The United Nations (UN) has pledged to support Enugu State Government to actualise Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 for the well-being of Enugu people.
Gov Peter Mbah of Enugu State
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, made the pledge when he paid a working visit to Gov. Peter Mbah at his office in Enugu on Friday, July 12, 2024.
While decorating Mbah, as a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) champion, Fall described his leadership as the model that Nigeria, the UN, and Africa need.
He said Africa was tired of depressing stories, hence the need to celebrate and support leadership models anywhere on the continent that show the vision, drive, discipline, rigorous planning, and improved efficiency to change the narratives and inspire hope.
The UN Chief, who met with the state’s Executive Council and had an interactive session with the media, acknowledged the difficulty faced by the international communities in meeting up with their commitments to the people.
He regretted that, with only six years left to attain the SDGs by 2030, many nations, including Nigeria, still struggle with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He commended in particular Gov Mbah’s strides in education, healthcare, water and other critical sectors, noting the governor’s ability to block leakages and waste to improve efficiency in a very short time.
“We are fed up with having states and nations that keep having problems in conflicts and fighting. That is why every success recorded in Enugu will come to change the narrative about Nigeria and Africa.
“I think in these difficulties and a very gloomy backdrop, there are still leaders, who go out of their ways and try to bring wellbeing for their people.
“That is why Mbah’s leadership galvanised me. I have found exactly what we need in the African Continent and in the United Nations,” he said.
He further expressed happiness that several of the present set of state governors give cause for hope and should be supported.
“We have governors that are younger, extremely committed, have their hands on the deck and have such a good appetite for improving the wellbeing of their people and I think Enugu is one of those examples,” he added.
No fewer than 22 people have been confirmed dead and 132 injured in the school building collapse in Jos, Plateau State, on Friday, July 12, 2024.
Plateau school building collapse
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Musa Ashoms, confirmed the figures in a statement made available in Jos.
Ashoms expressed government’s deepest condolences to families of victims of the tragic building collapse that occurred at Saint Academy in Jos.
The commissioner stated that emergency responders were currently at the scene conducting search and rescue operations.
“As of 6:00 pm, 154 people have been removed from the debris.
Sadly, 22 individuals have died.
“The injured students and staff are receiving medical treatment at various hospitals across Jos.
“Breakdown of hospital admissions and casualties shows that 39 were hospitalised at Plateau State Specialist Hospital where three deaths were dead.
“Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) Hospital had 32 hospitalised and five deaths; Bingham University Teaching Hospital: 55 hospitalised and 14 deaths.
“In Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), six were hospitalised and there was no death,” he said.
According to Ashoms, the state government activated emergency response protocols immediately upon notification of the incident.
He stated that emergency services, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Red Cross, security agencies, and healthcare professionals, were working collaboratively in the search, rescue, and resuscitation efforts.
He added that to ensure prompt medical attention, the government directed all major hospitals in Jos to prioritise treatment of the victims, regardless of documentation or payment.
“Governor Caleb Mutfwang has specifically instructed these hospitals to accommodate all those affected by the collapse.
“The government emphasises the importance of adhering to established safety standards in building construction.
“In line with Executive Order 003, the government urges schools and other facility owners with structural concerns to close their facilities immediately.
“The Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) will conduct inspections to prevent similar incidents in the future,” he said.
Tomorrow cannot wait. Someone else won’t do it. If ever there was a time for promoting inclusivity in the agricultural sector with a special focus on women empowerment and youth development – it is now!
Sheila Garakara, Country Manager for Zambia at Solidaridad
That’s the crux of the message by Sheila Garakara, Country Manager for Zambia at Solidaridad, as she strives to fortify sustainable smallholder farmers and SME value chains across Zambia.
One such practical example is how Garakara leveraged K’fuya, a service offering implemented by Kvuno, to enhance women’s participation in agriculture. K’fuya focuses on empowering women through poultry farming, providing additional income, ensuring food and nutrition security, and promoting village banking.
Each one, teach one
“Empowering women is not just a moral imperative; it is essential for achieving sustainable development in agriculture. One thing that resonates with me is positioning women as vital stakeholders who are worthy of being counted. To this end, we have set a target of calling for a turnaround by incorporating no less than 30% women in our agricultural training activities.
“However, our vision extends beyond numbers. We encourage an inclusive approach where everyone – men and women alike – are part of the conversation and solutions,” says Garakara. “Men who bring their wives to training sessions are awarded extra Z’wardy points, which they accumulate and can redeem as gifts such as small farming equipment. This incentive is designed to foster an environment where women’s contributions are valued, and their voices are heard.”
Z’wardy is a rewards programme used to promote the adoption of climate-smart practices and other activities that boost production and productivity.
K’fuya’s holistic approach is already making significant strides in local communities. By engaging women in poultry farming, it addresses critical aspects of income diversification and food security while promoting financial literacy through village banking systems.
One step for humankind
Lydia Banda, Regional Manager at Kvuno, emphasises the importance of gender inclusivity to drive the Zambian agricultural industry forward.
“At Kvuno, inclusivity is at the core of our operations. We believe that by adopting a gender-inclusive approach, we can unlock the full potential of the agricultural sector. It’s not just about empowering women; it’s about creating a balanced environment where everyone can thrive,” says Banda.
Kvuno, a leading provider of digital empowerment solutions for smallholder farmers, is not only about empowering individuals but also about fostering impact investments that support sustainable development goals. By working together, both organisations aim to create a resilient agricultural value chain that benefits all stakeholders.
“Impact investments are crucial in this journey. We call upon stakeholders, investors, and partners to join us in this mission. Together, we can create a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for the Zambian Agricultural Sector,” concludes Banda.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) Joint Venture has significantly expanded its educational initiatives by inducting 27 Nigerian academics and research interns. This year’s programme, a 35% increase from the previous year, welcomed eight professors, four senior lecturers, and 15 other participants.
A cross section of participants in the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Joint Venture’s 2024 sabbatical and research programme in a group photograph with the leadership of SPDC’s Corporate Relations team at the induction ceremony held in Port Harcourt
Held at the company’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the induction ceremony marked the beginning of a one-year programme focused on knowledge exchange and skill development. Drawn from 13 Nigerian universities, these participants will gain valuable industry experience in fields like biodiversity, petroleum engineering, and environmental impact assessment.
“The research and internship programmes are central to our commitment to supporting higher education in Nigeria,” explained Shell Nigeria’s Head of Corporate Relations, and SPDC Director, Mr. Igo Weli.
He described the programme as mutually beneficial nature by offering Shell access to specialised expertise from professors and lecturers, who in turn acquire practical industry knowledge and exposure to cutting-edge technologies.
Despite operational challenges, Mr. Weli reaffirmed Shell’s position as the industry leader in fostering a positive learning environment and empowering people.
Representing the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Mrs. Bunmi Edith Lawson echoed Mr. Weli’s sentiments. She highlighted the programme’s significance in scientific exploration, environmental stewardship, and knowledge advancement.
“This is an investment in the next generation of innovators,” she stated, “and a way for us to give back to our stakeholders.”
The 2024 programme includes participants from a diverse range of universities across Nigeria, including the University of Benin, Rivers State University, University of Ibadan, Niger Delta University, and Ahmadu Bello University.
Others are Bingham University Karu, Federal University Wukari, University of Medical Sciences in Ondo State, Covenant University, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ajayi Crowther University in Oyo, University of Uyo, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture.
The Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria) has called on the Federal Government through the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to urgently commence monitoring and pharmacovigilance activities towards identifying the trade on chlorpyrifos and take punitive measures against anyone found wanting.
Participants at the SRADev Nigeria press briefing in Lagos
A key public health function, pharmacovigilance is the process and science of monitoring the safety of medicines and taking action to reduce the risks and increase the benefits of the medicines.
Dr. Leslie Adogame, Executive Director, SRADev, who made the call during a press briefing on the National Situation of Chlorpyrifos in Nigeria on Thursday July 11, 2024, in Lagos, described Chlorpyrifos as a dangerous Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) that is banned in many countries but still finds its way into Nigeria and registered for use in agriculture.
It is an organophosphate pesticide that has been used on crops, animals, and buildings, and in other settings to kill pests, including insects and worms. It acts on the nervous systems of insects.
According to Adogame, Chlorpyrifos is a broad-spectrum Organ Chlorine Pesticide (OCP) class of chemicals that were first developed by the Nazis for chemical warfare and later adapted for commercial pesticide use after the break-up of the Nazi chemical apparatus. He added that it is now being put to agricultural uses (food and non-food crops), veterinary uses, uses in residential settings, industrial uses and public health applications. However, the majority of uses are in commercial agricultural settings.
He said: “This pesticide exposure has both human and environmental health consequences ranging from tearing of the eyes, runny nose, increased saliva and sweat production, nausea, dizziness and headache, with signs of progression such as muscle twitching, weakness or tremors, lack of coordination, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, and pupil constriction with blurred or darkened vision.
“Signs of severe toxicity include increased heart rate, unconsciousness, loss of control of the urine or bowels, convulsions, respiratory depression, and paralysis.”
Speaking further, the Executive Director of SRADev opined: ‘There are existence of significant research findings in Nigeria, which indicate the presence of concentrations of chlorpyrifos residues in vegetables (spinach, lettuce, cabbage, tomato and onion) and aquatic biodata. This finding could be responsible for many cases of alterations in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and organ damage in humans in Nigeria.
“Acute and chronic pesticide poisoning usually results from: consumption of contaminated food, chemical accident in industries and occupational exposure in agriculture hence NAFDAC and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) should immediately commence national awareness raising activities with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) on the banned state of chlorpyrifos effective from November 1, 2024, as approved by the National Committee of Chemicals Management (NCCM) after its meeting on May 22, 2024.
“Government should also reactivate extension officers under the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) to provide information on agro-ecology/organic farming in Nigeria.”
While congratulating NESREA for gazetting the National Environmental (Hazardous Chemical and Pesticides) Regulations, 2023 earlier in the year 2024 which addresses the concerns of Highly Hazardous Pesticides among others, and NAFDAC effort in the ban of some HHPs effective 2024, Dr. Adogame however admonished them to further collaborate for enhanced agricultural sustainability towards attaining the SDG goals in Nigeria.
In his goodwill message, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister, Federal Ministry of Environment (FMoE), noted that the FMoE is one of the key driving forces for improving pesticides and crop protection policies towards safer, socially just, environmentally sustainable and economically viable pest management system.
“FMoE is the national focal point for the BRS Conventions,” he said.
Represented by Mrs. Olabimpe Adenike, the Minister stated: “These Conventions (The Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-Boundary Movement on Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, Rotterdam Convention on the Prior-Informed Consent Procedure for certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants) exercise control on pesticides and hazardous chemicals.
“In 2002, Global Harmonised System (GHS) of classification and Labelling of Chemicals was adopted, and Nigeria was a party to it. FMoE, being the designated authority and GHS, is a functional tool for action and management of chemicals.
“Chlorpyrifos exposure during pregnancy and infancy results in neuronal defects and Parkinson’s disease. It is lipid soluble hence bio-accumulates to fatty tissue like the liver. It causes variety of nervous disorders ranging from headaches, blurred vision and salivation to seizures, coma and death depending on the amount and length of exposure. Considering the severity of the threat of Chlorpyrifos to health and environment, all stakeholders, Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and their Agencies, Nigerian Customs Service Inter-Governmental Organisations (IGOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), farmers, academia, trade unions, civil society and private sector should collaborate and timely address HHP which Chlorpyrifos is included and ensure these pesticides are progressively banned and entirely phased out,” he submitted.
In his remarks, Mr. Victor Fabunmi, SRADev Nigeria’s Senior Programme Officer, disclosed that the six-month study on “The National Situation of Chlorpyrifos in Nigeria” implemented under the auspices of the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) is one of the activities in espousing the Nation Situation of Chlorpyrifos, its imports, use and impact in Nigeria.
“The study carried out between June and November 2022 as part of our national campaign and awareness towards sustainable management and the promotion of safer alternatives in Nigeria. The project goal was essentially to establish the current status of Chlorpyrifos use and the promotion of safer alternatives to inform policy implementation in Nigeria,” he noted.
Adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative of the Federal Government will help to address the continuous high cost of food prices, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says.
Some CNG-powered mass transit buses
Dr Adamu Abdullahi, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, said this at the sideline of a one-day webinar with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and Consumer Protection Groups (CPGs), in Abuja on Thursday, July 11,2024.
Abdullahi, explaining some factors responsible for the high cost of food, said that CNG vehicles, when in use, would help reduce the money spent on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for transportation of food items.
He said the commission was also collaborating with markets’ associations to discourage cartels and price gouging in the markets.
“This CNG initiative and vehicles that the government has brought will help to reduce the cost of food in the markets,” he said.
Abdullahi said that although the commission was not a price control or fixing agency, it would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure competition and fairness in the marketplace.
The CNG initiative is expected to reduce pressure on the use of Premium Motor Spirit and diesel in the country.
After the removal of fuel subsidy, the Federal Government provided N100 billion for the purchase of 5,500 CNG vehicles (buses and tricycles).
The money would also purchase 100 electric buses and over 20,000 CNG conversion kits, alongside spurring the development of CNG refilling stations and electric charging stations.
The decision of the Cross River State Government to halt mining activities has been hailed by various civil society groups, following the unwholesome practices of artisanal and industrial miners in the state.
Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State
The Executive Director of Health Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Dr Nnimmo Bassey, commended Cross River State for taking such a step to protect the people and environment, noting that it is ecologically harmful to allow mining in the very sensitive environment of the state.
He noted that the rate of unregulated mining activities in the otherwise protected forests of Cross River State has been very worrisome and posed threats that have repercussions beyond the boundaries of the state and the nation.
Dr. Bassey further urged the governor to prioritise and sustain the policy, bearing in mind that mining in community forests and other biodiversity hotspots is highly harmful and only enriches and profits the individuals and corporations involved in the nefarious activities.
He also urged governors of other states to emulate Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, the governor of Cross River State, in saving the fragile and already threatened ecosystems across Nigeria.
Shehu Akowe, HOMEF’s project lead on mining, decried the rampant uncontrolled mining in the nation and urged the government to build on this momentum by implementing an all-inclusive reform in the mining sector with the interest of communities as its centrepiece.”
He stressed that the reform should prioritise environmental and socioeconomic impact assessments for environmental sustainability.
Azerbaijan has unveiled plans to launch a “Climate Investment Fund for Future” with an initial $500 million contribution from its state oil company Socar, aiming to raise further capital from other fossil fuel producers ahead of the COP29 summit it will host in November 2024.
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan
This initiative follows Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev’s defense of the nation’s “God-given” oil and gas reserves, despite global calls for transitioning away from fossil fuels. The fund will seek contributions from countries and companies that produce and use fossil fuels.
The fund aims to provide a mechanism for fossil fuel companies to contribute to climate finance, potentially supporting projects that mitigate climate impacts, especially in developing countries most affected by extreme weather events.
However, in a reaction to the development on Thursday, July 11, 2024, climate campaigning organisation, 350.org, raised concerns over the effectiveness and legitimacy of the fund.
The campaigners are demanding urgent accountability measures to ensure fossil fuel companies pay their fair share for the energy transition and transition away from fossil fuels, “instead of establishing ineffective initiatives that distract from the oil and gas industry’s continued irresponsible expansion plans”.
Andreas Sieber, Associate Director of Policy and Campaigns, 350.org, said: “Azerbaijan’s ‘climate investment fund for the future’ is a smoke screen, allowing fossil fuel giants to profit from climate finance instead of paying for the damage they have caused. The role of a COP presidency is to drive forward highly concessional climate finance, not profit from it. We demand accountability through tax levies, not token charity, in this climate emergency. Those responsible for the climate crisis must pay for what they have created.”
“The announcement of this fund comes at a critical time, as the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate breakdown. However, the involvement of fossil fuel companies in climate finance with voluntary and very limited contributions raises serious concerns about the genuine commitment of these corporations to addressing the crisis.”
According to the organisation, the Climate Investment Fund is inadequate as it is:
An insignificant contribution: The $500 million fund constitutes only 0.025% of last year’s $1.8 trillion clean energy investment in 2023. Furthermore, such funds only spend a fraction of their capital annually.
Commercial by nature: This is a commercial fund. To genuinely impact the energy transition, the fund needs to provide highly concessional finance and grants to countries with limited fiscal space and high costs of capital. We must distinguish profit-driven investments from genuine efforts.
A diversion tactic: Countries and national companies, like Azerbaijan’s SOCAR, that plan to expand fossil fuels, are using this fund to distract from their deadly reluctance to transition away from oil and gas.
Already, officials are discussing whether to allocate 50% of the fund’s capital to developing countries. The plan’s success depends on attracting further investments and navigating international climate finance negotiations.
“We will be enquiring of all countries that produce and use fossil fuels to be part of the initiative,” a senior COP29 official stated.
It will be recalled that the UAE announced a $30 billion fund at COP28, aiming to mobilise $250 billion in private sector investment by 2030.
Azerbaijan, host of the 2024 UN COP29 climate summit, has scrapped plans to propose a levy on fossil-fuel producers to raise climate-change funding, and instead aims to launch a new fund at the summit for green investments in poorer countries, a senior COP29 source said, via Reuters.
Baku in Azerbaijan hosts COP29 in November 2024
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said Azerbaijan had initially conceived the idea of a levy on fossil-fuel production to raise funds for tackling climate change, but that this had faced resistance from some countries.
“We had several rounds of engagements with the parties concerned – with the other potential contributors – and we needed to adjust the fund idea to make it also attractive for potential contributors,” the source said.
“Azerbaijan will be one of the main contributors of this fund,” they said, adding that the fund would also seek voluntary contributions from other fossil fuel-producing countries.
Other sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters oil and gas-producing Gulf countries had opposed the initial idea of a levy.
The revised proposal would aim to establish the fund during the COP29 summit in November, and use public-private partnerships to de-risk investments to help developing countries cut emissions and cope with worsening climate change, the COP29 source said.
Poorer nations are struggling to attract investments in clean energy because of issues including high interest rates and domestic debt burdens. Africa has received just 2% of global investments in renewable energy over the last two decades, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.
The issue of finance is set to dominate the COP29 climate talks in Baku in November 2024, where countries will try to agree a new global target for climate finance that rich nations will transfer to poorer countries each year from 2025.
A group, Agro-Allied Commodities Cooperatives, is collaborating with the Federal Government to build 1,000 houses each for farmers in the 36 states of the federation.
National Housing Programme estate in Kaduna
The President, Global Mechanised Farmers Initiative Worldwide, Yeye Oodua Agbaye of Ife Kingdom, Hajarat Adeyeye, made this known while addressing newsmen in Abuja.
Adeyeye said that the initiative would help raise the living conditions of Farmers in the country.
She said that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu had pledged total support for the housing project.
Adeyeye described Agro-Allied Commodities Cooperatives as a surest way for technological advancement, adding that it also ensures food security for the growing population in Nigeria.
“With all these advantages and benefits in Agro Allied Commodities Cooperatives, Nigeria can soar high among the comity of nations of the world in no distant time.
“90 per cent of the total agricultural production comes from small holder Farmers, but agricultural services are not tailored towards the needs of small holder farmers in the country,” she said.
Adeyeye explained that there was need to improve implementation of different strategies that would bring significant improvement in agricultural productivity.
This, she added, would help to increase farm related employment and incomes as well as promote better nutritional services at all levels.
“Consequently, for Nigeria to be great, it must start with a very strong foundation for Agro-Allied Commodities Cooperatives and services in the value chain system,” she said.
Queen Adeyeye was joined by the new President, Agro Allied Commodities Cooperatives Services of Nigeria, Professor Williams Ijoma, and other stakeholders in the Cooperatives Societies.
Eight Cooperative Societies and Companies were in partnership with the Federal Government through the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) to provide palliatives for farmers in Nigeria.
