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Negotiations towards new climate agreement resume in Bonn

Michael Simire
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Negotiations towards new climate agreement resume in Bonn

The final round of formal negotiations before the UN climate convention conference in Lima, Peru takes place next week in the German city of Bonn.

Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC Executive Secretary
Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC Executive Secretary

The ‘October session’, running from 20 to 25 October, will give governments the important opportunity to further develop a cohesive text of a new draft climate agreement. The elements must be clear by the Climate Change Conference to be held in Lima, Peru, in December this year. This clarity will serve as the foundation for the construction of the negotiating text.

During 2015 this draft will form the basis for negotiating a new universal climate agreement set to be inked in Paris, France at the end of the year.

As part of this, governments will work towards getting clarity on what each country will contribute towards the agreement in line with its national circumstances, especially in terms of emission reductions. Governments had previously agreed to keep global temperature increases below 2C.

Countries are set to put forward what they intend to contribute to the 2015 agreement in the form of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) early next year.

The ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of the contributions, in other words the form, not the content, needs to be formally agreed in Lima to ensure that countries can provide this crucial information with confidence early next year.

Next week’s meeting, being held at the headquarters of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will also engage Parties on two special themes.

These are carbon capture, storage and use, and the so called non-CO2 gases like methane and hydroflurocarbons (HFCs) – replacement gases in products like refrigerants that are friendly to the ozone layer but are powerful global warming gases.

The two topics will bring government experts into direct dialogue with experts from United Nations agencies, NGOs and the private sector.

They form part of a series of Technical Experts Meetings (TEMs) that have been held throughout 2014 which have previously covered policies able to raise ambition in fields from renewable energy and energy efficiency to urban and land use issues.

The aim of the TEMs process, part of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP), is to assist nations in their efforts to raise ambition up to 2020 when the new agreement is set to enter into effect. They have done this by fostering on-going engagement of governments, experts and actors in the implementation of government policies and they therefore have the potential to carry the growing momentum for climate action forward in a concrete, action-oriented manner.

The TEMs fall squarely within the growing momentum for climate action as was witnessed at the recently concluded Summit on Climate Change by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

, said: “I welcome Parties to Bonn next week knowing that further progress towards a draft agreement will contribute to making Lima the success it needs to be.”

“2014 has been an extraordinary year of momentum by governments supported by climate action from cities and communities to corporations and the finance sector – our meeting next week will I am sure concretely carry forward that sense of optimism, dynamism and determination as we look forward to COP 20 in Peru in one month’s time,” she added.

The Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP) will hold the sixth part of its second session from 20-25 October 2014 in Bonn, Germany.

Lagos government hospitals demand litres of kerosene from expectant mothers

Michael Simire
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Lagos government hospitals demand litres of kerosene from expectant mothers

A considerable number of Lagosians are facing a range of challenges in the bid to access proper health care services.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (left) inaugurating a health facility
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (left) inaugurating a health facility

A visit to two primary health centres in Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos State reveals that ridiculous demands, lack of medical workers and epileptic power supply are among obstacles militating against effective health delivery in the neighbourhood.

Alimosho is the largest LGA in the state with 30 primary health centres catering for its over two million residents. It accounts for majority of votes during the 2011 general election that resulted in the re-election of Governor Babatunde Fashola. But, alas, the council area can barely boast of standard health care services.

For instance, the Orisunbare Health Care Centre, situated along Ejigbo Road, was established in 2008 and is meant to cater for an estimated 40,000 residents. However, it has only one medical doctor, who is a youth service corp member. The health centre recently started a 24-hour service delivery after a Ward Health Committee was set up. The Ward Health Committee members, who were selected from the community development association in Oguntade/Bameke Ward in Alimosho, were trained by the Lagos State Civil Society Partnership (LASCOP).

According to Miss Chichi Nkire, a member of LASCOP, the Ward Health Committee members, after undergoing training in Simple Management Skills, were tasked with the function of liaising between the health centre and residents in their communities.

“They work towards the smooth running operations of the health centre by mobilising community members to make use of the health centre and also work with community leaders to simplify concept that may seem worrisome to residents. For example, they are still some families that will not bring their children for immunisation and other essential treatments. We hold meetings with the Baales (traditional leaders) to educate them on the need for children to be immunised against killer diseases and all these treatments are free,” she disclosed.

Head of the Ward Health Committee in Orisunbare Health Centre, Alhaja Hafsat Adebisi, said before they were trained the health centre was not rendering antenatal and immunisation services due to the state of the facilities. But, after the training, they learnt how to mobilise resources and, through communal efforts, were able to raise money in wiring and installing ceiling fans.

“Mothers used to feel uncomfortable in bringing their babies because the health centre was always hot and people will be sweating, but we took care of that. We have also partnered with a fuel station in the community to supply fuel that we use in powering the generator donated to the health centre. All these we were able to achieve through communal assistance. Our health centre now operates a 24-hour service but we believe we can do more. We want residents to know that there is a functional health centre in the community and it is for their benefit but if it is not in a good condition nobody will want to come,” she stressed.

The Alabata Primary Health Care Centre situated along Akowonjo Road in Alimosho also operates a 24-hour service. According to the Chief Matron, Mrs Grace Okpadotun, the health facility receives an average of 250 patients daily with some other health care services being accessed in Isheri due to lack of space.

“We have limited space for our operations, but the number of patients that come here daily is overwhelming. But we are managing to attend to them the best way we can,” she disclosed.

Medical Officer for Health in Alimosho, Dr. Kayode Odufunwa, explained that paucity of funds, epileptic power supply and lack of space are among the key challenges facing effective delivery of healthcare services in the council.

“We have some fridges given to us by donor agencies and they are being powered by solar energy. These are used in storing vaccines and other essential drugs that need to be preserved in a cool place. We believe we can do more in ensuring that residents of Alimosho get the best of health care services.

In a chat with some women attending antenatal care, it was discovered that among requirements listed for child delivery is half a gallon of kerosene. When asked the need for it, the women said the hospital uses it in boiling hot water to bathe babies or to prepare tea.

Mr. John Okowehor, whose wife is a patient in the hospital, confirmed the woman’s claims, saying that he was once mandated to bring 10 litres of kerosene when his wife put to bed some years ago.

“It is an old practice and I don’t think they will ever stop it,” he lamented.

Reacting to the kerosene requirement for child delivery services, Okpadotun said that hot water is required for bathing the women after child birth “and we use the kerosene to boil water for them.”

“Is it my money that I will use to buy kerosene for them?” she demanded.

Recently, at a Roundtable with journalists, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said he was not aware that women were asked to donate litres of kerosene as requirements for child delivery services. However, even as we speak, the petroleum product is top on the list of requirements for expecting mothers at the Alabata Primary Health Care Centre in Alimosho.

Residents in the most populated local government area in Lagos are however optimistic that, one day, primary health centres within their community would be functional, properly staffed and well equipped.

By Tina Armstrong-Ogbonna

Hand washing reduces disease contraction by 30 per cent – Expert

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Hand washing reduces disease contraction by 30 per cent – Expert

hand washingThe Director, Public Health and Disease Control, Ebonyi Ministry of Health, Dr Chris Achi, said that regular hand washing reduces risk of contracting infectious diseases by more than 30 per cent.

 

Achi made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abakaliki on the occasion of 2014 World Hand Washing Day.

 

He said the event was to create awareness on importance of regular hand washing to personal and environmental hygiene.

 

According to him, regular hand washing contributed about 30 per cent in reduction of deadly infectious diseases, stressing that human hands usually became the first contact with micro organisms that cause infectious diseases.

 

The director said that regular use of clean running water and antiseptic soaps could reduce the dangers of contracting diseases.

 

“The idea behind observing Oct. 15 every year as World Hand Washing Day is simply to raise global awareness of importance of cleaning our hands regularly.

 

“Our hands perform a lot of activities and constitute the first contact between us, other animate and inanimate objects within the environment.

 

“Often times we use our hands to touch the micro organisms that cause these infectious diseases and thereby contract them.

 

“When we indulge in regular hand washing we will enhance our personal hygiene and cleanliness and thereby reduce the risk of contracting these infectious diseases,’’ Achi said.

 

He advised Nigerians to cultivate the habit of regularly washing their hands before putting anything in their mouth and after using the toilets to stay healthy always.

 

He also called on people to ensure thorough washing of food items such as vegetables and fruits as well as their cooking utensils as a way of ensuring proper maintenance of safe hygiene.

 

He noted that one of the surest ways of staying healthy and keeping away from infectious diseases was observing proper personal and environmental hygiene.

 

“When we observe the basic rules of personal and environmental hygiene, we will stay healthy and free from diseases.

 

“A healthy people are a healthy nation and healthy nation is a wealthy nation,’’ the expert said.

 

He said that the ministry had embarked on sensitisation campaigns especially to the rural communities to educate the people on importance of maintaining simple personal and environmental hygiene.

 

“We have intensified our sensitisation campaigns on sanitary and personal hygiene especially at our rural communities.

 

“The outbreak of the Ebola epidemic in some parts of West Africa including Nigeria and occurrence of other haemorrhagic fever like Lassa fever and Gastroenteritis informed our reinforcement of sensitisation campaigns programme.

 

“When they have more knowledge about these diseases and how to prevent and control them; the more they live healthier and disease-free live,’’ Achi said.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United Nation (UN) through the World Health Organisation (WHO) has on Oct 15, 2008, declared Oct. 15 as World Hand Washing Day annually.

 

The aim is to raise global awareness on importance of regular hand washing and its contributions in ensuring personal hygiene of individuals.

Gov. Aliyu picks PDP form for senatorial contest

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Gov. Aliyu picks PDP form for senatorial contest
Gov. Babangida Aliyu
Gov. Babangida Aliyu

Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger on Wednesday picked an expression of intent form for the Niger East Senatoria District on the PDP platform.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Aliyu’s form was bought by an organisation, Talba Support Movement (TSM), at the party’s state secretariat in Minna.

 

TSM Coordinator, Alhaji Hamisu Jankaro, said Aliyu’s candidacy would continue the struggle of the North.

 

“As he (Aliyu) steps into the senate chambers, the struggle for the emancipation of the north will continue.

 

“He has the experience as a governor and the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum,” he said.

 

Earlier, the PDP zone B caucus held a meeting where it agreed that the senatorial seat should be contested by Minna Emitate where Aliyu came from.

 

Addressing the meeting, Alhaji Mamman Gambo, who is the chairman of the zone, said zoning of political offices had been a long standing practice.

 

“This tradition started way back in 1979 during the National Party of Nigeria period. Principal offices are shared among emirates.

 

“We want this to continue for cohesion and fairness. Today’s meeting is to ratify and put on record these decision for posterity,” he said.

 

Various participants at the meeting agreed on the arrangement and called for selection of credible and people friendly candidates.

Brazil creates new Marine Protected Areas

Michael Simire
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Brazil creates new Marine Protected Areas

The Brazilian Federal Government has announced the creation of over 58,000 hectares of new marine Protected Areas in the northern state of Pará, in the Amazon region.  Decrees published on Monday 13 October by the Presidency of Brazil with the Ministry of Environment established three new marine extractive reserves and expanded an existing marine extractive reserve. The measures will underpin biodiversity conservation in mangroves, coastal shrublands and forests, and other ecosystems.  Extractive reserves aim to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, and protect the livelihoods and way of life of traditional communities.

Dr Roberto Cavalcanti, Secretary for Biodiversity in the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment
Dr Roberto Cavalcanti, Secretary for Biodiversity in the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment

“The northern coast of Brazil has one of the most extensive and well-preserved mangrove systems in the Americas – an essential resource both for the conservation of biodiversity and for the livelihoods of local human communities,” said Dr Roberto Cavalcanti, Secretary for Biodiversity in the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment, from Pyeongchang, South Korea, where the 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the Convention on Biological Diversity is currently taking place.

“Mangroves enable ecosystem stability and integrity where land meets sea, as well as effective conservation of biodiversity by protecting threatened species, and providing breeding and feeding habitats, particularly for species of economic importance.  Worldwide, mangroves are valued for providing both food and income for local communities,” Dr Cavalcanti said.

“These new measures are an important contribution to Brazil’s fulfilment of Target 11 of the Aichi commitments, which requires 10 percent of marine and coastal areas to be conserved by means of protected areas, and which is one of the main agenda items at COP12,” Dr Cavalcanti said.

Three new Protected Areas have been created: the Mocapajuba Marine Extractive Reserve, consisting of 21,000 hectares, located in the São Caetano de Odivelas region; the Mestre Lucindo Marine Extractive Reserve, consisting of 26,400 hectares, in Marapanin; and the Cuinarana Marine Extractive Reserve, consisting of 11,000 hectares, in the Magalhães Barata region.

Created in 2005, the Araí-Peroba Marine Extractive Reserve in Augusto Corrêa has been significantly expanded by the new decree announced on Monday 13 October.  The decree added 50,500 hectares to the total area of the existing reserve, which previously measured around 11,500 hectares.  Predominantly consisting of the coastal marine biome, the reserve is home to traditional peoples who make their living from handcrafts, artisanal fishery and crab-catching.

According to the new decrees, the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) will establish buffer zones for the Protected Areas which will take into account multiple present and future uses.

Ban Ki-moon: Disaster planning must accommodate older people’s limited mobility

Michael Simire
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Ban Ki-moon: Disaster planning must accommodate older people’s limited mobility

United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has said that planning for disaster should take account of the reduced mobility experienced by many older persons. He spoke on Monday in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital city, in commemoration of this year’s International Day for Disaster Reduction, which the UN boss described as an opportunity to recognise the role of older men and women in fostering resilience.

The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Resilience is for life”.

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General
Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General

“We have to enable them to prepare for a potential disaster, reach safety and protect themselves. The needs of older persons should also be taken into account in early warning systems, social protection mechanisms, evacuation and emergency response plans, and public awareness campaigns,” declared Ki-moon, who was represented by Daouda Toure, Resident Coordinator, UN Systems in Nigeria and Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

His words: “As a human family, we are growing older. Globally, approximately 700 million people – 10 per cent of the world’s population – are over the age of 60, and by 2030, there will be more elderly persons than children for the first time in history.

“When a natural disaster hits, older persons suffer disproportionately high levels of death and injuries. This tragic trend must be reversed through plans, services and support that ensure we address the vulnerabilities facing older persons while optimising their contributions to our collective safety and wellbeing.

“At the same time, it is important to recognise that older persons have strengths that can serve the community at large. Their years of experience can help in reducing risks posed by disasters. We should involve them in disaster risk management as well as related planning and decision-making processes. Older persons can also meaningfully enrich our critical global discussions on addressing climate change and achieving sustainable development. On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, let us remind ourselves that building resilience to disasters has no time limit in one’s life; it starts in youth and grows more important as we age.”

Daouda Toure, Resident Coordinator, UN Systems in Nigeria and Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Daouda Toure, Resident Coordinator, UN Systems in Nigeria and Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Toure, in his own presentation, points out: “We are seeing the devastating effect of climate change, and how this causes natural disasters, which have potential to threaten hard won gains in development and potentially reverse progress on the MDGs. Thanks to a range of development gains, such as better health care and access to clean water, for example, over the past several decades, the median age of the world’s population has increased significantly and will continue to do so. Therefore, on the one hand we live in an increasingly disaster-prone world, and, on the other, many of those directly impacted are the ageing.

“Together with children, older people are among the most susceptible and vulnerable social groups when disasters strike. As a group, the elderly are often among the most neglected in disaster relief programmes, even though they are among the most at risk. There are reports that the vulnerability of the elderly is increasing, with the proportion of older people in developing countries set to double to 850 million by 2025.

“There is therefore a need to include older people in disaster risk reduction. Through their experience and knowledge, they have a tremendous contribution to make and a critical role to play in building resilience. We cannot overlook the importance of their personal experiences and also their needs.  While still trying to provide for their needs, we also need to capitalise on their knowledge, mature wisdom and special skills. In many cultures, their words of wisdom are usually like golden resources to communities in which they live.”

Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sani-Sidi, said all hands must be on desk to ensure more awareness is created on the positive attributes of aged people in planning and decision making during disasters.

Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sani-Sidi
Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sani-Sidi

He said it is imperative to include older people in disaster risk reduction and recognise the critical role they can play in resilience–building through their experience and knowledge.

“This year’s campaign seeks to highlight the positive attributes of aged people in planning and decision making for disaster resilience, in making communities safer before, during and after disaster hit their villages, towns and cities,” he noted, even as he lamented that the aged receive very little attention in developing nations.

Sani-Sidi went on: “This may be due to a widespread belief that few older people exist in developing countries or that traditional structures provide support to older people. There is also a mistaken presumption that older people are economically inactive. Ageing issues have a low priority in government business. When they are considered, they are seen as welfare issues, in which older people are regarded as a burden on society and passive recipients of care.

“Lack of public awareness and information about older people’s contributions, circumstances, issues or needs creates negative images of ageing. Although knowledge of older people’s issues is growing, these images and assumptions persist, increasing the invisibility’ and marginal position of older people. In an emergency, where service provision and allocation of resources may be uneven, this invisibility often results in older people being deprived of critical life-saving resources”.

He said it is imperative for agencies to utilise or enhance the capacities and contributions of older people.

“Their long experience, influence on decision-making, and control of economic assets makes older people well placed to take leadership roles in emergencies, encourage conflicts resolution and community justice and foster problem solving, especially if regular leadership structures are disrupted. Older people play roles as care givers and resource managers,” he noted.

The public presentation of the National Disaster Recovery Strategy and Framework (NDSRF). Daouda Toure, Resident Coordinator, UN Systems in Nigeria and Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is on the right
The public presentation of the National Disaster Recovery Strategy and Framework (NDSRF). Daouda Toure, Resident Coordinator, UN Systems in Nigeria and Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is on the right

One of the highlights of the event was the public presentation of the National Disaster Recovery Strategy and Framework (NDSRF), which the UNDP supported NEMA to prepare. It is the only available document that explores strategies by which the country can recover from disasters.

Ouattara, Sall, Neves open African Development Forum in Marrakech

Michael Simire
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Ouattara, Sall, Neves open African Development Forum in Marrakech

President of the Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara; President of Senegal, Macky Sall; as well as the Prime Minister of Cape Verde, José Maria Neves alongside hosts the Executive Secretary of the ECA and the Prime Minister of Morocco officially opened the 9th African Development Forum (ADF) on Tuesday in Marrakech, Morocco. The ADF is organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the leading think tank and policy advisory body for Africa.

Macky Sall, President of Senegal
Macky Sall, President of Senegal

Welcoming the guests, Prime Minister of Morocco, Abdelilah Benkirane, expressed his delight that the ninth African Development Forum was being held in Morocco. Reading a message from the king, His Majesty Mohamed VI, Benkirane added that Africa is emerging as a new pole of global growth.

“For this trend to be consolidated, however, we need to make sure there is an overhaul of African economies, with a clear shift towards technology-intensive, high value added activities. To rise to this challenge the financial aspect is of great importance,” stated.

The ECA Executive Secretary, Dr Lopes, noted a refreshing new mindset and type of leadership, both positive in its thinking and pragmatic in its actions. Greeting his special guests he noted the “new trend in Africa where policy thinkers and policy doers are becoming one.”

“We are witnessing a considerable sea of change in attitudes and mentalities, with leaders that are reformers and practitioners that are dreamers,” he declared.

Prime Minister of Cape Verde, José Maria Neves
Prime Minister of Cape Verde, José Maria Neves

Focusing on the Forum’s themes he acknowledged that African governments had taken an active role in changing the investment landscape, pointing out that this shift is associated with evidence-based policies. Since he has taken the helm of the ECA, he has put an emphasis on proving more concrete and meaningful data to help drive policy advice.

One of the thematics at this year’s Forum is new forms of partnerships, a point reiterated by Prime Minister Neves, saying, “Development aid is not enough so we need to mobilise financial resources to implement our economic policies.”

This was reiterated by President Sall, who said, “Traditional solutions in funding development is no longer relevant to the scope and need of the continent. The aspiration of African people is not only to fight poverty, it is to drive sustainable growth that will create employment and prosperity…What is possible in all other continents is possible in Africa.”

President Ouattara underlined the need for more accountability and transparency in international capital flows. “I am glad to participate in this Forum. Africa is on the road to being the next emerging continent in the world. However, I have some concerns. Too many transactions are taking place outside the taxation system. This has to be addressed,” he stressed.

President of the Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara
President of the Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara

This year, the Forum is focusing on Innovative Financing for Africa’s Transformation. More specifically the forum will look at ways of mobilising domestic capital. A report by the ECA stated that over $200 billion lay in Central Bank reserves much of which can be used to leverage capital to stimulate investment. More is lost to illicit financial flows than is received in Overseas Development Assistance (ODA).

The discussions are driven to help shape and drive policy. Speaking to the organisers, a strong emphasis was put to ensure that conclusions and recommendations from the Forum will help policy makers and government officials work towards a more efficient way to raise funds and identify new channels of funding for infrastructure, health and education, driving social as well as economic growth.

Lateral thinking, smarter controls regarding tax collection and smarter policies to facilitate investment were all being encouraged to unlock capital and also to drive better accountability and transparency.

The ADF is a flagship biennial event of the ECA, and offers a multi-stakeholder platform for debating, discussing and initiating concrete strategies for Africa’s development. The Forum looks to establishing an African-driven development agenda that reflects consensus and leads to specific programmes for implementation.

This year’s theme focuses on: domestic resource mobilisation; illicit financial flows; Private equity; new forms of partnerships; and, issues in climate financing.

WaterAid: Ebola, others are reminders of importance of handwashing

Michael Simire
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WaterAid: Ebola, others are reminders of importance of handwashing

The spiralling Ebola outbreak in West Africa is an important reminder of the crucial role played by good hygiene and handwashing in protecting human health, says international development charity WaterAid on the commemoration of 2014 Global Handwashing Day.

WaterAid Nigeria’s Country Representative, Michael Ojo
WaterAid Nigeria’s Country Representative, Michael Ojo

Handwashing has most recently topped the global agenda particularly due to its role in helping prevent the spread of the Ebola disease. This year’s Global Handwashing Day presents a unique and critical opportunity for strengthening handwashing awareness, habits and infrastructure. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we all understand and spread the word about how important handwashing with soap is as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases.

Good hygiene and handwashing are critical in helping to prevent the transmission of many infectious diseases that are devastating communities across Africa, including Ebola, cholera, diarrhoea, and pneumonia. However, in many parts of the continent, services such as sanitation, adequate water and soap supplies, and knowledge of appropriate hygiene practices are missing.

In Nigeria, 36% of the population are without clean water and 72% lack access to improved sanitation; making washing hands and keeping clean a huge challenge. Whilst information about the crucial importance of handwashing in stopping the spread of the Ebola virus is now being promoted across affected regions, many communities and individuals still do not understand or continue to disregard the link between simple hygiene practices such as handwashing with soap and the huge benefits it offers.

The cholera outbreak that has continued to plague neighbouring Ghana and pocket outbreaks of the disease in Nigeria further serves to highlight the poor levels of water and sanitation services that prevail in many African countries. Such conditions not only aid the spread of disease but make it harder for healthcare services to contain infections from spreading.

Ebola virus
Ebola virus

Speaking on Global Handwashing Day (15 October 2014), Dr. Michael Ojo, Country Representative of WaterAid Nigeria stated: “With half the hospitals in Africa without a suitable supply of clean water; 35 per cent of Africans without clean water and 70 per cent without basic sanitation, tackling and preventing disease outbreaks become a major challenge.

“While thankfully the Ebola outbreak has been contained in Nigeria, the disease has already affected many and continues to remain a critical threat in other countries in the West Africa region and therefore to Nigeria. In addition, an estimated 234,000 people will die this year in our country because of diarrhoea and pneumonia, both of which we can help to tackle through handwashing with soap. While Global Handwashing Day is a great opportunity for us to get the message out that we can help to protect ourselves and our families through regular handwashing with soap, we also have to repeat these messages and ensure that people are acting upon them each and every day if we are to tackle these and other public health emergencies.

“Already, thousands of our precious children continue to die needlessly from entirely preventable diseases that are water-borne or as a result of lack of access to sanitation and poor hygiene practices. Now, we have the added global threat of Ebola. It is not business as usual. The simple act of washing hands with soap at critical moments – such as after using the toilet and before handling food – remains a key cost-effective and life-saving intervention in preventing all of these diseases and deaths.”

The World Bank has stated that handwashing with soap is the single most cost-effective health intervention. The UK Department for International Development has highlighted that its effectiveness compared to cost ranks higher than combating malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

Sunny Neji, 2face Idibia perform at Global Handwashing Day

Michael Simire
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Sunny Neji, 2face Idibia perform at Global Handwashing Day

With the support of Carex Hand Wash Soap and Etisalat, as well as performances by music artists, Sunny Neji and 2face Idibia, the Concern Universal’s Global Handwashing Day campaign is shaping up to be one of the largest and most impactful in the Day’s history.

2face Idibia
2face Idibia

Diseases resulting from poor hygiene are the leading causes of death in children – with diarrhoea alone killing one in five Nigerian infants. As many as 50% of these deaths can be prevented by simply washing hands with soap. In response, each year on 15th October, over 200 million people around the world come together to celebrate Global Handwashing Day and to promote hand washing with soap.

To maximise the Day’s impact in Nigeria, Concern Universal has teamed up with some of the county’s best known musicians and companies to run a month-long campaign that will feature special events and musical performances, text message and media coverage and will empower thousands of children to transform their schools, families, and communities.

Two impressive theme songs by Sunny Neji have 2face Idibia have been written and recorded exclusively for the campaign – and can be accessed on our Facebook and YouTube sites. They will feature on TV and radio before, during and after the Day. There will also be interviews with these famous sons of Cross River and Benue states explaining what inspired them to write and record their own songs about hand washing.

Tim Kellow, Nigeria Country Director, Concern Universal, says: “We want their creative and life-saving messages to reach as many people as possible, so we encourage you to share the links through your contacts and networks (WhatsApp etc). If you would like to use these songs in your own Global Handwashing Day events, or for school activities or hygiene promotion events, please let us know.”

Sunny Neji
Sunny Neji

To reinforce the campaign’s simple and life-saving message and help secure genuine behaviour change, our communication partner Etisalat will send three separate text messages on the importance of handwashing with soap to all of their customers in Nigeria during October – one on 15th October itself, and one a few days either side. Kellow wants recepients to share these text messages with those that they care about or use them as the basis of communication on the Day. Text messages will also be sent that promote the campaign theme songs and offer people the chance to download them as call-back and ring tones.

The campaign will culminate in a week-long celebration that kicks-off on October 15th at an event in Bekwarra LGA, Cross River State, featuring an exclusive performance by Sunny Neji, and ends on October 22nd at an event in Logo LGA, Benue State, featuring 2face Idibia. The celebrations, hosted by campaign sponsor Carex Hand Wash Soap, will spread awareness of handwashing with soap by transforming hundreds of school children into ‘hygiene heroes’ – vehicles of change in their communities.

Each event will feature over 500 children from 25 schools in rural communities that are part of the Rural Sanitation & Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria (RUSHPIN) project that Concern Universal coordinates. The children will be engaged in creative activities and, inspired by the songs written by their heroes, will compete against other schools to perform their own handwashing songs and win Carex prizes.

“This campaign promises to be one of the largest and most creative Global Handwashing Day to date, and has already generated substantial publicity on our Facebook page – Concern Universal Nigeria – which is the best way to receive and share campaign updates throughout your networks,” discloses Kellow.

Experts to brief media, specialists on IPCC report

Michael Simire
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Ahead of the approval of the Summary of Policy-Makers (SPM) and adoption of the Synthesis Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) by month ending, journalists and environmentalists in Nigeria and beyond will be briefed by a panel at a virtual session on Saturday.

Rajendra K. Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Rajendra K. Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

The video press briefing, organised by the Global Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA) and the Earth Journalism Network (EJN) in conjunction with EnviroNews Nigeria/Development Communications Network, will feature a panel including Prof Olukayode Oladipo (renowned climatologist), Kaisa Kosonen of Greenpeace and Alister Doyle of Reuters.

The video session, which will utilise the “GoTo Meeting” conferencing software, will hold by 12 noon Nigerian time on Saturday, October 18, 2014.

During the session, Prof. Oladipo will give insights on the AR5 (the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report), and related reports and their implications to Nigeria and the developing world.

Kosonen is the Greenpeace lead on AR5 and has been to all the three Working Groups. Apart from explaining what the science means (for politics, business and community), she will talk about the science-policy interface in the IPCC process and how governments own these reports.

Doyle is happy to share his experience in covering IPCC, finding stories and angles that work for an outlet like Reuters (and the many others who run Reuters stories), making the science accessible, and selling it to its editors.

The IPCC’s Synthesis Report is the capstone of an assessment report, which distills, synthesises and integrates the findings of the working group contributions into a concise document.

This integrated approach allows the Synthesis Report to draw together the assessment of past changes in climate as well as projections for the future from the three working group reports already released as well as the two Special Reports brought out in 2011.

It covers both adaptation and mitigation to provide an overview of possible risks and solutions. A synthesis approach allows authors to highlight contrasts and make comparisons between findings from different working groups. These comparisons provide critically important information for policymakers.

The process will be rounded up with a formal presentation of the report on November 2 in Copenhagen, Denmark by the Chairman of the IPCC, Rajendra Pachauri. Other panellists at that session will include United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Michel Jarraud, and the Secretary of the IPCC, Renate Christ. Authors that have contributed to the report will be present.

However, the GCCA/EJN video press briefing in Nigeria is intended to prepare journalists and interested practitioners for SPM and Synthesis report release. Persons wishing to participate in the briefing can register at: http://goo.gl/forms/H5KWKPCYU1.

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