In a major step towards boosting Nigeria’s oil and gas production, the NNPC-TotalEnergies JV has officially announced a $550 million Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ubeta Field Development Project.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri (8th from left); Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo (9th from right); Special Adviser on Energy to the President, Olu Verheijen (6th from right); GCEO NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari (8th from right); Senior Vice President for Africa, Mike Sangster (7th from left); Managing Director/Chief Executive, TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer (6th from left) and other senior executives of NNPC Limited and TotalEnergies during the signing ceremony of Final Investment Decision (FID) agreement on the Ubeta Field Development Project at the NNPC Towers in Abuja
The milestone is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential Executive Order on Oil & Gas Reforms aimed largely at improving the investment climate and positioning Nigeria as the preferred investment destination for the oil & gas sector in Africa.
The Ubeta field discovered in 1964, North-West of Port Harcourt in the eastern part of the Niger Delta will, once on stream, produce about 350MMScf/day of gas and 10,000 BBLS/day of associated liquids, tapping into the vast gas reserves and contributing towards securing gas supply to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.
At the well-attended signing ceremony held at the NNPC Towers, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari, while appreciating the support from stakeholders, highlighted the continuous support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in facilitating a conducive operational environment as a major enabler in achieving this success.
“We appreciate Mr. President for supporting us with the appropriate fiscal environment. The Presidential Executive Order is instrumental to us getting to this significant milestone and we are now seeing the impact of the policy,” Kyari added.
In his remarks, the Senior Vice President Africa, Exploration & Production, TotalEnergies, Mike Sangster, said: “Ubeta is the latest in a series of projects developed by TotalEnergies in Nigeria, most recently Ikike and Akpo West. I am pleased that we can launch this new gas project which has been made possible by the Government’s recent incentives for non-associated gas developments. Ubeta fits perfectly with our strategy of developing low-cost and low emission projects and will contribute to the Nigerian economy through higher NLNG exports”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has significantly rekindled investor confidence in the Oil and Gas Industry, assuring Nigerians that more investments are on the way.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the project is a testament to the effectiveness of Government’s policies aimed at creating a conducive environment for investment in the gas sector.
Located in OML58, the Ubeta gas condensate field will be developed with a new six-well cluster connected to the existing Obite facilities through an 11km buried pipeline. Production start-up is expected in 2027, with a plateau of 300 million cubic feet per day (about 70,000barrels of oil equivalent per day including condensates). Gas from Ubeta will be supplied to NLNG, a liquefaction plant located in Bonny Island with an on-going capacity expansion from 22 to 30 Mtpa, in which NNPC Limited holds a 49% interest.
Ubeta is a low-emission and low-cost development, leveraging on OML58 existing gas processing facilities. The carbon intensity of the project will be further reduced through a 5 MW solar plant currently under construction at the Obite site and the electrification of the drilling rig. TotalEnergies is working closely with NNPC Limited to enhance local content, with more than 90% of manhours which will be worked locally.
The Ubeta FID justifies the effort invested by NNPC Limited, with unyielding Executive support, into tackling the underlying reasons that have plagued the attractiveness of the Nigerian oil and gas industry to foreign investors in recent years.
The Ubeta project has a robust Nigerian Content plan and is poised to stimulate economic activities, create job opportunities, and create significant value for stakeholders.
Every year on June 21, the world comes together to celebrate World Giraffe Day. This isn’t just a day to marvel at their lanky frames and gentle nature; it’s a crucial reminder of the challenges these gentle giants face and the importance of giraffe conservation. Giraffes are a keystone species, playing a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Their browsing habits help control tree populations, allowing sunlight to reach the understory and promoting plant diversity
Driven by habitat loss, civil unrest and illegal hunting, the global giraffe population has plummeted by up to 40% over the last 30 years, and the species has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List
The Diversity of Giraffe Species
There are four distinct species of giraffes: the Masai giraffe, the Northern giraffe, the Reticulated giraffe, and the Southern giraffe. Each species has unique characteristics and inhabits different regions of Africa.
The Masai giraffe, also known as the Kilimanjaro giraffe, is the tallest of the giraffe species, easily recognisable by its irregular, jagged spots. Found predominantly in central and southern Kenya and Tanzania, this species thrives in savannahs and woodlands. The current population of Masai giraffes is estimated to be around 35,000 individuals, but they are classified as endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
The Northern giraffe, comprising three subspecies – the Kordofan, Nubian, and West African giraffes – is one of the most critically endangered giraffe species. These giraffes inhabit areas in Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, and Cameroon. The Northern giraffe has a total population of approximately 5,000 individuals, with the Nubian giraffe being the most at risk. Their coat patterns are blotchier compared to other species, and each subspecies has slight variations in their spot patterns.
The Reticulated giraffe, or Somali giraffe, is known for its striking, net-like coat pattern with defined white lines separating the dark patches. This species is found mainly in northern Kenya, southern Ethiopia, and Somalia. With an estimated population of around 16,000 individuals, the Reticulated giraffe is listed as endangered. Their distinct coat makes them a favorite among safari-goers, contributing to their popularity and the efforts to protect them.
The Southern giraffe, which includes the Angolan and South African subspecies, roams the savannahs of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa. This species has the healthiest population, with approximately 52,000 individuals. The Southern giraffe is recognised by its star-shaped patches, which are less defined than those of the Reticulated giraffe. Despite their relatively stable numbers, they still face threats from habitat loss and human activities.
Despite their differences, all giraffes share some remarkable adaptations. Their long necks, a result of elongated vertebrae rather than extra bones grant them access to leaves unavailable to other herbivores. Their powerful hearts pump blood against gravity to deliver oxygen to their brains. Their long, prehensile tongues, capable of extending up to 46 cm (18 inches), are perfectly suited for plucking leaves. And despite their size, they can run surprisingly fast, reaching speeds of up to 56 km/h (35 mph) in short bursts.
Giraffes face numerous threats in the wild, primarily from human activities. Habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion, deforestation, and infrastructure development significantly reduces their living space. Poaching for bushmeat and traditional medicine also poses a serious threat, particularly in regions where law enforcement is weak.
Climate change adds another layer of difficulty, affecting the availability of food and water resources. As giraffes rely heavily on specific trees and shrubs for sustenance, changes in weather patterns can disrupt their feeding habits and migration routes.
Conservation programmes are crucial in addressing these challenges and ensuring the survival of giraffes. Various organisations, such as the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), work tirelessly to protect giraffes through research, habitat restoration, and anti-poaching efforts. These programmes involve local communities in conservation activities, promoting sustainable land-use practices and raising awareness about the importance of giraffes in ecosystems.
One notable success story is the establishment of giraffe conservation areas and translocation projects, where giraffes are moved from high-risk areas to safer, protected regions. These initiatives have helped stabilise certain populations and reintroduce giraffes to areas where they had previously disappeared.
A Call to Action
On this World Giraffe Day, let’s stand tall for giraffes, just like they do in the wild. By speaking up and taking action, we can ensure that future generations will still be able to marvel at these gentle giants roaming freely across Africa’s vast landscapes. Together, we can make a real difference and help giraffes continue to thrive.
One cannot talk about refugees without highlighting the intersection of climate change, human displacement, and the urgent need for global responses to address the humanitarian impacts of climate-induced migration. 117.3 million people have been forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, and events seriously disturbing public order. Almost three in four of those displaced, lived in countries with high-to-extreme exposure to climate-related hazards.
Climate refugees
This was the harsh reality for millions worldwide by the end of 2023. People were forced to flee their homes due to droughts, floods, hurricanes, and other climate impacts, making the nexus between climate change, and displacement and migration a reality and a pressing issue.
World Refugee Day provides a crucial moment to shed light on the intersection of climate change and human displacement and reflect on how rising temperatures increasingly and disproportionately affect forcibly displaced people. This year, the focus of the day is on solidarity with refugees. This solidarity should be manifested with an understanding that refugees don’t leave their homes for fun, and be action oriented by actively solving issues that lead to forced migration.
Solidarity cannot exist without also addressing climate change, implementing adaptation strategies to mitigate the drivers of climate migration, and enhancing the resilience of vulnerable people forced to flee in the face of the crisis.
The human face of the climate crisis
“Climate refugees” are people who are forced to move from their homes due to extreme weather events, and other climate related events. The term is not officially recognised in international law, as the 1951 Refugee Convention offers protection only to those fleeing war, violence, conflict, or persecution who have crossed an international border to find safety. As if weather shocks and worsening climatic conditions are not a cause to flee.
Climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities and can act as a “threat multiplier,” leading to forced displacement and migration from affected regions. Communities facing environmental degradation, loss of agricultural productivity, water scarcity, and natural disasters are often left with little choice but to migrate in search of safety, livelihood opportunities, and better living conditions. The more than two million people forced to flee their homes across the Horn of Africa, and hundreds of thousands of refugees stranded in the Mediterranean Sea are not spoiled for options. Climate change is a major driver, and for many of them, it has made their land barren, exacerbated social, political, and economic tensions, spread diseases, and increased the risk of malnutrition. Climate Change also exacerbates existing gender inequalities.
Women in many parts of the world are often responsible for securing water and food for their families, which becomes more challenging in the face of climate-related disruptions like droughts or floods. Women and children are particularly vulnerable in forced displacement settings, as access to healthcare, sanitation, and protection services becomes limited, and in most cases, non-existent. Women also play a critical role in climate adaptation and lead resilience-building initiatives in their communities, when they are forced to flee, the knowledge for adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change in the local context is lost.
The silent injustice
Refugees are often from countries facing “a perfect storm of crises” with interlocking challenges such as political instability, economic recessions, natural disasters, and climate change. But these countries have also historically emitted far less greenhouse gases compared to industrialised nations yet are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to geographical factors such as coastal or low-lying areas prone to sea-level rise, economic dependence on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, and limited economic and social capacity for adaptation and resilience-building.
This means there is a disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities including Indigenous people who have been dispossessed of the resources and infrastructure to cope with extreme weather events, loss of livelihoods, and displacement. Recognising this injustice is essential for shaping equitable responses to climate change and supporting affected communities in their efforts to adapt and thrive in a changing climate.
The disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable and marginalised communities underscores broader issues of global justice and responsibility. It is crucial for the Global North, which has historically emitted the most greenhouse gases, to take greater responsibility for addressing climate change. These countries must not reflect their solidarity in mere slogans and quotes, but rather by dedicating financial resources to stop people from having to abandon their ancestral lands and cultures to flee to places that do not offer ideal or comfortable living conditions.
The wealthiest countries host only 24% of the world’s refugees, the remaining 76% are hosted by poor, low and middle-income countries, where their existing challenges do not magically disappear, but often are forced to endure new challenges. The time for rhetoric is gone, it is now time for the Global North to scale up climate finance, the $100 billion currently pledged falls short of the urgent and escalating needs of vulnerable communities. This is not just a financial imperative but a moral obligation to support those battered by the consequences of climate change.
The Clarion Call
1.2 billion people could be displaced within 30 years due to climate change. Will the impact of this crisis only receive broader attention when it affects wealthier nations? Will we only address the various connections between migration and climate change when sea levels begin to rise in the West, and people are forced to flee their homes? Will we only create policies and legal frameworks at national and international levels that address the root cause of climate migration when people from richer nations become dispossessed due to a loss of fresh water sources? There is a societal tendency to prioritise or respond more urgently to crises that directly affect affluent or influential populations, but climate change requires global cooperation and should be underpinned by humanitarian principles, and justice.
As climate change becomes a key driver of migration, and families continue to be forced out of their homes, the call this World Refugee Day is for countries driving climate change to take action to end emissions, and transition to renewable energy sources, and to provide fair financing to help vulnerable countries so people can build resilience and are not forced to flee.
On this World Refugee Day, let us stand together, not just in empathy but in solidarity, to build systems that are resilient, and can safeguard peoples land, livelihoods and cultures, while delivering justice to those who have already been displaced.
By Aurelie Kalenga Njimngou, Branch Manager at African Climate Reality Project (ACRP)
The StopEACOP Campaign says it is appalled by Standard Bank’s decision to help finance the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project and condemns the decision in the strongest possible terms. This decision follows a years-long review process, during which environmental and social concerns raised by numerous stakeholders were evidently ignored.
Standard Bank
The $5 billion EACOP project, spearheaded by TotalEnergies, aims to transport crude oil from Uganda’s oil fields to a terminal in Tanga, Tanzania. Despite significant opposition from affected communities and environmental and human rights groups, Standard Bank, Africa’s largest lender, has decided to support the project.
Standard Bank chair, Nonkululeko Nyembezi, stated in a recent interview that they had conducted comprehensive environmental and social due diligence.
However, the claim, according to StopEACOP Campaign, contradicts the project’s alleged climate, environmental and human rights risks. The decision of Standard Bank, the group added, is also at odds with the assessment of its peers, who have ruled out support for the EACOP for climate, environmental, and social concerns.
Standard Bank’s decision ignores local opposition and human rights abuses
In the last month alone, 11 pipeline critics have been arrested in Uganda and Tanzania after expressing their concerns about the project. In addition, one of the community leaders from the Kingfisher region in Uganda was abducted by the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces, bringing condemnation from the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.
The activists pointed out that Standard Bank’s untimely announcement of their decision to finance EACOP, in the midst of a crackdown on human rights, environmental and land defenders in Uganda and Tanzania, “illustrates their level of detachment from the realities and experiences of communities on the ground and calls into question their claim to have done thorough due diligence”.
Environmental and human rights groups have persistently highlighted the potential hazards of the controversial EACOP, including severe impacts on wildlife habitats, the displacement of communities, and the exacerbation of climate change through increased greenhouse gas emissions. Many field investigation reports, including a recent Human Rights Watch report, have also documented and denounced the inadequate compensation and significant disruption experienced by residents displaced by the pipeline’s construction.
Against this backdrop, Standard Bank’s decision to finance EACOP shows a disregard for the voices and rights of the communities in Uganda and Tanzania who will bear the brunt of the environmental and social devastation caused by the project.
“Standard Bank cannot feign ignorance in relation to the concerns surrounding EACOP. It has faced consistent pressure from communities and climate and social justice organisations and groups in South Africa who have demonstrated outside the bank’s offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg on numerous occasions.
“These demonstrations, including a large protest with hundreds of participants on the day of the bank’s AGM in 2023, a three-day-long occupation of the bank’s entrance in September of the same year, and weekly pickets held outside the bank’s parking lot by Extinction Rebellion, sought to bring the demands and experiences of EACOP-affected communities to their attention.”
Standard Bank is said to have refused to engage in meaningful and constructive dialogue and, instead, its response has been characterised by “repression and increased militarisation”, alleged the activists.
The added that the South African Police Service has also intervened to protect the interests of the bank and has arrested peaceful demonstrators on two occasions.
“It is a stark demonstration of Standard Bank’s prioritisation of profit over people and the planet and its lip-service commitment to constructive dialogue and meaningful engagement with frontline communities and other key stakeholders,” StopEACOP declared.
Standard Bank is also ignoring clear business risk
The decision to bankroll the project is said to have cast doubt on Standard Bank’s assessment of the business and reputational risks stemming from the risks to local communities, environment and climate posed by the project.
“Standard Bank’s decision comes after major financiers and insurers from North America, Europe, and Japan have publicly ruled out support for EACOP due to global outcry over the harmful project. The expected finance from China has also been delayed, while the Chinese state-owned insurers and banks have taken prolonged time to assess the outstanding risks. As a result, the EACOP project is facing significant challenges and project sponsors are reportedly in a cash crisis to fill the funding gap, which threatens to stall the construction.
“These delays come as a result of the immense pressure that potential financiers have come under from communities, civil society, the international community and even shareholders and investor groups who express grave concern over the catastrophic socio-economic, biodiversity and climate change risks of the project.
“Standard Bank’s decision to finance the EACOP project starkly contradicts industry trends, as leading banks and insurers have distanced themselves from this controversial initiative. This decision exposes Standard Bank to significant risks, including the potential for stranded assets, especially as the global economy transitions towards clean energy solutions. Furthermore, with Uganda already facing a severe debt crisis, worsened by the country’s oil induced borrowing spree, the environmental and social costs associated with EACOP could precipitate an economic disaster for the people of Uganda as well as financiers and their shareholders who opt to engage with this project.”
The group stressed that investing in EACOP threatens the stability of vulnerable communities and jeopardises the financial health and reputational integrity of those who support it.
“A 2022 report assessing the EACOP and associated oil fields against internationally recognised environmental and human rights standards for financial institutions found numerous violations, putting banks at risk if they sign on to support the project.
“The assessment, undertaken by the Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO), Inclusive Development International (IDI) and BankTrack, suggests that the project is not in compliance with many of the criteria set forth in the Equator Principles and the Environmental and Social Performance Standards of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), two internationally recognised standards for responsible finance.
“We demand that Standard Bank review and rescind its decision to finance the EACOP project immediately. While it may be too late for Standard Bank to redeem its supposed commitment to people and the planet, there is still time for other potential lenders, particularly Chinese state-owned banks, to demonstrate their dedication to human rights and sustainability by refusing to support EACOP.
“We call upon the global community to continue its unwavering support for the StopEACOP campaign and the communities on the frontlines. It is not too late to halt this disastrous project and prevent the extensive environmental, social, and economic damage it promises to inflict.”
Zaki Mamdoo, StopEACOP Campaign Coordinator, said: “For years, we have campaigned tirelessly against Standard Bank, bringing the grievances and aspirations of impacted communities directly to their doorstep time and time again. Each time, we are met either with deafening silence or with outright violence from an institution that has shown itself to be truly heartless and utterly indifferent to the well-being of ordinary people. Let it be known that this announcement will not deter us. We will continue to stand in solidarity with the communities affected by EACOP and will escalate our actions against Standard Bank in the coming months.”
Diana Nabiruma, Senior Communications Officer, AFIEGO, said: “Standard Bank prides itself on financing Africa’s development. However, the bank’s decision to finance the EACOP, not to mention its financing of other fossil fuel projects across Africa, earns the institution the title of an anti-people and an anti-development bank. Fossil fuel projects like EACOP that cause livelihood losses, enslave Ugandans by worsening indebtedness and drive all of us deeper into the climate crisis should not be financed by any bank.”
Richard Senkondo, Executive Director at the Organisation for Community Engagement, Tanzania, said: “Standard Bank is contributing to the devastation of our communities including through the immense loss of land and livelihood. They have chosen to ignore the plight of our people and to support our exploitation and suffering at the hands of greedy multinational corporations. This is a decision that places them squarely on the wrong side of history and which marks them as an institution with no regard for human rights and justice.”
Stakeholders from Benin and across Africa are organising a summit to draw a seed roadmap for the West African country.
Cotonou in Benin Republic hosts the seed roadmap
The consortium includes the Government of Benin, Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) of the African Development Bank, Building an Economically Sustainable Integrated Cassava Seed System, Phase 2 (BASICS-II) project of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) in Nigeria, Sahel Consulting and Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA).
The two-day Seed Business Summit, with the theme “Building a Harmonised Roadmap for Seed Sector Transformation,” is being organised in collaboration with the Beninese Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MAEP), the Beninese National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRAB), and other stakeholders.
The summit will be held from June 20 to 22, 2024, in Cotonou, the Beninese capital. The forum aims to catalyse an agricultural revolution in Benin by establishing an economically sustainable seed system for priority crops like rice, cassava, maize, soybean, livestock, fish, sorghum and millet.
According to the Head of TAAT Clearinghouse, Dr Solomon Gizaw, “this summit represents a direct response to the need to hold a more comprehensive audience consultation to identify major challenges, develop solutions and advocate for more investments in Benin’s agriculture.”
“This seed summit will bring together policymakers, international financial institutions and policymakers, scientists, the private sector and farmer organisations to a roundtable discussion to broker investments for Beninese agricultural transformation with quality inputs, particularly seed as a primary entry point,” Dr Gizaw added.
The BASICS-II Project Manager, Prof Lateef Sanni, explained that “the seed summit will produce outcomes that will form the basis of future investment in Benin’s seed system. It will produce recommendations to help forge a roadmap that will feed into the country’s agricultural policies and plans.”
“The summit will address factors limiting growth in Benin’s agricultural sector, including the underdeveloped seed sector characterised by poor quality seeds, a weak seed regulatory framework, a struggling research system for variety maintenance, and a feeble private sector participation in the seed system,” says Dr Godwin Atser, the Country Director of SAA-Nigeria.
“A solid seed system will surely change the country’s agricultural landscape. In this summit, SAA, BASICS-II, TAAT, and other partners will share the models currently strengthening the seed system in Nigeria, Tanzania, D.R Congo, Sierra Leone and Liberia,” Dr Atser added.
The Beninese Minister of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries, Gaston Cossi Dossouhoui, will chair the summit’s opening ceremony with the support of other dignitaries and development partners.
In addition to the conveners, several national stakeholders, including farmers, seed producers, and International Development partners, will participate in the summit.
They include the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Bank, the European Union, the World Food Programme (WFP), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), GIZ, and JICA.
Others include AfricaRice, African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), World Vegetable Centre (WorldVeg), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and the WorldFish Centre.
The World Food Programme (WFP) says it will increase its food and nutrition assistance programme in some countries in West and Central Africa in June 2024.
Chris Nikoi, WFP’s Regional Director for Western Africa
WFP, through the programme, hopes of reaching 7.3 million people as the June-August lean season is under way at a time when hunger levels are high and food resources are low.
The programme will aid response plans of national governments in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.
WFP, in a statement on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, stated that, with the right amount of funding, WFP’s initiative can reach 12 million people but, with diminishing resources available, humanitarians working with the programme have reached fewer people than anticipated.
This comes as malnutrition in West and Central Africa is reaching alarming levels along with a projection that 55 million people will face acute hunger during the lean season.
Chris Nikoi, WFP’s Regional Director for Western Africa, said that this crisis exposes the need for “transformative solutions” to assist vulnerable families with food and other needs.
“We need to continue prioritising emergency response for those most in need,” Nikoi said.
“But we need more investment in sustainable solutions to help strengthen food security, improve agricultural productivity and purchasing power of families at the right time and cushion economic and climate shocks.”
Many dealing with acute hunger in West and Central Africa have been left without assistance and risk having their situation worsened since funding for the programme has not kept “apace” with increasing crises in the region.
WFP said this is worrying since the 2024 seasonal forecast reveals weather that could disrupt farming and prolong the next lean season.
“The escalation of humanitarian needs far outstrips available resources,” Nikoi said. “The only way out of this cycle is to prioritise durable solutions.”
Currently, WFP said it is supporting “long-term transformative hunger solutions” and working on improving government systems that increase communities’ shock resilience via social protection and investments in inclusive food systems.
WFP programmes have helped to, among other things, restore degraded lands to food and fodder production, support children’s education, improve access to food and boost incomes across the Sahel and provide more frequent and diversified meals to civilians in Nigerian villages.
The programme said initiatives including “strengthening poor families’ purchasing power with timely shock-responsive social protection schemes need to be prioritised and expanded as a humanitarian response alone is financially not sustainable and does not address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition.”
Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operator of the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, announced the shutting of its Nembe Oilfields following a leak.
Tecnicians working at an oil spill site in Nembe
AEEPCO, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr Ndianabasi Mathew, said that the field was shut as a precautionary measure to safeguard the environment from further degradation.
“AEEPCO, operator of the OML 29, confirms it has detected an oil leak at its Nembe swamp facility in OML 29, Nembe Kingdom, Bayelsa State. The leak was reported on Monday, June 17, 2024, during routine operations.
“AEEPCO’s Oil Spill and Emergency Response Team were immediately activated and all production from OML 29 shut down. This is a precautionary measure while mobilising additional resources to contain the spill.
“The cause of the spill is currently undetermined. However, we are proactively engaging with stakeholders to mitigate the immediate effects,” Mathew said.
The spokesman quoted AEEPCO’s Group Managing Director, Victor Okoronkwo, as saying: “During our operations on Monday, June 17, 2024, the subject leak was detected. A Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) with stakeholders has been initiated to determine the cause of this incident.
“While we regret the production losses to the Joint Venture and the nation and the potential environmental impact, our current priority is to expedite an efficient spill management process in line with regulatory standards and collaborate with all stakeholders to restore production and mitigate associated risks.
“Our joint venture partners and the relevant regulators; The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) have been notified of the incident.”
NOSDRA has scheduled a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to ascertain the cause of the spill, estimated volume of crude spilled and its impact on the environment.
Mr Solomon Ukponevi, Head of NOSDRA’s field Office in Yenagoa, said on Wednesday that the agency was investigating the incident.
Meanwhile, NOSDRA has confirmed the leak from the Nembe Oilfields operated by Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Limited at Nembe in Bayelsa.
Mr Solomon Ukponevi, Head of NOSDRA’s field Office in Yenagoa, confirmed the development on Wednesday in Yenagoa.
He said that the oil firm reported the incident to the agency on Tuesday.
He explained that the Agency had deployed its officials to the spill site to ascertain the cause and volume of crude oil discharged to the environment.
On the extent of the pollution, Ukponevi said that the Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) scheduled for Wednesday would determine the area among other details.
“I will not be able to provide details until staff deployed for the JIV return from the fields, but I can tell you that Aiteo has reported the spill and investigation is underway,” he said.
The leak occurred on Monday at a section of the 97-kilometre Nembe Creek Trunk line (NCTL) that hitherto fed the Bonny Oil Export Terminal in Rivers.
Following persistent vandalism on the oil export line with capacity to evacuate 180,000 barrels of crude daily, Aiteo resorted to using barges to convey crude from the Nembe fields.
The barges are used to transport crude from onshore oil wells to a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel from which Aiteo exports the Nembe Crude blend to crude tankers.
A Masters student at the University of Calabar, Mr Adekambi Adeyinka, has captured stunning footages of the world’s rarest great ape, the Cross River gorillas, in the Afi Wildlife Sanctuary.
Footage of the endangered Cross River gorilla as captured by Adeyinka
Adeyinka, who is of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife, disclosed this on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, while reacting to the need to protect the rare apes on the list of endangered species due to human activities.
The extraordinary sightings marked the first successful photos since three graduate students at the university began studying this elusive subspecies in 2023.
The study is part of the Cross River Gorilla initiative.
The Cross River Gorilla, known as Gorilla gorilla diehli, is a critically endangered subspecies of the western gorilla.
It was named a new species in 1904 by Paul Matschie, a mammalian taxonomist working at the Humboldt University Zoological Museum in Berlin, but its populations were not systematically surveyed until 1987.
It is the most western and northern form of gorilla and is restricted to the forested hills and mountains of the Cameroon-Nigeria border region at the headwaters of Cross River.
Estimates from 2014 suggest that fewer than 250 mature Cross River gorillas remain, making them the world’s rarest great ape.
Adeyinka said that the sighting was more than just a visual success and underscored the importance of community involvement and innovative research in conservation.
“By working closely with local communities, we are not only gathering crucial data but also fostering a deeper understanding and commitment to protect these incredible great apes and their habitat,” he said.
Dr Joseph Onoja, Director General, Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), expressed hope that the initiative would contribute to the realisation of their strategic pillar of saving species in peril.
Onoja said the University of Calabar in 2022 commenced a five-year Community Conservation Graduate Student Scholarship Programme for the Conservation of Cross River Gorilla.
He said the initiative was funded by the Wilder Institute – Calgary Zoo and implemented by NCF in partnership with the Centre for Biodiversity Conservation Research (CBCR), Ghana.
“The programme, which involves supporting graduate research projects in Nigeria, including scholarships for one Ph.D. student and four master’s students in UniCal for five years.
“This collaborative initiative extends beyond borders to allow an exchange programme for knowledge sharing that creates successful community conservation initiatives,” he said.
Prof. Francis Bisong, Secretary, Cross River Gorilla Conservation Project Committee, said Adeyinka’s result was promising as it demonstrated the power of collaboration to save the severely endangered Cross River gorillas.
Bisong said the capture of two silverback gorillas on trial cameras in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary emphasised the need for innovative technology, collaborative and community engagement to safeguard the species and its environment.
“These findings highlight the sanctuary’s vital role in gorilla protection and the need for more research and collaboration to conserve Cross River gorillas and the region’s rich biodiversity.
“I urge the scientific community, conservation organisations, and stakeholders at all levels to support and extend this essential effort to protect one of the world’s rarest and most fragile species,” he said.
Dr Mary Liao, Conservation Manager, Wilder Institute, said the images captured by the camera traps were an incredible glimpse into the life of the elusive and magnificent creatures.
Residents of Okpoama Community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in Nigeria have butchered a stranded giant whale at seaside of the Atlantic Ocean close to the community.
Residents of Okpoama Community butchering the stranded whale
The stranded whale, which measured about 15 meters long, 5 meters wide and 3 meters height, appeared to have been washed off on Tuesday evening due to low sea wave at the riverbank.
Residents of the community meeting the stranded whale on Wednesday morning, trooped out with machetes, hacksaws and axes to dismember the sea animal for fish.
The butchering was still ongoing as at the time of filling the report at Okpoama waterside on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
Mr Nengi Omietimi, a resident of the community, said: “As you can see, giant whale was washed off this morning in Okpoama beach; things like this happen every five to six or 10 years.
“Young men are here doing what they know best, a lot of people are still queuing waiting at the beach to get their own share of the fish.
“This thing started happening since morning, as you can see this fish can feed the whole community.
“We just found it this morning at the beach, the people you’re seeing here came from different communities to get their own share of the large mammal,” he said.
Mr Tarinyo Akono, a former chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Bayelsa, who is also an indigene of the community, said that the whale might have died after it got stranded, due to low wave.
He stated that the animal was grounded in the night when the people had gone to sleep, adding that if it was found alive, it could have been rescued and pushed back to the sea.
Also, the Youth President of Okpoama community, Mr Seiyefa Felix Ben-Basuo, who confirmed the incident, also said that the people were at the waterside butchering the sea mammal.
In August 2019, a similar giant whale got stranded at the same waterside and was also butchered by the residents for meat.
Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) has applauded the formation of a Financial Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development that will help identify common challenges and opportunities in the housing sector to develop effective strategies for collective action by the member States.
Shelter Afrique Development Bank Managing Director, Thierno Habib Hann
The decision to form the Caucus was reached by shareholders at the institution’s 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Symposium held in Kigali, Rwanda, last week.
The Caucus, which was launched during the AGM, will facilitate dialogue and information sharing on best practices in housing policy, regulation, and implementation. It is also expected to serve as a continental advocacy platform to prioritise the housing sector among national governments and international institutions.
Lauding shareholders for approving the creation of the Caucus, Shelter Afrique Development Bank Managing Director &CEO, Thierno Habib-Hann, said the formation of the Financial Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development is “a welcome move”.
“At 52 million housing units deficit and at an estimated construction cost of $25,000 per unit, the continent needs at least $1.4 trillion, which presents a huge funding challenge for us. We believe this Caucus will provide a platform for housing and urban development ministers from member States to collaborate, share knowledge, and develop policies and financing strategies to enhance their efforts in delivering sustainable and affordable housing solutions in their respective countries under the guidance of Shelter Afrique Development Bank,” Mr. Habib-Hann stated.
Leveraging the collective strength
Mr. Hann further noted that the Caucus has been formed to create synergy by leveraging the collective strength of member-countries, drawing on their unique experiences and resources to address Africa’s common housing challenges.
“We believe the Caucus will help identify common challenges and opportunities in the housing sector to develop effective strategies for collective action and explore ways to mobilise resources and expertise from international partners, private sector stakeholders, and development organisations to support housing initiatives and address Africa’s housing crisis,” Mr. Habib-Hann said.
ShafDB shareholders also elected Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, as the inaugural chairperson of the Caucus.
Accepting his election, Dangiwa said the establishment of the Financial Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development presents a unique opportunity to galvanise collective action and accelerate progress towards inclusive and sustainable housing development in Africa.
“By fostering collaboration, promoting innovation, and mobilising resources, we can transform our continent’s housing landscape and significantly improve the quality of life for millions of our citizens,” Dangiwa said.
