Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, has called for stakeholders actions in mitigating the impacts of climate change in Nigeria, Africa and across the world.
Akume, represented by Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Permanent Secretary for Political and Economic Affairs in his office, made the call at the opening session of a two-day Africa Infrastructure and Climate Change Summit (AICIS 2025) on Tuesday, August 12, in Abuja.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume
The AICIS seeks to bring African leaders, policymakers, development partners and industry experts together to exchange ideas, mobilise investment for climate-resilient infrastructure and green economic growth across the continent.
The event, attended by stakeholders from within and outside Nigeria, began on Aug. 11 and ended on Aug. 12, 2025.
Akume said that Africa is at the crossroads amidst the fact the continent is blessed with abundant resources, the continent is still faced the issues of climate change, infrastructure deficits and economic uncertainty.
“This summit provides us unique platform to engage, exchange ideas and forge partnerships that will bolster transformative change across our continent.
“Your presence here reflects our shared commitment to advancing sustainable development, fostering resilient economies and building a greener, more prosperous Africa.
“As we deliberate on the urgent challenges and immense possibilities before us, I urge all stakeholders to engage openly and collaboratively, drawing on our collective wisdom to chat practical pathways forward,” Akume said.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Moses Owharo, Chairman of the AICIS Planning Committee, commended the Federal Government for prioritising climate change in its policy agenda.
He underscored the need for more collaboration from government, diplomatic community and stakeholders in the climate change investments to achieve desired goals.
Owharo said, “Africa stands at a defining moment, a challenge we face ranging from infrastructure gaps, climate change and resource constraints to economic uncertainty which are formidable.
“This challenge presents unprecedented opportunities for innovation, strategic investment and inclusive growth to further forge stronger public-private partnership that drives a transformative progress across Africa and the world.
“Our role as a private institution is to complement government’s development policy implementation to increase impact in the life of the citizenry.
“This summit provides a timely platform to foster stakeholders’ collaboration, share knowledge and develop actionable strategies for advancing infrastructure, combating climate change and accelerating growth, investment and pre-investment across our continent,” he said.
Highpoint of the event was remarks from the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, and Mr Abdulhameed Aliyu, Managing Director, Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).
Others at the event were Dr Matthew Adepoju, Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), and the representative of Africa Aviation and Aerospace University, Dr Eniola Ajani, who is the Dean School of Postgraduate Studies.
Equally in attendance were the former Chairman of the House Committee on Climate Change, Sam Onuigbo; Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe; and members of the diplomatic community.
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are collaborating to strengthen national infrastructural and human capacity for sound chemicals and waste management in the country.
Prof. Innocent Barikor, Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), stated this at the stakeholders review workshop for adopting final drafts of three pivotal sectoral regulations on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in Abuja.
Dr Innocent Barikor, Director-General, NESREA
The three sectoral regulations are the National Environmental, (Chemicals, Pharmaceutical, Soap and Detergent Manufacturing Sector) Regulations, 2009.
Others are the National Environmental, (Energy Sector) Regulations, 2009, and the National Environmental, (Import and Export) Regulations, 2009.
Barikor said NESREA and UNEP’s collaboration are strategically aligned national priorities with global environmental objectives.
“This programme enables us to leverage international expertise while ensuring our regulatory approaches remain appropriate for Nigeria’s unique circumstances, providing technical assistance, capacity building, and access to global best practices.”
Barikor said the draft chemical and pharmaceutical, soap and detergent manufacturing industries regulation tackles sectors vital to Nigeria’s economic development and public health.
“While these sectors contribute substantially to industrial output and employment, they generate complex waste streams requiring careful oversight,” he said.
Barikor said that the country’s chemicals and pharmaceuticals and energy sector regulations which had been in operation for over 10 years, now required urgent review to address emerging environmental issues.
“The evolving landscape of chemical management and energy sector developments necessitates updating these regulatory frameworks to remain effective.
“Additionally, developing comprehensive import and export regulations has become essential to meet our international obligations under various multilateral environmental agreements, and ensure Nigeria’s safety in chemical, pharmaceutical, and energy-related trade.
“Let today mark not just regulation adoption, but the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s environmental stewardship characterised by innovation.
“The collaboration and shared responsibility for our environmental heritage toward a Nigeria where economic prosperity and environmental sustainability are complementary,” Barikor said.
In a goodwill message, Rebecca Chudaska, Associate Expert, UNEP, said the organisation would continue to support NESREA in waste management initiatives, give technical expertise, and capacity building commitment, among others.
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to reflect on how young people can drive the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Oolawande, made the call during the International Youth Day 2025 Youth Innovation Funfair, in Abuja on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Oolawande
The event is themed “Youth, SDGs and Beyond, Igniting Innovation for a Sustainable Future.”
Oolawande emphasised that young people were at the heart of achieving the SDGs, a global agenda to end poverty, protect the planet, and promote prosperity for all.
“We cannot reach these goals without the energy, creativity, and leadership of young people.
“In Nigeria, more than 60 per cent of our population is under the age of 25.
“That is not just a statistic, it is our greatest strength,” he said.
He noted that Nigerian youth were already leading transformative change across sectors such as agriculture, health, education, renewable energy, and digital technology.
However, he acknowledged that many young innovators faced challenges, particularly around funding and market access.
The innovation funfair, he said, was designed to bridge those gaps.
“It connects young innovators with partners who can help them grow and succeed.
“Today’s activities, from innovation booths to pitch sessions, networking, masterclasses, and cultural showcases, are more than fun.
“They demonstrate that Nigerian youth are ready to turn ideas into impact,” Oolawande stated.
He added that going “beyond the SDGs” meant equipping youth not just for 2030, but for the future beyond it, with skills, creativity, and vision to handle long-term challenges.
The ministry, he said, was committed to improving youth policies, increasing access to funding, and expanding global opportunities.
Oolawande called on the private sector, donor community, and civil society to make long-term investments in youth-led innovation.
“I plead with you to support the ideas you see today with funding, mentorship, and market access,” he urged.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, said the day was about spotlighting the extraordinary impact of young people.
“They are driving change at the grassroots, transforming communities, and contributing meaningfully to national and global development,” he said.
Olusanya highlighted that more than 65 per cent of SDG targets were linked to local governance, making youth engagement not a luxury, but a necessity.
“Sustainable development doesn’t begin in boardrooms. It begins with bold ideas, local innovation, and everyday actions by young people who dare to make a difference.”
He mentioned several initiatives by the Ministry to empower youth, including the Nigeria Youth Academy, Youth Help Desk, Youth Parliament, and reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Also speaking at the event, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, said the theme was especially relevant given Nigeria’s demographics.
“With more than 60 per cent of Africa’s population under 25, Nigeria is at the heart of a historic demographic moment.
“Our youth are not just a future workforce, they are problem-solvers, innovators, and nation-builders now,” she said.
Attafuah highlighted the role of youth in areas such as agritech, digital innovation, peacebuilding through art, and climate action.
She stressed the importance of providing youth with the right tools and platforms to lead change.
She noted UNDP’s ongoing investments in youth development in Nigeria:
“The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme has provided over 10,500 graduates with work experience and entrepreneurial skills.
“Young Africa Innovates has supported more than 1,000 youth innovators.
“Ten UNIPODS (innovation hubs) will be launched across Nigeria by the end of 2025, focusing on regional strengths like agritech in Benue and green tech in Akwa Ibom.
“Libraries and vocational centres are being transformed into Community Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hubs in states such as Abuja, Anambra, Ekiti, Kwara, Katsina, Niger, and Plateau.”
Attafuah also cited the HerAfCFTA initiative, through which more than 3,000 Nigerian women entrepreneurs had received support to access markets, improve product quality, and mobilise finance.
“When young people are equipped and trusted, they don’t just participate in change, they lead it,” she said.
Jigawa State was once among of the thriving agricultural hubs in Northwestern Nigeria. However, the state is rapidly losing its fertile land due to desertification, an environmental crisis that remains underreported.
According to a 2023 report by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), nearly 90% of the land in local government areas such as Maigatari, Babura, Kaugama, Birniwa, Suletankarkar, and Kiyawa has been degraded due to desert encroachment.
Desertification in Nigeria
Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall which is now averaging just 300 to 600 millimetres annually, far below historical levels, combine with harmful human activities like deforestation, overgrazing, bush burning, and unsustainable farming practices to accelerate the loss of arable land.
Agricultural output in affected communities has declined by over 40% in the past decade, leading to food shortages and soaring prices on food. Families are increasingly forced to leave their homes in search of new livelihoods, swelling urban populations and placing stress on city resources. This environmental crisis is linked to rising poverty rates and growing difficulties in accessing education and healthcare services.
Speaking with journalists, a youth representative from Kaugama Local Government Area of the state, Mr. Ahmed Suleiman, shared his concerns.
“The pace of desertification is alarming. Without urgent and sustained action, we risk losing not only our farmlands but also the means to feed and support our families,” he lamented.
Efforts to combat desertification are underway. The World Bank’s ACRESAL project has restored over 160,000 hectares of degraded land across Nigeria, benefiting more than one million people nationwide.
Locally, the National Agency for the Great Green Wall is working to conserve soil and plant trees in severely affected areas like Birniwa and Kiyawa.
Additionally, the Jigawa State Government distributed approximately 5.5 million tree seedlings in a reforestation campaign in early 2024.
Despite these initiatives, experts warn that the scale of desertification demands greater attention and resources. Agricultural extension services to educate farmers, satellite technology to monitor land changes, and policies promoting climate-smart agriculture are urgently needed.
Without stronger and more coordinated efforts, land degradation will continue to threaten food security, economic stability, and the future well-being of Jigawa’s communities.
A non-governmental organisation, Eco-Citizen Ogoni Initiative (ECOI), has launched an Eco Volunteer Portal to register 560,000 youth volunteers for the takeoff of its planting of 560 million mangrove trees in the deforested Ogoniland, Rivers State.
Launching the portal, www.ecocitizenogoni.org, in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, August 12, coinciding with the International Youth Day 2025, the Coordinator of ECOI in Ogoni, Pastor Nature Dumale, said the youths would be recruited as part of the Global Green Marshalls and would be expected to conclude the project in 2035.
Tree planting
He said: “The groundbreaking digital platform, the Eco-Volunteers Portal, is designed to mobilise and equip 560,000 Ogoni youths as Global Green Goal Marshalls.
“Aligned with this year’s global theme; ‘Local Youth Action for the SDGs and Beyond,’ the platform is a powerful symbol of youth-led transformation at the grassroots, showcasing how Ogoni youths are not only responding to the climate crisis, but reimagining development through community-based action, digital innovation, and regenerative impact.”
Dumale explained that the portal represented a hub for green innovation, civic engagement, and youth-led systems transformation in Ogoniland and beyond, adding that it would activate a bold new architecture for SDG localization, turning ecological restoration into real economic opportunity.
He said the 560,000 trained Eco-Volunteers would be deployed in 56 wards in four local government areas of Ogoni and that the initiative would catalyse over 500,000 green-blue economy jobs in sectors like clean energy, regenerative agriculture, aquaculture, sustainable transport, eco-enterprise, and circular economy innovation.
He noted that the portal would deliver climate-smart, community-led development aligned with SDGs 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15.
“Through real-time dashboards, peer-led learning labs, fellowship placements, mission tracking, and a youth-centered opportunity marketplace, the platform positions Ogoni’s young people as designers and defenders of a just, regenerative future,” he said.
Dumale added: “This portal is our response to history and our bridge to the future. It affirms the role of Ogoni youths not just as volunteers, but as visionaries. They are not waiting for opportunity to arrive, they are building it, one mangrove, one enterprise, one mission at a time.”
He said the portal also signalled a new model for planetary cooperation, rooted in the Global South, adding that with linkages to Africa-wide green youth movements and diaspora innovation networks, it would create a digital commons where local stories could scale global impact.
He said: “The Eco-Volunteers Portal comes at a critical time in Nigeria’s environmental journey, aligning with national climate adaptation goals and the broader vision for a just energy transition. It builds on the momentum of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) while charting a youth-driven pathway to sustainable peace, jobs, and justice.”
In her remarks, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Deputy Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, said: “We must move from remediation to regeneration and that starts with empowering young people at the frontline.
“This initiative represents a critical shift from extractive development to ecological stewardship. It is not just Ogoni’s future at stake, it is Nigeria’s promise to its youth and its ecosystems.”
Also speaking, Mr. Victor Wilkinson Agih, Global Director of the ECO2RUPPERS Africa Initiative, said: “This is more than a portal. It is a platform for intergenerational equity and distributed leadership.
“From the restoration of degraded ecosystems to the reinvention of livelihoods, this model shows what is possible when youths are not just included, but trusted, trained, and resourced to lead.”
The key features of the platform were listed as digital onboarding of 560,000 Eco-Volunteers; green-blue skills training and micro-credentialing; a project mission dashboard to coordinate SDG action in real time; youth-led enterprise support via funding links and circular marketplaces and inter-ward and diaspora collaboration tools, including challenge campaigns and fellowship.
As the world marks World Elephant Day under the theme “Bringing the world together to help elephants”, wildlife conservation organisation, Wild Africa, has urged Nigeria to intensify efforts to protect its dwindling elephant population by mitigating rising human-elephant conflicts which often leads to crop raiding, injuries, and fatalities on both sides.
Nigeria’s new National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP) identifies human-elephant conflict, particularly crop raiding, as the most significant threat to the remaining elephants in the country. In July, headlines and videos across Nigerian media told the tragic story of a farmer who was killed by an elephant in Ogun State.
Elephants in Burkina Faso
As reports of human-elephant conflict appear more frequently in the media, conservationists warn these encounters are likely to rise. Habitat destruction is driving elephants into closer contact, and sometimes conflict, with people who may retaliate over damaged crops or property.
“The recent event in Ogun state is a reminder that protecting elephants also means protecting people,” said Dr. Mark Ofua, West Africa Representative for Wild Africa. “When elephants have space, corridors, and secure habitats, they are less likely to come into conflict with communities. Coexistence is possible, but it requires planning, investment, and law enforcement.”
Nigeria’s elephant population has dropped dramatically from over 1,200 three decades ago to just 300-400 individuals today, divided into small, isolated herds. The largest single herd – about 100 elephants – lives in Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State. At the same time, other populations survive in Cross River National Park, Okomu National Park, and other forest reserves in the south. The key threats to their survival are deeply interconnected. Poaching for ivory remains a serious problem, as do habitat loss from logging, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
The shrinking of elephant habitats across Nigeria is limiting their movement and pushing them into farmlands and villages in search of food and water. This can lead to fatal incidents, such as the recent human-elephant conflict in Ogun State.
This growing problem, according to Wild Africa, is not just a safety issue; it undermines ongoing efforts to protect Nigeria’s remaining elephants and damages trust among local communities who start perceiving elephants as a threat, rather than unique mammals worth protecting.
The pointed out that addressing it requires smarter land-use planning and other innovations to protect key habitats, better community engagement, and training on safe coexistence measures, as well as rapid response teams that can act quickly when elephants enter conflict-prone areas. For instance, in Zimbabwe, the WhatsApp chatbot Wildlife Info provides instant advice on dealing with elephant-related problems, tips for peaceful coexistence, and guidance on wild animal behaviour.
By simply texting the dedicated WhatsApp number, users can access methods to reduce conflict, crop damage, and livestock predation. This innovative tool makes vital information accessible to communities.
Reducing the levels of human-elephant conflict is one of the key objectives of the NEAP, which was developed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) Foundation in partnership with the Federal Government.
The plan aims to secure and restore habitats, connect fragmented ranges through wildlife corridors, and implement early warning systems, while supporting farmers with non-lethal deterrents, such as natural chilli repellent, noise-makers, digging trenches, and creating beehive fences.
It also aims to promote community benefits from elephant conservation, such as tourism opportunities, while boosting anti-poaching patrols and improving enforcement against ivory trafficking.
“Because we believe people and wildlife can only survive and thrive together, we need to work to train and equip local communities to implement appropriate, locally relevant mitigation measures while conducting awareness campaigns to disseminate information on these measures,” Dr Ofua added.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has made legislative progress with the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024, which has passed its third reading in the House of Representatives and now with the Senate for consideration. If passed and signed into law by the President, this legislation would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat wildlife crime and mitigate the degradation of critical habitats for iconic species, such as elephants.
Wild Africa is calling on the Nigerian populace to cohabitate peacefully with elephants and avoid confrontation with these animals. The non-profit is running an awareness campaign across Nigeria, utilising TV, radio, print media, billboards, and social media to inform the public about safe practices near elephant habitats and the ecological importance of elephants.
Who will restore Warri back to its glorious days? A city that was once the pride of all Wafarians, is now a shadow of itself, rusty and reeking with aroma of poverty occasioned by systemic decline with people cocooned in deprivation and squalor. Warri is allusively known as Wafi, making the people and residents of the city identified as Wafarians.
I was close to tears during my recent visit where I toured the length and breadth of Warri, covering Deco Road, Okumagba Avenue, Okere Road, McCiver, Odion Road, Market Road, Cemetery Road, Iyara, McDermott Road, Warri-Sapele Road, Upper and Lower Erejuwa, Ajamogha, Esisi, and Warri Port. I stayed for over two months, the longest since my relocation to Lagos in 1984.
Warri
All I saw was a distressed and a dying city with shattered dreams, shrinking hopes, and diminished opportunities induced by capital flight and economic disorders. It is a metaphor for youth unemployment, dwindling aspirations, and social chaos, where people just labour under profound deficit constrained by rationed resources, owing to lack of fresh capital from investors.
Indeed, Warri is choking from severe economic dehydration, with all available spaces in front of buildings converted into small shops where people engaged in petty trading and POS businesses, making the whole streets look like mini-markets. This is further worsened by the large number of keke tricycles almost outstripping the populace with attendant heavy noise emission. Even the dead have no peace in Warri as the entrance to the only cemetery in the town has been overtaken by petty traders, and keke tricycles mechanics, leaving a small gate for entry.
How did such a once vibrant cosmopolitan city that attracted global presence, including investors, and played host to several notable national and international events, degenerated into a rural enclave with dilapidated structures? What went wrong, and who created the mess that has betrayed the values and ideals that once held Wafarians together in unity and love?
While it is easy to link Warri’s stunted growth to the unending ethnic rivalry among the Itsekiris, Urhobos and Ijaws, for posterity, it is also important to specifically identify those, whose actions, directly or indirectly, have contributed to the city’s appalling condition, which has brought shame and embarrassment to the collective psyche of Wafarians.
First, the opposition of Warri as capital of Delta State at the creation by Itsekiri leaders, led by His Royal Majesty, the Olu of Warri, Atuwatse II, have done more harm to the general good of Warri, and setting the city backward. The deficit outcome has made the motive designed to protect the Itsekiri’s ethnic interests pale into insignificance. What is the gain of this stand within the context of development, other than fear of Urhobo domination, and the need to thwart it? This was an obvious delusion, and no amount of rationalisation can justify the mess that has eclipsed Warri. It was a miscalculation. Sacrificing the city’s progress on the altar of narrow ethnic interest was a tragedy.
Unfortunately, former military President, Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), further complicated the matter when he failed to demonstrate objective governance, taking advantage of the Itsekiri’s disapproval of Warri as capital to illogically site the capital of Delta State in Asaba, hometown of his wife. It was the height of absurdity in decision making, and a study in bad leadership. Had the ethnic trust deficit in Warri been bridged and the ethnic groups unite to demand Warri as capital, the city would have been better transformed with infrastructural advantage typical of a modern capital city, attracting foreign investors, to the benefit of all.
Second, the unending contention over ownership of Warri township among Urhobos, Itsekiris and Ijaws, over the years, has continued to promote ethnic animosity and discord, contributing immensely to the backwardness of the city. Those who started this tussle have since passed on, without adding any value to their respective ethnic groups. Sadly, this bitter ethnic rivalry is being passed on to succeeding generations, who have foolishly continued in this trajectory to spread hate, rather than live in harmony as neighbours, to achieve enduring peace and development in Warri.
It should be noted that these ownership claims are exercise in futility, as either of these ethnic groups can practically dislodge one another to take physical possession of any habitation. For example, just as it is practically impossible for the Urhobos to evict the Itsekiris from Okere, it is also unrealistic for the Itsekiris to dispossess the Ijaws of Ogbe-Ijaw land.
And so, brandishing colonial and post-colonial court judgements and papers as proof of ownership, is insignificant and waste of energies. The three ethnic groups must bury their pride and ego, and live together peacefully as Wafarians, bound by common cultural affinity, so that Warri can experience peace and progress again.
Third, ethnic leaders that directly or indirectly encourage and incite their youth to resort to violence, and sometimes, carry arms to threaten, destroy or kill their neighbours over land, have nothing to gain other than misery and poverty. Ironically, it is the innocent children of the poor that are used for such senseless conflict, while the children of the rich enjoy comfort in safe haven in faraway Lagos, Abuja, London, USA or Canada.
Besides, the parents of most of these gullible youth being used to perpetuate these crimes, have no ancestral root, and properties in Warri township. Destruction and mayhem only leave in their trail, economic decline, unemployment, anguish, suffering, hardship and poverty, as investors will flee with their capital from a hostile environment, as shown with the exit of numerous companies in the city.
Lessons ought to have been learnt from the Ijaw-Itsekiri conflict which lasted from 1997 to 1999 over siting of Warri South West Local Government Area Headquarters. At the end of that war, both parties counted only losses, no benefit, no value addition, and no reward. Regrettably, companies that were hitherto sources of sustained fresh capital in Warri, relocated to other cities, bringing lack and despair to Warri and its environs. There must not be a repeat of such a senseless ethnic war, as Warri may never survive a second experience.
The effect of the Ijaw-Itsekiri fight led to exit of companies like Pan Ocean, Schlumberger, Halliburton, Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC), ELF, Conoco-Phillips, Agip, WEAFRI, NISSCO, Globestar, McDermott, DBN, WESCO, Hercules Offshore Nigeria, Nigeria Dredging & Marine, LAMNALCO, and Dunlop. Others include Saipem, Seismograph Services Limited, Snamprogetti, Dowell, Anadrill, Baroid, Santafe, Oceaneering, Kingsway, Leventis, West Minster Dredging, John Holt, SCOA, Glorylux, United Afrian Compay (UAC), Mandillas, Nestoil together with maritime and shipping firms located inside the Nigerian Ports Authority, Warri.
The companies not only left with their investment; they also left behind high unemployment rate of approximately 80 percent in Warri. Except for Chevron Nigeria Limited, and perhaps, recently, Tantita Security Services Limited, through which fresh funds are being injected into the economy of Warri, the condition of the town would have been catastrophic.
Fourth, those that engage in collection of “deve” (development) fee as precondition for commencement of project, and also, who forcefully demand employment and contract slots from companies, have also contributed to the poor condition of Warri. By their actions, companies, including small business enterprises and individuals, are frustrated and discouraged from establishing businesses in the city, thereby compounding the unemployment burden.
Fifth, the non-operational Warri Port has also added to the economic hardship in Warri. Ocean-going vessels that used to berth, servicing business interests in neighbouring Effurun, Udu, Benin, Onitsha, Asaba, and the environs, are no more. This is further worsened by the collapse of adjoining companies like the Delta Steel Company, Owvian-Aladja and Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, Ekpan, which has taken a huge toll on Warri life.
It is therefore imperative for the ethnic groups to redirect their energies to promote peace and unity, in order to restore investors’ confidence. The Ijaws, Urhobos and Itsekiris’ leaders can also leverage their common cultural ties, as expressed in food, clothes, trade, history, and festivals to boost Warri’s economy. For example, Warri cultural celebrations like Agbassa Juju (Idju Owhurie Festival) and Okere Juju (Awankere Festival) can be bolstered and turned into major tourists’ destination, as part of strategy to make Warri great again.
By Dr. Mike Owhoko, Lagos-based public policy analyst, author, and journalist. He can be reached at www.mikeowhoko.com, and followed on X {formerly Twitter} @michaelowhoko
A new report has found that governments around the world in 2024 provided $80 billion to support production of primary plastic polymers – essentially subsidising the creation of plastic known to be detrimental to human and environmental health.
The research, conducted by global environmental consultancy, Eunomia, in collaboration with the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO), appears to reveal a stark financial paradox at the heart of the global plastics crisis.
Plastic waste pollution in the Philippines
“This research lays bare the double burden governments – and therefore taxpayers – are shouldering,” Professor Sarah Dunlop, Director of Plastics and Human Health, said.
“Not only are public funds being used to prop up virgin plastic production, but taxpayers are also footing the bill for the environmental and health damage plastics cause.”
Alarmingly, the Minderoo Foundation-backed report reveals the $80 billion subsidy is projected to surge past $150 billion by 2050 if current plastic production trends continue.
“The real cost of plastics doesn’t show up on the industry’s balance sheet – it shows up in our hospitals and is strained on the budget papers of government and in health departments across the world,” Professor Dunlop said.
“This is a health crisis in slow motion. Every day we delay action; the bill gets bigger.”
The study examined subsidies in more than 70 polymer producing economies across seven major polymers (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, PP, PET, PVC, PS).
Among the report’s most striking findings was that companies churning out primary plastic polymers received more money in government subsidies than some entire sectors. Crucially, the research shows that removing these subsidies would have little effect on the price of plastic products but could lead to a significant reduction in plastic pollution.
“The case for redirecting financial flows is clear,” Tanzir Chowdhury, Managing Consultant Economist at Eunomia, said. “Removing primary plastic polymer subsidies would decrease plastic production incentives, ease the strain on health systems, and protect our environment – all with barely any impact on consumer prices.”
The findings underscore the urgent need for policy reform and international cooperation during the final week of negotiations – happening right now in Geneva – for a Global Plastics Treaty.
The report calls on governments to redirect subsidies away from virgin plastic production and toward sustainable materials and circular economy solutions.
The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council has ignited a united call for bold action toward a cleaner, more secure energy future, as it wrapped up the 2025 Nigeria Annual International Conference & Exhibition (NAICE).
Over 2,000 delegates, 100+ exhibitors, and top industry minds from around the world converged on the Lagos Eko Hotels Convention Centre, sharing breakthrough research, unveiling cutting-edge technologies, and charting strategies to meet the planet’s surging energy needs without compromising environmental and economic sustainability.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo, with other delegates at the opening of NAICE 2025 in Lagos
The theme, “Building a Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Policy,” underscored the urgency of a comprehensive approach to long-term energy security, environmental stewardship, and inclusive growth.
“Through innovation, resilient supply chains, skilled talent, and forward-thinking policy, we can ensure a cleaner and brighter energy future for generations to come,” said Dr. Amina Danmadami, 2025 SPE Nigeria Council Chair.
The conference highlights included a Topical Issues Workshop on “Reforms and Sustainability of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry,” high-level plenary sessions on the four thematic pillars, and targeted programmes for Women in Energy, Young Professionals (YP), Students, and Families, reflecting SPE’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Thirteen hybrid professional training courses and a lively African Young Professionals “YP Away Day” preceded the main event.
At the heart of NAICE, the technical programme delivered cutting-edge research vetted through a double-blind peer review, with all accepted papers to be published on the international SPE OnePetro platform. On the exhibition floor, attendees explored innovations spanning the exploration and production value chain, renewables, and non-energy services, with opportunities for investment and collaboration.
“Our technical programme and exhibition floor showcased the very best of global ingenuity, rigorously reviewed research, groundbreaking technologies, and cross-sector collaborations. This is where the next chapter of Africa’s energy story is being written, and it is one of resilience, inclusivity, and opportunity,” said Danmadami.
Looking ahead, NAICE 2026 will be held August 3–5, themed “Thriving in the Evolving Global Energy Landscape: Collaborative Growth and Resilience”, with training courses on August 1–2.
The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) is the world’s foremost professional association for petroleum industry practitioners, connecting a global community of engineers, scientists, and energy professionals to advance safe, secure, and sustainable energy development.
The immortalised words of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, “kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan,” rang true on Monday, August 11, as around 200 young people gathered at De La Salle University to celebrate International Youth Day 2025. The event highlighted the crucial role of the youth in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development.
Titled “Mobilise & Ignite Youth Action: Advancing Sustainable Solutions for the Triple Planetary Crisis Through Innovation and Partnership,” the event was organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Country Office in the Philippines, together with environmental groups Clean Air Asia and BAN Toxics.
International Youth Day 2025 celebration in the Philippines
“Young people are experiencing firsthand the impacts of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Now, more than ever, we need the younger generation, as both inheritors and architects of the future, to be aware and take a decisive position in steering the world toward a more sustainable path through innovative solutions to decouple environmental degradation from economic growth,” said Teddy Monroy, UNIDO Country Representative.
Several activities filled the event, including interactive social media action zones where participants created content to share their stories, commitments, and calls to action with a wider online audience. Short videos produced during the event were also entered into an online contest titled Your Reel, Your Role: Be the Solution!
One of the main highlights is “Youth Talks”, which showcased inspiring stories of youth-led initiatives creating positive change in their communities. The session featured two speakers: Mr. Ramyr Angeles, co-founder of Mobility Vision+, a digital solution for smart and sustainable urban mobility; and John Sherwin Felix, a food heritage photographer and researcher who uses social media to raise awareness on food biodiversity and environmental issues. Participants engaged with the speakers through “Voices Unplugged”, a segment that used digital tools to collect questions and feedback.
Another major component of the event was a set of two workshops called “Solutions Lab”, which centred on UNIDO projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF): Accelerating the Adoption and Scale-Up of Electric Mobility for Low-Carbon City Development in the Philippines (e-mobility ASAP), a project that promotes electric mobility as a key solution for sustainable urban transport, with Clean Air Asia as one of its implementing partners; and the Philippine Healthcare and Mercury Wastes Management Project, implemented by the DENR–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR–EMB), with BAN Toxics serving as the executing partner.
“Solutions Lab 1: Harnessing the Potential of Youth in Promoting and Advancing E-mobility” explored how the youth can enter and shape the electric mobility sector through education, research, and career-building opportunities. Featuring inputs from both industry and academe, the workshop highlighted diverse pathways into the sector to equip the participants with the insights and inspiration to take an active role in shaping the future of sustainable transport.
“The e-mobility ASAP Project is helping build the country’s workforce for the future, harnessing the potential of electric vehicles to create opportunities for skills development, new professions, and thriving industries. We recognise the leadership and ingenuity of young people as the engineers, technicians, designers, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and innovators who will shape a cleaner and more sustainable transport future,” said Atty. Glynda Bathan-Baterina, Deputy Executive Director of Clean Air Asia.
“Solutions Lab 2: Mobilising Youth for Healthcare Waste Awareness” empowered participants to dive into the pressing issue of healthcare waste and its impact on both human health and the environment. The workshop challenged them to think creatively about how to spark public awareness. By the end of the session, participants developed their own key messages and campaign calls, and brought them to life through TikTok-style short videos that reflected their voice, creativity, and commitment to advocacy.
“Healthcare waste management is a growing concern in the country, as improper handling can release hazardous substances that threaten both the environment and public health. Burning healthcare waste, for instance, can release dangerous pollutants like dioxins and furans. The youth, with their creativity and energy, can help raise awareness by informing the public that simple actions like waste segregation and reducing single-use plastics in healthcare facilities, among others, can make a real difference,” said Reynaldo San Juan Jr., BAN Toxics Executive Director.
The Solutions Labs also marked the launch of two new youth-focused initiatives: the “E-Mobility Idea Competition” and “#GenZeroPh”.
The E-Mobility Idea Competition invites youth aged 18–24 to pitch innovative solutions to accelerate electric mobility in the Philippines. Top entries will be featured at the 2025 Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, with the grand winner earning a study tour and a presentation slot at the 2026 Better Air Quality Conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
“With the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy paving the way for a robust local EV industry, we count on our youth to bring the innovation and drive that will sustain this transformation. They are not just future beneficiaries of e-mobility, they are its present-day builders,” said Corazon Halili-Dichosa, Executive Director, Board of Investments.
Meanwhile, #GenZeroPh, is a campaign initiative aimed at engaging youth organisations and institutions in leading awareness campaigns and community-based actions that promote environmental responsibility and nurture a generation of informed, empowered advocates for a toxics-free and waste-free future.
The celebration concluded with a youth pact ceremony where participants selected ribbons with corresponding Sustainable Development Goals and tied them to an SDG tree—a symbolic installation representing collective commitment. They then placed their pre-written pledges into a jar, symbolizing a capsule of commitment.
“The 2025 UN Sustainable Development Goals Report reveals that only 35% of targets are on track or making moderate progress, while nearly half are moving too slowly. To address the triple planetary crisis, accelerating action on key goals such as SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 15: Life on Land, , and SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals is essential. Young people must be at the forefront of these efforts as leaders, innovators, and partners in driving the systemic changes needed to secure a sustainable future,” Monroy concluded.
