President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assembling a capable leadership team at the NNPC, highlighting the appointments of Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari as Group Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Ahmadu Musa Kida as Non-Executive Chairman.
Aliko Dangote
Dangote said he visited the President to commend him for putting together such a formidable and professionally competent team, that is eminently qualified to take NNPCL to a greater height.
According to Dangote, the new management team brings a wealth of technical expertise, and all have managerial experiences that are essential for revitalising Nigeria’s most strategic public enterprise.
The new team, according to Dangote, under the leadership of Bashir Bayo Ojulari and Ahmadu Musa Kida, reflects the President’s strategic intent to drive reform and innovation across the energy sector,” Dangote said. “We are confident that this team will address systemic challenges, align with the President’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, and reposition NNPC Limited for operational excellence and long-term sustainability.”
Reacting to questions from the select media over the weekend on his statement that he is still fighting for the survival of his $20 billion refinery, and that he is determined to fight the cabals in the oil sector to a standstill, Dangote said his statement was not in any way connected to the new leadership of the NNPC, noting that the new leadership in the NNPCL has been so far supportive in terms of meeting the company’s needs.
He revealed that the cabals he was referring to are some major oil marketers and traders who were bent on frustrating the efforts on President Tinubu in revamping the nation’s economy.
He noted that the recent activities and structural reforms introduced by NNPC Limited serve as strong indicators of the organisation’s renewed focus on transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
“The calibre of individuals at the helm, and their deliberate, reform-driven agenda, demonstrate a commitment to fostering a culture of performance and professionalism,” he added.
With optimism, Dangote expressed confidence that the new leadership of NNPC Limited would propel the country’s energy industry to new heights and reaffirmed his group’s commitment to supporting the collective vision of a prosperous, energy-secure Nigeria.
The Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) Foundation has appointed two of Africa’s most eminent conservation leaders to its Board of Trustees: Nigeria’s former Minister of State for the Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, and Professor Lee White, who is Gabon’s former Minister of Water, Forests, the Sea and the Environment.
Sharon Ikeazor, Nigeria’s former minister of state, environment Photo credit: IISD/ENB/Kiara Worth
Ikeazor has also accepted an invitation from the board members to serve as chair of the board.
In warmly welcoming Ikeazor and White to the board, the EPI Foundation’s CEO, John Scanlon AO, said: “Sharon Ikeazor is a dedicated and effective advocate for the environment, both in Nigeria and at the international level, and Lee White has been a renowned conservationist in Gabon and is a tireless spokesman for nature conservation in Africa. We are thrilled that the EPI Foundation will benefit from their deep expertise and vision and consolidate its position as Africa’s voice in elephant conservation,”
The EPI Foundation serves as the secretariat to the EPI, an alliance of 26 African countries with common policies on elephant conservation. The EPI was formed in 2014 by the leaders of Botswana, Chad, Ethiopia, Gabon, and Tanzania and has grown steadily ever since. Most of Africa’s surviving elephants are in EPI countries.
Ikeazor and White have already served on the EPI’s Leadership Council, where they provided valuable guidance and advice to the EPI Foundation.
Following her appointment as Chair of the Board, Ikeazor said: “I am determined that Africa should save its elephants, but we must also ensure a better future for the people who live near them, and I will use my position as Chair to advance those objectives.”
Professor White said: “Over the past decade, the EPI has succeeded in preserving the international moratorium on ivory trade and worked to close many ivory markets. I want to help the EPI Foundation consolidate those achievements, but also to expand its good work in addressing the growing challenge of conflict between people and elephants as they compete for land and diminishing natural resources.”
In a bid to boost energy access and drive economic prosperity in Africa, the Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has urged African nations to forge a united front in the fight against energy poverty across the continent.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil)
He stressed that, by working together, African countries can overcome energy poverty, drive economic growth, and improve the lives of millions of people.
Lokpobiri made the call during the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Pavilion, hosted by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, U.S.
The theme of the 2025 PETAN conference is: “Africa’s Energy Renaissance: Leveraging Innovation and Natural Gas for Sustainable Development”.
The Minister stated that, by pooling resources, African countries can invest in large-scale energy projects, reducing costs and increasing efficiency also, Collaboration can facilitate the exchange of best practices, technologies, and expertise, accelerating progress in the energy sector.
Also, the minister stressed the need for Africa to develop cohesive policies that are tailored to the continent’s unique circumstances, warning that fragmented approaches would be ineffective in addressing the escalating energy deficit.
“This conference is not a jamboree. It is a platform for Nigeria, and by extension, Africa—to showcase its vast potential,” Lokpobiri said.
He underscored the importance of regional collaboration, highlighting the Africa Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) as a strategic entity established to devise shared solutions for the continent’s energy challenges.
Lokpobiri also expressed his approval of Donald Trump’s return as President of U.S., suggesting it could help decelerate what he termed the “hypocritical” global energy transition narrative, saying, “it has put Africa at a disadvantage”.
According to him, the prevailing global discourse on energy transition is largely influenced by geopolitical considerations.
In response to this challenge, he announced that APPO is in the process of establishing the African Energy Bank to bridge funding gaps and ultimately free the continent from energy poverty.
“This is an opportunity to let you know that your concerns are gradually being addressed.
“As members of APPO, we are in partnership with Afrexim Bank, which during our last meeting disclosed that it has an exposure of nearly $14 billion.
“This amount, along with an additional $5 billion as the initial take-off capital, will be transferred to the African Energy Bank—bringing the total to over $19 billion,” he disclosed.
He further stated that the African Energy Bank is scheduled to begin operations within the current quarter.
Lokpobiri called on African nations to repatriate investments held overseas and channel them into the African Energy Bank to bolster the continent’s energy security.
During a meeting with his Ghanaian counterpart, Lokpobiri advised Ghana to draw lessons from Nigeria’s past experiences in the energy sector, particularly in avoiding early missteps.
In his address, Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Mr. John Abdullahi, acknowledged Nigeria’s leading role in the region.
He stated that while Ghana is a relatively new player in the oil and gas sector, it is eager to learn from Nigeria’s experiences and reforms, especially in the areas of local content development and climate policy.
“We will continue to consult Nigeria as we build a successful oil and gas industry.
“The collaboration between both countries remains strong,” Abdullahi said.
Earlier, the Chairman of PETAN, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya, emphasised the significance of Nigeria’s presence at OTC.
Ogunsanya stated that “This year’s event, under the Nigerian Pavilion, is set to highlight Africa’s growing role in the global energy sector.
“OTC 2025 promises to bring together top-tier industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders at the world’s largest energy event.”
He noted that PETAN’s consistent participation over the years had significantly contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Ogunsanya recalled that, two decades ago, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) tasked PETAN with coordinating Nigeria’s activities at OTC, with the primary objective of attracting investment and fostering strategic partnerships.
He underscored the imperative for Nigeria to continue building capacity and driving value creation across the entire oil and gas value chain.
The event was well-attended by Nigerian government officials, key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, exhibitors, and delegates from various West African nation
The importance of designing and managing urban environments that support both birds and people is the message of this year’s World Migratory Bird Day, a global campaign organised by the United Nations and international partners. The campaign kicks off with this year’s first peak day on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
Migratory birds
Under the theme “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities,” the campaign urges collective efforts to secure the future of migratory birds in and around urban environments amid alarming bird population declines. Challenges like habitat loss and threats including bird collisions, light pollution and bird mortality caused by free-roaming pets should be addressed by decision makers and by involving residents in bird conservation efforts and encouraging a sense of ownership and collaboration in their communities.
Observed twice a year to align with migration patterns in both hemispheres, World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) promotes the need to conserve migratory birds and the habitats they depend on through education, public events, and international collaboration. The 2025 theme focuses on sustainable urban planning, bird-friendly actions, and community efforts to create environments that support both birds and people.
Urgent Need for Action
Globally, 49% of all bird species are in decline and about 1 in 8 species is threatened with extinction. Migratory bird populations, in particular, continue to decrease. Published by the U.S. Committee of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI), the recent State of the Birds 2025 report highlights alarming declines in bird populations across the Americas.
The majority of the world’s bird species (four in five) are unable to fully thrive in human-dominated environments, according to a 2024 study published in Global Ecology and Biogeography. In urban and semi-urban settings, window collisions, light pollution, habitat loss and fragmentation, household pesticides, invasive species, and outdoor cats, are the major threats for birds.
Artificial light disorients night-migrating birds, heightening these collision risks. In 2023, nearly 1,000 migrating birds died after crashing into a building in Chicago, USA. In fact, studies have found that migratory birds may be subject to the effects of light pollution particularly during migration, the most critical stage of their annual cycle.
Noise pollution can mask or interfere with bird songs, which are crucial for attracting mates, establishing territories, and warning others of danger. It can also affect the birds’ breeding schedules and success rates. In Munich, Germany, scientists found zebra finch chicks born in places with constant traffic noise were smaller than those from parents who bred and built nests in quieter locations.
Free-roaming cats also pose a serious threat to bird species. Cats are estimated to kill between 100 and 350 million birds per year in Canada, while in Australia, cats are responsible for more than a million daily bird deaths nationwide. In the city of Adelaide, cats have been implicated in the disappearance of at least one bird species, the Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel).
According to the UN, 55% of the global human population resides in urban areas, and this share is projected to rise to 68% by 2050. Urban expansion is rapidly reducing natural habitats, leaving migratory birds with fewer places to rest, feed, and breed.
Designing cities and communities to reduce adverse impacts on birds and their habitats and to support bird populations also improves human well-being, including mental health. When birds are thriving, it often signals healthy ecosystems. Cities that protect birds also tend to invest in clean air, water, and green spaces, which ultimately benefit birds and people. Bird-friendly streetscapes, parks, and green roofs create more livable, beautiful environments and birds can help people feel connected to nature and to their neighborhoods and inspire community pride.
Steps Toward Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities
The World Migratory Bird Day 2025 campaign proposes practical ways for governments, businesses, and individuals to create bird-friendly cities and communities. Some examples of actions being encouraged through this year’s campaign include:
Support bird-friendly urban planning: minimise the destruction of important bird habitats in urban development.
Plant native plants: provide food and shelter for birds and support pollinators like bees and butterflies and some species of birds.
Prevent collisions: use window films or patterned glass to reduce bird-window collisions.
Turn off lights: reduce artificial light at night to protect migrating birds.
Avoid pesticides: use organic methods to control pests and help protect insects and clean water that birds rely on.
Reduce plastic waste: prevent birds from ingesting or getting tangled in plastic.
Keep cats away: protect birds by keeping cats inside, on leash, or providing enclosed outdoor spaces.
Advocate & educate: promote bird-friendly urban planning and raise awareness in your community.
Whether it’s individuals planting native plants in their yards or policymakers implementing bird-friendly urban planning and conservation measures, every community member can help support migratory birds.
Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), said: “Millions of migratory birds all around the world spend a key part of their life cycles within cities and other built communities – whether for breeding, feeding or as a stop along their migratory pathways. Nature does not end at the city limit; we share our urban and community spaces with a hugely diverse range of wild species of birds. Ensuring that our cities and communities are developed and maintained in a manner that supports migratory birds is not only vital for their survival, but also benefits people in countless ways.”
Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA): “As cities restore their rivers and green spaces, migratory waterbirds are returning – bringing us moments of great pleasure. Whether we are listening to the song of birds at dawn or witnessing the flight of ducks near a pond or the call of a flock of cranes high above our cities, nature is contributing to our well-being. We must therefore do all we can to protect these remaining shared spaces and create more of them. Bird-friendly cities have spaces where birds and people can thrive, increasing our contacts with nature and giving us these small moments of serenity in our busy urban lives.”
Jennifer George, Chief Executive of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP): “World Migratory Bird Day underscores the critical concept of ‘Shared Spaces’ – the interconnected habitats within our communities and across the globe. Places which both people and migratory birds rely on for survival, development, recreation, agriculture. A delicate balance.
“Witnessing the recent loss of vital roosting trees in my own community served as a stark reminder of our capacity to disrupt these essential ecosystems. This raises a fundamental question: where will these birds now find refuge? Let us raise awareness of these shared spaces. Let us celebrate the remarkable journeys of our migratory birds and dedicate ourselves to practical actions we can take for our avian friends.”
Susan Bonfield, Executive Director of Environment for the Americas (EFTA): “This year’s theme, ‘Shared Spaces’, reminds us that protecting migratory birds requires working together across communities, from bustling cities to rural villages, to create a healthier planet for people and for wildlife to coexist. By creating bird-friendly spaces with sustainable practices like thoughtful urban planning and land management, we can tackle habitat loss, climate change, and other challenges we all face together.
“World Migratory Bird Day is a reminder of the shared responsibility we have to care for our planet. It’s about inspiring a sense of wonder, connection, and stewardship for the natural world and the birds in our skies. Together, we can create a world where cooperation, like our birds, transcends borders and leads to a brighter, unified future.”
Across Africa, pastoralists and livestock keepers sustain herding systems which are closely bound up with our landscapes and crucial to nationwide food security, economic growth, and ecological balance. In my country, Senegal, almost 70 percent of our land is used to graze livestock.
Daouda Ngom
And yet, I hear it often argued that – if we want a sustainable future – we must choose between hooves and habitats because livestock is an “environmental liability”.
But this point of view is misunderstood. Across Africa, innovative approaches and technologies are being piloted to allow livestock and a healthy environment to coexist. What we need now is more investment and collaboration to scale these breakthroughs.
Despite being home to more than 85 percent of the world’s pastoralists and livestock keepers, sub-Saharan Africa produces just 2.8 percent of global meat and milk. As a result, one in five Africans do not have adequate access to nutritious foods, including animal source foods. Fixing this can be simple: a single egg, a cup of milk, or a small piece of meat can make all the difference to combatting malnutrition.
Meanwhile, populations are growing and urbanising faster here than anywhere else in the world. Demand for meat and dairy products is forecast to rise 300 percent by 2050.
Thankfully, evidence is already out there which proves that we don’t need to sacrifice a healthy environment to meet this rising demand.
Pastoralists in Senegal, for example, move their animals strategically to mimic natural grazing patterns, considering rainfall to prevent overgrazing. This not only improves biodiversity and soil quality, but also reduces dry vegetation and the growing threat of wildfires. To support, the Senegalese government has been providing our pastoralists with detailed weather data and forecasts to help them optimise grazing and manage their livestock more efficiently.
Working with communities in this way has been shown to reduce conflicts for land and water resources and restore landscapes.
Elsewhere in Africa, animal health interventions are demonstrating how better, not necessarily fewer, livestock is the answer to sustainability in the sector. East Coast fever vaccination programmes have reduced calf mortality up to 95 percent in some countries. More than 400,000 cattle have been saved in the past 25 years, reducing emissions up to 40 percent.
Moreover, new thermotolerant vaccines for the highly contagious viral disease peste des petits ruminants (PPR) – as demonstrated already in Mali – offer a promising way to curb the $147 million in annual losses of sheep and goat keepers across Africa. Boosting productivity among these climate-resilient animals will be essential for nourishing Africa’s rapidly growing population as climate change intensifies.
However, despite these successes, an important challenge remains. I have seen firsthand that many pastoralists, smallholders and subsistence farmers lack the knowledge and resources needed to access and implement these innovations. These groups account for the majority of Africa’s livestock keepers and must be reached for these innovations to realise their benefits at scale.
Two things are needed to bridge this gap. First, greater collaboration between policymakers, researchers, farmers and businesses can help us to better understand the challenges that livestock farmers face and help them to produce more, without compromising our environment.
For example, collaborative initiatives like the Livestock and Climate Solutions Hub launched by the International Livestock Research Institute are a way of showcasing practical ways for farmers to reduce their herds’ impact on the environment.
The second element is investment. For decades, despite the clear potential of high returns on investment, the livestock sector has suffered from a vast investment gap, receiving as little as 0.25 percent of overall overseas development assistance as of 2017. It must be made financially viable for livestock keepers to invest in technologies and approaches that raise productivity sustainably, or else this mission will not even get off the ground.
The upcoming World Bank Spring Meetings – where funding for development initiatives will be determined – presents a timely opportunity to kickstart this paradigm shift so that livestock is recognised within green financing frameworks.
African countries, in turn, must do their part by incorporating livestock into their national economic development plans and their climate action plans. This will help encourage funding streams from global investors and climate financing mechanisms, ultimately catalysing a multiplier effect of billions in livestock sustainability investment.
The solutions are within reach. What is needed now is the will to act decisively and unlock the continent’s unparalleled natural resource potential to build a future where prosperity and sustainability go hand in hand.
Daouda Ngom is the Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition for Senegal
The Federal Government has formally ratified and adopted a road map for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) by approving the National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP).
National grid lines
The policy, which had been ready since December 2024 and submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was ratified on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The policy is a comprehensive framework designed to transform Nigeria’s electricity sector in alignment with national development objectives and international best practices as mandated by Section 3(3) of the revised Electricity Act 2023.
According to a statement by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and Media Relations, quoting the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the policy implementation has already started and will now gain momentum with the President’s approval, while the impact would soon be felt.
He added that the Electricity Act 2023 requires the Federal Government through the Ministry of Power to initiate the process for the preparation and publication in the Federal Government’s gazette, an integrated National Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan, within one year of the commencement of the Electricity Act.
The Minister said: “The road map Policy addresses critical challenges in Nigeria’s electricity sector through comprehensive framework for sector transformation with clear guidelines for sustainable power generation, transmission distribution as well as integration of renewable energy sources, its promotion, energy efficiency and enhancement of sector governance.”
He described the passage of the Electricity Act 2023 as a pivotal moment for the electricity sector as it signals a transformative change which has laid the foundation for NESI, thus enabling exponential socio-economic growth.
“This National Integrated Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan (NIEP) is a comprehensive roadmap developed to guide all stakeholders – the Federal and State Governments, market participants, investors, and indeed all Nigerians, through this transition.”
Adelabu said the preparation of the policy represents the collective efforts of the Ministry in collaboration with a wide cross-section of stakeholders across the public and private sectors at national and State levels, civil society organisations, academic institutions, captains of industry, donor partners, development institutions, private sector participants and consumer advocacy groups, to address the complex challenges faced by NESI, from infrastructure deficits, inadequate capital to regulatory inefficiencies.
“The NIEP is a very significant evolution from the National Electric Power Policy of 2001, which has been long overdue for replacement. The Policy outlines various initiatives to aid the growth and development of State Electricity Markets (SEMs). It fosters a decentralised but collaborative approach to energy management and resource planning. This policy is a living document that will evolve with the industry’s needs and challenges. It underscores the importance of collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to consumer protection and engagement.”
The Policy is structured across eight chapters which comprehensively address the historical perspective of the Nigeria Electricity Sector, focus on key features of the Electricity Act 2023, Nigeria’s electricity Policy objectives, electricity market design, value chain analysis, stakeholders roles and responsibilities, climate change and low carbon economy initiatives, gender equality and social inclusion, local content development including research and development, commercial, legal and regulatory frameworks.
The House of Representatives Committee on Works has expressed satisfaction with the Shoreline Protection project implementation at Marina in Lagos State.
Shoreline protection
The committee described the project as a crucial intervention.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Akin Alabi, gave the project a “pass mark” during an inspection on Monday, May 5, 2025.
He noted the importance of the project in safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Alabi specifically highlighted that the completed work would protect the vital Blue Rail line and the Outer Marina Road.
He urged the contractor to ensure the project would be completed swiftly.
“As you have heard, the last time this was done was over 40 years ago since it was put there.
“Because of lack of maintenance culture, there has not been subsequent maintenance, and we have got to this point where there has to be an intervention, else we are going to lose a lot of assets on this road,” Alabi said.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Works, under the leadership of the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, for prioritising the project.
He also acknowledged the diligent work of the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha.
On her part, Kesha explained that the Shoreline Protection project wa 30 per cent completed and was designed to secure the road and the Blue Rail Line for at least the next 25 years.
She said: “As of the moment, the percentage of permanent work that has been completed is about 30 per cent; so, it has about 70 per cent more to go, and then it still has time on its side.”
She emphasised the high quality of work being done, explaining the reinforcement strategy involving the existing and new concrete sheet piles to enhance the shoreline’s resilience.
“The quality of work here is top-notch. There is no compromise here.
“You can see that the existing sheet piles gave way. That was why we need to do another one and we are not doing away with the old one, which are the metal ones that we saw.
“We are doing another concrete behind it, and then we are connecting the two so that there is more rigidity, more connection between the old and the new. Then, this shoreline can be protected,” she said.
Kesha emphasised the long-term benefits of the project, saying that non-protection of the Outer Marina Road would make erosion to catch up with it the next five to 10 years.
“With what we are doing here now, the lifespan of this road has increased by more than 25 years; so, in the next 25 years, and the investment of Lagos State as part of the Blue Rail Line – we will protect it. That is the whole essence of this.”
After inspecting the shoreline protection, the House Committee on Works inspected the security infrastructure installed under the Third Mainland Bridge.
The 24-hour surveillance facility covers the stretch from Oworonshoki to Falomo Bridge.
Alabi lauded the contractor and the Federal Ministry of Works for the initiative, describing it as a strategic move to significantly reduce crime in the area.
He affirmed that the project demonstrated the responsible use of funds appropriated by the parliament.
“This is what we like to see. When parliament appropriates money, we want to see the results of the money we appropriated so that when you come back for more, we won’t have a reason to deny you,” Alabi said.
He conveyed the support of the Speaker of the House, Mr. Abbas Tajudeen.
“I am here speaking with the mandate of the Speaker, Honourable Abbas Tajudeen, GCON, to ascertain the level of work here, and I have zero complaint.”
Alabi urged speedy completion of the remaining aspects of the security infrastructure, noting its potential impact on curbing criminal activities.
“That little part remaining, please do it as soon as possible.
“The bandits, the thieves, the terrible people – the bad people, they know that that part has not been done; so, they might want to concentrate their theft and illegal activities on that side.
“The earlier we complete it, the better. This is definitely going to reduce crime by a large percentage,” he said.
Responding, Kesha reiterated that the security infrastructure was an integral part of the ongoing upgrade of the Third Mainland Bridge, which was nearing completion.
Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, secured a second term after the Labour party won the federal elections on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese
Pacific youth across Australia are reportedly heartened by the result after weeks of voter awareness campaigns for Pacific communities but will continue to hold the Albanese government accountable to their promises.
For instance, Jacynta Fa’amau, 350.org Pacific Campaigner, is of the view that Pacific communities voted on issues that matter to them, issues that align with their values.
“Young Pacific Islanders living in Australia know that the cost-of-living crisis is connected to the climate crisis and we deserve to have a future free of both,” Fa’amau stated, adding that the result is an indication that Australia isn’t falling prey to the divisive politics of the far right, “but there is still work to be done. Labour has made climate promises in the past and we intend to hold them accountable to these”.
According to Fa’amau, the returned Albanese government will aim for clean energy to provide more than 80% of power by 2030.
“While this election means Australia voted for renewable energy over dangerous nuclear tactics, we will continue to push the new government to take real action to phase out fossil fuel production. This starts by ending the approval of new coal and gas projects.
“This country remains one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and gas, and this is Australia’s biggest contribution to the devastation of our island homes. The plans for renewable energy are encouraging, but Australian climate policy will still be grossly inadequate without phasing out fossil fuel production,” added Fa’amau.
Hand hygiene is said to be one of the most effective, affordable and universal tools available to prevent the transmission of infections and provide high-quality, clean and safe medical care.
Medical gloves
While medical gloves serve a vital role in preventing transmission of infection, for example when there is risk of exposure to blood and body fluids, they are not a substitute for cleaning hands at the right time.
On the 2025 World Hand Hygiene Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) urges governments, health-care facilities, and frontline workers around the world to reinforce hand hygiene practices – a proven, cost-effective intervention to protect both patients and health-care workers.
“Medical gloves can reduce the risk of infection, but they are never a replacement for hand hygiene,” said Dr Bruce Aylward, WHO Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage, Life Course. “On this World Hand Hygiene Day, let us double down on our commitment and action to improve hand hygiene in health care settings to ensure the safety of patients and health-care workers.”
Improper glove use not only undermines infection prevention and control practices but also adds significantly to health-care waste. Much of this waste can be avoided by maintaining hand hygiene and using gloves only when necessary.
Gloves are protective but not foolproof or without problems
Gloves can become contaminated just like hands and are often misused, such as being worn indefinitely while health workers switch between patients or when they are performing multiple procedures for the same patient. Additionally, overuse of gloves contributes to environmental degradation.
An average university hospital in a developed country generates 1634 tons of health-care waste each year, which is equivalent to over 360 African elephants. Much of the waste could have been avoided if gloves were used properly and good hand hygiene was practiced. Most used gloves are considered infectious and require high-temperature incineration or specialized treatment, adding strain to already burdened waste management systems.
Action needed now
WHO urges national policymakers and THE health community TO take the following actions to improve the rational use of gloves and hand hygiene in healthcare settings:
Train health workers on the appropriate use of gloves and the WHO guidance called the 5 moments for hand hygiene;
Focus on reducing unnecessary glove use to minimize health care waste; provide the necessary resources to enable hand hygiene to be practiced at the point of care; and
Prevent glove misuse by keeping enough good-quality gloves accessible.
Young environmental leaders from across Kenya have issued a declaration reaffirming their central role in the country’s green transition and forest conservation agenda. The declaration was made during of a three-day AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) National Youth Workshop held in Kitui County under the theme “From Science to Youth Action for Sustainable Forestry.”
Kenyan youth
Conducted by the African Forest Forum in collaboration with the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), the workshop is part of the continental build-up to COP30, scheduled for November 2025 in Brazil, where African youth will present their unified voice and policy recommendations on forestry, climate action, and sustainable development.
It provided a space for youth to co-develop practical solutions, enhance their skills in conservation and eco-preneurship, and advocacy in national and international forestry discourse.
The youth declaration outlines the challenges facing forest ecosystems in Kenya, ranging from climate change, limited inclusion of youth in policy-making, deforestation, to lack of access to funding and technical training. Despite these obstacles, young participants reaffirmed their readiness to lead through green innovation, community-based conservation, and forest-based entrepreneurship.
Their proposed solutions include tree nursery enterprises, digital storytelling for forest advocacy, carbon credit initiatives, climate-smart agroforestry, as well as timber and non-timber forest product enterprises and ecotourism.
“Young people are not just future leaders – they are today’s drivers of sustainability and innovation; we are ready to take charge in ensuring that our forests thrive while creating inclusive economic opportunities that benefit our communities and the planet,” the declaration states in part.
The AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) initiative represents a dynamic intersection between Africa’s verdant forests and its vibrant youth population that is four times larger than Europe’s and as ripe with potential. By fusing traditional wisdom with science and digital tools, AY4F empowers youth aged 18–30 to transform environmental aspirations into practical actions that protect biodiversity, mitigate climate impacts, and generate green livelihoods.
The national workshop was aimed at translating scientific and indigenous knowledge into youth-led action, equipping youth with tools for sustainable forest management and conservation, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the green economy, and strengthening youth advocacy for policy influence and decision-making.
Despite being among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, Africa’s youth are uniquely positioned to lead the green transition. Their digital proficiency, innovation, and grassroots knowledge and networks provides them the advantage to implement nature-based solutions at both local and global levels. Yet, their voices are often underrepresented in sustainability debates and policy forums.
“Our forests are not just natural resources; they’re our inheritance. And it’s our duty as youth to protect and restore them with both urgency and creativity,” said Esther Maina, one of the participants who is also the National Coordinator, Kenyan Youth Biodiversity Network, a youth-led membership organization that galvanizes youth action to respond to pressing environmental challenges like biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution.
“Through the AfricanYouth4Forests project, we are connecting science and traditional knowledge with action, helping young people understand their role in forest governance and climate action. By integrating these, we create a holistic foundation for decision-making, innovation, and stewardship. This fusion empowers the youth to take informed action, preserve ecosystems, and design adaptive solutions that are both contextually relevant and scientifically sound, ensuring forests remain a source of livelihood, identity, and ecological balance for generations to come,” said Dr. Mutta, representing the AFF Executive Secretary-CEO, Prof. Labode Popoola.
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) Prof. Anders Roos and co-facilitator said that the AY4F initiative is more than a training – it’s a launchpad for youth-driven transformation. He added: “Through scientific understanding and creative problem-solving, African youth are being equipped to design forest solutions rooted in both innovation and local realities.”
The declaration issued strong calls to action: urging the Kenyan government to integrate youth in forestry governance, expand youth-focused green financing and training programs, and embed sustainable forest education across the curriculum particularly in tertiary education. The private sector, NGOs and development partners were urged to support youth with mentorship, technical support, storytelling platforms, and resources for enterprise incubation.
Speaking at the opening session, KEFRI Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jane Njuguna, said that forests are at the heart of Kenya’s environmental resilience and socio-economic future, noting that empowering young people to become stewards of our forests is no longer optional but an urgent necessity.
“This workshop ensures that the next generation not only understands our forests but also actively shapes how they are governed, restored, and sustained,” stated Dr. Njuguna.
Urging the youth to harness forest resources as a source of employment and economic contribution, AFF Consultant, Dr. Joshua Cheboiwo, noted that forests are more than just natural treasures but also powerful engines for job creation and economic growth.
“We encourage youth to harness the vast opportunities within forestry, from sustainable timber and non-timber products to ecotourism, beekeeping, and green innovation. With creativity and commitment, young people can turn forest resources into thriving enterprises that support livelihoods while protecting the environment for future generations,” Cheboiwo said.
