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Ogun celebrates key community road rehabilitated by Shell, partners

Michael Simire
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Ogun celebrates key community road rehabilitated by Shell, partners

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.

Ogun State
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.

Adaptation Fund receives first new $13m pledge for 2025 from Sweden

Michael Simire
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Adaptation Fund receives first new $13m pledge for 2025 from Sweden

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).

Adaptation Fund
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.

NDDC releases N10bn to boost entrepreneurship in Niger Delta region

Michael Simire
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NDDC releases N10bn to boost entrepreneurship in Niger Delta region

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.

Samuel Ogbuku
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.

By Precious Akutamadu

Drone technology to be deployed for detailed Abuja topographical map

Michael Simire
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Drone technology to be deployed for detailed Abuja topographical map

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.

Abuduganiyu Adebomehin
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.

By Angela Atabo

P-CNGi, LNG Arete sign pact for $27.3m gas plant project

Michael Simire
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P-CNGi, LNG Arete sign pact for $27.3m gas plant project

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi) and LNG Arete Ltd. on Friday, April 4, 2025, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on $27.3 million gas plant project to boost CNG infrastructure investment, expansion and availability.

Michael Oluwagbemi
Programme Director/Chief Executive Officer, P-CNGi, Mr. Michael Oluwagbemi

The Programme Director/Chief Executive Officer, P-CNGi, Mr. Michael Oluwagbemi, said the partnership aimed at constructing a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant with a processing capacity of seven million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD).

The P-CNGi (investing $6 million) is co-investing alongside the LNG Arete (investing $12 million) and the Midstream Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, under the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Oluwagbemi said the project, which would employ over 100 Nigerians, would accelerate CNG infrastructure development in the north, securing a 25 per cent equity stake in LNG Arete’s seven MSCFD mini-LNG facility located in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

According to him, the project which will become operational in the next 12 to 16 months, will establish a critical supply hub for CNG across Northern Nigeria, and beyond.

He said it would ensure stable cost-competitive CNG supply for industry and residential users in the north which was underserved.

Oluwagbemi said due to increasing demands to access gas for transportation and industrialisation, the President was determined to bring affordable transportation programmes by leveraging abundant gas resources and boost steady supply to the end users.

“Gas is cheaper, it is safer, and more reliable.

“Of course, the previous administration and this administration have been committed to moving gas from the region where it is primarily produced today, which is the southern part of the country, to the rest of the country.

“That is why the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and its partners have been investing in the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline.

“From the producing fields, the project will focus on a liquefaction plant and implant storage at Ajaokuta, and eventual pipeline trucks which will be able to move gas over further distances across the north of Nigeria,’’ he assured.

He said the LNG which would be transformed to CNG could be utilised by our power plants, as well as our vehicles and other industries, boosting industrialisation.

The P-CNGi boss said many industries across the north, ranging from textile, agriculture, processing to manufacturing, would benefit hugely from the project.

“The logistics, of course, of moving goods and food items from the north down to the south, especially, processed and manufactured products, will also be cheaper because of this project.

“And even more importantly, is that even when the north gets piped by natural gas in a few years’ time, this plant is still going to be very critical to enable LNG trucks that run more efficiently on LNG, even better than CNG.

“Those LNG trucks will begin to move Nigerian products from Nigeria to Ghana, and to Senegal, ensuring Nigerian products are very competitive and creating jobs,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Hajara Pitan, Project Director, LNG Arete, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the management of P-CNGi and other enablers that ensured the reality of the agreement.

“A major reason for the lack of development of the gas sector has been the fact that infrastructure and gas is expensive, but with the mini-LNG technology, we’re able to participate as Nigerians in this sector in a major way.

“Our aim is clear in LNG Arete to support the Federal Government in deepening gas utilisation across Nigeria, and especially in the underserved regions of northern Nigeria.

“LNG is liquefied natural gas, and so what that means is that we take gas from where it originates, we liquefy it by reducing the quantity and allow it to move around more easily,’’ she said.

By Emmanuella Anokam

Santiago Network, Loss and Damage Fund partnership to strengthen support for vulnerable communities

Michael Simire
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0
Santiago Network, Loss and Damage Fund partnership to strengthen support for vulnerable communities

The Santiago Network and the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) signed a letter of intent in March 2025 on how to provide support to vulnerable populations and communities facing climate-related losses.

Ibrahima Cheikh Diong
Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, Executive Director of the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD)

“With climate impacts intensifying, this partnership represents a crucial step towards bridging gaps in global climate finance and technical support, ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the assistance they need to rebuild and adapt,” said Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change.

The letter, signed during a FRLD secretariat meeting at UN Climate Change headquarters, signals a commitment to operationalise guidance from COP28 to assist developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including more frequent and intense storms, droughts and wildfires.

“The signing of this letter of intent is a testament to the shared commitment of the Santiago network and the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage to empower vulnerable people on the frontlines of the climate crisis by ensuring they have access to the technical assistance, knowledge and finance needed for an effective, long-lasting response to climate-induced loss and damage,” said Carolina Fuentes Castellanos, Director of the Santiago Network secretariat.

The FRLD’s role is to provide essential financial support, bridging the gap in global climate finance and facilitating recovery from escalating loss and damage, while the Santiago Network, the technical arm of the Mechanism, enables technical assistance to developing countries.

“Our partnership with the Santiago Network is a critical step in building the FRLD’s capacity to support vulnerable communities,” said Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, Executive Director of the FRLD. “By leveraging the network’s technical capacity and expertise, we can create a more coherent and efficient system for delivering assistance, maximising the impact of our resources and building long-term resilience in vulnerable communities.”

The partnership complements efforts under the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage, as part of the UNFCCC process, to drive forward scalable solutions – such as insurance and social protection instruments, and strategic relocation – that help developing countries address loss and damage, providing a robust model for delivering comprehensive, context-specific support.

Recent publications under the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage highlight ongoing efforts, including: 

  • A step-by-step guide to integrate human mobility-related challenges and opportunities into national climate plans, particularly National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
     
  • A technical guide outlining protective measures, accommodative strategies, and managed retreat solutions for responding to loss and damage associated with sea level rise.
     
  • A knowledge product synthesizing lessons learned from non-economic losses related to ecosystems, territory, habitability and cultural heritage.

The new collaboration will focus on streamlining access to support, improving knowledge exchange, and enhancing coordination in delivering solutions tailored to the needs of affected communities.

COP30: Dan Ioschpe will lead as High-Level Champion

Michael Simire
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COP30: Dan Ioschpe will lead as High-Level Champion

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced the selection of entrepreneur Dan Ioschpe as a high-level climate champion for COP30, the climate conference to be held in Belém, Brasil, in November 2025.

COP30
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (left) and Dan Ioschpe, High-Level Climate Champion for COP30. Photo credit: Ricardo Stuckert/PR

Ioschpe will support the COP30 Presidency in the Action Agenda, leading efforts to expand and enhance climate action and voluntary commitments, initiatives, and coalitions for the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

“I hope to be able to support the COP30 Presidency in advancing climate action, including the energy transition, essential for socio-economic development worldwide and of even greater importance for Brasil, given its potential to accelerate this agenda. Always involving the broadest range of actors in society and taking advantage of the different initiatives and opportunities,” said Ioschpe.

Iochpe is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ioschpe-Maxion and a member of WEG, Marcopolo, and Embraer. One of the Vice Presidents of the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo — (Fiesp), the entrepreneur led the Business 20 — (B20) during Brazil’s presidency of the G20 in 2024.

“The appointment of Dan Ioschpe as High-Level Champion represents a considerable enhancement of the COP30 presidency team. As he showed at the G20 during the Brazilian presidency, Ioschpe will be able to contribute in an exceptional role to link Brasil’s priorities for COP30 and private sector action,” said COP30 President-elect, Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago.

The role of the High-Level Climate Champion was launched at COP21 in 2015 to encourage ambitious climate action — including cities, regions, businesses, investors, and other civil society actors. Their responsibilities include linking voluntary initiatives by economic actors with the efforts of national governments and supporting the achievement of the goals of the Paris Agreement.

In carrying out this role, the High-Level Champion will be supported by the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, launched at COP22 in 2016 to support the engagement of different actors in implementing climate action.

“I warmly welcome Dan Ioschpe as the Climate High-Level Champion for COP30. His experience in the business sector will be instrumental in driving the transformative change needed to keep the 1.5°C global warming limit within reach. As we accelerate climate action, his ability to unite key stakeholders will be crucial in strengthening voluntary efforts by the private sector and scaling up solutions. I look forward to working with him to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement and deliver meaningful progress on the road to COP30,” says Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC).

The Action Agenda is one of the four pillars of the COP30 Presidency, including Leaders Summit, Negotiations, and Mobilisation. In the first decade of the Paris Agreement, more than 475 Action Agenda initiatives were launched, engaging more than 40,000 businesses, investors, organisations, cities, and states, among others.

“The Action Agenda will play an even more key role in the next decade of the Paris Agreement. We will need to focus our efforts on working towards the implementation of the agreements and initiatives already signed and engaging stakeholders from the real economy in achieving our climate goals. Dan Ioschpe’s role will be key to ensuring that we progress from promise to action,” said Ana Toni, COP30 CEO.

The High-Level Champion will lead the COP30 Presidency and engage in ongoing dialogue with other stakeholders to align the framework of the COP30 Action Agenda with the implementation of the Paris Agreement, especially the Global Stocktake (GST) presented at COP28 and countries’ NDCs, and stimulate implementation.

Ioschpe is appointed for a two-year term. In 2025, he will work with Nigar Arpadarai, High-Level Climate Champion at COP29, held last year in Baku, Azerbaijan.

“I am eager to welcome the COP30 High-Level Climate Champion as we accelerate progress from Baku to Belém. I look forward to building a strong and impactful partnership with Dan Ioschpe, working side-by-side with our global partnership network to accelerate ambitious climate action with businesses, cities, and communities worldwide. Only through our collective efforts can we accelerate the transition to a healthier, safer and wealthier future for all,” said Nigar Arpadarai, COP29 High-Level Climate Champion.

In addition to the High-Level Climate Champion, a Youth Climate Champion will also be announced. Following a public call, the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic launched a list of 24 qualified candidates. The shortlisted young people currently undergo evaluation by the COP30 presidency.

NEITI hails Seplat Energy’s entrance into EITI

Michael Simire
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NEITI hails Seplat Energy’s entrance into EITI

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has welcomed Seplat Energy Plc as the first independent, strictly private sector-led Nigerian company to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

Seplat Energy
Seplat Energy officials

This milestone comes a few years after the NNPC Ltd., Nigeria’s national oil company, took a similar bold step, reaffirming the country’s commitment to openness and accountability in the extractive sector.

This is contained in a statement by NEITI Ag. Director, Communication and Stakeholders Management, Mrs. Obiageli Onuorah, on Friday, April 4, 2025, in Abuja.

Onuorah commended Seplat Energy for demonstrating leadership in corporate transparency, accountability, and responsible resource governance.

She said by voluntarily aligning with the EITI’s global principles, Seplat Energy had reinforced its commitment to high standards of corporate governance, ethical business conduct, and sustainable development.

“As an EITI Supporting Company, Seplat Energy will be expected to publicly endorse and promote EITI principles in Nigeria and globally disclose material payments and other financial transactions in line with EITI’s reporting standards.

“It is expected to support NEITI’s industry reforms and participate actively in policy engagements encourage contract transparency, beneficial ownership disclosure, and environmental, social, and governance reporting.

“Engage with stakeholders, including civil society, government, and other industry players, to foster trust and accountability.

“By joining the EITI, Seplat Energy stands to gain numerous advantages, including demonstrating a commitment to transparency and accountability elevates the company’s standing among industry peers and stakeholders,” she said.

She added that transparent operations could lead to increased trust from investors, potentially facilitating better access to finance while active engagement with governments, civil societies, and local communities could fosters trust and smoother operations.

On risk management, she said transparency in operations could help in identifying and mitigating risks related to corruption and governance issues.

Onuorah said it would ensure that all companies adhere to the same transparency standards to promote fair competition.

“Seplat will be joining other Notable companies that have embraced the EITI as supporting entities including Pertamina: Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas company, and the first in Southeast Asia to support EITI and NNPC Ltd. to enhance transparency in its operations.

“With this fundamental step, NEITI expects other indigenous companies in the oil, gas, and solid minerals sectors to emulate the bold and courageous example set by Seplat Energy by embracing the EITI as a Supporting Company.

“This is a common practice among resource-rich countries in the developed world and remains a key indicator of corporate responsibility in the extractive sector,” she said.

The decision by Seplat Energy to join the EITI is also a bold statement on the visible impacts of EITI implementation in Nigeria and the work of NEITI in fostering openness, efficiency, and value optimisation in the industry.

This development presents a significant opportunity for Seplat Energy to deepen its collaboration with NEITI, through structured engagements under the NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group, Oil Producers Trade Section and the NEITI-Companies Forum.

By Emmanuella Anokam

Centre enlightens women farmers on climate-smart agriculture, agroecology

Michael Simire
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0
Centre enlightens women farmers on climate-smart agriculture, agroecology

The International Centre for Environmental Health and Development (ICEHD) has trained 100 women farmers in FCT and its environs on climate-smart agriculture and agroecology practices.

Women
Women farmers

Speaking at the event on Friday, April 4, 2025, in Abuja, Dr Ndudi Bowei, Consulting Partner for ICEHD, said the initiative aimed to help women farmers adapt to the problem of climate change.

Bowei said the initiative aimed to help women farmers adapt to the problem of climate change.

She said that the initiative which was in collaboration with the Rose of Sharon Foundation (ROSF) aimed to help women farmers adapt to the problem of climate change.

She explained that the training would also help the women to apply adaptation practices that would enable them to adapt to the problem of climate change.

Bowei said that the training would also assist the women to mitigate the impact of climate change on themselves as farmers and on their incomes.

She said that the women farmers were taught on how to grow their farm businesses, how to process their produce, package, label and export them.

”So from this training, they are going to increase their knowledge of smart agriculture, everything that has to do with climate agriculture.

”Now climate change is affecting women farmers terribly, starting from the dryness of the soil to the reduction in the nutrients in the soil.

”We want to teach women to produce tomorrow. We also have farming tools and implements we want to give them.

“When a woman has economic power,” Bowei said.

Also speaking, Mrs. Oloruntosin Taiwo, National Coordinator, ROSF, said that the initiative sought to get stability for widow farmers.

”We have our widows that are also farmers. So what we hope to achieve working with ICEHD is to get stability for our widows farmers.

”So from this training, they are going to increase their knowledge of smart agriculture and everything that has to do with climate agriculture, so that even as they have a change in the climate, their produce is not affected.

”We want them to be able to take care of themselves and their children,” she said.

In a presentation, Mrs Iyabo Mustapha, Assistant Director, Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services underscored the importance of agriculture.

Mustapha said that information was important when talking about climate -smart agriculture.

She urged participants to incorporate climate – smart agriculture practices into farming to maintain its productivity.

At the end of the training, the women were empowered with farming inputs and implements, which included solar powered irrigation pumping machines, knapsack sprayers, sprinklers, bio-fertiliser among others.

Speaking, Mrs. Comfort Peter and Ruth Sunday beneficiaries of the initiative appreciated ICEHD and the foundation for the donation and pledged to utilise the training and farm tools given to them.

By Doris Esa

Expert outlines causes, measures to mitigate flood in Yobe

Michael Simire
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0
Expert outlines causes, measures to mitigate flood in Yobe

An environmental expert, Dr Babagana Boso, has called on stakeholders in Yobe to take urgent action to mitigate flood risks as the rainy season approaches.

Mai Mala Buni
Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State

Boso, who works in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Yobe State University, made the call at a six-day workshop on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).

The workshop was organised by Plan International, with support from the Zurich Foundation.

Boso highlighted global warming and climate change as key factors contributing to extreme weather events, such as increased rainfall intensity in West Africa.

“Global warming trends indicate a 1.1°C increase since pre-industrial times, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects increased rainfall intensity in this region,” he said.

Boso also outlined local causes of increased flooding in Yobe, including deforestation, poor land management, and rapid urbanisation.

 He added that the loss of vegetation cover and unsustainable agricultural practices exacerbate flood risks.

“Increased impermeable surfaces and inadequate drainage systems in urban areas further worsen the situation,” Boso added.

The environmental expert highlighted the severe impact of flooding on communities, which includes displacement, loss of homes and livelihoods, and agricultural damage.

Additionally, flooding results in the destruction of critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals.

“The socio-economic consequences of flooding are dire.

“Food insecurity arises due to crop and livestock losses, poverty worsens due to the loss of livelihoods, and there is an increased burden of diseases and malnutrition,” Boso said.

He urged government agencies, environmental organisations, and local communities to implement proactive measures to mitigate flooding.

Boso said some of the measures to include afforestation programmes, improved land-use planning, and the construction of proper drainage systems.

Stakeholders at the workshop emphasised the need for a multi-sectoral approach to address the challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather events in Yobe.

By Ahmed Abba

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