Some medical practitioners have urged the Federal Government to work towards establishing a central water system to promote access to safe and affordable water for healthy living of Nigerians.
Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare
The medical practitioners spoke in Lagos on Saturday, April 6, on the occasion of 2024 World Health Day (WHD) marked annually on April 7.
WHD is celebrated annually on April 7 to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948.
The theme for 2024 WHD is: “My Health, My Right”.
This year’s theme was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination.
Speaking, a Consultant Cardiologist, Dr Ramon Moronkola, said it had become imperative for the government to provide a central water system to ensure access to affordable and readily available safe drinking water.
Moronkola, who works with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), said that availability of central water system would make it easier for the government to monitor and regulate the quality of water that goes to different homes.
According to him, unsafe water is one of the ways infections can spread, saying that individuals can easily contract diseases if water is not made safe.
“The WHO has mentioned access to safe water and good nutrition as part of the key components of WHD celebration.
“So, water is very important to life and healthy living; we need water to quench our thirst, even when we eat, we need water for the food to digest, the body needs water to function and excrete waste products,” he said.
Moronkola decried that, in Nigeria, government’s source of water was practically not existing.
He explained that, with the establishment of central water system by government, water would be more affordable and available for consumption.
“Water is life, without water there is no living.
“And this is very important to talk about now because in our own environment, government’s source of water is practically not existing.
“We all depend on water from different sources usually from all the packaged water. How well are we sure that this water is safe?
“But if we have a central water system, it would have been easier for the government to monitor the quality of water that goes to different homes.
“My advice is that government should either start looking at establishing central water system or based the situation we had, ensure that the regulatory agencies play more roles beyond exploiting and extorting the owners of these packaged water.
“The regulatory agencies should play more roles in supporting and ensuring that the water they supply is safe, affordable and available to people.
“And this is where collaborative effort will play a significant role; the regulatory agencies should see themselves as partners with these producers rather than antagonists or enemies,” Moronkola said.
Contributing, a Consultant Family & Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Dr Bummi Oluwagbemi, said that the importance of water to life cannot be overemphasised.
Oluwagbemi advised that people should ensure they take enough safe drinking water particularly during the daytime as it helps in body cleansing and revitalisation.
According to her, it is advisable that an individual drinks lots of water at least three litres of water per day.
Government at all levels have started equipping farmers with agricultural inputs in order to facilitate this year’s wet season farming and improve yields, a survey indicates.
Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security
Respondents, who spoke across the country, said that such farm inputs would go a long a way in boosting food security and addressing food inflation.
Some of the stakeholders also expressed concerns on the rising cost of livestock feed and the urgent need to address the trend.
At the federal level, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said the ministry was taking the lead.
Kyari said that the ministry would distribute 2.15 million bags of assorted fertilisers donated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Nigeria farmers.
He said that the fertilisers donated by CBN comprised UREA, NPK and SSP valued at over N100 billion.
“Well, we have been donated 2.15 million bags of assorted fertilisers from the CBN.
“We are in the process of taking possession of those (fertilisers).
“Hopefully, by this April, we will start the distribution of these fertilisers especially in those areas that wet season farming has begun,” he said.
Kyari also revealed that the ministry was set to receive 500 tractors assembled by the John Deere Group to improve mechanised farming, increase production, and achieve food and nutrition security.
He said that the initiative was aimed at catalysing farming activities and fortify food and nutrition security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s emergency declaration on food security.
Kyari reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving food and nutrition security through mechanisation.
He said that the tractors would be accessible, available and affordable for small, large-scale, and cooperative farmers across the country.
In Edo State, Dr Samuel Owoicho, the State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the ministry had concluded plans to distribute inputs to farmers ahead of the farming season.
Owoicho also disclosed that seeds and irrigation equipment were part of the inputs to be distributed to the farmers.
According to him, 11 local government areas of Edo have been selected to benefit from the support.
“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will be unveiling the distribution of inputs to farmers first week of April.
“Farmers from 11 local government areas of the state have been selected already.
“Each selected farmer is to be given three bags of fertilisers at 50 per cent subsidised rate,” he said.
In Bayelsa, Mr Ebiye Kalaku, a senior official in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the state government would soon provide farmers with inputs as support to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship in the country.
He listed the items to be distributed to farmers to include cartons of agro chemicals, plantain suckers, bundles of cassava stem, and cartons of day-old chicks.
Others were bags of poultry feeds, bags of fish feeds of different ranges, assorted edible tree crops, bags of NPK Fertilizer, packs assorted vegetable seedlings and economic trees.
In Delta, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) said it needed government to subsidise cost of fertilisers to boost food production in the state.
The State AFAN Chairman, Mr Richard Asenime, said that farmers were also in need of services of tractors for ease of cultivating their farmlands.
“It is no longer news that prices of fertilisers and other inputs have been impacted by inflation and as such, both federal and state governments need to support farmers to produce food this year,” he said.
According to him, farmers in the state have always enjoyed government support every year.
From the North-East, the Governments of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states have reiterated their commitment to using agriculture to tackle poverty as their citizens recover from the insurgency.
In Borno, Gov. Babagana Zulum, said he had inaugurated 312 tractors and assured farmers of subsidised fertiliser.
In Adamawa, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. David Jatau, said the Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri administration had approved N456 million for the purchase of farm inputs to support small scale farmers for the 2024 farming season.
Jatau said that so far about 20,000 farmers had been registered for the intervention.
According to him, the support package included fertiliser, herbicides and improved seeds among others.
“A lot of changes and strategies have been put in place to support our small-scale farmers this year.
“The government is introducing climate smart agriculture, which will boost production and revenue for the farmers.
“The improved seeds when planted would mature early and won’t be affected by drought or inadequate rainfall before harvest,” he said.
In Yobe, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Ali Goneri, said the government would support 2,600 small scale farmers in the 17 local government areas of the state in the cropping season.
“We want to empower 15 farmers in each of the 178 wards in the state by providing them with a comprehensive set of agricultural inputs for crop development,’’ he said.
Still more, from Benue, Mr Thomas Unongo, the Director of Agricultural Services, State Ministry of Agriculture, said the ministry had made requisition on procurement of fertilisers and other farm inputs to the state’s executive council and was waiting for approval.
The director stated that procurement of fertilisers and other farm inputs involved processes that had already been initiated with the submission of memos to the council for approval.
He expressed optimism that the approvals would be out by next month.
According to him, Gov. Hyacinth Alia has a lot of interest in agriculture, and that is why he subsidised all farm inputs in 2023.
“The state government subsidised each input by 50 per cent; that is farmers paid 50 per cent while the state government paid 50 per cent,’’ he said.
In Plateau, Gov. Caleb Mutfwang promised to tackle insecurity to enable farmers go to their farms at all times.
He said that the current hardship in the country would only be addressed via farming.
“Let me encourage our people to go back to agriculture and as a government we will support this move.
“But there must be peace for people to farm, that is why we revived the Plateau Peace Building Agency and taken other measures that will guarantee the security of our farmers,” he said.
He said that in addition to the fertilisers, government had constructed 25 access roads from farms to markets across the 17 local government areas of the state to boost ease of movement of farm produce from the farms to the markets.
In Nasarawa, Mr Umar Dan’ Akano, Commissioner for Agriculture, said the government had approved the clearing of 10,000 hectares of farmland at Jangwa and Agwatashi areas of Lafia and Obi Local Government Areas for wet season farming to boost food production.
He said plan was on top gear to distribute farming inputs– fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides, seeds and seedlings to wet season farmers at subsidised rate to ensure food sufficiency.
According to the Agric Commissioner, the state government had earlier distributed 13 trucks of fertilisers alongside herbicides, insecticides, seeds, seedlings, knapsack sprayers among others at subsidised rate for dry season farmers.
On the high cost of animal feed, Aishatu Onuku, Director Animal Husbandry Services, Nasarawa State Ministry of Agriculture, said that farmers were being sensitised through extension services on the use of alternative feeds to reduce the cost.
In Kogi, the State Government said that all was set for the 2024 wet season farming toward boosting food production and security.
Mr Timothy Ojoma, the Commissioner for Agriculture, described Kogi as agrarian state feeding Nigerians with good food.
Ojoma said that Gov. Usman Ododo was a farmer friendly governor, who was very much interested in food production and security.
“We have concluded training for our enumerators for the forthcoming biometric capturing of all farmers across the state for useful data.
“We have mapped out for immediate intervention for 1,200 hectares of land just for cassava production this year; we have done same for Palm trees and Cashew,’’ he said.
In Oyo State, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said the state government had in the last three months, distributed maize and fish feeds to poultry and fish farmers.
Olaleye said that about 2,500 poultry and 1,000 fish farmers had so far benefited from the distribution.
The commissioner said that the government had procured assorted fertilisers, herbicides, maize, Soya beans and other farm inputs that would be distributed to crop farmers in early April.
He said that the beneficiaries of the government gesture did not need to be registered AFAN members but must be farmers.
The commissioner said that the state government had also earmarked lots of measures to assist farmers in order to bring down the cost of food and support farmers in the state.
“Recently the state government exonerated farmers from paying tax on farm produce in the next six months among other incentives given to farmers,” he said.
On its part, the Ogun State Government said it had a well-planned out programme of support for farmers in the state ahead of the 2024 planting season.
Mr Bolu Owotomo, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, said the state government recently sold various inputs like fertilisers, maize and hybicides to farmers in the Ogun Central Senatorial District at subsidised rate.
He said farmers in the Senatorial District were made to pay only 50 per cent of the prices of the inputs that they bought at the Ogun state Agro-Economic Transformation programme.
“This programme will be replicated in the other two Senatorial Districts immediately after the Easter celebration because we have plans to empower no fewer than 2000 farmers,” he said.
In Bauchi, Mr Mohammed Salihu, Director of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, said the state initiated viable agriculture transformation programmes to boost productivity through comprehensive farmer support services.
Salihu said the programmes were designed to accelerate crop and livestock production, encourage farmer enterprising skills, and value addition to create market for the produce.
He said the programmes were part of strategies adopted to enhance food security, address hunger and poverty among citizens of the state.
The director said the state government constituted a committee to gather inputs and make recommendations towards addressing food insecurity in the state.
In Jagawa, Mr Hamisu Gumel, the media aide to Gov. Umar Namadi, said the state planned to expand the scope of wheat/rice cultivation programme from 150,000 to 300,000 hectres next cropping season.
He said the programme was designed to encourage agriculture productivity, uplift livelihoods and boost state revenue base.
Namadi said the programme was being implemented in collaboration between the state, Federal Government and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
“We also prepared to go for massive cultivation of rice, currently about 105,000 farmers indicated interest this coming farming season.
“The state is expecting between 150,000 and 200,000 hectares of rice cultivation alone,” he said.
He said that the bank would support rice farmers in the state.
According to Gumel, the state government will provide inputs to the farmers at 40 per cent subsidy in the 2024 cropping season.
In Gombe, Malam Inuwa Salisu, a maize farmer, said that early distribution of fertilisers and inputs would encourage farmers to produce more and mitigate post-harvest losses.
“It is important for the state government or any stakeholders to always provide inputs in good time.
“This will help us plan because inputs are expensive, and many farmers now cultivate based on available inputs not the number of hectares you have.
“If you plan to cultivate five hectares and because of funds, you were only able to cultivate three in spite of having up to eight hectares of farmlands.
“When the government distributes inputs in July, many farmers may have concluded their arrangement and may have planted their crops,” he said.
In Ebonyi, Dr Ignatius Unah, the Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Ebonyi chapter, urged the federal and state governments to step up plans to provide farm inputs for farmers in the state.
Unah noted that provision of agro inputs for farmers would go a long way to avert impending food crisis.
“Well, we are yet to have the farm inputs from the federal and state governments.’’
He said that the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku, had x-rayed the good plans to assist farmers with fertiliser and other inputs.
“We believe the government of Ebonyi has the plans to boost agriculture in the state.’’
On accessibility to farm inputs and fertilisers in the state, Unah said that the cost of the commodities in the market had made it difficult for them.
“We believe the government have plans to subsidise these inputs in order to overcome food security and poorest of the farmers will have the opportunity to put crops in the farm as well as access to agro chemical inputs like fertiliser among others,” he said.
In Enugu, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation, Mr Patrick Ubru, said the state would procure farm inputs and subsidise it for registered farmers in the state.
He said the office was open for farmers to register, which they did on daily basis.
According to him, the state is preparing for a pre-farming training for farmers to launch the state into new farming season and at the end of it, inputs like seedlings, fertilisers, sprayers and others will be distributed to the registered farmers.
He explained that the essence of the registration was to identify real farmers from political farmers.
“This is why we are doing validation of farmers after registration to ensure that the farm they said they have, belong to them; and during distribution, we go back to our database.
“In Enugu State, one of our major crops is cassava and we cultivated over 500 hectares of cassava for bioetheanol value chain development which Enugu State is a pilot for the project,’’ he said.
Ubru said there was need to encourage private individuals to establish feed mills to help push down prices.
In Lagos State, Mr Adewale Alade, Director, Agricultural Development Authority (ADA), said that the state government would unveil various aspects of urban farming to encourage residents to grow food during the raining season.
Alade said that urban farming was one the measures government was adopting during the planting season.
He said that government wanted every household to be able to cultivate one thing or the other.
He said a lot of preparation was ongoing for the raining season farming in the state.
“We are launching various aspects of urban farming where every household will be able to cultivate one thing or the other.
“The government is getting farmers prepared for the season by embarking on pre-season at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan.
“We are preparing our farmers through various training on how to approach the season.’’
On distribution of inputs and grains to farmers, Alade said that Lagos was working with the Federal Government to ensure the inputs got to the right beneficiaries.
“We are working with the Federal Government; we have farmers already listed to benefit from various kinds of inputs like fertilisers, seeds, pesticides and others.”
“All these are on ground while the state government is also working on its part to support farmers in various aspects too,” he said.
On the rising cost of livestock feed, an agriculture consultant and co-founder of Corporate Farmers International, Mr Akin Alabi, said that to ease the cost of livestock feed, the government needed to prioritise the subsidisation of agro-inputs.
In Akwa Ibom, Dr Offiong Offor, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the state government had scaled up the quantity of farm inputs for distribution to farmers.
She added that more farmers would get farm inputs, depending on the crops of interest.
Offor said that the government had assisted farmers in land preparation by leasing out farm equipment at a reduced rate.
“Taking off the cost of land preparation and inputs from the farmers is a big relief, which will maximally increase production and profit margins,” she said.
Equally, in Rivers, the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to food security through the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) programme.
The State Programme Manager, Mr Vitalis Gbule, said that the strategy would guarantee bumper harvest in 2024 and beyond.
He said that as part of implementation of the poverty reduction strategy, the Federal Government recently distributed farm inputs to 250 verified farmers drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state.
‘’The input included seedlings, fertilisers, agro chemicals, fish feeds, poultry feeds and some hybrid poultry birds,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) said it had distributed agricultural inputs to farmers in Abia, Kebbi and Yobe.
NALDA’s Executive Secretary, Mr Paul Ikonne, said the inputs were aimed at assisting farmers to maximise crop cultivation for improved yields and increased food production.
He said that the beneficiaries in Abia and Yobe received NALDA-branded bags containing high grade fertiliser, herbicides and improved maize seeds.
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable manufacturing that minimises negative environmental impact while conserving energy and natural resources.
L-R: Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ogun State, Mr. Adebola Sofela; Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Nature’s Bounty Health Products Limited, Affiong Williams; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ogun State, Dr. Bolu Owotomo; Deputy Mission Director, USAID, Sara Werth; Regional Head, Lagos, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Omowunmi Kalejaiye; and the Special Adviser on Ogun State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency, Ms. Sola Arobieke, during the commissioning ceremony of the ReelFruit factory of Nature’s Bounty Health Products Limited, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State on January 15, 2024. The construction of the factory was funded by FCMB
This was demonstrated by the newly inaugurated dried fruit manufacturing plant of Nature’s Bounty Health Products Limited in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Financed by FCMB, the 800-metric-ton manufacturing plant affirms Nature’s Bounty’s commitment to large-scale production and environmental responsibility.
Nature’s Bounty Health Products Limited, trading as ReelFruit, is a purpose-driven Nigerian food technology startup that transforms abundant local fruits like mangoes, coconuts, and cashews into healthy snacks. This prevents post-harvest wastage and protects farmers from revenue loss.
The company’s focus on social impact, supporting underserved communities, and promoting Nigerian products globally necessitated its expanded capacity. The new plant allows Nature’s Bounty Health Products to increase the production of its variety of ReelFruit products from 6 to 30 metric tons monthly, creating over 200 jobs.
Affiong Williams, Founder and CEO of Nature’s Bounty Health Products, highlights the factory’s broader significance: “This facility is more than just bricks and mortar; it embodies my unwavering belief in Nigeria’s agricultural and manufacturing potential. With this factory, we are scaling our dried fruit production to serve customers nationwide, export ‘Made in Nigeria’ products globally, and transform agribusiness. We are creating jobs, supporting farmers, and proving that large-scale impact is achievable. This facility is a positive symbol for Nigeria’s business landscape for generations to come.”
“FCMB consistently supports businesses that share our vision of a sustainable and inclusive Nigeria,” said Mrs. Yemisi Edun, Managing Director of First City Monument Bank. “Nature’s Bounty Health Products and its brand, ReelFruit, embodies this commitment, adding value to local produce while prioritising sustainable manufacturing practices and job creation. Their energy-efficient machinery and advanced effluent system has set a standard for the agribusiness sector.”
Ogun State Commissioner for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela, called the new plant “a testimony to the can-do spirit of Nigerians”.
“We are excited to host this facility, which offers many benefits to our state and Nigeria. Our government is committed to fostering industrial development by creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive,” he added.
The new factory reportedly has 10 times the capacity of its predecessor, positioning the ReelFruit brands to reach domestic and international markets with its premium dried fruits. The company’s innovative approach is said to have successfully balanced economic development and environmental protection.
In the spirit of the commemoration of the World Health Day on Sunday, April 7, 2024, environmental NGO, BAN Toxics, has highlighted the urgent need to address pressing climate issues of plastic pollution and global warming and how they impact public health.
Plastic waste pollution in Akobi Crescent, Lagos, Nigeria
“As the country contends with dangerous heat index levels resulting from human-induced climate change compounded by the warming influence of the naturally occurring El Niño phenomenon, we also face intensified health risks posed by plastic pollution.
“A warming climate diminishes the properties of plastics, accelerates their aging, heightens the risk of microplastics, and the release of hazardous substances,” Jam Lorenzo, BAN Toxics Policy Development and Research Officer, said.
“In addition to health risks associated with El Niño, such as heatstroke and vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease, as well as respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses due to air quality, we must also address serious health risks posed by plastics.
“These include cancer, endocrine disruption leading to reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairments. Toxic chemical additives in plastics are known to have persistent and bioaccumulative health impacts. Experiments on microplastics indicate exposure can result in toxic effects such as oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, immune responses, neurotoxicity, as well as reproductive and developmental toxicity,” Lorenzo elaborated.
“Research indicates that rising temperatures and heat alter the characteristics of plastics, thus, driving the demand for more plastics and waste. Conversely, the overproduction of the plastic industry has been acknowledged as a significant emitter of greenhouse gasses, which then exacerbates climate change. This self-reinforcing cycle, as highlighted by scientists, constitutes a vicious cycle that warrants utmost attention and decisive measures to disrupt the cycle,” Lorenzo added.
The environmental group urges policymakers to prioritise implementing a comprehensive national ban on single-use plastics and other non-essential and problematic plastic products. They also call for establishing targets to cap and phase down virgin plastic production to address the reduction of plastic waste.
“Given the current limitations of our waste management capacity, which cannot handle the plastic waste crisis effectively, there is an urgent need to address this issue to prevent further profound harms to human health and the environment,” noted Lorenzo.
The Philippines is estimated to have produced nearly 5 billion kilogrammes of mismanaged plastic waste; a quantity expected to double to 9 billion kilograms by 2040 without additional interventions. Despite the enactment of the Extended Producer Responsibility law in 2023, which serves as the primary legal framework addressing plastic pollution, BAN Toxics advocates for regulatory strengthening. The organisation believes a framework to combat plastic pollution must encompass the entire lifecycle of plastics, starting from the extraction of raw materials, rather than solely focusing on the end-of-life phase.
“As global warming and plastic production, use, and waste intensify hand-in-hand, the country remains at a critical juncture, disproportionately vulnerable to the impact of these global challenges. On this World Health Day, we advocate for a holistic and systemic change approach to protect the health, welfare, livelihoods, and the environment.”
BAN Toxics has been participating in international negotiations for a legally binding international law aimed at reducing plastic pollution worldwide and covering the full life-cycle of plastic.
“To reverse the tide of plastic pollution, we advocate for a global plastics treaty that stipulates ambitious and binding reduction in plastic production of countries. We want to push forward the point that plastic is pollution from the moment of fossil fuel extraction,” Lorenzo said in a final statement.
Celebrated annually on April 7, International Beaver Day serves as a crucial extension of the themes explored in the discussion on beavers, emphasising the significance of these ecosystem engineers in enhancing biodiversity, water management, and habitat creation. This commemorative day not only deepens our appreciation for beavers’ ecological contributions but also highlights the urgent need for their conservation and the challenges they face, such as habitat loss and human conflict, writes Assaf Levy of BioDB
Beavers
Often overlooked, these industrious creatures play a pivotal role in the preservation and creation of wetlands, acting as natural engineers that shape our environment in ways that benefit countless other species, including humans. With a legacy that stretches back millions of years, beavers are not just survivors; they are influencers of the world around them, transforming landscapes and ecosystems with nothing but teeth and determination.
This article embarks on a journey to uncover the fascinating world of beavers, aiming to bring you closer to understanding these remarkable animals that shape the ecosystems they inhabit.
There are two distinct species of beavers that roam the forests and waterways of our planet: the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber). The North American beaver, found in Canada, the United States, and parts of northern Mexico, boasts a population that is currently thriving, with estimates ranging from 6 to 15 million individuals. This resurgence is a testament to successful conservation efforts, as their numbers had previously plummeted due to overhunting in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
On the other hand, the Eurasian beaver has carved out its domain across parts of Europe and Asia. With a population that was once on the brink of extinction, numbering as low as 1,200 individuals, rigorous protection and reintroduction programmes have bolstered their numbers to approximately 1 million.
The Eurasian and North American beavers, while similar in many aspects, exhibit distinct physical differences that set them apart. The Eurasian beaver tends to have a more narrowly shaped skull and a less pronounced tail than its North American counterpart. Additionally, the Eurasian species typically boasts lighter fur and smaller, less webbed hind feet. In contrast, the North American beaver is noted for its larger, more webbed hind feet and broader, paddle-shaped tail, which it uses effectively for swimming and constructing its habitat. Both species share dense brown fur, which aids in insulation, but subtle variations in colour and texture can be observed, reflecting their adaptation to different environments across continents. These physical distinctions, though slight, underscore the evolutionary paths these species have taken, adapting over millennia to thrive in their respective habitats.
Despite their significant recovery, both species face ongoing threats that could jeopardise their populations. Habitat loss due to urban development, agriculture, and forestry poses the most significant risk. Additionally, climate change introduces new challenges, altering water levels and affecting the vegetation that beavers depend on for food and dam construction.
While both species are currently listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN Red List, indicating that they are not presently at significant risk of extinction, their situation underscores a delicate balance. The health of beaver populations is inextricably linked to the health of the wetlands and aquatic systems they help create and maintain.
Beavers are renowned for their ability to build dams, a skill that showcases their role as ecosystem engineers. These constructions are not just impressive feats of natural architecture; they serve critical ecological functions. By building dams, beavers create wetlands – biodiverse habitats that support a wide array of species, from fish and amphibians to birds and mammals. These wetlands also act as natural water purification systems, filtering pollutants and improving water quality. Furthermore, beaver dams help regulate water flow, reducing the impact of floods and droughts, which is increasingly important in the face of climate change.
Yet, the relationship between humans and beavers has been fraught with conflict. Beaver dams can sometimes cause flooding in areas used by humans, leading to the destruction of property and agricultural lands. In some regions, this has prompted the removal of beavers or the destruction of their dams. However, there’s a growing recognition of the ecological benefits beavers bring, and many communities are now exploring coexistence strategies. These include the installation of “beaver deceivers” and other flow devices that prevent flooding while allowing beavers to continue their beneficial activities.
Beaver conservation efforts have transitioned significantly over the years, moving from reactive measures to proactive, holistic strategies to preserve these keystone species and their habitats. Initially, conservation focused on regulating trapping and hunting to protect dwindling beaver populations from extinction. This was complemented by reintroduction programmes that brought beavers back to regions where they had been eradicated, such as various parts of Europe, including a notable reintroduction in Scotland after a 400-year absence.
Today’s ongoing efforts are multifaceted, encompassing habitat restoration projects that not only reintroduce beavers to suitable environments but also enhance existing ones to support their populations. Innovative conflict mitigation strategies, like the installation of flow devices, have been developed to resolve tensions between beaver activity and human interests, thereby fostering coexistence. Legal protections now safeguard beavers in many areas, helping manage their populations sustainably.
The story of beavers is one of resilience and ecological significance. These creatures are not just survivors from another age; they are active participants in shaping our world, creating habitats that support life in abundant forms. As we move forward, it’s clear that the fate of beavers is deeply entwined with our own.
Protecting these natural engineers and the habitats they create is not just an act of conservation; it’s a recognition of the intricate connections that sustain life on our planet. In embracing beavers, we embrace a vision of a world where humans and nature thrive together, bound by the mutual benefits of a healthy, functioning ecosystem.
Environment experts are touting the Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) process as one of the most promising opportunities to address the most compelling challenges of climate change in Africa.
The forum will help to explore opportunities to support countries in deepening their engagement with forest carbon markets
However, the question by stakeholders on the accessibility of REDD+ finance at scale if countries deliver on their promises and how capacity building will be supported to address expectations from it, lingers on.
It is against this backdrop that the African Forest Forum (AFF) and the UN-REDD Programme are co-organising an innovative four-week-long Community of Practice (CoP) approach “to catalyse a good understanding of REDD+ finance types and sources, as well enhance knowledge of the result-based financing architecture including carbon markets and associated standards, Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, other financial instruments supporting the REDD+ process in Africa,” a press release from AFF says.
The CoP approach that will run from April 15 to May 10, 2024, accordingly, will integrate both web-based discussion and a series of webinars on the theme “Unlocking sustainable solutions for effective REDD+ Result Based finance in Africa.”
The discussions are expected to bring to fruition the exigencies of designing REDD+ Strategies with a wide national lens and efforts to acquire financing, according to the release.
“It will help to explore opportunities to support countries in deepening their engagement with forest carbon markets, that could contribute to harnessing carbon finance as part of their National climate Action strategy.
“It aims to ensure a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the critical dimension of REDD+ process and finance, stimulate experience sharing among community members, invited guest speakers and experts. The sharing of country and experiences and learning from other members of the community will better improve understanding of the REDD+ process,” the release stated.
According to UN REDD+ many countries in the Africa have made tireless efforts to integrate REDD+ into their national planning policy and financing processes. Cote d’Ivoire, DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia, among others, recognise investments in key sectors of the economy and the need to realign investments in these sectors to REDD+.
Through an analytical mapping exercise related to land-use investments, Cote d’Ivoire has been able to re-align investments to REDD+. Ethiopia has positioned REDD+ in its Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) Strategy and Zambia has integrated REDD+ into the implementation matrix of its 7th National Development Plan.
The CoP discussions on REDD+ process will provide unprecedented opportunity to engage in dialogues at continental and national scale to weigh into what type of policies and measures based on the discussions around the drivers of forest changes, are needed within REDD+ Strategies and how these can be achieved.
Among other expectations, the discussions, the release notes, “will enhance knowledge of the REDD+ process and the implementation status in Africa, improve understanding of the importance of REDD+ finance within the framework of the financial instruments for nature-based solutions to climate change, improve understanding of the REDD+ finance types and sources including public upfront finance and results-based finance, equip participants with knowledge of available forest carbon markets (compliance or voluntary),enhance understanding of different carbon schemes and standards (such as the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards (CCBS), ART-TREES, LEAF process, etc) as well as requirements including costs.”
The African Forest Forum is an association of individuals with a commitment to the sustainable management, wise use and conservation of Africa’s forest and tree resources for the socio-economic well-being of its peoples and for the stability and improvement of its environment.
It provides independent analysis and advice to national, regional and international institutions and actors, on how economic, food security and environmental issues can be addressed through the sustainable management of forests and trees.
The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has promised its support to the Bola Tinubu-led administration toward increasing country’s oil and gas production for maximum value.
Wole Ogunsanya, Chairman of PETAN
Mr Wole Ogunsanya, the Chairman of PETAN, expressed this commitment during an interactive session with energy correspondents on Friday, April 5, 2024, in Lagos.
He said that the vision and intention of PETAN was to support the authorities to ensure that all the values existing in the oil industry stay in Nigeria.
Ogunsanya highlighted the potential economic benefits if Nigeria retains 60 per cent to 70 per cent of the oil and gas value chain domestically, while aiming at emerging as one of the top 20 economies in the world.
He expressed concerns over Nigeria’s current underproduction, estimating losses of at least 500,000 barrels per day, translating to billions of dollars annually.
To address these challenges, Ogunsanya emphasised the need for government policy initiatives and industry collaboration to fill existing gaps.
He pointed out that the presidency had given the directives and had formulated a lot of gazettes, stating that PETAN aligned with those initiatives.
Ogunsanya further said, “Our intention is to support this government and support this country to increase production of oil and gas.
“I presented this vision to the whole house of PETAN exactly a week ago and the vision is very clear.
“PETAN wants to support Nigeria through innovative means to increase product of oil and gas in this country.
“That is the mandate that the president has given. PETAN is going to come with very innovative ideas on how this is going to be achieved and even low-cost approach that is being used in other countries.
“If you go to Indonesia where some of us have relationships, this is what they are doing.
“They are looking inwards on how to maximise returns from the resources that they have.”
Owing to the technical know-how of the members and the unique position of the association, the PETAN boss said they are working with the government to create value for the country.
Ogunsanya said that the group’s commitment and response to the president’s mandate of increasing production was for them to be prepared to deploy all their assets at various locations in the Niger Delta to actualise that mandate.
He acknowledged the challenges facing the industry to include funding, logistics and others.
The Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development said strategies to develop Alimosho, a densely populated area in Lagos, into a sustainable and functional city, had been identified.
Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide
The Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Mr Mukaila Sanusi, said this in a statement on Friday, April 5, 2024, in Lagos.
Sanusi quoted the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, as saying this at the final stakeholders meeting on the review of Alimosho Model City Plan, held on Thursday in Lagos.
Olumide said that the plan included strategies like higher density housing, low-cost housing options, improved public transportation, and designated focus areas for development.
He said that the government was committed to implementing the plan and ensuring different agencies worked together to achieve its goals.
“Several remarkable efforts in directing the growth pattern of our bourgeoning Lagos through plan preparation, execution and implementation have evoked the continuous attention of Government, which now metamorphosed into the preparation of 13 different Master and Model City Plans, 9 Action Area Plans and 9 Development Guide Plans to revitalise the State in both spatial and sectoral aspects.’’
The Commissioner said that the Lagos State government restructured the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to improve the development of Lagos.
This restructuring, he said, aimed to create a more efficient system for achieving a livable, organised and sustainable built environment in the state.
He expressed his enthusiasm about the progress being made on developing urban plans for the state.
The commissioner said that the rapid progress suggested that the Lagos State government was actively working on creating blueprints for various parts of the city.
These plans, he noted, should guide future development in a way that benefits residents.
Sanusi also said that a group of consultants presented the revised plan, along with a briefing from a government official.
He noted that the plan included strategies for better housing options, which involved Higher Densification, Regeneration, Low-cost Housing Schemes and Enhanced Public Transportation.
He mentioned that 13 specific zones including Ipaja, Amikanle, Egbeda and Igando would serve as focus areas of specific planning policies.
Sanusi also noted that the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Oluwole Sotire, explained the purpose and duration of the Plan.
Sotire said that the 20-year plan was aimed at developing strategies that would transform Alimosho Local Government Area into a model city of choice.
He said that stakeholders’ contributions were necessary to make the process truly participatory, and the outcome people oriented.
“Residents are the beneficiaries of the many advantages of the plan, including the creation of employment and wealth, as well as the creation of an inclusive, equitable, effective, efficient and environment-friendly place to live, work and prosper,” Sotire said.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Mr Lekan Shodeinde, said that his office would work with the office of Physical Planning to ensure strict implementation of the plan.
The General Manager, Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Authority (LASPEMA), Mr Daisi Oso; Member, House of Representatives, Alimosho Federal Constituency, Rep. Ganiyu Ayuba, among others, were listed as also being at the event.
Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), a non-profit international organisation, says it has trained three rice farmer groups in Nasarawa State on the production of briquette from rice husk, an alternative fuel source to the use of firewood.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State
The rice husk briquette is being produced using the Tromso grind mill machine, a Japanese technology.
Dr Moshood Suleiman, Programme Officer, Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture of SAA, told newsmen on Friday, April 5, 2024, in Assakio near Lafia, that the training was part of its project for the revitalisation of rice cooperatives and decarbonisation of rice production and processing in the state.
He said that the project was funded by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs with support from Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme (NADP).
According to him, part of the project is the construction of two rice aggregation centres – Assakio and Agwatashi communities in the state with installed rice processing facilities including rice mills and briquette making machines.
Suleiman said that the idea of the production of the briquette from rice husk was to provide an alternative to the use of firewood as a source of energy, thereby discouraging the indiscriminate felling of trees leading to deforestation.
He noted that the briquette production would help to reduce the environmental nuisance posed by heaps of rice husk to rice producing communities.
He explained that the briquette was purely made from rice husk without any binding component.
The programme officer said: “We brought these experts from Tokyo, Japan to train the rice farmer groups on how to operate and maintain the briquette machines.
“The briquette production is a value addition activity. The briquettes are very efficient and durable energy source because the burning rate is very slow and eco-friendly.
“The rice producers will use the husk from the milled rice to produce briquette, which will still be used to power the rice parboiling process.
“They can also sell to members of the community in order to make money and discourage the use of firewood as domestic fuel.”
Suleiman explained that eight operators were trained from Agwatashi community in Obi Local Government Area as well as Shabu and Assakio in Lafia Local Government Area of the state.
Mr Oboshi Osko, one of the trainees, appreciated SAA for the opportunity, saying the project had greatly impacted on their rice production capacity.
New York State Emergency Management has warned that residents might experience aftershocks of the 4.8 magnitude earthquake, which occurred in the city and New Jersey on Friday, April 5, 2024.
New York
The earthquake, which occurred at 10:23a.m. local time, eight miles northwest of Bridgewater, New Jersey, affected some areas in New York.
It rattled skyscrapers and buildings across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.
The emergency agency, in a safety alert issued, urged the public to call 911 if they were experiencing an emergency.
“An earthquake occurred in New Jersey. The earthquake has been felt throughout New York State. Aftershocks may occur. Call 9-1-1 only if you or others are injured or have an emergency.’’
An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 is generally considered moderate, though it appears to be among the biggest earthquakes to ever affect New York City.
In addition to New York and New Jersey, the quake was felt in parts of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts .
New York governor Kathy Hochul said that the impact of the earthquake was being assessed.
“My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day,” she wrote on X.
