UNESCO has reiterated its commitment to conserving Nigeria’s biosphere reserves, ensuring environment presevation and discouraging human activities that fuel climate change across communities.
Dr Jean-Paul Abiaga, Head of Office, UNESCO Abuja and the organisation’s representative in Nigeria, said this in an interview on Monday, December 29, 2025, in Abuja.
He said that UNESCO was conserving biosphere reserves, particularly Oban in Cross River, Omo in Ogun State, and Shere Hills in Plateau State.
UNESCO is conserving biosphere reserves in Ogun, Cross River and Plateau states
He explained that a biosphere referred to the global sum of all ecosystems, including all living organisms and their interactions with the environment. Abiaga added that UNESCO had engaged communities in the Oban, Omo and Shere Hills biosphere reserves in biodiversity business training.
A biosphere, according to the organisation, refers to the global sum of all ecosystems, encompassing all living organisms and their interactions with the environment.
The UNESCO representative said they had engaged in biodiversity business training for Oban Biosphere Reserve, Omo Biosphere Reserve and Shere Hills Reserve communities.
“The training is entitled Biodiversity Business in Oban Biosphere Reserve, Omo Biosphere Reserve and Shere Hills Reserve, Nigeria: A Means to Poverty Reduction, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in Nigeria.
“UNESCO received $1 million from India-UN Partnership Fund to implement the Biodiversity Business Project in three sites across Nigeria.
“The objective of the project is to support youth, women and local communities to develop biodiversity-related businesses,” Abiaga said.
Speaking on the training for Omo communities, he recalled they selected ten communities to train them in piggery and fish farming biodiversity businesses.
According to him, the goal is to help them create alternative source of livelihood that generate income while protecting the environment.
Abiaga also said that the biodiversity businesses training aligned with UNESCO’s global priority to create a balance between biodiversity protection and sustainable livelihoods.
“This project combines environmental protection with income generation, which supports the UN target of protecting 30 per cent of global biodiversity on land and sea.”
He said UNESCO hoped to scale up the project and continue collaborating with the Ogun State government, other states and private sector who shared the same interest.
He mentioned that the programme which held between Nov. 10 and Nov 15 in Ogun, was implemented in collaboration with Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, National Park Service, the Nigerian Committee of Man and Biosphere Reserve.
The biodiversity businesses training is part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme, an intergovernmental scientific programme aimed at establishing a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environment.
The programme combines the natural and social sciences with a view to improving human livelihoods and safeguarding natural and managed ecosystems.
It promotes innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable.
Preliminary report on chronic kidney disease (CKD) research conducted in Yobe State has indicated heavy metal presence in samples of water consumed by residents of Gashua town.
Prof. Mahmoud Maina, the Lead Researcher and Director, Biomedical Research and Training Centre (BioRTC), Yobe State University, Damaturu, disclosed this in an interview in Damaturu, the state capital, on Monday, December 29, 2025.
Gashua, Jakusko and other communities along the Yobe River are badly hit by decades-old renal failure burden, which has resulted in high mortality and morbidity rates in the areas.
Prof. Mahmoud Maina, the Lead Researcher and Director, Biomedical Research and Training Centre (BioRTC), Yobe State University
Maina, a neuroscientist and Adviser to Gov Mai Mala Buni on Science, Research and Innovation, noted that metals like cadmium, lead and arsenic were potential triggers of CKD and should not be near the environment in normal circumstances.
“If you find them close to your environment, then know that they can result in not only kidney disease but also other conditions like cancer and dementia,” he said.
The director said the report also revealed that CKD was significantly driven by known conditions like diabetes and hypertension, adding that fishermen in the area were mostly affected by the disease as compared to others.
He said BioRTC, in collaboration with a 50-man team of scientists from US, UK, Ghana, among others, collected over 3,000 human and environmental samples, including urine, blood, food items, farm soil, river and borehole water for the research.
The director listed the experts who participated in the state government-sponsored research to include nephrologists, geologists, chemists, physicians, geneticists and environmental scientists.
Maina, the recently turbaned “Shettima Ilmube” of Damaturu Emirate Council, however, emphasised that a more detailed and comprehensive report on the research would be made available in January 2026.
On dementia research recently launched by the centre in Damaturu, he said, life style information, blood samples and skin biopsies of 1,200 high risk individuals were collected for genetic analysis and screening for biomarkers.
Dementia is a condition associated with memory loss that gradually progresses into confusion, hallucination and the inability to manage oneself.
According to Maina, although dementia is associated with aging, it is not a normal part of aging.
The director said through the Induced Plurepotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) technology, tissue samples could be used to analyse dementia, especially in the absence of brain donors.
“If you collect a small pinch of tissue or even blood, you can go into the laboratory and convert these into stem cells. We can then further convert these stem cells into brain cells.
“Then we can now grow the brain cells using those ones, and these brain cells will have similar biology and property as the individual that gave us the donation of the skin biopsy.
“This means that if a person is at risk of dementia, we can test in his cells how to understand the risk and to prevent it as if it is happening in him, but without him giving us his brain,” Maina said.
He described the iPSCs as an essential technology through which drugs could be developed and prescribed for the treatment of dementia and other conditions in the near future.
The director said the centre decided to embark on dementia research as a proactive measure against the condition, which, according to recent studies, could surge by 300 percent in Africa in the next 25 years.
“The financial burden of dementia, globally, is also over $3 trillion. It will be more crippling to Africa than the West.
“This is why some people say dementia is worse than cancer because you can still remember and pray even on your sick bed. You can say your prayer before you die.
“But for dementia, you can stop being in this world decades before you are gone,” Maina said.
He commended the Buni-led administration for providing operational funds to the BioRTC, sponsoring its staff for foreign training and constructing the centre’s permanent office accommodation, which would be inaugurated in January.
The director said BioRTC was founded by him in 2021 with support from officials of the university and state government, adding that the centre had trained over 1,000 scientists on research and innovation since its establishment.
Maina, a visiting Prof. at University of Sussex, England, said through his foreign contacts, BioRTC had attracted funds for research and N6 billion worth of equipment, including high-end laser confocal microscopes and circular dichroism machine.
He identified corruption within and outside academia, inadequate funding and equipment as some of the drawbacks of research and innovation in Nigeria and other African countries.
The director, therefore, called on government and philanthropists to embrace the culture of supporting research and innovation financially, and promote talented scientists whose inventions could attract funding and investments.
“This will lead to solving societal problems; showing the value of science, increasing the visibility of our impact and make us among the power houses,” he said.
The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) on Monday, December 29, 2025, said that there was a system collapse at 2.01 which has resulted to loss of power supply across their network.
The information was made known by EKEDC on its official X (Twitter) handle.
A power grid
It said: “Kindly be informed that there was a system collapse at 2.01 which has resulted to loss of power supply across our network.
”We are currently working with our partners as we hope for the speedy restoration of the grid.
”We will keep you updated as soon as power is restored.”
Confirmation is being awaited from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO).
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has called for compensation for communities affected by the recent U.S. strike in Sokoto State.
President Donald Trump of U.S. on Christmas Day in a Truth Social post announced what he described as a devastating airstrike on terrorists mobilising for assault missions in Nigeria.
The CSOs coalition in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, December 29, 2025, also advocated an independent investigation into the strike and public disclosure of the findings from the probe.
US President Donald Trump addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly
The group comprises no fewer than 80 organisations including Yiaga Africa, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Accountability Lab Nigeria, ACE-Nigeria, and African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL).
The group said doing so would deepen public trust and calm communal tensions.
The group said the incident raised serious questions about Nigeria’s sovereignty, constitutional governance, civilian protection and democratic accountability.
The CSOs criticised what it described as the absence of public explanations from the President Bola Tinubu, Service Chiefs and the National Assembly.
They further decried the lack of transparency surrounding the operation, including its legal basis and rules of engagement and safeguards for civilians.
The group said this was amid reports that debris from munitions fell on farmlands in Sokoto State and near a hotel in Kwara State.
Kebbi State Government has attracted five landmark investments valued at over $200 million and N220 billion in renewable energy, electric mobility and agro-industrial development.
Dr Muhammad Kamba, Director-General of the Kebbi State Investment Promotion Agency, disclosed this on Monday, December 29, 2025, in Abuja.
He said the investments include a $120 million, 100-megawatt off-grid solar power project by Fused Vision.
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State
According to Kamba, the project is among the largest off-grid solar initiatives undertaken by a subnational government in Nigeria.
“It is designed to address energy shortages in underserved communities and support manufacturing and agro-processing activities,” he said.
Kamba said Karlot Energy would deploy distributed off-grid solar systems across the state to expand access to clean and reliable power.
“They will leverage Kebbi’s strong solar potential and investor-friendly policies,” he added.
In the transport sector, Kamba said WE CAN Electric Cars had received approval to begin electric vehicle operations statewide.
“This introduces sustainable mobility options for urban and rural routes, aligning with global shifts towards green transportation,” he said.
He said TAWI Research Limited plans to establish an agriculture-focused innovation centre to boost productivity through technology adaptation.
Kamba added that Think-Lab Group is developing the ₦220 billion Kebbi Agro Food Industrial Hub integrating farming, processing, logistics and market access.
“The hub will link smallholder farmers to markets, reduce post-harvest losses and increase incomes.
“These investments reflect Kebbi’s advantages in agriculture, energy infrastructure and facilitation,” Kamba said.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to timely project execution to position Kebbi as a long-term investment destination.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant an application seeking to stop Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), and others from allocating some oil fields.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by Hi-Rev Oil Limited and Hi-Rev Exploration and Production Ltd but moved by their lawyer, Ambrose Unaeze, rather ordered that the respondents be put on notice.
“The respondents are hereby ordered by this honourable court to show cause why the application should not be granted,” Justice Nwite ruled.
Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil)
Justice Nwite, a vacation judge, adjourned the matter until Jan. 5, 2026, for the respondents to show cause.
The 2nd and 3rd respondents in the ex-parte motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2678/2025, are the Attorney-General of Federation (AGF) and Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The motion, dated and filed on Dec. 11 by a team of lawyers led by Unaeze, sought a relief.
The oil and gas companies are seeking an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants or whomsoever is acting on their behest from selling, assigning or allocating the Yorla South (Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) 2A32 – OML 11) located in Rivers.
The order is to also restrain the defendants from allocating Akiapiri (PPL 2A48 – OML 25) located in Bayelsa; Diebu Creek East (OML 32) also located in Bayelsa and Idiok (PPL 2A41 – OML 67) located in Akwa Ibom, “same being direct replacements for Utapate Oil Field (formerly part of OML 13) and OPL 2002, previously allocated to the plaintiff but was later withdrawn by the defendants, pending the hearing of the interlocutory application in this suit.”
Giving four grounds why their application should be granted, the lawyer said the companies were previously allocated the Utapate Oil Field (formerly part of OML 13) and OPL 2002, but were unreasonably withdrawn by the Federal Government.
He said parties had a settlement agreement for the replacement of the Utapate Oil Field, which was accepted or adopted and it became consent judgement.
Unaeze stated that the firms had taken substantial steps and offered consideration in respect of the grant of the licence to operate OPL and licence to establish a petroleum refinery.
He argued that the companies’ legal right is being threatened by the defendants, pursuant to the threat to sell or allocate the oil fields at Yorla South, Akiapiri, Diebu Creek East, and Idiok to third parties via the defendants’ offer to the public for round bid, hence, the need for the interim order.
In the affidavit in support of the motion, the companies’ Director, Chief Felix Ezeamama, averred that in 2007, the firms won the bid for OPL 2002, but the exercise was suspended following a lawsuit filed by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), the former operator of OML 13 as at then.
“However, the plaintiffs subsequently filed an action against the defendants over lack of access to the oil field in Suit No. FHC/CS/1077/2007, which led to an out of court settlement in 2015 between the plaintiffs and the defendants,” he said.
Ezeamama said this led to the adoption of the terms of settlement as a consent judgment.
According to him, the settlement agreement confirmed and declared the plaintiffs as the rightful winner of OPL 2002 and provided for the issuance of a 50,000 BPD modular refinery license at Iko Community, Eastern Obolo L.G.A., Akwa Ibom State.
“And following this act, the DPR (now NUPRC) issued the plaintiffs with both the award letter (Offer of Oil Prospecting License – OPL 2002) and License to establish Petroleum Refinery, and based on that act of the defendants, the plaintiffs made part payment of the signature bonus while liaising with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on exchange rate arrangements for the balance.
He said consequent upon the said award/offer of Oil Prospecting License — OPL 2002 and license to establish petroleum refinery by the defendants, the plaintiffs submitted a detailed engineering design as per statutory compliance for the construction of 50,000 BPSD Refinery at Iko Community, Eastern Obolo L.G.A. of Akwa Ibom.
He said the defendants, in their wisdom after series of review, approved the detailed engineering design and construction as submitted and further advised the plaintiffs to proceed to the next phase of the project.
“That a subsequent high-level stakeholders meeting chaired by the then AGF, on-behalf of the defendants, wherein he proposed a settlement offering the plaintiffs either two oil fields from OPL 2002.
“This, is a with a complete data for each of the fields, or three (3) other marginal fields of its choice with complete data for the fields elsewhere from the Government Basket, under sole risk terms with a nominal signature bonus.”
Ezeamama said owing to the facts as stated above, the plaintiffs selected the Obuzo, Uzoaku, and Ofemini Oil Fields, which were approved for implementation by the defendants.
“However, the fields were later included in a marginal field bid round and sold to other operators, leaving none available as alternatives for the plaintiffs,” he said.
According to him, the matter remained unresolved for years, and each time the plaintiffs approached the defendants for the replacement of their oil fields, the defendants would always make promises and undertakings to the plaintiffs that they will provide them with other viable oil fields of equivalent value to the earlier ones as granted to them which were unjustifiably withdrawn.
The director averred that they are entitled to the allocation of the said Yorla South – PPL 2A32 – OML 11; Akiapiri: PPL 2A48-OML 25; Diebu Creek East – OML 32 and Idiok: PPL 2A41-OML 67 and grant of license of same as alternative to the earlier oil fields which were unreasonably withdrawn by the defendants.
He said this was so because they had fulfilled the conditions for the grant and also particularly in-line with the consent judgement of the court.
Ezeamama said irreparable loss would have been visited on the plaintiffs and a state of hopelessness would be foisted on the court, if the application was not granted and the defendants go ahead to deal adversely with the plaintiffs’ interest on the selected oil fields.
“That the plaintiffs have suffered grave financial loss and emotional torture in the hands of the defendants, who have continued to dribble the plaintiffs at will,” he alleged.
A U.S. State Department official on Monday, December 29, 2025, said the U.S. has made a $2 billion pledge for UN humanitarian aid following major foreign aid cuts by the Trump administration.
The U.S. slashed its aid spending this year, and leading Western donors such as Germany also pared back assistance as they pivoted to increased defense spending, triggering a severe funding crunch for the United Nations.
The U.S. State Department official said the U.S. was pledging to commit $2 billion in funding to the UN for humanitarian aid.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres
No further details were provided on how the money would be allocated or if additional pledges would follow.
UN data showed total U.S. humanitarian contributions to the UN fell to about $3.38 billion in 2025, equating to about 14.8 per cent of the global sum.
This was down sharply from $14.1 billion the prior year, and a peak of $17.2 billion in 2022.
Earlier in December, the United Nations launched a 2026 aid appeal for $23 billion to reach 87 million people at risk half the $47 billion sought for 2025, reflecting plunging donor support despite record global needs.
UN aid chief Tom Fletcher has said the UN’s humanitarian response was overstretched and underfunded, meaning “brutal choices” had to be made to prioritise those most in need.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) says power generation has increased nationwide following the repairs and restoration of the vandalised Lagos-Escravos gas supply infrastructure.
The management of NISO made this known in a statement on Friday, December 26, 2025, in Abuja.
NISO is established to manage electricity grid with reliability, efficiency, and transparency, enabling a sustainable and competitive power sector that drives economic growth and improves quality of life.
National grid lines
It disclosed that the Nigeria Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) accomplished the feat that has translated into improved power generation and enhanced gas supply to several key thermal power plants across the country.
”This development is a positive step towards stabilisng the electricity supply and improving grid reliability for consumers nationwide,” it said.
According to NISO, gradual power offtake is being carried out by the affected plants to ensure a smooth recovery and maintain the stability of both the gas supply network and the national electricity grid.
The system operator said that the approach would prevent system stress and ensure reliable supply of electricity for industries, businesses, and households.
It also said that other thermal power plants remain available and on standby, awaiting confirmation of gas supply from their respective suppliers on Saturday.
”Once confirmed, these plants will be integrated into the national grid to further strengthen generation capacity and reduce the risk of outage.
”NISO continues to work closely with relevant stakeholders, including power generation companies, gas suppliers, and regulatory bodies, to monitor developments and address any operational challenges in real time,” it said.
The system operator also urged all consumers to continue practicing energy conservation where possible, as the coordinated efforts to stabilise power supply progresses.
The governments of Kenya, Norway and the United States, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) will next year hold the second major international Summit dedicated to providing clean cooking access to the 1 billion people in Africa who currently lack it, bringing together the public and private sectors to accelerate the momentum generated by the landmark 2024 Summit held by the IEA and partners in Paris.
The 2026 Summit will take place in Nairobi and be co-chaired by President William Ruto of Kenya, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway, United States Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.
Kenyan President, William Ruto, will co-chair the 2026 Summit in Nairobi
The first Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa took place in Paris in May 2024, mobilising $2.2 billion in financial pledges from governments and the private sector. Close to 60 countries took part, including leaders from several African governments; heads of international organisations, notably the African Development Bank Group; and CEOs of major energy companies.
In July 2025, the IEA published an update showing that more than $470 million of the commitments from the Paris Summit had already been disbursed – and also set out a new roadmap for a cost-effective pathway to reaching universal access to clean cooking across sub-Saharan Africa by 2040.
The report was launched by Dr Birol with African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Lerato Mataboge, and Special Representative of the President of Tanzania for Clean Cooking, Jacqueline Kawishe. Ms. Mataboge and Ms. Kawishe highlighted the value of the cooperation with the IEA on advancing clean cooking access in Africa and how local policy efforts were helping to rapidly expand the domestic clean cooking market.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Nigeria’s governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mr. Nyesom Wike, “over their failure to account for the spending of the N14 trillion fuel subsidy savings they collected from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations, including details of projects executed with the money, and the completion reports on the projects.”
The suit followed reports that the 36 governors and the FCT minister have collected trillions of naira from FAAC allocations as fuel subsidy savings since mid-2023. But the increased allocations have not translated into improved access to quality healthcare and education for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike
In the suit number FHC/L/MSC/1424/2025 filed Friday, December 26, 2025, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP is asking the court to “direct and compel the governors and Mr. Wike to disclose the details of the spending of the increased FAAC allocations being savings from the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023.”
SERAP is also asking the court to “compel the governors and Mr. Wike to disclose details and the location of the projects executed, if any, with the increased FAAC allocations from the savings from the removal of fuel subsidy.”
In the suit, SERAP is arguing that, “Nigerians ought to know in what manner public funds including fuel subsidy savings, are spent by the governors and FCT minister.”
According to SERAP, “The constitutional principle of democracy also provides a foundation for Nigerians’ right to know the spending details of the money collected from the savings from the removal of fuel subsidy.”
SERAP is arguing that, “Citizens’ right to know promotes openness, transparency, and accountability that is in turn crucial for the country’s democratic order.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “There is a legitimate public interest for the governors and the FCT minister to urgently explain how they have spent the money they have so far collected from the subsidy savings.”
SERAP said, “Opacity in the spending of the increased FAAC allocations from fuel subsidy savings collected by the governors and Mr Wike would continue to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “The savings from the removal of fuel subsidy ought to be spent solely for the benefit of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of the removal. Transparency in the spending of the money would help to avoid a morally repugnant result of double jeopardy on these Nigerians.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Oluwakemi Agunbiade and Valentina Adegoke, reads in part: “There is a significant risk of mismanagement or diversion of funds linked to the increased FAAC allocations collected by the states and FCT.
“The spending details of the money collected by several states and the FCT from fuel subsidy savings have been mostly shrouded in secrecy.
“Millions of poor and vulnerable Nigerians have not benefited from the trillions of naira collected by the governors and FCT minister from as a result of the subsidy savings. Nigerians continue to face a worsening poverty crisis.
“Several states are also reportedly spending public funds which may include fuel subsidy savings to fund unnecessary travels, buy exotic and bulletproof cars and generally fund the lavish lifestyles of politicians.
“There are continuing reports of widespread poverty, underdevelopment and lack of access to public goods and services in several states.
“Directing and compelling states and FCT to disclose the details of the spending of the money collected as fuel subsidy savings would allow Nigerians to scrutinise them, and to public officials to account on the spending of public funds.
“The states and FCT may have failed to transparently and accountably manage the allocations collected from the fuel subsidy savings.
“Nigerians have the right to know how their states and FCT are spending the savings from the removal of fuel subsidy as part of their human right to information.
“Combating the corruption epidemic in the spending of the money collected would alleviate poverty, improve access of Nigerians to basic public services, and enhance the ability of states and FCT to effectively and efficiently discharge their responsibilities.
“The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in 2024 distributed N28.78 trillion from the removal of subsidy on petrol to the three tiers of government, representing a 79 per cent increase from the previous year.
“State governments’ allocations increased by 45.5 per cent to N5.22 trillion. Monthly distributions in 2025 have reportedly exceeded N1.6 trillion.
“However, despite the increased allocations of public funds to states and FCT, millions of poor and socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians have not benefited from the savings.
“Many states reportedly owe civil servants’ salaries and pensions. Several states continue to borrow to pay salaries. Millions of Nigerians resident in several states and the FCT continue to be denied access to basic public services.
“Several years of allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the spending of public funds by several states and entrenched impunity of perpetrators have undermined public trust and confidence in governments at all levels.
“Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.
“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on public institutions including states and FCT to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.
“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources. Articles 5 and 9 of the Convention also impose legal obligations on states and FCT to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds.
“The Supreme Court in a groundbreaking judgment declared that the Freedom of Information Act ‘is applicable and applies to the public records in the Federation’, including those relating to the spending of the subsidy savings kept by states and FCT.
“With the landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has made clear that state governors can no longer hide under their unfounded claim that the Freedom of Information Act does not apply to them.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
