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Cross River wins N3m ECPS prize to support Nigeria’s green economy initiative

Michael Simire
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Cross River wins N3m ECPS prize to support Nigeria’s green economy initiative

Esuk Otu community in Cross River State, Nigeria’s South-South region, has been announced the run-off winner of the Empower Communities for Plastic Sustainability (ECPS) contest, defeating eight other communities from three states to receive the prize of N3 million.

YASIF
Participants at the Empower Communities for Plastic Sustainability (ECPS) community pitching and award event hosted by YASIF in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The judges also declared Sharifai Kano Municipal, in Kano State, the winner of the second category, taking home a total of N1.5 million during an event organised by the Young Advocates for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future (YASIF) on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Abuja.

The Akum Shango community, in Niger State, took third place and took home N700,000.

The occasion brought together stakeholders from the sustainability industry, including government officials from the Ministry of Environment, civil society organisations (CSOs), and development agencies, as well as media personalities, to discuss how to best address Nigeria’s plastic waste crisis.

With the event’s theme focused on how to empower rural people for a green economy, the keynote speaker, Mrs. Rita Idehai, founder and executive director of Ecobater, stressed the importance of plastic solutions at the intersection of livelihood and sustainability. It also featured a roundtable panel discussion with Mr. Stephen Agugua, representing the International Labour Organisation (ILO); Mrs. Ibironke Favour, national coordinator of UNDP GEF SGP; and Ugochukwu Uzuegbu, Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), who deliberated on how to bridge grassroots action and policy to advance sustainable plastic solutions in Nigeria and beyond.

According to Lauretta Jimba, YASIF’s programmes and training manager, the ECPS project was launched by her organisation with support from the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) to demonstrate YASIF Nigeria believes that real climate action starts at the local level. Additionally, it seeks to establish the groundwork for the development of a grassroots movement that will generate innovative solutions to the nation’s plastic waste problem.

She continued by explaining that, as part of her mission to create a cleaner and greener environment, YASIF has trained more than 1,200 women and young persons, as well as people with disabilities, on how to creatively repurpose plastic and non-biodegradable waste, like old tyres, water sachets, PET bottles, and nylons, into useful items for homes, schools, recreation centres, and workplaces.

There is no doubt that a true plastic sustainability solution is impossible without human engagement. Jimba hinted that YASIF Nigeria’s decision to introduce the ECPS project was influenced in part by this understanding, which demonstrates the organisation’s conviction that effective climate action begins at the grassroots level.

“By equipping people with the tools and knowledge to act sustainably, we are not only protecting the environment but also driving economic growth and promoting social inclusion,” stated the YASIF programmes and training manager.

Other speakers who spoke at the parley called on the government to integrate informal waste sectors, particularly women and young people, to accelerate more opportunities in the plastic waste sector.

Dr. Priscilla Achakpa, founder and global lead of the Women Environmental Programme (WEP), emphasised the need for collaborating and empowering individuals in environmental health.

She stated that her organisation trained, certified, and registered waste pickers in partnership with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the federal ministry of environment in an attempt to help address the pollution caused by plastic waste.

“So for me, learning to cooperate is very important. As you go along your way, some of us are working in that area. I just wanted to share this story with you so that it can help you to also continue your work,” the WEP boss asserts.

In her remarks, deputy director, Solid Waste Management and Technology Division, Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Falmata Bukar, underscores the urgency of addressing the problem of plastic pollution across the country.

 Bukar, who was represented at the event by assistant chief chemical engineer, Kalu Lawrence Okechukwu, recalled that plastic pollution has raised global concerns due to its inimical impacts on the ecosystem.

She pledged that the ministry would support any initiative to address the country’s poor plastic waste management, particularly its partnership with YASIF Nigeria through essential programmes to increase sustainable development education and encourage communities to embrace inclusive and participatory practices that lessen plastic pollution.

The deputy director also praised YASIF Nigeria’s community empowerment programme as a great way to combat poverty and plastic waste.

In actuality, plastic pollution continues to be a significant environmental problem that hinders Nigeria’s socioeconomic development. According to several studies, the nation is a hotspot for plastic pollution, with an annual emission rate of 3.5 million tonnes, second only to India.

The ECPS initiative, which was initiated by YASIF, is unquestionably one of the options if the country is to address this challenge; it is a glaring example of how “a waste-free, greener Nigeria is possible” when everyone works together.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

Africa Day 2025: Justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations

Michael Simire
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Africa Day 2025: Justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations

May 25 every year is marked as Africa Day, a day of celebration of African identity, resilience, and progress. It is a day to reflect on the continent’s achievements, address ongoing challenges, and foster unity and pride among Africans globally.

Africa Day 2025
Africa Day Cultural celebration In Abuja Nigeria

One of the biggest challenges facing Africa today 62 years after the Organisation of Africa Union now African Union was formed apart from historical injustices, including the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, and the ongoing legacies of exploitation, is energy poverty and climate injustice.

Africa is rich in sunlight, wind, and potential. Yet over 600 million people still live without electricity. Our energy systems were never built to serve the people of Africa, they were built to extract, export, and enrich the few. It is shaped by debt, foreign control, and fossil fuel dependency.

Today, this continues. Whether it’s oil and gas for export, or expensive solar projects owned by corporations, our energy is still privatised and controlled by profit-driven companies centralised and disconnected from communities.

On Africa Day 2025, African leaders are called to prioritise unity and pan-African cooperation in addressing the continent’s pressing challenges, especially climate change, energy poverty and food insecurity. African Leaders must invest in clean energy, and youth empowerment to unlock Africa’s vast human and natural potential. It is time to shift from dependency to resilience by supporting local industries, promoting innovation, and ensuring environmental stewardship. Good governance, accountability, and inclusive policies are essential to foster trust and prosperity across nations.

As African citizens, we must raise their voices to demand access to clean energy and transparency from their leaders. Clean energy is essential not only for powering homes and livelihoods but also for reducing pollution, improving health, and unlocking economic opportunities. Silence allows inequality and environmental degradation to persist, but collective action can drive real change. When citizens speak out, they hold governments and corporations accountable, ensuring that Africa’s energy future is just, inclusive, and sustainable.

Let us call for Repower Africa through renewables and fight for the following;

  1. Energy access for all, not just the wealthy
  2. Debt cancellation to fund real, public solutions
  3. Public funding for renewable energy
  4. Reparations for centuries of extraction and underdevelopment
  5. Bold political will from African leaders to break from colonial energy models

Africa must speak with one voice on the global stage, demanding climate justice, fair trade, and reparations for historical exploitation. Let Africa rise with dignity, strength, and a shared vision for a just and sustainable future.

By Dr Michael Terungwa David, Executive Director, GIFSEP

Communities wrap up AfrikaVuka Week with demand for energy sovereignty

Michael Simire
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Communities wrap up AfrikaVuka Week with demand for energy sovereignty

 As Africa Day is marked across the continent, communities in over 15 countries are concluding a week of action under the banner of AfrikaVuka Week 2025.

Afrika Vuka
Communities across Africa are rising in unity under the Afrika Vuka platform to demand climate justice and a clean energy future

Coordinated by the pan-African network AfrikaVuka, this year’s mobilisation, “Afrika Rise: A Week of REPower and Resilience”, saw grassroots organisers, youth groups, artists and frontline communities come together to demand a just transition away from fossil fuels and toward a people-centred renewable energy future.

More than 25 actions took place during the week, ranging from climate justice concerts in Cotonou and community energy debates in Kampala, to culture shows in Abuja and protest walks in Lamu. These diverse mobilisations were united by a shared demand: Africa does not need more pipelines, it needs solar in our schools, wind in our communities, and justice at the heart of our energy systems.

Rukiya Khamis, Senior Organiser at 350Africa.org, says: “Seven years ago, AfrikaVuka was born from a vision shared by grassroots organisers across the continent, a vision of an Africa liberated from fossil fuel dependency and powered by people-led renewable energy. That vision has become a movement. As we close this year’s AfrikaVuka Week, our call is sharper than ever: Africa doesn’t need more fossil fuel deals, it needs investment in energy systems that are clean, just, and locally owned.

“This is how we reclaim our sovereignty, build resilience, and unlock the future we deserve. We are organising not just for energy, but for power that is rooted in justice, driven by communities, and backed by the climate finance owed to us.”

AfrikaVuka was launched seven years ago by a group of African climate organisers determined to build a united movement to resist fossil fuel expansion on the continent. Today, that vision is being realised through the REPower Afrika campaign, which is amplifying local energy struggles while pushing for investment in community-led renewables and socially owned solutions as the only viable path forward. This week of action demonstrated that energy justice is inseparable from sovereignty and dignity. The message is clear: power for the people, built by communities, owned by communities, and for communities.

The actions also sent a strong signal to African leaders and international financiers ahead of AfDB’s annual meetings. 

Christian Hounkannou, Francophone Regional Organiser at 350Africa.org, says: “The era of fossil fuel deals must come to an end. Africa doesn’t need more extractive projects, it needs public investments in clean, community-centered energy systems that deliver power with dignity. We call on institutions like the AfDB and wealthy nations to stop pushing loans and start delivering climate justice. Finance our transition not with debt, but with the reparations owed for a crisis we did not cause.”

The final actions took place on Sunday, May 25, 2025, in Nairobi, Accra and Johannesburg, rounding off a week that has reaffirmed the strength, creativity, and determination of Africa’s climate movement.

“This year’s AfrikaVuka Week has not only commemorated the journey so far, but it has also reignited the call for a future in which African communities can thrive, free from the grip of fossil fuel dependency,” submits the promoters.

HEDA sues govt, oil giants over alleged unlawful oil licence transfer

Michael Simire
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HEDA sues govt, oil giants over alleged unlawful oil licence transfer

The Incorporated Trustees of HEDA Resource Centre has dragged Federal Government, multinational oil companies and Nigerian government agencies before the Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the legality of a major oil asset divestment deal.

Federal High Court
The Federal High Court in Lagos

In the suit numbered FHC/L/CS/850/25, filed by Kunle Adegoke (SAN), HEDA is seeking the court’s determination on whether the transfer of interests in oil mining lease assets by Eni Societa Per Azioni, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, and Oando PLC was carried out in compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and other relevant regulatory frameworks.

The civil society group alleges that the transaction was conducted in breach of several statutory provisions, including the Guidelines for Obtaining Minister’s Consent to Assignment of Interest in Oil and Gas Assets (2021), the Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulations (2022), the Gas Flaring, Venting and Methane Emissions Regulations (2023), and the Upstream Petroleum Environmental Remediation Regulations (2024).

Joined in the suit as defendants are the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

HEDA is asking the court to declare the transaction unlawful, invalid, and of no legal effect, claiming that proper legal and environmental procedures were not followed. The organisation is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the relevant government agencies from recognising or approving the deal, and an order of nullification of any ministerial consent already granted.

In a statement, HEDA’s Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, said the legal action was part of the organisation’s long-standing commitment to ensuring transparency, environmental justice, and regulatory compliance in Nigeria’s extractive sector.

“This suit is about more than just a corporate deal, it’s about the integrity of our regulatory systems and the future of environmental governance in Nigeria,” Suraju said. “We cannot continue to allow powerful interests to bypass laws meant to protect citizens, the environment, the economy, and integrity of the country.”

The organisation maintains that the case represents a significant test of the Nigerian government’s willingness to enforce the PIA and uphold accountability in the oil and gas industry.

With this legal step, HEDA aims to set a precedent that oil licence transfers and divestments must strictly adhere to Nigerian law, especially in an era where environmental sustainability and responsible governance are paramount.

The Court case document can be accessed here: https://eu.docworkspace.com/d/sIOLTyf3QAfKZy8EG

How data is helping cities counter plastic pollution

Michael Simire
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How data is helping cities counter plastic pollution

Officials in Lagos, Nigeria, were facing a dilemma.  

It was the early 2020s, and the city of 22 million was being overwhelmed by plastic pollution. Water sachets and takeaway containers were clogging canals, littering streets and bursting from landfills. 

Tokunbo Wahab
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab

But as evident as the problem was, city officials needed to know exactly how much plastic pollution Lagos was generating. The data that would be key to developing policy solutions. So, the city partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to conduct the first-ever audit of its waste. 

The results were surprising. Some 34 kg of plastic waste per person per year was leaking into Lagos’ water system. That’s the equivalent of every Lagos resident throwing 10 plastic water bottles into waterways every single day.  

The revelations, Lagos officials say, led the Lagos State Government in 2024 to ban all single-use food containers made from polystyrene foam, also known as styrofoam.

“The data convinced us to stand up with our political will,” says Tokunbo Wahab, Environment and Water Resources Commissioner in the Lagos State Government. 

Lagos is one of a growing number of cities that are attempting to use data, often painstakingly gathered through dumpsite visits and household surveys, to rein in plastic waste and end plastic pollution. The research has spawned bans on single-use plastics and new investments in waste management infrastructure. Experts say measures like those are crucial for curbing plastic pollution, which they called a growing threat to the environment. 

“Worldwide, there are yawning data gaps and reliability issues when it comes to plastic waste and plastic pollution,” says Sinikinesh Jimma, head of UNEP’s Marine and Freshwater Branch. “Plugging those is crucial for developing evidence-based policies and countering what is a mushrooming crisis.” 

As widespread as plastic waste and pollution are, there’s a dearth of data about them, says Jimma. That makes it difficult for government officials to justify pricey investments in waste management infrastructure, like recycling centres. 

But efforts are underway to arm local and national officials with the data they need. UNEP and UN-Habitat, for example, have developed what’s known as the Waste Wise Cities Tool, a series of guidelines that help cities gauge how much plastic waste they’re generating.  

The tool underpinned an audit in the bustling Kenyan port city of Mombasa. There, officials sifted through the trash of dozens of volunteer families, both high- and low-income, cataloguing how much plastic and other waste it contained. Surveyors also visited landfills, charting the volume of plastic waste and recording whether it came from formal or informal collectors. 

The research showed that only about 50 per cent of Mombasa’s waste was collected and just 5 per cent was recovered in 2020. The data helped the city attract financing for a plastic waste sorting plant. Two international aid agencies are now weighing a large-scale investment that would improve Mombasa’s entire municipal solid waste system. 

The waste measurement guidelines co-developed by UNEP are “providing the scientific data that we are using to develop bankable project proposals, and mobilize funds and private sector investment,” said Francis Thoya, Deputy Governor of Mombasa County. 

Experts say the lack of waste- and pollution-related data globally is part of a larger plastic information gap. Few comprehensive metrics cover things like the production of plastic polymers, and how plastic products are designed, manufactured and recycled. 

“A holistic understanding of the entire life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal, is necessary to develop comprehensive strategies that effectively counter plastic pollution,” says Jimma. 

Waste-related data from Mombasa, and other cities, is being piped into the Global Plastics Hub, a platform developed by UNEP and backed by the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter. The hub, which has been funded by the governments of Japan, Norway and the United States of America, is designed to be a one-stop shop where government officials – and others – can track 80 plastic-pollution-related indicators.

The portal is among the most comprehensive platforms of its kind in the world. In-depth country dashboards track how much plastic countries trade, how they manage plastic waste and what policies they have to counter plastic pollution. It’s designed to help countries make more informed decisions about how to address plastic pollution. 

This year’s World Environment Day, an annual celebration of the Earth hosted by UNEP, will focus on solutions to end plastic pollution. It comes as global plastic waste – which is often linked to pollution – is set to reach nearly 1 billion tonnes a year by 2060.  

“Many cities are running out of time to address this problem,” says Jimma. “It’s so important for municipalities to plug data gaps and make headway on reducing plastic pollution.”

The world generated around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2024, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. That number is expected to nearly triple within the next 25 years, with some of the steepest rises coming in developing countries, especially in the Africa and Asia-Pacific regions. If current trends hold, much of that plastic will end up in rivers, lakes and the ocean.

Edo unveils €175m climate resilience project

Michael Simire
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Edo unveils €175m climate resilience project

Edo State Government has unveiled a six-month work plan for its €175 million European Investment Bank (EIB)-funded Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).

Monday Okpebholo
Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo State

Mr. Ahmed Momoh, State Coordinator of the project and Chief Executive Officer of the Edo Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (EdoFEWMA), said this at the project’s inaugural steering and technical committee meeting in Benin City on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Momoh said the initiative was to tackle gully erosion, land degradation, and climate vulnerability across the state as part of a broader effort spanning 23 Nigerian states.

“Only 10 per cent of the EIB funding will be accessible in the initial phase, with states required to meet key administrative and logistical benchmarks.

“Edo State Government has already released N500 million in counterpart funding,” he said

Momoh stressed the urgency of meeting pre-launch conditions such as staffing, procurement, and office readiness.

“Preparedness is key. Without timely disbursement of counterpart funding and proper logistics in place, we risk missing critical targets,” Momoh said.

On his part, Mr. Jude Ebodaghe Ekpu, who is the Chairman of the Steering Committee and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, called for efficient use of resources and a result-oriented approach.

“This project must yield outcomes that fully justify the investment. Our objective is to position Edo State as a benchmark for climate adaptation across Nigeria,” he stated.

Mr. Emmanuel Ekomoezor, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, presented a detailed six-month roadmap outlining timelines, performance indicators, and mechanisms for tracking impact.

The NEWMAP-EIB initiative is a continuation of the earlier World Bank-supported erosion control project.

This new phase focuses on scaling interventions through stronger institutional coordination and community-driven solutions. 

Govt urged to subsidise gas to save forest, Emir laments indiscriminate cutting of trees

Michael Simire
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Govt urged to subsidise gas to save forest, Emir laments indiscriminate cutting of trees

A climatologist, Mr. Nurudden Bello, has called on the Federal Government to subsidise gas and kerosene to reduce tree felling and promote cleaner energy use.

Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruq Umar-Faruq, wit the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruq Umar-Faruq

Bello, the Director of African Climate Reporters (ACR), made the call on Friday, May 24, 2025, in Kaduna, during a visit to Womenhood School of Health Science and Technology.

He said the high cost of cooking gas and kerosene forces many households to rely on firewood and charcoal, worsening deforestation in Northern Nigeria.

“Making gas and kerosene affordable will reduce pressure on forests and encourage households to adopt safer and cleaner energy sources,” he said.

Bello advocated for the promotion of fuel-efficient cooking stoves, especially among women in rural and urban areas as part of broader efforts to curb environmental degradation.

He emphasised the importance of tree planting in addressing environmental challenges such as desertification, erosion and windstorms.

According to Bello, planting trees around homes, schools, markets, hospitals, and places of worship can serve as natural barriers against strong winds and prevent soil erosion.

“In places like Kasuwan Magani in Southern Kaduna, several homes and worship centres have been destroyed by windstorms, damage that could have been mitigated by adequate tree cover,” he said.

He added that tree roots help to bind the soil particularly in areas with loose or weak soil, thereby preventing land degradation.

Bello described tree planting as a simple, low-cost solution with long-term benefits, including soil protection and environmental stability.

“Trees are more than just part of our landscape, they’re a natural defense against many environmental threats,” he said.

Bello called on government agencies, environmental stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns and support afforestation efforts at the grassroots level.

In a related development, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruq Umar-Faruq, says indiscriminate cutting of trees is worse than terrorism because it poses significant threats to the environment.

The Emir stated this in Daura on Friday, when Mr Saleh Abubakar, the Director General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) visited him.

According to the emir, the emirate council has taking the act of tree cutting in the area as a serious offence, because it can have devastating consequences for the community.

The royal father said that for a very long time, the emirate council had concluded that cutting trees was equivalent to killing of a human being.

According to him, because of the importance of tree planting, the emirate has provided serious punishment against anyone found guilty of cutting trees.

He added that most of the environmental challenges facing many areas, was due to the none challant attitude of cutting down trees.

Umar-Faruq said that Daura emirate council was the first across the country, especially in terms of tree planting.

“The emirate council is fully ready to support the agency in the distribution of the date seeds, because it will reduce unemployment, and also insecurity,” he assured.

The emir also promised to further sensitise the public on the importance of tree planting in the area, urging the people to plant and nurture trees to combat deforestation and protect the environment.

He urged the agency to address deforestation and its impact on the environment, which could lead to desert encroachment and climate change.

Earlier, the agency director general, said the advocacy visit was to seek the support of the emir to fight the encroachment of the Sahara deserts.

According to Abubakar, the encroachment is really affecting farm lands, killing domestic animals, hence the need for the residents to adopt the culture of tree planting, in order to make the environment better.

He said that the encroachment had been happening for a long time, but it was beyond expectations in recent times.

“Therefore, if prevented, we’re going to witness the needed raining season, and it will enable the farmers to harvest more and boost the economy.

“In the recent time, we’re experiencing too much of heat unlike before, it’s only the planting of trees that can prevent this situation,” he said.

According to him, while on his way to Daura, he was impressed to see the vast lands and the tree planting along the environment.

He told the emir that the agency would visit the 11 northern states where it operates and Katsina was one of them, while Daura was among the most important areas to visit.

“The agency has plans to distribute across our operating states, about 5 million Saudi Arabian date seeds, which can grow and be used in four years,” Abubakar said.

According to him, when planted and harvested after four years, Nigeria can generate over N300 billion out of it, in order to boost the country’s economy.

The agency operates in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto, Yobe, and Katsina states.

By Ezra Musa and Abbas Bamalli

Nigeria urges World Bank to support dam upgrade, irrigation expansion

Michael Simire
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Nigeria urges World Bank to support dam upgrade, irrigation expansion

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has urged the World Bank to increase its support for Nigeria’s plans to upgrade existing dams and develop new irrigation systems.

Dam Upgrade
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev (middle)), with members of the World Bank delegation

He said the enhanced support would help advance the Federal Government’s vision of achieving food security and boosting hydropower generation.

Utsev made the appeal on Friday, May 2023, while receiving a World Bank delegation led by its Senior Water Resources Management Specialist, Mr. Chinedu Umolu, in Abuja.

He noted that the World Bank has played a huge role in supporting Nigeria’s water resources sector by funding transformative projects.

However, Utsev added that additional assistance is now required to meet the growing demands of the agricultural and energy sectors.

“With the administration of President Bola Tinubu fully committed to upgrading existing dams and constructing new ones, there is a pressing need for increased investment in these critical infrastructures.

“This will help scale up irrigation farming, boost food production, generate employment, and enhance hydropower supply,” the minister said.

Utsev added that several states have expressed interest in participating in the upcoming Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) project, underscoring the need for more financial backing to allow widespread implementation.

Utsev assured the World Bank of the federal government’s commitment to a smooth rollout of the project and long-term partnership.

In his remarks, Umolu said the visit was to brief the minister on the successful completion of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, which is set to close in June.

He praised the support of the Tinubu administration and commended Utsev’s proactive leadership in facilitating the commencement of the SPIN project.

“The enthusiasm shown by states in joining the SPIN project speaks volumes about the federal government’s commitment to transforming irrigation and power infrastructure.

“The World Bank remains committed to supporting these efforts to ensure they have lasting impact on the livelihoods of Nigerians,” Umolu said.

The SPIN project is expected to build on the successes of TRIMING, which focused on modernising irrigation systems, improving water management, and increasing agricultural productivity in key farming regions.

By Akpan Glory

Great Green Wall scheme to launch 2025 tree planting in July

Michael Simire
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Great Green Wall scheme to launch 2025 tree planting in July

The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) will begin its 2025 planting season in July, distributing over five million date palm seedlings nationwide.

Great Green Wall
Director-General, NAGGW, Alh. Saleh Abubakar (third from right), with Kano State Government officials

Director-General, NAGGW, Alh. Saleh Abubakar, revealed this on Friday, May 23,2025, during a courtesy visit to the Kano State Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahir Hashim.

He requested state support in identifying and allocating plantation sites across Kano to ensure smooth execution of the planned agroforestry interventions.

“We have raised over five million seedlings, and a significant number are earmarked for Kano State,” Abubakar stated.

In spite of operating from Abuja, Abubakar said Kano serves as NAGGW’s functional base due to the Afforestation Project Coordinating Unit’s presence.

He confirmed identified sites in Gabasawa and Makoda Local Government Areas for agroforestry to support environmental recovery and rural livelihoods.

Abubakar expressed concern about vandalism and encroachment at the Gabasawa site, which was allocated by the state government.

He noted that the agency had sent multiple letters to authorities, but the situation remains unresolved.

“This visit follows up on those letters. If the land is no longer viable, we request an alternative site,” he added.

Abubakar emphasised the importance of protecting plantation sites to prevent setbacks such as those encountered in Gabasawa.

He encouraged dialogue with the state government to resolve issues surrounding vandalised assets through mutual understanding.

“This visit strengthens our collaboration with the state and reiterates our commitment to joint environmental restoration efforts,” Abubakar explained.

He assured the agency’s readiness to work closely with the state in combating desertification and improving rural livelihoods.

Responding, Hashim affirmed Kano State’s dedication to collaborating with relevant agencies to fight desert encroachment.

The Commissioner said the government had reclaimed over 37,000 hectares of degraded land to promote land restoration and combat desertification.

Hashim highlighted the role of community involvement and confirmed the recruitment of additional forest guards to secure plantations.

On his part, Abdulhamid Bala, Acting State Project Coordinator of Kano-AcReSAL, identified unpaid forest guards as a key cause of site vandalism.

He said delayed planting had led to encroachment by local farmers on designated restoration sites.

Bala urged timely fund disbursement to ensure smooth and effective project implementation across Kano State.

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

Jonathan, Attah, others win Champions of Nigerian Content Awards

Michael Simire
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Jonathan, Attah, others win Champions of Nigerian Content Awards

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has received the Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award at the maiden edition of the inaugural Champions of Nigerian Content Award ceremony organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in partnership with Sweetcrude Ltd on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Award
Champions of Nigerian Content Awards: Former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria & recipient of Nigerian Content lifetime achievement award, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, recipient of Nigerian Content Icon of the Year award and Managing Director, Renaissance Africa Energy, Tony Attah; recipient of women in leadership award and Managing Director, Starzs Investments Company Limited, Iroghama Ogbeifun at the Nigerian the Champions of Nigerian Content held on Wednesday in Yenagoa Bayelsa State

The award recognised and rewarded individuals and corporate bodies that set the highest standards in deepening local participation in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and contributed significantly to national development.

In his welcome address at the event, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, noted that the Board had come a long way in implementation of the NOGICD Act and recorded  landmark achievements in which outstanding industry players, individuals and corporate entities, deserved to be identified and honoured.  

He said: “The time has come to identify and celebrate pillars of Nigerian Content who shall serve as a shining example of what is expected of others in the industry.”

Speaking after receiving the lifetime achievement awards, Dr. Jonathan recalled how he promptly signed the Nigerian Content Bill in 2010 when he was acting President in 2010, stating that an encounter with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who repeatedly mentioned Nigeria as a reference point for underperformance in utilisation of oil resources.

He pointed that the  example of China that easily domesticated and domiciled oil and gas industry activities greatly motivated him. 

He mentioned that Senator Lee Maeba, who represented Rivers State South East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, was among the initiators of the Nigerian Content Bill and deserves special recognition by the NCDMB and Nigerians generally. 

The former President appreciated  the NCDMB for the success of the Nigerian Content and lauded past and present leadership of the agency that translated the dream behind the Act into reality. 

Another top winner in the distinguished individuals category was Tony Attah, Managing Director of Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, as “Nigerian Content Icon of the Year”.

According to the organisers, the award was for his time as the Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited, during which time he secured the Final Investment Decision (FID) for NLNG Train 7 project and led his organisation to partner with NCDMB to sign the first Service Level Agreement (SLA) which Nigeria LNG in June 2017.

Other top winners include Professor Emenike Ejiogu of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN), as “Nigerian Content Innovator of the Year,” and Ms. Iroghama Ogbeifun, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Starzs Investments Company Limited received the  “Women in Leadership Award”.

In the corporate category, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), now known as Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, clinched the “Nigerian Content International Upstream Operator of the Year Award,” while Aradel won the “Nigerian Content Independent Upstream Operator of the Year Award.” 

Other winners in the corporate category were Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited as “Nigerian Content Midstream Operator of the Year”; Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited as “Nigerian Content Downstream Operator of the Year”; Dorman Long Engineering Company Limited as “Nigerian Content Indigenous Service Company of the Year,”and Technip FMC as “Nigerian Content International Service Company of the Year.”

On the winners list also were Bank of Industry (BOI) as “Nigerian Content Financial Services Provider of the Year” and Thisday Newspapers as “Nigerian Content Media Organisationof the Year.”

Speaking on the selection criteria, a member of the Award Advisory Committee, Mr. Wole Akinyosoye, former Operations Controller with the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), said measurable metrics were used to determine the winners.

According to him, “Awardees must have demonstrated operational consistency where applicable; must have contributed to enhanced utilisation and monetisation of gas resources as applicable, and must have improved on local refining where applicable in terms of capacity and energy security.”

Continuing, he said, they “must also have strictly complied with the Act and other statutory Nigerian Content requirements, and must have made significant footprint in job creation and local sourcing.”

On the composition of the Advisory Committee for the Award, he pointed out that the pioneer Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Ernest Nwapa, was the Chairman, while the Secretary-General of the African Petroleum Producers Association (APPO), Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, and he (Wole Akinyosoye) were members.

The “Champions of Nigerian Content Awards” held on the sideline of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) 2025.

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