one.

The month did not break the record for hottest month, since that is only likely to happen during a northern hemisphere summer, when most of the world’s land mass heats up.

“We are in a kind of climate emergency now,” Stefan Rahmstorf, from Germany’s Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research and a visiting professorial fellow at the University of New South Wales, told Fairfax Media.

“This is really quite stunning … it’s completely unprecedented,” he said.

By Michael Slezak, The Guardian of London

Oxfam seeks easy access to land for women farmers

admin
-
0
Oxfam seeks easy access to land for women farmers

Towards ensuring that women in rural areas are empowered particularly in the area of agriculture, an international organisation committed to the eradication of poverty, Oxfam, has said that it will engage Nigerian government and businesses to provide secured access to land for smallholder female farmers.

Left to right: Coordinator, Research, Policy and Advocacy, Oxfam, Mr AbdulAzeez Musa; Project Manager, Public Financing for Agriculture, ActionAid International, Ms. Constance Okeke; Female Food Hero, Oxfam, Mrs. Dorcas Azenda; and National President, Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation, Mrs. Serah Yapwa, during the 2016 International Women's Day and launching of Kilimanjaro Initiative in Abuja, on Thursday, March 10, 2016.
Left to right: Coordinator, Research, Policy and Advocacy, Oxfam, Mr AbdulAzeez Musa; Project Manager, Public Financing for Agriculture, ActionAid International, Ms. Constance Okeke; Female Food Hero, Oxfam, Mrs. Dorcas Azenda; and National President, Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation, Mrs. Serah Yapwa, during the 2016 International Women’s Day and launching of Kilimanjaro Initiative in Abuja, on Thursday, March 10, 2016.

Oxfam lamented that such women often do most of the work on the land but face the “biggest battle to call the land their own.”

Speaking in Abuja recently at an event organised by Oxfam Nigeria and ActionAid to mark this year’s International Women’s Day and the launching of Kilimanjaro Initiative, Head of Programme, Oxfam Nigeria, Constant Tchona, called for the reform of the Land Use Act to make communities take ownership of their land.

He also advocated against all cultural barriers to women’s rights to land and inheritance in Nigeria.

“Oxfam Nigeria will continue to support the Nigerian women small scale farmers in line with our vision of a secure and prosperous Nigeria, where the benefits from economic growth are shared so that the basic needs of all people are met; where rights of women are respected; where all people, especially the youth, can participate in decision making and influence the policies that impact on their lives and where public and private sector institutions are accountable and transparent,” he said.

Tchona further said that women in Nigeria and other West Africa countries still face three major challenges which, according to him, are equity in and secure access to land, safety of operating and ‎investment by women, and protection and preservation of women’s land rights.

Women, he explained, are the first victims of land and related natural resources grabbing, noting that these and other issues threaten the capacity of communities to meet the challenges of sustainable agricultural and food systems today and in the future.

“Women do not only play major roles in cash crops, staple food production, processing or marketing; but as holders of local and traditional knowledge in farm seed conservation and natural resources management, they also play a critical role in the transmission of traditional knowledge to future generations.

“That is why we in Oxfam are advocating that women should be leaders in the transition to sustainable agricultural and food systems,” he said.

Norway’s $830 billion Sovereign Wealth Fund pulls out of coal

admin
-
0
Norway’s $830 billion Sovereign Wealth Fund pulls out of coal

Norway’s $830 billion Sovereign Wealth Fund pulled out of 27 firms with links to coal last year as part of a policy to combat climate change, prompting campaigners to urge other big investors to follow suit.

Martin Norman, director of Greenpeace's Nordic Finance Campaign
Martin Norman, director of Greenpeace’s Nordic Finance Campaign

The fund, the world’s biggest, also said it sold holdings in 11 companies because of concerns about the destruction of tropical forests to make way for palm oil plantations or fast-growing trees used for paper and pulp.

It did not name the companies it dropped.

Norway’s parliament agreed last year to make the fund sell out of companies that get more than 30 percent of their business from coal. The fund is also limiting investments in firms with high greenhouse gas emissions.

“Big money is now starting to move away from fossil fuels,” Martin Norman, director of Greenpeace’s Nordic Finance Campaign, said in a statement, adding that “others should follow”.

Norway’s fund, built up from the country’s oil and gas production revenues, said it sold stakes in 11 companies involved in mining coal for power production and 16 power generators using coal.

By Alister Doyle (Reuters)

TechPlus: Organisers unveil plan for 2016 event

admin
-
0
TechPlus: Organisers unveil plan for 2016 event

Riding on the success of its maiden edition, Connect Marketing Services has unveiled plans for the 2016 edition of Nigeria’s biggest tech event – TechPlus.

TechPlus conference session in 2015
TechPlus conference session in 2015

According to the organisers, the 2016 TechPlus event is billed to hold from 21st to 23rd July at the Eko Hotels Conference Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. The theme for this year is “A Connected World”.

In its second year, Techplus is a gathering of everything technology, providing a robust tripartite tech experience through its conference, exhibition and gaming structures whilst serving as a platform for knowledge sharing, networking and marketplace for consumers and businesses.

Convening over 6,000 techy and non-techy participants with 30 other speakers and panelists at its 2015 edition, TechPlus, said its promoters, has positioned itself as the premier and most authoritative tech gathering in Nigeria. The maiden edition of the event also saw the display of hi-tech innovations and gaming solutions, recording over 1,096 gamers.

In a statement published on the event website – www.techplus.ng – the 2016 edition of the event will provide an avenue to advance technological discourse, ideas, displays and networks in and around Nigeria.

“Techplus Conference and Expo is a place where new technology comes to life, new products are launched and innovations converge, providing manufacturers, concept generators, software and hardware companies, content developers a platform to bring their products and services to life.”

The event is primed as the “main platform for innovations and new products to be introduced to consumers and businesses.”

Relating the plans for Techplus 2016, Executive Director, Connect Marketing, Kazeem Abimbola, noted that the event would capture emerging realities of global technological revolutions and how Nigeria can benefit from such.

“We are excited to announce the 2016 edition of TechPlus Nigeria – the leading convergence of everything tech in Nigeria. This year, we will showcase more of Africa’s technological innovations that will advance both the human and social development of the country. Ultimately, this will yield value for both customers and businesses. This year, the event will include a Hackathon and a Pitch Event.”

GCF accredits HSBC, Crédit Agricole as project pipeline grows

admin
-
0
GCF accredits HSBC, Crédit Agricole as project pipeline grows

Despite stiff opposition from a coalition of civil society operatives, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has resolved to channel its money through HSBC Holdings Plc and Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank. This formed part of decisions reached as the GCF Board’s twelfth meeting (B.12) came to a close on Friday in Songdo, South Korea.

The group had on Monday alleged that both banks were funding the coal industry. “The GCF Board must reject HSBC and Crédit Agricole. Creating new business for big banks with large fossil fuel portfolios and poor records on human rights and financial scandal would undermine the very purpose of the Fund,” said Karen Orenstein of Friends of the Earth U.S.

GCF Co-Chairs, Zaheer Fakir from South Africa (right) and Ewen McDonald from Australia
GCF Co-Chairs, Zaheer Fakir from South Africa (right) and Ewen McDonald from Australia

“The accreditation of these banking giants would jeopardise the reputation of the GCF and expose it to unnecessarily high fiduciary risk. HSBC and Crédit Agricole provided US$7 billion and US$9.5 billion, respectively, to the coal industry between 2009 and 2014, and their coal financing does not show a clear downward trend. Moreover, HSBC is deeply embroiled in massive financial scandal,” said Yann Louvel of BankTrack.

But the GCF has given the financial institutions the nod, making them part of the 13 newly approved entities, which represent a diverse range of public, private, small, and large organisations. This includes four national public entities, one regional public entity applying under direct access, two private sector entities, and six international public entities.

A total of 33 entities are now authorised to partner with GCF and implement its projects and programmes.

Besides HSBC and Crédit Agricole, the other new entities are: Agency for Agricultural Development of Morocco (ADA), Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia (MOFEC), National Environment Management Authority of Kenya (NEMA), Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), African Development Bank (AfDB) and European Investment Bank (EIB).

Others include: International Finance Corporation (IFC), Unidad Para el Cambio Rural from Argentina (Unit for Rural Change – UCAR), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Food Programme (WFP) and World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

Apart from accrediting new entities, B.12 also adopted the Fund’s first Strategic Plan, as well as the 2016 Work Plan. The Board says the policy decisions reached are designed to strengthen its partnerships and grow its project pipeline in the year.

“The Board has reached agreement this week on key decisions that help us deliver against our target of approving US$ 2.5 billion in 2016,” said Ewen McDonald, Board Co-Chair from Australia.

“We have adopted the strategies and policies we urgently needed to evaluate existing funding proposals, which currently amount to US$ 1.5 billion, and further develop a pipeline of innovative projects,” said Zaheer Fakir, Co-Chair from South Africa. “The spirit of Board unity endured this week, and we will continue in this manner throughout the remaining three meetings this year,” he added.

GCF’s current pipeline includes 22 private and public projects with a total value of over US$ 5 billion. One of the key outcomes from B.12 is the Board’s adoption of the Fund’s first Strategic Plan, which sets out GCF’s vision, operational priorities, and an action plan to be implemented by 2018. The Strategic Plan strengthens the Fund’s ability to programme its resources at scale, in an ambitious and country-driven manner.

“This is a major achievement and evidence of a united Board that is working hard to find a common middle ground so that we can continue moving forward,” said Mr. Fakir.

During the meeting, the United States informed the Board that it completed its contribution arrangements, formalising its pledge of US$ billion to the GCF. The United States also completed arrangements to transfer US$ 500 million to the GCF as its first installment on the pledge.

A number of procedural decisions were also taken at B.12. The Secretariat’s staffing profile will receive a boost from its current 56 permanent staff to 100 by the end of 2016 and 140 by the end of 2017.

The Board approved US$ 1.5 million for Rwanda as the first grant under the Fund’s Project Preparation Facility (PPF), an innovative instrument to support AEs from developing countries to generate high-quality projects.

The Board also took steps to expedite the disbursement of US$ 11.2 million under grant agreements already signed with 13 countries under the Fund’s readiness and preparatory support programme.

Promoting transparency, an information disclosure policy was adopted, which includes providing live web streaming of future GCF Board meetings, with a review of its utility in 2017.

Regular GCF Regional Workshops were identified as important outreach and advocacy activities of the Fund to support developing countries in accomplishing their readiness and country ownership objectives.

The Board also launched the recruitment process for the new Executive Director by concluding terms of reference for the position and recruitment process.

GCF’s inaugural Executive Director, Héla Cheikhrouhou, had informed the Board that she would not seek a renewal of her three-year term, which ends in September this year. The GCF Board acknowledged the critical role Ms. Cheikhrouhou has played in establishing the Fund and in making it operational.

The 12th Board meeting was attended by more than 200 participants, including alternate Board members and advisers as well as 130 representatives from observer organisations.

The 13th meeting of the Board (B.13) will be held from 28 to 30 June 2016 at GCF Headquarters in Songdo. B.14 is scheduled to take place in October in Quito, Republic of Ecuador, followed by B.15 in December in Apia, Independent State of Samoa.

“I’m thrilled that there will be a Board meeting in the Pacific this year,” said Mr. McDonald. “This is an opportunity to present first-hand the challenges that Pacific island countries face due to climate change.”

Super Highway: Cross River preparing EIA, says FG

admin
-
0
Super Highway: Cross River preparing EIA, says FG

The Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) said on Thursday in Abuja that the Cross River State Government (CRSG) registered for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed Super Highway project.

Bulldozers at work clearing the Super Highway's route passing through parts of Boki
Bulldozers at work clearing the Super Highway’s route passing through parts of Boki

In a statement endorsed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, the FMEnv added that the CRSG is currently conducting the EIA studies which are at an advanced stage.

“The Federal Ministry of Environment is in communication with Cross River government on the EIA process. The Federal Ministry of Environment issued an Interim Environmental Impact Assessment Approval for the ground breaking, which enabled Mr. President to do the flag-off of the project.”

The Perm Sec. however noted that this approval does not convey project commencement of implementation, pointing out that, in response to the commencement of work at the proposed site, and in line with environmental regulations, notice was given for stoppage of work.

“The public should therefore note that concerns raised would be addressed in an open and transparent manner. The Ministry wishes to advise the Cross River State Government to abide by environmental regulations and EIA processes. The project’s host communities and other stakeholders are enjoined to continue peaceful dialogue as we resolve the outstanding issues,” the FMEnv stated.

There have of recent been concerns from members of the public, corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations and international organisations over the proposed Calabar-Okwotung/Obudu/Yara Dual Carriage Super Highway by the Cross Rivers State Government. The Ekuri people and other host communities affected by the project have vehemently kicked against the project, saying that the road would destroy their forest and dispossess them off the rightful ownership of their ancestral land.

The FMEnv listed some of the concerns to include:

  • That there are environmental and critical social issues raised by project’s host communities along the proposed corridor for the Super Highway.
  • The project would traverse the Cross River National Park (CRNP) which is a proposed United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Man and Biosphere tentatively designated World Heritage Site.
  • That the proposed project site which has also been recognised by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as the richest plant and animal species (Fauna and Flora) ecosystem in Africa risk significant destruction if the super high way runs through it.

Segun Adeleye Foundation for Good Leadership in Africa unveiled

admin
-
0
Segun Adeleye Foundation for Good Leadership in Africa unveiled

A foundation, Segun Adeleye Foundation for Good Leadership in Africa (SAFFGLIA), designed to encourage governments across Africa to embrace good governance in order to uplift the standard of living of the people, has been unveiled.

R-L: Dr Adeleke Ipaye, Senior Special Assistant to Osun State Governor, representing the Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Molara Wood, Head Corporate Communications, Resort International Ltd, representing Dr Wale Babalakin; Mr Segun Adeleye, President/CEO World Stage Ltd and founder Segun Adeleye Foundation for Good Leadership in Africa (SAFFGLIA); Mr Joe Bankole, Head of Lagos Operations, News Agency of Nigeria representing Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Mrs Tosin Adeleye, Trustee of SAFFGLIA at the launch of the foundation and a book, So Long Too Long Nigeria by Segun Adeleye at the Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos on Thursday, March 10, 2016
R-L: Dr Adeleke Ipaye, Senior Special Assistant to Osun State Governor, representing the Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Molara Wood, Head Corporate Communications, Resort International Ltd, representing Dr Wale Babalakin; Mr Segun Adeleye, President/CEO World Stage Ltd and founder Segun Adeleye Foundation for Good Leadership in Africa (SAFFGLIA); Mr Joe Bankole, Head of Lagos Operations, News Agency of Nigeria representing Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Mrs Tosin Adeleye, Trustee of SAFFGLIA at the launch of the foundation and a book, So Long Too Long Nigeria by Segun Adeleye at the Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos on Thursday, March 10, 2016

The event, held at the Afe Babalola Hall of the University of Lagos on Thursday March 10, 2016, attracted the presence of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed as guest speaker for the lecture, “Setting Agenda For Good Leadership in Africa”; the chairman of Bi-Courtney, Mr.  Wale Babalakin, represented by Molara Wood, Head Corporate Communication, Resort International, chaired the event.

The three-in-one event also witnessed the launch of a book: So Long Too Long Nigeria, authored by Mr. Segun Adeleye, Founder of SAFFGLIA and President/CEO World Stage Limited.

The minister, who was represented by the Director, Lagos Operations, News Agency of Nigeria, Joe Bankole, described the birth of SAFFGLIA as the beginning of a new done for good leadership in Nigeria.  According to him the present administration is a representation of the values that the Foundation stands for, adding that the government is proud to associate with the foundation.

The minister identified corruption as the biggest challenges facing African development. He noted that the administration of President Mohammed Buhari is committed to fighting the menace in order to secure the future of the unborn generations.

He said: “Leadership is about integrity and accountability and Nigerians has voted for President Buhari to change the face of leadership in Nigeria and transform the nation for the benefit of all, and Nigerians  really need to give him time to enjoy the promised change,” Minister stated.

While reviewing the book, Managing Director, Freedom Online, Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo, cited the relevance Segun Adeleye’s articles written seven to eight years ago on infrastructural decadence, corruption, government policies, unemployment etc.  to present situations in the country.

While recommending the book to those in authorities, government and corporate organizations he noted that, “The fact that majority of issues captured in the book are testimonies of present realities in the country today shows that Nigeria has not changed over the years”.

In his opening remarks titled, Africa: The Tragedy of Wrong History, Mr. Adeleye went memory lane from the first coup in January 15, 1966 trying to identify where things went wrong.

He pointed out how bad leadership had held Africa hostage for years preventing the young generations from attaining their full potential.

He highlighted the visions of the foundation to include, to draw attention to activities of governments from local to national levels and encourage/ compel them to do things in the best interest of the people; it will engage in leadership training programmes that will champion the spirit of development of their societies in Nigeria and Africa; it will promote research into good leadership in Africa, among others”.

Dr Adeleke Ipaye, Senior Special Assistant to Osun State Governor, who represented Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the event, commended the author, saying his crusade for positive leadership is in line with the agenda of the current leadership in Nigeria.

1...2,0362,0372,038...2,213Page 2,037 of 2,213

TV Report

Archives

2025 EnviroNews Nigeria. All Rights Reserved.

×