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OPS-WASH pledges to lead change in Clean Nigeria Campaign

Michael Simire
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OPS-WASH pledges to lead change in Clean Nigeria Campaign

The Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH) has reaffirmed its commitment to lead change in Nigeria’s water, sanitation, and hygiene sector.

Nicholas Igwe
Dr. Nicholas Igwe

The pledge was made in a statement by its National Coordinator, Dr Nicholas Igwe, on Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Abuja.

Vice President Kashim Shettima re-inaugurated the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign Steering Committee to strategise for a transformative initiative to eradicate open defecation in Nigeria by 2025.

The campaign aims to engage all stakeholders in tackling open defecation, with Nigeria currently ranking as the second-largest country in the world for this practice, next to India.

Igwe expressed the team’s enthusiasm to continue their leadership role, noting the need for efficient and accelerated changes, especially in light of recent cholera outbreaks in the country.

He stated that the re-inauguration marked a critical and opportune moment for the sector.

Igwe said that OPS-WASH, representing the private sector, was built on three core pillars: Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy, Financial Innovations, and Data and Technology.

These pillars, he said, were essential for expanding private sector participation in WASH initiatives.

“The organisation is confident that the Vice President will build on the foundation laid by his predecessor, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who was instrumental in promoting the FMDQ group and OPS-WASH led Tax Credits Scheme and Blue Bonds Framework.

“This renewed commitment also aims to strengthen partnerships with key players such as the Senior Special Assistants to the Presidency (SSAPs) on Community Engagement across the six geo-political zones.

“Also is the Association of Professional Women Engineers (APWEN), these collaborations are crucial for driving healthy communities, which are essential for economic growth.”

Igwe said OPS-WASH would work closely with other stakeholders on the committee, including the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Water Resources.

Others are the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, and several federal ministers and agency heads, geared towards achieving significant advancements in Nigeria’s WASH sector.

By Tosin Kolade

Experts want fisheries captured under Blue Economy

Michael Simire
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Experts want fisheries captured under Blue Economy

Fisheries and maritime experts have called for the review of relevant laws to place fisheries under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Adegboyega Oyetola
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola

They made the call at the 1st Annual Conference of the Alumni Association of Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT) on Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Lagos.

The event had the theme: “Unlocking the Potential of Blue Economy”.

A fisheries expert and Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Deep Maritime Services Ltd., Mrs Rollens Macfoy, observed that the placement of fisheries institutions under the Ministry of Agriculture limits the development of the sector.

Macfoy, in her paper titled: “Aligning Fisheries and Marine Technology with Nigeria’s Blue Economy Agenda: Sustainability Policy Framework and The Importance of the Alumni of the FCFMT”, stressed the need for grants, flexible loans, tax holidays, among other incentives, to position fishing for economic boom.

According to her, youth employment and gross domestic product (GDP) are definite gains that the nation would benefit by giving adequate attention to the sector.

“The school of fisheries should be under the Blue Economy and not Agriculture. We need to correct this and position the institution and the industry right.

“Fisheries, fishing practice, seabed management, regulation, industrial fishing and processing, value addition, among other aspects will provide job opportunities for Nigeria’s teeming youth and stimulate economic growth in the nation,” she said.

Also speaking, another expert and a former Director -General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Barr. Temisan Omatseye, said that the institution and other aspects of fishing should be moved to the Blue Economy Ministry.

Omatseye, however, expressed the optimism that the government would act on that soon.

He noted that although barges and tugboats were being built in Nigeria, more attention should be paid to fishing vessels as part of efforts to grow fishing business.

“There is also the issue of security that has to be addressed as ship captains are usually attacked by sea robbers to steal funds given to them by trawler owners as well as the fishes,” he said.

In her speech, the Deputy Provost, FCFMT, Adewole Aderonke, said that the Institution needed to have better collaboration with industry players and operators so that its activities would be better tailored towards solving industry needs.

“The college is driven by research, and we are doing our research based on the needs of the industry.

“However, I believe that we would serve Nigeria better for moving to Marine and Blue Economy, especially if it will enable us network better with key stakeholders and address the issue of funding,” the Deputy Provost said.

In his welcome address, the President of the Alumni Association of FCFMT, Capt. William Ogunsakin, expressed satisfaction with the high turnout of maritime industry stakeholders at the conference.

“We recognise the critical role that the blue economy plays in Nigeria’s economic growth, food security, and environmental sustainability.

“We also acknowledge the significant contributions that our alma mater, Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, has made to the development of the maritime sector in Nigeria.

“As alumni, we have a unique responsibility to leverage our expertise, experience, and networks to sensitise the students and the general public for the purpose of integration and collaboration with stakeholders in the industry and relevant regulatory body in order to professionally unlock the potential of the blue economy,” Ogunsakin said.

The Director General, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the Ministry of Blue Economy was committed to ensuring ocean resources were utilised economically.

Mobereola, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Marine and Labour Services, NIMASA, Mr Yusuf Barde, said blue economy ministry aimed at improving people’s livelihood while protecting marine eco -system and coastal communities.

He acknowledged that the ocean resources were limited and threatened by unsustainable activities.

Maritime experts such as Barr. Gloria Kanabe, Mrs Tosan Edodo-Emore, as well as master mariners and students of Fisheries and Oceanography were present at the programme.

By Aisha Cole

Flood alert: FCT emergency department advises residents living by riverbanks to relocate

Michael Simire
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Flood alert: FCT emergency department advises residents living by riverbanks to relocate

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has advised residents of FCT living by riverbanks and waterways to relocate to higher grounds to avoid loss of lives and property in the advent of flood.

Mrs Florence Wenegieme
Mrs Florence Wenegieme, the acting Director-General of the FEMD

The acting Director-General of the department, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, gave the advice in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, July 7, 2024.

The advice followed the confirmation by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on the country’s fast-rising water levels across rivers and lagoons.

Wenegieme said that NIWA particularly advised boat operators and passengers to take note of the rising tides and ensure strict adherence to safety regulations on the inland waterways and compulsory use of life jackets always.

The acting D-G further warned of a likelihood of heavy rainfall that might lead to flooding through some states across the country from July 6 to July 10, 2024, and urged residents to take precaution.

She said that the flood prediction by the National Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) Centre, Federal Ministry of Environment, shows that the states neighbouring the Federal Capital Territory were among the likely states to be affected.

She said that the prediction specifically showed that Zaria, Jaji and Saminaka in Kaduna State; Ado in Nasarawa and Ibaji in Kogi State might experience heavy rainfall that could lead to flood within the period.

Following the flood prediction, Wenegieme said that FCT might experience river flooding from its surrounding states – Kogi, Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa.

She urged resident to heed to FEMD early warning and take proactive steps to avoid being caught up by the likely flood.

Wenegieme also advised motorists against driving through flooding water during rainfall.

She, therefore, urged residents to call the department’s 112 emergency toll-free number in the advent of emergency.

By Philip Yatai

World Bank, REA delegation inspects work on 12 megawatts solar project in Borno

Michael Simire
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World Bank, REA delegation inspects work on 12 megawatts solar project in Borno

The World Bank Practice Manager for West Africa, Mr Ashish Khanna, has commended the level of work on the 12 megawatts University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) solar power project.

World Bank and REA
The World Bank and REA delegation being briefed at the solar power plant site in University of Maiduguri

Also satisfied with the level of work on the project, expected to be completed in September 2024, is the Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mr Abba Abubakar.

The project, funded through the World Bank, is part of the second phase of Federal Government Energising Education Programme (EEP).

Khanna and Abubakar, who are leading a high-level delegation from World Bank and REA to assess the project in UNIMAID, said when completed, the project, the biggest of its kind in any institution in Nigeria, would cater for the energy needs of the university community and its Teaching Hospital.

Khanna, who said that this was his first visit to any state outside Abuja, noted that the project also provided an opportunity for 100 students of UNIMAID, including 20 female students who are interested in solar education, to get training.

He added that “it is wonderful to see the project now due to be delivered in September. I am impressed with what I saw.”

He emphasised the project’s role in skill-building, job creation and fostering innovation among students, especially female Science, Technolgy, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students.

On his part, Abubakar said the project would have been completed earlier, if not for the delay caused by security and movement of necessary equipment from Lagos to Maiduguri.

He said: “What needs to be done now is the completion of distribution line that will take electricity from the site in the university to the teaching hospital.

“This particular project under phase two is the biggest of all the projects we are doing, 12 megawatts is really a big project.”

Mr Olufemi Akinyelure, the Head of Nigeria Electrification Project, said the project aims to create sustainable future for Nigeria’s education institutions.

“The EEP Phase two underscores our dedication to leveraging renewable energy solutions to drive academic excellence and gender inclusion in STEM fields.”

He tasked benefiting institutions to prepare for ownership and ensure maintenance for sustainability and maximum benefit.

According to him, there is a comprehensive sustainability plan that needs the collaboration of benefitting institutions.

The Representative of the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Aliyu Yahaya, thanked the Federal Government and other stakeholders for the project, which he described as “very vital.”

He said that the project would not only address the institution’s power needs but create opportunities for training and revenue generation in selling excess electricity to organisations in need.

While in Maiduguri, the team paid a courtesy visit to the acting Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, who lauded the initiative and assured the administration’s support.

By Yakubu Uba

Recurrent cholera outbreaks indicative of govt failure in prioritising access to water – CFSF

Michael Simire
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Recurrent cholera outbreaks indicative of govt failure in prioritising access to water – CFSF

The Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF) has berated the Federal and State Governments for the recurrent cholera outbreaks in the country, insisting that the current incident has exposed the lip service that all levels of government pay to water and sanitation issues.

Comrade Sani Baba
CFSF Executive Director, Comrade Sani Baba

CFSF position is coming on the heels of the flooding incidents predicted by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) which it said could worsen and prolong the current cholera outbreak which has killed about 65 people across the country.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the CFSF said that the deaths recorded thus far due to the current outbreak are disturbing and unfortunate even as it warned that more outbreaks would occur unless the government took the issue of sustainable investment in the water sector and sanitation seriously.

CFSF Executive Director, Comrade Sani Baba, said: “Even with the humongous sums that the federal and state governments budget for provision of water every year it has become embarrassing that Nigeria is still listed among countries with cholera outbreaks and deaths.”

Comrade Baba said that the floods predicted by NiMet may further breach and contaminate water sources and expose citizens to cholera and other vectors that would undermine their health.

“The situation looks gloomy. The timing of the floods which coincides with the cholera outbreak is a recipe for more infections and deaths except government at all levels take urgent and proactive steps beyond ongoing sensitization efforts.”

“The provision of water must also go beyond the urban areas to remote localities where locals depend on unwholesome sources for their domestic and other uses.”

He said that Nigerians must intensify efforts at x-raying and scrutinising budgetary allocations to the water sector to be able to hold public officials to account and ensure sustainable funding within the public sector.

“CFSF will continue working with other civil society and labour groups to expose and challenge impediments to access and affordability, both of which have forced Nigerians to patronise unwholesome water,” he maintained.

NESREA shuts down 46 facilities for environmental violations

Michael Simire
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NESREA shuts down 46 facilities for environmental violations

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has closed 46 facilities across 10 states in Nigeria due to various violations of the National Environmental Regulations (NERs).

NESREA
Officials of NESREA during the shutdown operation

This was contained in a circular signed on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Abuja by Mrs. Amaka Ejiofor, the agency’s assistant director of press.

These breaches, according to her, which were committed in the states of Borno, Gombe, Ogun, Enugu, Edo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Taraba, include infractions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act and the facilities’ incapacity to create and carry out an Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

Other grounds given by the spokesperson for carrying out the exercise were a lack of an effluent treatment plant, the inability to obtain the appropriate permits for their operations, bad housekeeping, and failure to submit a thorough Environmental Audit Report (EAR), among others.

She went on to express the displeasure of the director general of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor, over the non-compliance status of many facilities, warning that the trend was detrimental to both the environment and the health of the public.

“It is disheartening that these errant facilities carried on their operations in a manner that endangered the environment despite Notices of Compliance Concerns served on them as required by law,” Dr. Barikor lamented.

As a result, the director general pledged that the regulatory body would continue to implement the requirements of the 35 NERs and would not fail to impose suitable penalties on violators because the laws were enacted to ensure the effective management of human activities and society’s growth.

“I encourage Nigerians to be true environmental vanguards by obeying the laws and reporting any environmental violations,” he said.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

Fidelity leads other banks to publish Sustainability, Climate Report

Michael Simire
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Fidelity leads other banks to publish Sustainability, Climate Report

Fidelity Bank Plc has emerged the first bank to publish its 2023 ISSB-Compliant Sustainability and Climate Report in the Nigerian banking industry.

Fidelity Bank
Fidelity Bank branch office

Hosted on the bank’s website on June 30, the report provides insights into the Bank’s Governance, Strategy, Risk Management and Metrics.

It also provides targets around Sustainability and Climate-related risks and opportunities, human capital, community efforts, amongst others in the 2023 financial year.

Mr Mustapha Chike-Obi, Chairman, Board of Directors, Fidelity Bank, in the report, said that 2023 marked a pivotal point in the Bank’s sustainability journey.

Chike-Obi stated that the Bank, in the year under review, became a signatory of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP).

He explained that these associations go beyond mere statements of membership, adding that they actively integrated sustainability and climate-related goals into the bank’s core business strategy and daily operations.

According to him, the document, which is prepared in accordance with the requirements of IFRS S1 and S2, highlights the bank’s achievements and aspirations as pacesetters within the financial services sector.

“We believe innovation and transparency are essential for building trust in our strategies and achievements.

“As we progress towards sustainability, we remain committed to our diverse stakeholders including our dedicated workforce, esteemed shareholders and valued customers,” Chike-Obi said.

Speaking on the bank’s strategy on Sustainability and Climate Change, Mr Kevin Ugwuoke, Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, said that the report detailed the bank’s commitment to continually situate ESG.

Ugwuoke mentioned that the bank was also committed to climate-related risks and opportunities’ considerations at the core of its business operations and activities.

He said: “This is as we constantly explore means of meeting our corporate objectives in a manner that significantly reduces the negative environmental and social effects.

“We are glad to be the first bank to publish its report as this emphasises our market leadership in the sustainability space and we commit to do more to increase our positive impacts in all aspects of sustainability.”

Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged commercial bank with over 8.3 million customers serviced across its 251 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom as well as on digital banking channels.

The bank was recently listed amongst the top Nigerian banks in ESG performance, according to a survey commissioned by the Independent Project Monitoring Company (IPMC) Ltd.

By Rukayat Adeyemi

Organisation plants 1,000 trees to combat climate change in Yobe

Michael Simire
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Organisation plants 1,000 trees to combat climate change in Yobe

Save the Children International (SCI) on Friday, July 5, 2024, inaugurated a 1,000-tree planting campaign across 10 schools in Yobe State.

Tree planting
Tree planting by Save the Children International (SCI) in Yobe

The Field Manager of SCI, Yobe, Mr Mark Umaru, said that the initiative, which would be executed in three local government areas of Potiskum, Fika, and Fune aimed at combating climate change and reviving livelihood activities in the state.

Umaru said: “There is the need for collective action to address climate change, which poses a significant threat to the world, Nigeria, and Yobe State.

“The negative impacts of climate change include displacement, crisis and loss of livelihood.

“This initiative, which includes planting of economic trees like mango, cashew and guava, aims at contributing to reviving livelihood activities.”

According to him, the trees will serve as windbreakers to mitigate the impact of strong winds and reduce damage to infrastructure.

Umaru noted that to ensure the growth and survival of the trees, SCI had trained School-Based Management Committee members and community volunteers on proper tree management.

He said that it had also established a regular inspection and monitoring mechanism.

The field manager appreciated the support of the Yobe government on the programme, while calling on all stakeholders, development partners, and the state government to continue promoting interventions to mitigate the impact of climate change.

The Headmistress of Mamudo Primary School, Hajiya Hajara Madaki, commended SCI for the gesture, and called on other development partners to emulate the same gesture.

The Chairman, School-Based Management Committee, Malam Ya’u Mamudo, assured that the committee would ensure the growth and survival of the trees.

By Ahmed Abba

Nigeria can still meet some SDG goals using targeted approaches – NESG

Michael Simire
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Nigeria can still meet some SDG goals using targeted approaches – NESG

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr Tayo Aduloju, says with targeted approaches, Nigeria can still meet some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators.

SDGs
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Aduloju said this on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Abuja, at a news conference to announce the Policy Innovation Center’s (PIC) annual Gender and Inclusion Summit.

According to him, though Nigeria is not on course to meet the SDGs target set for 2030, there are few indicators it can reach because as there are 17 SDGs with 169 targets and indicators.

“I would say right now we are not on course to reach anyone, but we can still achieve some milestone going forward.

“For example, we can turn around birth registration in 12 months; there are a few other indicators that I think Nigeria can reach.

“We have recommended a mother and child compact between the Federal Government and the Minister of Health and Social Welfare seems willing to push it.

“This is because we think that if we met those ones, some of the SDGs will be met automatically,” he added.

According to Aduloju, there is a parallel relationship between multi-dimensional poverty and gender inequality, with countries performing poorly on the Global Gender Report also exhibiting high severe multi-dimensional poverty.

He said that multi-dimensional poverty encompasses deprivations in health, education and living standards.

“The World Bank points out significant gender disparities in labour participation in Nigeria, with about 65.5 per cent of men participating compared to around 52.1 per cent of women.

“The National Bureau of Statistics indicates that about two-thirds of Nigerians are multi-dimensionally poor, lacking income and basic amenities like healthcare, education, and clean cooking fuels,” he said.

He added that conflict, climate change, inflation, and increasing food prices were among the pathways contributing to the rise in high food insecurity and malnutrition rates.

He, however, said that the solution remains a collective effort by all stakeholders to tackle the issues as it could no longer be achieved by government alone.

On her part, the Executive Director, PIC, Mrs Osasuyi Dirisu, said that Nigeria was facing unprecedented times owing to a weak and non-inclusive economy, volatile macro-economic environment, security challenges and weak economic competitiveness.

She, however, said that addressing poverty in Nigeria could not be business as usual.

“Ending poverty and reducing inequality are part of the SDGs and a wide range of approaches have been identified to reduce poverty and inequities.

“To design effective poverty reduction programs, it is important to understand pathways to poverty, evidence-based approaches that work and linkages to multi-sectorial inequities.

“We need to identify what works for poverty reduction in Nigeria and sustain the commitment to poverty reduction by intentionally designing and implementing contextually relevant solutions driven by a policy enabling environment,” Dirisu said.

Speaking about the summit, she said that it would hold from Sept. 4 to Sept. 5 with “Reimagining Gender-Inclusive Pathways and Partnerships for Poverty Reduction” as theme.

She said that the summit was expected to explore the impacts of multi-dimensional deprivations on health, education, livelihood, and living standards.

Conceptualised in 2022, the summit is an annual event to provide an inclusive platform to explore transformative ways to advance gender equity, inclusion and gender-responsive governance in Africa.

The 2024 summit is expected to leverage the collective power of government, development partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships for inclusive development.

The PIC, an initiative of NESG is an institutionalised behavioural initiative in Africa supporting the delivery of better policies and innovative solutions for social impact.

By Folasade Akpan

Coordinated subnational climate action: Key to Nigeria’s sustainable development – SPP

Michael Simire
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Coordinated subnational climate action: Key to Nigeria’s sustainable development – SPP

The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), a civil society organisation (CSO) led by foremost Professor of Environment and Governance, Chukwumerije Okereke, has said that Nigeria can leverage on coordinated climate action at the subnational level to achieve sustainable development.

Nnaemeka Oruh
Nnaemeka Oruh, Senior Policy Analyst, SPP

This assertion was made by Nnaemeka Oruh, Senior Policy Analyst, SPP, during an interview at the Democracy Radio, Abuja, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

While clarifying that the impacts of climate change are mostly felt at the State and Local Government levels, Mr. Oruh bemoaned the fact that not so much is being done at the subnational level to address the long-standing climate change issues which range from desertification and land degradation to flooding and erosion in the north, and in the south respectively.

He stated that, in order to fully grasp the extent of climate change impacts and the resultant actions being taken at the subnational level to address them, the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) embarked upon a research in close collaboration with the Department of Climate Change (DCC) of the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) in 2023 to produce a first-of-its-kind survey of subnational climate impacts entitled “Climate Impacts, Policies, and Actions at the Subnational Level in Nigeria” which was launched in November by the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, in the company of the Director General of the Nigeria Governors Forum, and other stakeholders.

Mr Oruh said: “To further measure the extent of climate action and governance at the subnational, SPP, in collaboration with the DCC, has just concluded a ranking survey scheduled for launch in Abuja on July 25, 2024.”

According to him, the ranking survey graded all the 36 states’ climate action performances using five criteria: administrative institutions; policy and action plan; budget and finance; implementation, monitoring, and evaluation; and online visibility.

He said the ranking survey, set to be launched, is aimed at gauging the extent of states’ performances in order to identify where gaps exist so that stakeholders can then take action in closing them. He attributed a success story from the mapping exercise done last year as instrumental to the current effort to help Enugu and Taraba states develop comprehensive climate change action plans.

While regretting that climate action is not given the level of importance and urgency it deserves by the government and people of Nigeria, Oruh said that ironically, by advancing climate action, Nigeria can actually address most of her developmental and everyday needs.

Oruh highlighted few recommendations for Nigeria to take climate action and consequently tackle some of her developmental and everyday needs: increase existing level of investments in renewable energy to address the perennial energy crisis in the country; provide clean cooking options for rural women to save them from health implications of unclean cooking; leverage on climate-smart agricultural practices to address food insecurity; provide jobs; and address the insecurity that comes from fighting over scarce arable lands, among others.

“Nigeria’s subnational comprising of 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, together with its 774 Local Government Areas suffer from a disconnect between federal policies and subnational implementation,” he emphasised.

In closing, the Climate Change Policy Analyst said: “SPP believes that there is need for proper coordination between the federal and the subnational with subnational climate actions linking with the global and federal, but also reflecting the unique needs of each component of the subnational. This coordinated action is the only way Nigeria can meet her climate change goals and also leverage on the process to engender sustainable development.”

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