The Women Miners in Nigeria (WMIN) has called for strict compliance to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as mandated by law for mining companies before they begin operations.
National President of the Women Miners in Nigeria (WMIN), Mrs. Janet Adeyemi
National President of the association, Mrs. Janet Adeyemi, made the call in an interview on Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Abuja.
“Before any mining activity begins, companies should be made to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as mandated by law.
“This will help in addressing environmental pollution in mining communities across states in Nigeria,” Adeyemi said.
She affirmed that though the laws governing the mining sector were extensive, different regions, however, had their unique challenges, particularly in complying with EIA regulations, especially with illegal miners.
“Enforcement is a major problem, especially with illegal miners. Many illegal operators work without any form of coordination.
“The only solution is to continue enforcing regulations and educating people on the devastating effects of illegal mining on the ecosystem.
“The government must ensure strict enforcement and impose heavy sanctions on those caught violating the laws,” she said.
Adeyemi added that companies should also provide an Environmental Sustainability Governance (ESG) report, which covers broader sustainability factors alongside the EIA report.
According to her, to strengthen environmental protection, Nigeria should adopt a framework similar to America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) to enhance the resilience and safety of its water systems against pollution caused by mining activities.
“We should adopt AWIA certification in Nigeria to promote responsible mining. It is essential because the consequences of mining can be devastating,” Adeyemi stressed.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has urged the new Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) management to activate “Petroleum Products Passport” to secure petroleum products.
Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, PETROAN’s National President
Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, National President of PETROAN, made the call on Sunday, April 6, 2025, in an interview in Abuja, while reacting to the new development in the sector.
The Petroleum Products Passport refers to the document containing detailed and crucial information about the origin, quality and specification of a petroleum product being traded.
PETROAN urged the NNPC Ltd. to adopt activation of the petroleum products passport platform to ensure that every product lifted by petroleum tankers was utilised and accounted for.
Gillis-Harry, while listing some critical areas for the new NNPC Ltd. management, said it should focus on activation of that platform which was being used by some marketers but not nationally used.
“We are looking forward to ensuring that the petroleum products passport platform is activated for national use to ensure safety of tankers.
“The key benefits of this technology include protection of petroleum tankers and products being lifted from depot to fuel stations.
“It ensures that products are secured, safe and received at their destinations without being hijacked or smuggled,’’ Gillis-Harry said.
He further urged the new NNPC Ltd. management to think out of the box and produce an extra one million barrel of crude oil per day for domestic refining and guarantee feed-stock to local refineries.
On the transparency and communication system of the NNPC Ltd., Gillis-Harry described it as a public company owned by all Nigerians, emphasising on the need for Nigerians to know its proceedings to build trust and courage.
“The industry already has what is called the Petroleum Industry Stakeholders’ Forum; that forum has the role to shape the industry, and should be sustained.
“All the refineries under the NNPC Ltd. should be looked into quickly for efficient repair to boost oil production.
“There should be a consultation forum with retail outlet owners to ensure that prices are not arbitrarily fixed,’’ he said.
Gillis-Harry, while congratulating the new leadership, described the new GCEO and board Chairman as seasoned professionals and a square peg in a square hole.
President Bola Tinubu had on April 2 announced the appointment of Mr. Bayo Ojulari as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd. and Ahmadu Kida as non-executive Chairman.
The Tinubu administration targets raising oil production to two million barrels daily by 2027 and three million daily by 2030.
Concurrently, the government wants gas production jacked to 8 billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 10 billion cubic feet by 2030.
Furthermore, President Tinubu expects the new board to elevate NNPC’s share of crude oil refining output to 200,000 barrels by 2027 and reach 500,000 by 2030.
Contrary to the conventional idea of photo exhibitions in fancy Galleria and Museums, Nigerian photographer and environmentalist Mayowa Adebote’s recent solo photo exhibition, The Current, turned the spotlight on climate adaptation in Akodo-Ise, a coastal community in Lagos State.
Mayowa Adebote, Creative Lead at Climagraphy, standing by some of his works in Akodo-Ise community, Lagos. Photo credit: Nifemi Fayefunmi
The two-day exhibition on April 4 and 5, 2025, featured breathtaking images that defined the impact of climate change in ways that words wouldn’t. The pictures were displayed in the corridor and rooms of what was once the palace of the community’s traditional ruler – the Baálè. Now, the palace stands as a roofless crumbling carcass: half of it already lost to the current of the Atlantic Ocean.
At some point, the waves of the sea silenced the conversation during the exhibition, allowing people to soak in each pixel, from striking drone shots of buildings nearly submerged by water in a riverine community, to intimate close-ups capturing the expressions and stories of those grappling with loss.
The unpleasantness of exhuming graves and relocating what was left from being swallowed by the sea to honour their loved ones even in death; the pain of going fishing and returning with nearly nothing; the anguish of seeing one’s ancestral home gradually swallowed by an unrelenting water body; and the uncertainty of tomorrow. Each photograph carried with it mixed tales of pain, resilience, and a fading heritage.
It was almost magical to witness nearly 200 people travel hundreds of miles to this remote, often overlooked community — from young and curious University student groups, the researchers hope to find answers or inspiration, down to elders who had heard but never seen first-hand this way in which climate change impacts the world around them.
From engaging panel sessions to paint-and-sip activities, photography workshops, quiz games, music, dance, and deep reflections about the photos exhibited, the event was a rich blend of education, entertainment, and activism. It became a total experience – one that combined memory-making with meaningful contributions to a pressing cause and even sparked hopes for the community members.
Being Mayowa’s first solo exhibition, The Current will remain a deeply memorable moment for me and many others. It has birthed ideas and initiatives that can catalyse more youth involvement in the climate space. I hope that this will inspire many more young people across the world to explore more creative means to take climate action.
Despite having 25 rivers and regular flooding, Mozambique remains among the eight countries worldwide with the worst drinking water supply systems, according to the World Water Council.
Mozambique struggles with water access
Less than 50% of Mozambique’s 31 million inhabitants have access to safe drinking water, forcing many residents to travel long distances or use contaminated sources.
“We wash our clothes and drink the same water because of poverty,” said an elderly woman identified only as Fatima in Govuro district.
“The water transmits diseases, but what can you do when you’re thirsty?”
In Maputo’s densely populated Polana Canico neighbourhood, residents go up to three days without running water.
“We don’t have water in our homes. All the people in the region are here looking for water. We are suffering,” said Susana Armando, who wakes up early searching for water from any available source.
Some city residents resort to collecting water from drainage ditches along major roadways, despite obvious health risks.
Agostinho Vilanculos, head of River Basin Management at the National Directorate of Water Resources, cited unlicensed water providers and significant water loss during distribution as major challenges.
“A significant portion of the water that is treated and pumped for human consumption is lost for various reasons, leading to high costs,” Vilanculos said.
Mozambique recently joined an African Union climate initiative spanning 15 countries.
The project allocated $399,843 to help Mozambique prepare investment programs for water infrastructure.
“This project is going to support countries to prepare climate water resilient investment programmes,” said Jose Alvaro Malanco, National Technical Coordinator.
“It can be strengthening agriculture or building water infrastructure like small dams so that water can benefit the community.”
Over the decades, China has used its pandas as a tool for diplomatic relations, gifting or loaning them to countries as a gesture of friendship.
The giant panda
This practice is largely known as panda diplomacy.
During a visit to the Dujiangyan base of China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), journalists participating in China’s media exchange programme witnessed China’s commitment to preserving its national treasure, pandas.
Located at Qing Cheng town, the Dujiangyan base is not just a sanctuary able to support 40 giant pandas, but also a research facility that plays a crucial role in China’s conservation efforts.
The base is composed of functional zones of disease prevention and research, rescue and quarantine, rehabilitation training, public education, administrative office and the natural landscape area.
To the Chinese, the panda represents peace and is a cultural treasure that reflects the delicate balance between nature and human civilisation.
With about 230 million RMB ($4,127,000) invested in conservation efforts, the Dujiangyan base has led the way in captive breeding, rewilding efforts and advanced research into panda behaviour and genetics.
According to Mr. Jiang Weiwei, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Dujiangyan Municipal Committee, the city boasts of 30 million annual average number of visitors and 40 billion yuan (over $5 billion) from tourism.
He said that Dujiangyan was consistently ranked among China’s top 100 counties in tourism comprehensive strength with giant panda bases being part of its world-class tourist destinations.
Wei Rongping, Deputy Director, China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, spoke about the enormous responsibility that comes with preserving the creatures.
He said that the base was built to balance development and protection of the environment as well as the distinct species.
“Protecting them in our bases is one of the biggest challenges we face because they are used to living on high lands.
“We had to get information about how they used to live and then take care of them accordingly to give them the best chance at survival,” he explained.
According to Wei, Sichuan Province houses about 1,040 wild and 500 captive pandas with over 50 per cent in Dujiangyan base.
He said that while protecting pandas in the base, the locals were put into consideration.
Asides protecting pandas, the centre is also empowering locals, he added.
Wei said that over 120 jobs had been created in the Dujiangyan base, offering locals sources of livelihood.
“From gardeners and interpreters, to researchers, we continue to help the villagers to improve their incomes and lives.”
According to a tour guide, as early as five years, giant pandas can start reproducing and the average years of a wild panda is 20.
“At the moment, the oldest panda, Paiyun, is 34 years old,” she noted.
The Dujiangyan base is the first giant panda disease prevention and control institution in the world.
It is an open platform for scientific cooperation.
As the main platform for the international and domestic scientific cooperation and exchanges of CCRCGP, it is also the point of departure for giant pandas travelling abroad.
Before I wrote this article, I searched “Who does society trust the most”. I also searched for the most trusted scientists and teachers. In both cases, the results show that doctors, scientists, and teachers are the most trusted by society. This is not a recent phenomenon; surveys from as far back as 2019 show the same trend.
Participants at the Future of Science Communication Forum, hosted by the Alliance for Science Global Consortium in Nairobi, Kenya
From the Ipsos Trustworthiness Index survey to the Pew Research Centre International Science Survey, the findings are consistent.
I also searched “mis and disinformation on the rise”. Your guess is as good as mine. Reports from the OECD, Pew Research Centre, UNDP, and Stanford University, among other leading global institutions, paint a grim picture, and the consequences of misinformation and disinformation are far-reaching in public policymaking.
Speakers at the Future of Science Communication Forum organised by the Alliance for Science Global Consortium echoed these outlooks. As one of the speakers noted, “Misinformation is making it very difficult for good innovation to have an impact on the ground as those who are supposed to use and benefit don’t know what to believe.”
The findings by these global institutions note that today’s digital and interconnected world is aiding the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation, a critical threat hampering our ability to improve public health and address issues such as climate change.
The forum was a moment to reflect and a call on all scientists to leverage the trust society has in them to counter mis and disinformation and ensure people and policymakers have the right information that they need to make decisions for society’s wellbeing.
As noted by Dr Sheila Obim, the Alliance for Science Executive Director, countering misinformation and disinformation is not about fighting information with information, it will have to be strategic communication that can have an impact on a wide scale.
Mastering the art of science communication is crucial, and current initiatives by AfS and other actors need to be accelerated, perhaps at the same pace as that of the spread of misinformation.
Scientists are being challenged to improve their communication skills. The biggest hurdle – trust – is already overcome. Society is relying on scientists to get critical life-saving information. Scientists must stretch beyond the comfort of laboratories to challenging information domains, ensuring people and policymakers are equipped with reliable, trustworthy, and verifiable information for decision-making.
Initiatives like TED Talks, specialised training for scientists in science communication, and the establishment of Centres of Excellence in Science Communication by the Alliance for Science are playing a crucial role in bridging the information gap and combating the rise of mis and disinformation.
These platforms equip scientists with the skills to convey complex ideas in accessible ways, engage with the public, and foster trust in scientific findings.
Making science more relatable and transparent ensures that accurate, evidence-based information reaches wider audiences, empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions in an era of increasing misinformation.
Equally important is the collaboration between these Centres of Excellence, scientists, academic institutions, and policymakers in strengthening the reliability of public discourse. By working together, these stakeholders create a network that ensures trustworthy, evidence-based information informs decision-making at all levels.
This collaborative approach helps communities better navigate challenges—whether addressing climate change, public health crises, or technological advancements—by equipping them with the knowledge they need to respond effectively.
When scientific integrity is upheld through clear communication and strategic partnerships, society becomes more resilient and capable of making informed, forward-thinking choices.
By Irina Wandera, the policy manager at EmergingAg
Officials of the Ogun State Government and community leaders have hailed Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) and NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) for their partnership in the reconstruction of a key community road that was commissioned on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Ado-Odo Otta Local Government Area.
A cross section of dignitaries during the inauguration of the 4.5km Ilogbo road by Shell Nigeria Gas on Thursday
The 4.5km Ilogbo road provides access to some 75 communities and was in a bad state until both companies who operate in the area intervened in support of the development of host communities.
“Today we celebrate more than just the completion of the road, we celebrate the building of connections that will improve lives and strengthen communities true to our administration’s vision,” said Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, at the commissioning.
“Creating an enabling environment for business through effective public private partnerships remains central to our development efforts,” he added.
SNG Managing Director, Ralph Gbobo, said: “The rehabilitated road is a testament to our shared commitment to enhance the quality of life for the people of Ogun State and our collaboration with NGML exemplifies our unified approach to community development. At SNG, we take pride in working alongside NGML to deliver real benefits to the people we serve.”
Managing Director NGML, Igwe Justin Ezeala, expressed similar sentiments: “We pride ourselves in the fact that we look after the needs and the interests of all our stakeholders. We take pride in ensuring that those people who are close to us, those people, we relate to, that they feel the positive impact of the business activity that is taking place there. I believe that Ogun State is not an exception,” he said in remarks delivered by the Executive Director Gas Distribution, Lawrence Chukwu.
The Olota of Otta-Awori Kingdom, Oba Abdulkabir Obalenlege, represented by the Aro of Ota, Ezekiel Fadipe, expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the project and commended them for involving artisans and other community labour in the construction process.
SNG has operated in Ogun State for over 20 years, setting up a thriving natural gas distribution business in the Agbara and Otta areas. The supply of gas to industries has promoted industrialisation, created employment opportunities and increased internally generated revenue in the state.
The reconstruction of Ilogbo road presents an extension of these benefits, as it will open pathways for trade, connect local businesses to broader markets and ultimately contribute to the economic development of the community and its neighbours.
At a pivotal time when the work of the Adaptation Fund is more urgent than ever, the Fund’s resource mobilisation efforts for 2025 kicked off on a positive note as Sweden stepped forward to make the first new pledge to the Fund of the year with 130 million SEK ($13 million).
An Adaptation Fund project in Senegal, led by the Centre de Suivi Ecologique, helped Saly Portudal, Joal, and Rufisque combat coastal erosion and protect livelihoods of local fishermen and farmers. Photo credit: Joal, CSE
The pledge was announced during a high-level visit by the Fund in Sweden. The Swedish government has been one of the Fund’s most consistent contributors. Sweden is its second largest bilateral donor and has contributed more than $200 million to the Fund since the Fund’s launch in 2010.
“This is an important contribution to global climate work and to support the developing countries that are hardest hit by the effects of climate change. The Swedish support will, among other things, contribute to nature-based breakwaters that will protect against rising sea levels. It will also help farmers in rural areas to better protect their land against extreme weather events,” said Swedish Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa.
The Adaptation Fund Board will consider setting a new resource mobilisation goal for the Fund in 2025 when it meets next week for its 44th meeting in Bonn, Germany. The Fund hopes to improve upon the $133 million it mobilised last year.
The Fund has been facing increasing demand for its work over the last several years as the urgency of climate change and the global adaptation financing gap have risen sharply – UNEP has estimated a gap as high as $387 billion a year between what is provided and what is needed for developing countries to adapt to climate change through international adaptation public finance flows.
With a pipeline of nearly $600 million of projects that have not yet been approved or funded, the Fund also has a mandate from decisions by Parties at the UN COP29 climate conference in 2024 that calls for a tripling of outflows from 2022 levels by the Fund and other UNFCCC climate funds by 2030. This would amount to the Fund increasing to about $400 million in project outflows per year.
Although the Fund will receive a 5 per cent share of proceeds from a new Carbon Crediting Mechanism under the Paris Agreement (Article 6.4) in the near future, it is unclear how much that may generate and how soon. Parties and other stakeholders using cooperative approaches under Article 6.2 of the Agreement are also strongly encouraged to make direct monetary contributions to the Fund.
It is hoped that Sweden’s valuable contribution will help set the tone for others to come forward in 2025.
“We would like to thank the Swedish government for its generous pledge, which will help further the Adaptation Fund’s tangible actions on the ground for the most vulnerable,” said Mikko Ollikainen, Head of the Adaptation Fund.
“Sweden is one of our longest standing and most consistent supporters and biggest contributor on a per capita basis. Sweden’s support for the work of the Adaptation Fund through financial contributions and active engagement on the Board has been invaluable to the evolution of the Fund. Scaling up the work of the Fund is more important now than ever as we strive to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, so no one is left behind. The Fund has further proven to deliver effectively and efficiently since its launch nearly 18 years ago,” Ollikainen added.
The longest-running fund to finance adaptation and focused on empowering vulnerable countries to adapt and build resilience to climate change through concrete projects, the Adaptation Fund has grown its portfolio to about $1.25 billion committed to more than 180 projects (about half in LDCs or SIDS) serving nearly 46 million beneficiaries, training 1.55 million people in climate resilience measures, creating 577 early warning systems and 116 policies to address climate change risks, as well as preserving 728,000 ha of natural habitat and 181,000 meters of coastlines.
Projects are country-led and tailored to local adaptation needs, supporting measures that improve vulnerable communities’ resilience to climate risks from extreme weather, rising sea levels, food and water insecurity, among others. The Fund has further been a pioneer, innovating climate finance modalities such as direct access and locally led adaptation and is sharing its innovations and knowledge with the wider climate finance and development community, catalysing additional impacts and project scale-ups beyond AF-funded activities.
Although the Fund was initially set up to receive financing from a 2 per cent share of sales of carbon emission reduction credits through the Kyoto Protocol, it has largely relied on voluntary private and public contributions since the carbon market dropped significantly in 2012. More new contributors to the Fund have come forward since it began to formally serve the Paris Agreement in 2019, and the Fund hopes to build on that and increase those numbers throughout 2025.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has released N10 billion to the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) to stimulate entrepreneurship and economic growth in the region.
Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku
Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, announced this at the inauguration of the board of NDCCITMA directors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, April 4, 2025.
Ogbuku explained that the N10 billion was an initial deposit of the N30 billion promised by the commission to invest in the chamber in order to kick start the entrepreneurship development programme.
“Earlier, I did mention that the commission will be investing N30 billion in the Enterprise Development scheme to be managed by NDCCITMA to support the entrepreneurs in our region from the NANO, Micro to the small-scale level.
“I am here to reaffirm that promise, we shall make good the promise by releasing N10 billion to the NDCCITMA designated bank for immediate commencement of the entrepreneur’s development programme.
“We have approved 5,000 businesses to kick-start this initiative, and we assure you that NDDC is poised to grow the region in commerce and trade,” Ogbuku said.
He urged all contractors and vendors in NDDC to register with NDCCITMA by July 31.
Ogbuku said that the registration would be an added advantage for consideration of patronage by the commission.
In his remark, Mr. Idaere Ogan, the Board Chairman of NDCCITMA, reaffirmed the chamber’s readiness to work with NDDC to achieve its vision of transforming the Niger Delta region.
Ogan stated that NDCCITMA aimed at facilitating job creation, skills development, innovation, export growth, and productive partnerships across all tiers of the economy.
The Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF) has inaugurated a pioneering project to create a highly detailed topographical map of the Federal Capital Territory using drone technology.
Surveyor General of the Federation, Mr. Abuduganiyu Adebomehin
The Surveyor-General, Mr. Abuduganiyu Adebomehin, made this known at a one-day workshop on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Abuja.
The workshop, organised by OSGOF, focused on the use cases for very high-resolution drone imagery and street view data collected for parts of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Adebomehin explained that the project was being undertaken in collaboration with PLACE, a United States-based organisation.
He said it marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to harness the power of geospatial data for sustainable development and smart city initiatives.
“We are processing about 17,000 images. It is geospatial management and the information you can manage that is shaping the world.
“We do not want Nigeria to be left behind, which is why we are making significant efforts.
“I want to say this is one of the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda. Through the Ministers who assisted in securing approval, we have been able to move forward.
“We all know what you can do with drones nowadays,” he said.
Adebomehin highlighted that this technology was the first of its kind in Africa and would aid in search and rescue operations, curb insecurity, and provide disaster alerts, including flood warnings.
He called for collaborative efforts among organisations to maximise the benefits of this technology.
Azeez Afeez, Head of the Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Department at OSGOF, highlighted OSGOF’s constitutional mandate.
This, according to him, includes coordinating survey and mapping activities, as well as producing and disseminating accurate, reliable, and adequate geospatial data and information.
He said these efforts enabled the government to make informed decisions that enhanced governance.
He added that OSGOF adopted this mapping technology because of its potential to address various humanitarian challenges, improve agriculture, enhance disaster response, and bolster security measures.
He stressed the importance of leveraging digital twin technology.
According to him, it involves creating virtual representations of physical objects to provide real-time data and imagery for border control, movement monitoring, and airport security.
“Digital twin technology is being used in cities globally.
“I have seen digital twins created for airports in South Korea that allow authorities to monitor the movement of people and planes in real time.
“We can implement this technology in Nigeria. Digital twins can be applied in almost every sector. To a layman, it means capturing a building virtually in a computer.
“If we need to make modifications to a building, such as renovations, we can simulate the changes in our system first, saving time and resources.”
According to him, digital twin technology is fundamental for smart cities, and without it, Nigeria cannot achieve autonomous land management.
Also speaking, Mr. Waddah Hago, Geospatial Technology Lead at PLACE, United States, explained that PLACE was a non-profit organisation committed to advancing modern mapping solutions.
Hago stated that their mission was to create a trusted intermediary between public and private entities to deliver hyperlocal, accurate, and detailed optical imagery of the Earth’s surface.
He commended OSGOF for its collaboration in advancing modern-day mapping initiatives in Nigeria.
