The NNPC Ltd has flagged off the third edition of the Vision First Programme, as part of comprehensive community-focused healthcare outreach targeted at the Ilaje community and its environs in Bariga, Lagos State.
Medical personnel attending to an indigene of Ilaje Community of Lagos State during the Vision First healthcare outreach on free eye care services held in the area, on Tuesday
The Vision First programme is a continuation of NNPC Ltd/SNEPCo Production Sharing Contract (PSC) commitment to advancing health and well-being within its host communities. Through this initiative, over 1,000 individuals will receive free eye care services, alongside a range of general healthcare provisions. The services include cardiovascular screening, BMI assessments, laboratory services, consultations, treatment of mild and chronic diseases, and distribution of insecticide-treated nets.
Since its inception, the Vision First programme has made a significant impact, with over 1,853 individuals benefiting from free eye care services. The Lagos edition, which began in 2022, has screened 2,000 people, provided 1,199 prescription glasses, administered medication to 1,310 beneficiaries, and facilitated successful procedures for 189 individuals.
The initiative is also aligned with the Mallam Mele Kyari-led Management commitment of making positive impact in NNPC Ltd’s host communities and enhancing the quality of life for Nigerians through sustainable partnerships.
In his remarks, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (CUIO – NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, stated that the Vision First Plus programme represents a commitment to restoring hope and improving lives within NNPC Ltd commour communities.
“Through this programme, we aim to ensure that preventable vision challenges do not hold anyone back. By providing eye screenings, corrective lenses, surgeries, and general healthcare, we’re dedicated to bringing clarity and brighter futures to those who need it most,” Wunti, who was represented by Mrs. Bunmi Lawson, added.
The outreach emphasised the significance of proactive health management, highlighting that healthy eyes lead to a brighter future. Attendees were encouraged to protect their vision through regular check-ups, a balanced diet, and adequate rest.
The Vision First programme embodies the spirit of collaboration and the essence of giving back to the communities where NNPC Ltd operates. It also signifies the Company’s commitment to investing in social initiatives that leave a lasting positive impact.
Agricultural biotechnology stakeholders in Abuja on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, educated journalists on biosafety and biotechnology regulations and reportage during a communication workshop.
Participants at the NBMA agricultural biosafety/biotech communication workshop in Lagos
This is coming a couple of weeks after a similar forum held in Lagos on Wednesday, August 14. The agricultural biosafety/biotech communication workshop was themed: “Strategic Communication Training for Influencers/Reporters on Biosafety/Biotech Regulations.”
Organised by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the daylong event featured messages and presentations by Dr Agnes Asagbra, the NBMA Director-General/CEO; Chris Bielecki, Agricultural Counselor at USDA; Gloria Ogbaki, NBMA spokesperson; Abraham Isah of OFAB; African Farmer Mogaji; Hauwa Tahir Ahmed of NBMA; and Michael Simire, Editor-in-Chief of EnviroNews Nigeria, who spoke on “Crafting impactful messages that resonate with the public and policymakers”.
The workshop was aimed at promoting scientific literacy and dispelling non-science-based narratives about agricultural biosafety in other to enhance the media’s capacity to communicate complex biosafety topics to the public accurately.
Apart from providing in-depth knowledge of the NBMA’s role and activities in regulating agricultural biotechnology, the forum was also aimed at fostering a network of informed journalists who can contribute to the national dialogue on biosafety.
In her welcome address at the Abuja workshop, Dr Asagbra highlighted the benefits of modern biotechnology in minimising risks to humans, animals, and the environment.
She assured that the agency was committed to transparency and truthfulness in its communication channels.
“We are dedicated to utilising modern biotechnology to minimise risks to human health and the environment,” Asagbra said.
She promised that no unsafe foods would enter the public domain without certification from the agency through modern biotechnology.
Bielecki of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service in Nigeria noted that Nigeria is a continental leader in biotechnology.
He assured that the U.S. was willing to support Nigeria in achieving its biotechnology and biosafety goals.
“The USDA aims to promote agricultural trade between Nigeria and the US and support the development of Nigeria’s domestic agricultural systems.”
Bielecki expressed optimism that the enlightenment would foster a network of informed journalists and opinion influencers contributing to international dialogue on biosafety and modern biotechnology.
Just like they did in Lagos, the NBMA, in collaboration with the USDA, organised the Strategic Communication Training for influencers and reporters on biosafety and biotechnology regulations.
The Edo State Government has proposed alternative sources of energy, a new airport and rail lines in the new Benin City and Edo regional development masterplans.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State
In his address at the unveiling of the two masterplans on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, in Benin, Gov. Godwin Obaseki said the alternative energy would be sourced from renewables such as solar and hydro.
The governor said the new airport was being proposed to be located in Auchi.
He also said new cities such as the Coral City would be developed in Benin City, Auchi and Ekpoma.
Obaseki explained that the two masterplans were designed by the state government in partnership with Siraj Nigeria Limited under the Supervision of the state Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing Urban and Regional Development.
“The master plans are living documents and subject to review every five years.
“They will be infused into the primary and secondary schools’ curriculums,” he said.
Earlier, Ms Isoken Omo, the Commissioner for Physical Planning, Housing Urban and Regional Development, said a total of 22,000 properties were visited during the planning exercise while 27 consultations were held with various stakeholders.
Omo, who noted that the reviewing of the existing masterplans was participatory, noted that it would encourage local governments to focus on areas of their comparative advantage for development.
According to her, the Edo Regional Development and Benin City Masterplans cover all the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
“The success of the masterplans is dependent on the collective efforts of indigenes and residents of Edo State.
“The masterplans will determine the location of public infrastructure, such as roads, schools, hospitals, water and power.
“It will promote innovation and entrepreneurship by creating a supportive environment for startups and small businesses across the state,” the commissioner said.
The Central African Republic has become the 26th country to join the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI), a pan-African alliance of countries dedicated to the conservation of elephants and the harmonious coexistence of elephants and people.
Forest elephants congregate at the Central African Republic’s Dzanga-Sangha National Park, where security has been restored after a period of upheaval. Photo credit: Andrea Turkalo/WCS
The EPI is a global initiative that brings together African elephant range states, IGOs, NGOs, the private sector, and individual citizens to protect elephants and put an end to the illegal ivory trade and ensure the harmonious coexistence of people and elephants.
Over the past 10 years, the illegal ivory trade has reportedly affected Central Africa’s elephants. According to the Africa Elephant Status Report, 2016, the savanna populations of the Central African Republic have almost completely disappeared, with the only remaining populations occurring in the forested south-west area.
Mr. David Ouangado, the Acting Director General of Water, Forests, Hunting, and Fishing in the Central African Republic, is recognised for his commitment to the preservation of biodiversity and fostering human-elephant coexistence through legislature and strategic partnerships. The decision by the Central African Republic to join the EPI demonstrates the country’s political commitment to conserving its remaining elephant population.
The Central African Republic has pledged to work together with the EPI to implement the African Elephant Action Plan and to join global political leadership to protect elephants, promote sustainable livelihoods, and ensure the harmonious coexistence of people and elephants. As part of this initiative, they also commit to closing national ivory markets, observing a moratorium on international ivory trade until African elephant populations are no longer threatened, and keeping national ivory stocks out of all economic use.
The EPI Foundation serves as the secretary for the EPI. Its CEO, John E. Scanlon AO, said, “We are delighted to welcome the Central African Republic as the 26th member of the EPI, joining the majority of Central African countries already part of the Initiative. This expansion enhances our ability to help coordinate regional efforts for greater impact. The EPI Foundation looks forward to supporting the Central African Republic’s government in reaching its elephant conservation goals.”
The EPI Foundation will work closely with the Central African Republic by:
Helping to secure stockpiles of ivory and other wildlife products through inventories and improved stockpile management.
Providing technical expertise in developing elephant action plans and managing human-elephant conflict (HEC).
Developing a national elephant action plan (NEAP).
Amplifying the voices of their conservation journalists and other related support.
In its drive towards achieving Objective 3 of the PepsiCo project, which is to increase education and awareness on hygiene, WaterAid Nigeria in partnership with PepsiCo Foundation has conducted vehicle mounted Hygiene Behavioural Change campaign round Igando-Ikotun, Ojodu and Ikorodu North LCDAs in Lagos State.
Hygiene Behavioural Change campaign
Speaking to journalists during the event that was carried out from Monday, August 19 to Thursday, August 22, 2024, Grace Uwadiale, a consultant to WaterAid, said: “The vehicle mounted HBC was conducted to reach 4,000 men, women and children in six communities of intervention and another 100,000 Lagosians through airing of the jingles on radio stations.”
She said WaterAid took the step in order to increase the indirect reach for the project in addition to the mass media.
According to Uwadiale, the facilitators had earlier trained two group leaders each from the three LCDAs.
“Six trained facilitators from Igando-Ikotun LCDA worked in two communities (Egan and Ijegun) in the LCDA, six trained facilitators from Ojodu LCDA worked in two communities (Agidingbi and Ojodu) and six trained facilitators from Ikorodu North worked in two communities (Araromi and Itele-Nla) in the LCDA.
“A team of three facilitators worked in each community and in addition 18 WASHCOM members/VHPs supported the team by taking the lead in the communities. The facilitators across the three LCDAs all went into the marketplaces, garages and motor parks to instil in them to keep good hygiene practices,” she explained.
With the aid of public address systems in mobile vehicles, PepsiCo HBC Jingles were played which supported the facilitators to reach persons living in these target communities to hear the key hygiene messages. HBC posters were also distributed and pasted at strategic locations during the campaigns to reinforce the HBC messages.
The areas covered include Araromi and Itele-Nla in Ikorodu North LCDA, Agidingbi and Ojodu in Ojodu LCDA and Egan and Ijegun in Igando-Ikotun LCDA with nudges containing the HBC messages.
BATN Foundation has admonished young graduates to embrace the opportunities offered by the Farmers for the Future (F4F) Grant, a premier agricultural entrepreneurship initiative designed to empower young people with promising agri-business ventures.
SAED officials and the BATN Foundation Team during a visit to the new SAED Director
Mr. Oludare Odusanya, General Manager, BATN Foundation, who gave the charge, disclosed that the programme provides equity-free capital, bootcamp comprehensive training, mentorship and additional support to help scale these businesses.
He said, “This initiative, created and funded by BATN Foundation in collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), is part of BATNF’s unwavering commitment to fostering youth engagement in sustainable agriculture.
“This grant initiative targets current NYSC members to make agribusiness attractive, reduce youth unemployment, drive youth engagement in agriculture, and foster economic development. Through this initiative, participants are trained and empowered in agro practices that position them for long-term success in the agribusiness value chain,” he stressed.
During a recent visit, the BATNF team, led by Mr. Odusanya, met with the new Director of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), Mr. Sunday Robert Aroni, where further collaboration opportunities were explored between BATN Foundation and NYSC, ensuring that the Foundation’s programmes continue to reach and impact more youths than ever before.
Speaking on the visit, the General Manager, BATN Foundation, said, “This partnership with NYSC is critical to our mission of fostering youth engagement in sustainable agriculture. By equipping youths with the skills and resources they need, we are empowering youths to be job creators and helping to secure Nigeria’s agricultural future.”
Echoing this sentiment, the new Director of SAED, Mr. Sunday Robert Aroni, added, “We are excited to deepen our collaboration with BATN Foundation.
“This initiative is a powerful tool for youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our young corps members.”
The Farmers for the Future curriculum is designed to provide aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs with the insights and knowledge needed to explore diverse market opportunities and develop a structured business model for strategic growth.
The curriculum is intensive and cover many areas of agricultural entrepreneurship for the benefit of the participants.
Also present were Deputy Director Empowerment, Mr. Alphons Zakaria; Assistant Director SAED, Mrs. Jumai Wagne; and DSAED, Mrs. Delphina Eze.
Participants stand a chance to win a share of the N10 million grant, designed to kickstart or expand their agribusiness ventures. This prize will provide the capital needed to turn innovative ideas into successful businesses, contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI), in collaboration with various esteemed organisations such as Hope for Rural Girl’s Initiative, Manashfa Integrated Services, Jewel Foundation, and ALGON in Gombe State, recently organised a one-day local government net-zero workshop and the North Central Regional Summit on Accelerating Nigeria’s Emission Reduction Commitment for Local Government Authorities.
Participants at the ICCDI Africa one-day local government net-zero workshop in Gombe
The event is considered pivotal in shaping the climate action narrative in Nigeria, particularly within the context of the north-central region, which includes Gombe and its neighbouring states.
The workshop commenced with a compelling address from Mr. Olumide Idowu, Executive Director of ICCDI Africa, who emphasised the importance of collective action, stating, “Climate change knows no borders; it affects us all. We must work together to create effective strategies to reduce emissions and protect our planet and local government for future generations.”
The overarching goal of the workshop was to cultivate a dedicated approach towards achieving net-zero emissions across local government areas in the region. With climate change being one of the most urgent and pressing challenges of our time, the workshop served as a critical platform for various stakeholders, including local government officials, civil society organisations, and community representatives, to come together and strategise on actionable steps that can be taken at the local level.
The engagement fostered by this event is said to be integral to not only meeting Nigeria’s national commitments but also addressing global climate goals.
The workshop’s agenda was rich and varied, focusing on several critical areas for fostering a sustainable future. Participants engaged in rigorous discussions about sustainable practices that can be implemented at the local government level. These discussions aimed to identify practical solutions that can be adopted to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
Renewable energy adoption was a significant theme, emphasising the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Local governments were encouraged to explore solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies that could be integrated into their energy policies.
Eunice Bosede Adebayo, a Hope for Rural Girls Initiative representative, highlighted the workshop’s impact, stating, “This platform has provided us with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement real change in our communities. We must take these lessons back home and act on them.”
In addition to renewable energy, the workshop addressed crucial aspects of waste management, highlighting how proper waste disposal and recycling can significantly reduce emissions. Attendees were educated on various waste management strategies that promote environmental sustainability and enhance public health and community well-being.
The discussions also provided insights into developing climate-resilient policies that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change. By focusing on local needs and conditions, these policies are crucial for ensuring that communities can adapt and thrive in the face of environmental changes.
A significant highlight of the event was a field visit to the Malam Sidi area in the Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State. This visit was not just a part of the event, but a crucial step in gathering firsthand insights and data from key local government officials and community stakeholders.
Through comprehensive consultations and interviews, the delegation aimed to understand the unique challenges and opportunities that exist within the local context. This direct engagement with the community was vital for informing the development of a robust net-zero climate action plan tailored specifically for Kwami Local Government.
The insights gained from the field visit will play a crucial role in shaping the action plan, ensuring it is grounded in the realities faced by the community. The plan addresses specific climate-related challenges by incorporating local knowledge and experiences while leveraging local resources and capacities. This collaborative approach enhances the relevance of the action plan and fosters a sense of ownership among community members, which is essential for the successful implementation of climate initiatives.
The workshop and subsequent field visit mark a significant step towards a more sustainable future for Gombe State and the broader north-central region of Nigeria. By bringing together various stakeholders and facilitating meaningful discussions, the initiative aims to empower local governments to take decisive action in their emission reduction efforts. Through this collaborative framework, it is hoped that Gombe State and other states in the region will emerge as leaders in climate action, setting a precedent for other regions to follow.
In conclusion, the International Climate Change Development Initiative and its partners have taken a commendable step in addressing climate change at the local government level. The commitment to achieving net-zero emissions is not just a goal but a necessity for ensuring a sustainable future for future generations.
Gombe State and other north-central states can pave the way for a more resilient and environmentally conscious society through continued collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community engagement. The success of these initiatives will ultimately depend on the collective efforts of all stakeholders involved, underscoring the importance of unity in the fight against climate change.
Ghana’s food security is threatened by an alarming dry spell that has already wreaked havoc to farmers and agricultural production.
Grain farm
Over 435,000 farmers in the country, cultivating an estimated area of 871,745 hectares have been directly affected by the prolonged dry spell.
These affected farmers are reported to have lost about GH₵ 3.5 billion in investments, with a lot more farmers also at risk, indicating possible severe food shortages and soaring prices.
As a measure to ensure food security and until the situation normalises, the government has announced an immediate ban on the export of key grains, including maize, rice, and soybean.
“This measure is essential to ensure the availability of these critical crops on the domestic market,” stated the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
The dry spell leads to crop failure, which results in low productivity or yield on the farm, and eventually high prices of food on the market. The eight impacted regions of the country contribute about 62% of the country’s grain supply.
But there are skepticisms among farmers over the government’s proposed interventions.
President of the Association, Bismark Owusu Nortey, says the farmers will lose out to the ban as they may be compelled to sell their produce at cheap prices to avert post-harvest losses.
“They did not take on board the views, the concerns and the possible challenges that this might have on farmers,” he said.
The national weather forecaster, GMET, indicates although the five Northern regions could see some rains in the coming weeks, the transition belt – the Bono East and Oti regions – will suffer a prolonged period of dry weather.
“We’re expecting a little bit drier spell around the Kintampo, Wenchi, Atebubu, Ketekrachi areas. For the minor season, the rest of the country would have a shorter dry spell. Then towards the northern fringes of the country, we’re expecting the rainfall to pick up,” said Francisca Martey, Head of Research and Applied Meteorology at the Ghana Meteorological Agency.
After reading the book, Stepping on Toes: My Odyssey at the Nigerian Ports Authority, written by the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, I could not help the nudging feeling of triumph at how, finally, sunshine emerges in the horizon of national rejuvenation.
Hamzat Lawal
In a country grappling with challenges of declining institutional memory and opaque governance, the book – chronicling her 60-month stewardship at the country’s top blue economy institution – is both an educational resource and timely exposé with potential to trigger positive revolution in the country’s bureaucratic ecosystem.
Chronicled, step by step, in the 17 chapters is the meandering path of a trailblazer, who found herself thrown into a world that was not kind to the feminine kind, as the first female Chief of Staff to the governor of Kaduna State, and then as the first MD of the NPA in its first 61 years of existence.
As the chapters unfold, we meet a battle-tested woman who was prepared for the task, especially through her experience at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) when she was wrongfully accused by her former boss, Dr Aliyu Modibbo, then cleared by the Department of State Security (DSS) and eventually posted to the Abuja Enterprise Agency as the Chief Executive Officer – which became the ascending rung of her action-packed career trajectory.
Bala-Usman had one advantage going for her, which is her experience in partisan politics at the earlier years of her career when she contested for the House of Representatives seat representing the Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency of her home state, Katsina. Perhaps, this provided her an edge, as the political experience hones one’s instincts, and makes you able to think on your feet and to stand your ground when it mattered the most.
In my estimation, Stepping on Toes is a statement of defiance against a superior force that was intent on herding a zealous reformer into the wrong path. Hence, the takeaway, that as young people struggling to make a change, we must not be pushed to the wrong direction, even when these powers are the ones that gave us the privilege, the platform and the voice in the first place. We must stay true to what we believe is best for our nation despite the pressure from the sharks in the water.
The book documents many reforms and milestones which, ordinarily, would have gained accolades and promotion, for Bala-Usman in (former) President Muhammadu Buhari’s government known for anti-corruption; but which ironically became a thorn in the flesh to some vested interests, and eventually led to her witch-hunt and subsequent “sack”.
As she assumed office on July 18, 2016, the MD initiated a collaboration with BudgIT, the open governance technological platform, in order to ensure that key research, industry policies and innovations were effectively communicated, and that critical data was generated and made available to the public. A Revenue Invoice Management System aimed at improving service offering, partner, partner relationships, creating an efficient payment method, maximising revenue and eradicating loss associated with fraud and revenue leakage was also launched.
Hamzat Lawal with former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman
She also immediately engaged in resolving a dysfunctional scaling system which resulted in junior officers on higher steps of their grade level earning more than their seniors by grade. “This irregularity meant that staff, especially those in positions considered lucrative, were prepared to do everything possible to stop their own promotion,” it expatiated.
Interestingly, chapter 6, entitled, “Apapa traffic congestion and Eto”, unveils the issue of an underground economy, reportedly worth over N12 billion annually, which was built around corrupt practices by officials of task forces around the Apapa ports. This depicts the failure of successive task forces set up by the federal and state governments to tackle the traffic congestion around the ports, especially at the Lagos axis; and a pointer to how people profiteered from the chaos at the ports.
The MD solved this knotty imbroglio with the development and deployment of the electronic truck call-up software, known as Eto, which reduced human interaction in management of trucks, thereby tying off avenues for graft, and ultimately restored sanity to the ecosystem.
In chapter seven, “Dredging of Calabar channel”, the author revealed how the country was saved from paying $22 million to a company that made claims in a job it did not perform. According to the book, “The company claimed it carried out the dredging activities between November 14 and January 2015, but neither the Harbor Master nor the Port Hydrographer was aware of any dredging activity at the time. The company did not at any time communicate with the management of the NPA during these purported dredging activities.”
In chapter 11, “Dismantling OMSL’s secure anchorage area”, the reader comes face to face with the reality of rent-seeking economy in Nigeria. A private company had set up and was operating a Secure Anchorage Area (SAA) within the Lagos Pilotage District for about four years without any legal relationship with the NPA, generating tens of millions of US dollars without remitting any to the coffers of the NPA or any government agency.
It is instructive to note that, regarding the supposed security the vessels using the SAA were being provided, it is the statutory responsibility of the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to provide this service at no cost to vessel owners. When Bala-Usman finally pulled down the sham rentier edifice, she was accosted by hoodlums, who claimed she had “taken away food from them”, threatening to physically harm her.
Curiously, instead of her boss giving her accolades for her most intense efforts at sustaining the spirit of good governance and anti-corruption the Buhari government was known, hers became an albatross. Things came to a head in chapters 14 and 15, when Bala-Usman realised, to her utmost shock and dismay, that her own boss was not happy with her.
Integrated Logistics Limited, otherwise known as Intels, had a contract to monitor and collect revenues of the NPA, in the service boat management operations, since 1997 until 2020 when the contract expired. However, at the expiration of the contract, and as the NPA was about finalising a tender’s process for a fresh contract tenure, the then Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, directed Bala-Usman to stop, asking for “restoration of suspended contracts between Intels and the NPA”.
The letter from the Director General of the Bureau for Public Procurement, Mr Mamman Ahmadu, as he weighed in, was instructive: “The correct procedure is that contracts should be won through a proper procurement process that complies with the provisions of PPA, 2007. Furthermore, there is need to avoid the kind of monopoly being enjoyed by Messrs. Intels, which has cascaded into the entitlement mentality being demonstrated by the firm.”
Personally, Stepping on Toes inspires me to keep asking questions. Hadiza Bala Usman did not stop, even when the handwriting on the wall was clear. Eventually, she was told to “step aside”, a term that is a novelty in Nigeria’s public service rules.
However, even before the investigative panel finally cleared her of the trumped-up charges of non-remittance of $165 million into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the court of public opinion had already set her free, having seen through the entire charade.
My organisation, Connected Development (CODE) and its flagship project, Follow The Money, started by asking questions. Then, in 2012 when I first asked for monies voted to save the children of Bagega in Zamfara State, officials at the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Environment, asked, “Who are you? Who sent you? Why are you asking?”
So, because no single kobo that was approved had got to this community, I started the online hashtag campaign #SaveBagega, which finally attracted the attention of the world, and made former President Goodluck Jonathan do the needful.
From that day, we never stopped helping the government to close leakages where the monies could have been wasted. For instance, in 2019 alone, we saved the Nigerian government N50 billion. This is why Stepping on Toes is a timely and indispensable resource for those who want to change the narrative, not only in my beloved country, but in the other 12 African countries where we operate, inspiring citizens to make a change, one community at a time.
Hamzat Lawal (Hamzy!) is a renowned activist and campaigning currently mobilising, organising and leading a group of young people in bringing needed changes across African communities using Follow The Money. He is currently the Chief Executive of Connected Development (CODE)
Stakeholders have called for synergy at the federal, state and local governments to produce credible climate change data.
Participants at the three-day Stakeholder’s Consultation Workshop on Data Analysis towards the preparation of Nigeria’s First Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1) to the UNFCCC in Abuja
The call was made at the Stakeholder’s Consultation Workshop on Data Analysis towards the preparation of Nigeria’s First Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1) to the UNFCCC in Abuja. It held from Wednesday, August 21 to Friday, August 23, 2024.
The workshop was organised by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) Secretariat with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Mr. Arum Nnamdi of the Enugu State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said data collection should cascade down to the local governments; hence capacity building is needed for those at sub-national level.
While commending efforts of the NCCC, he said more needed to be done to carry the sub-national components along as data is sourced from the localities.
The Deputy Director and Head of Climate Change Department said states must have people that understand the issues of climate change and sponsors.
He noted that the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, is very much interested in green environment.
“Our governor has shown political will to tackle climate change, by establishing smart schools. The governor is taking the state back to its original design,” Nnamdi said.
The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, NCCC, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, stressed the need for credible and quality data towards the preparation of Nigeria’s First Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1) to the UNFCCC.
The Director-General/CEO said Nigeria is on course to meet the December 2024 deadline for submission.
“We need credible and quality data to develop a carbon budget. We need to know the exact GHG emissions level.
“It is critical stakeholders provide data not only for BTR to pass our climate obligations, but we also need to know where are in National Determined Contributions (NDC) implementation and climate actions,” Maduekwe stated.
She urged participants to work closely with the NCCC to achieve its mandate.
Also speaking, climate change expert, Professor Emmanuel Oladipo, called on Nigeria to have information on climate change readily available by having a national system for regenerating climate information.
On his part, Alhaji Umar Saleh Anka, Director, Environment and Climate Change, Kano State Watershed Erosion and Climate Change Management Agency, called for a bottoms-up approach for data procurement to support development planning.
He emphasised the need for a clearly defined relationship between the national and sub-national components to make credible data available.
He stressed that there should be inter-ministerial and inert-departmental synergy at the state and federal levels.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance and Stakeholders Engagement, Ibrahim Abdullahi Shelleng, said the federal government is committed to transparent climate actions.
Shelleng said climate finance has been difficult to access due to unavailable data.
He said this time around the federal government is supporting the NCCC Secretariat and other stakeholders to produce a validated and transparent data.
“This administrations drive has been to show our commitment in driving climate actions.
“Data is vital in your reporting. We are talking of data that is validated and transparent to present to the international community.”
The BTR preparation is an obligation to countries who are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) of which Nigeria is a party to.
The Abuja workshop was attended by Climate Change Focal Persons and Sectoral Data Compilers from the states.
