The Benue State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), has executed water, sanitation and hygiene projects in selected local government areas to provide basic amenities for rural dwellers.
Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State
The projects include toilet facilities and boreholes at Ugbokpo main market in Apa, Ogbodo-Iyeche in Oju, Ihugh in Vandeikya, Mbagwa Community in Ushongo, Adi-Etulo in Buruku and Ugbor in Gwer East LGAs.
Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Ugwu Odoh, led a team from Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA) on an inspection tour on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
Odoh said that state government released the sum of ₦700 million as a counterpart fund for the implementation of the projects.
The commissioner stated that the inspection tour was to ensure that contractors handling the projects adhered to specifications.
Odoh pointed out that the target of the government was for the whole state to attain an open defecation-free (ODF) status, saying that 11 LGAs had already been certified ODF.
Odoh reminded the benefiting communities that Gov. Hyacinth Alia was fulfilling his campaign promises of prioritising their basic needs, urging them to take ownership of the projects and protect them from vandalisation.
The General Manager of BERWASSA, Mr. Tony Mkpen, thanked the governor for his relentless efforts and their partners, UNICEF, for safeguarding the lives of rural dwellers with basic amenities.
In Apa local government area, the council chairman, Mr. Adam Ogwola, expressed gratitude to the state government for selecting the council area to benefit from the intervention.
The Ogbodo-Iyeche community leader, Mr. Ukpe Omoga, decried the difficulty faced by people of the community due to water scarcity before the intervention and appreciated the governor for bringing succour to them.
Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, has reaffirmed the project’s commitment to addressing water challenges in Ogoniland.
Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator, HYPREP, addressing a stakeholders engagement forum
Zabbey, who made this commitment in a statement to commemorate the 2025 World Water Day on Saturday, March 22, stated that potable water is vital to its mandate.
“As we mark World Water Day on March 22, we reiterate our commitment to tackling the water challenges faced by hydrocarbon-impacted communities in Ogoniland.
“This year’s theme, ‘Glacier Preservation’, underscores the need to protect the world’s freshwater sources, which are vital for sustaining ecosystems, supporting human life, and regulating the climate.”
According to Zabbey, the theme reflects the importance of preserving glaciers, a crucial source of freshwater for millions of people worldwide.
“HYPREP’s efforts to provide potable water form a critical part of its mandate to remediate and restore the environment in Ogoniland.
“At HYPREP, we recognise the importance of clean and safe water, particularly for hydrocarbon-impacted communities in Ogoniland,” he stated.
Reaffirming the organisation’s dedication to environmental restoration and peacebuilding, Zabbey called on all stakeholders to support the initiative.
“We urge government agencies, international organisations, community leaders, and other Niger Delta communities to collaborate with us in this effort.
“The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland provided clear recommendations for restoring contaminated water sources, and HYPREP remains steadfast in implementing these recommendations.”
Zabbey also noted that the project had recently inaugurated water facilities in Bunu and Beeri communities, increasing the number of Ogoni communities with access to potable water to 30, as part of its commitment to meeting the needs of affected areas.
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has warned local farmers to adhere to the directives and predictions of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) before the commencement of the 2025 planting season.
Farmers
AFAN Chairman, Lagos State and Southwest zone, Mr. Femi Oke, disclosed this in an interview on Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Lagos.
There have been concerns of crop harvests in 2025, due to the delay in planting season caused by climate change.
Oke, however, noted that local farmers could still meet up with the yearly crop productivity output with strict adherence to NiMet’s directives and predictions on the changing climatic conditions.
“Reports on weather conditions from the NiMet have indicated flooding in the mid and later part of the year.
“Local farmers have also been advised not to rely on the first rains for crop cultivation.
“So, our counsel to our farmers is that we should not be too eager to plant because there is going to be much rain.
“Just like it happened some years ago, the rains may be late in coming but we should be expecting more of it around May and June,” Oke said.
The AFAN chairman said land preparations for crop cultivation should begin in earnest expectations of consistent rainfall.
“However, land preparation must have begun since December 2024, for crop farmers on our arable land spaces.
“Also, for farmers that already have plantations, there is no need to worry over the late rains, all they need to do is to plough and arrow the land to cultivate more.
“We can still embark on land preparation till April but we urge farmers not to commence planting until the rains are steady.
“The only farmers that can safely commence planting this year are those that have irrigation systems or those in swampy or marshy land area.
“The climate condition we are currently experiencing is still in order with what NiMet has predicted earlier this year.
“As the chairman of AFAN in the Southwest, we can still meet up a robust harvest in 2025, we are still in order,” he said.
He also commended NiMet for its prompt guidance to local farmers, while urging the agency to disseminate its directives in various local dialects for enlightenment of local farmers.
“We want to commend NiMet for guiding local farmers with relevant information as regards planting season this year.
“We, however, seek the dissemination of these relevant information to farmers in our local dialects like Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Efik and other languages for the comprehension of local farmers.
“We urge our farmers to strictly adhere and depend on relevant information and directives from NiMet before planting,” he said.
Nigeria is actively embracing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a sustainable energy alternative, aligning with global trends toward cleaner fuels.
CNG station
It is contributing to greater energy security for the nation and driving a transformation of its energy strategy.
This transition is driven by the government’s aim to diversify energy sources, mitigate environmental damage and leverage CNG’s cost-effectiveness and cleaner combustion properties.
With substantial natural gas reserves, Nigeria seeks to establish itself as a regional leader in CNG production and utilisation, driving both domestic consumption and potential export opportunities.
The Federal Government is investing significantly in CNG infrastructure, including fueling stations, distribution networks, and vehicle conversion facilities, to reduce reliance on expensive and environmentally harmful petrol and diesel.
Private sector involvement is crucial, with companies investing in CNG production and distribution, fostering innovation and driving market growth through technological advancements.
A nationwide network of CNG refueling stations, particularly in urban areas, is being prioritised to create a robust infrastructure backbone and incentivise the adoption of CNG vehicles.
Financial incentives, such as tax breaks and low-interest loans, are being offered to private companies to accelerate the expansion of CNG infrastructure, especially in rural areas, ensuring equitable access.
Public awareness campaigns, highlighting CNG’s economic and environmental advantages, are underway to promote its widespread acceptance and adoption.
In spite of the progress in clean energy, Nigeria’s oil and gas sector faces challenges, including pipeline vandalism and illegal activities, hindering refinery efficiency and crude oil production, requiring immediate attention.
Dr Ayodele Oni, a legal expert, emphasised the need for enhanced security in the oil and gas supply chain using advanced technologies like drones and fiber-optic sensors.
Securing oil revenues is essential for national development and ensuring a stable feedstock supply is crucial for optimal refinery production.
Oni advocated local refineries adopt innovative approaches, such as partnerships with upstream producers and international procurement, to secure feedstock.
Infrastructural challenges, including damaged pipelines and inadequate transport systems, hinder the efficient distribution of crude oil and refined products.
Oni called for substantial investments in intermodal transport systems, including rail and inland waterways, to improve logistics and safety.
He suggested Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to address Nigeria’s infrastructure gap, leveraging private sector funds and expertise.
CNG is positioned to play an important role in the nation’s energy future, reducing emissions, lowering fuel costs, and enhancing energy security.
Addressing infrastructural challenges in the oil and gas sector is crucial for maximising resource potential during the transition to a diversified energy landscape.
Strategic investments, collaboration, and technological innovation are essential for Nigeria’s sustainable and economically robust future.
Mr. Muideen Ibrahim, an expert, stressed the importance of investing in CNG technology and infrastructure for sustainable development.
Ibrahim argued that CNG could drive economic growth while reducing the environmental impact of fossil fuels.
In a bid to promote environmental sustainability and responsible plastic waste management on campus, the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, has taken delivery of about 130 plastic waste bins to be installed around the campus to combat plastic pollution.
Some members of FEP Committee led by Professor Robert Onyeneke posing in front of the bins
AE-FUNAI is one of the five universities in Nigeria participating in the research initiative funded by the Embassy of France in Nigeria, with the university’s project themed, “Transforming Plastic Waste into Wealth in AE-FUNAI.”
The installation of the bins is part of the university ’s broader plastic waste management project, which aims to address the environmental challenges posed by plastic pollution within the university community.
The programme, which is coordinated by Professor Robert Onyeneke, is scheduled to run for 14 months and includes various activities designed to create awareness, encourage proper waste disposal, and explore innovative ways to repurpose plastic waste into valuable products.
While taking the delivery of the waste bins, Professor Onyeneke highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating that it is one of the key activities outlined in the university’s environmental sustainability plan.
“This project is a crucial step towards keeping AE-FUNAI clean and free from plastic waste, and we are committed to ensuring its successful implementation,” he said.
He further explained that the 130 waste bins would be strategically placed around the campus to ensure easy and proper disposal of plastic waste. He added that the measure would not only enhance cleanliness within the institution but also contribute to a larger environmental movement that promotes recycling and waste- to wealth initiatives.
Professor Onyeneke expressed gratitude to the university management under the leadership of Professor Sunday Elom for their unwavering support in making the project a reality.
He also appreciated the Embassy of France in Nigeria for funding the initiative through the French Embassy Fund, recognising their commitment to fostering sustainable development in Nigerian institutions.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in AE-FUNAI’s efforts toward environmental conversation and waste management.
As the project progresses, the university community is expected to witness a transformative shift in waste disposal culture, ultimately leading to a cleaner and more sustainable learning environment.
Every year, March 24 is observed as World Tuberculosis Day to amplify the urgency of ending tuberculosis (TB), the world’s deadliest infectious disease.
WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Dr Hanan Balkhy
The theme of this year’s campaign is “Yes, We Can End TB – Commit, Invest, Deliver” and the World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is marking the event with renewed calls for action to end TB.
TB remains a significant public health concern in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. According to the latest WHO data, the Region’s 22 countries and territories account for 8.7% of global TB cases. In 2023, there were an estimated 936 000 new TB cases and nearly 86,000 deaths.
“Every 34 seconds someone falls ill with tuberculosis, and every six minutes another life is lost. This is not acceptable. These deaths are avoidable. TB is a curable disease,” says WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Dr Hanan Balkhy.
“In our Region, treatment programmes have a success rate of over 90%,but 3 in 10 cases are undetected and untreated. I urge Member States to take decisive action.”
Despite progress in reducing TB incidence and mortality rates, the Region faces significant challenges in controlling the disease. They include low case detection rates, particularly among vulnerable populations such as refugees and migrants, high treatment default rates which can lead to the development of drug-resistant TB, and limited access to TB services, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
On World TB Day 2025, WHO is calling on governments, health professionals and communities to:
Commit to strengthening political leadership to end TB through robust national strategies.
Invest in increasing domestic funding and international collaboration for TB control programmes.
Deliver by scaling up WHO-recommended interventions, including early detection, diagnosis, preventive treatment and quality care.
WHO says it is working closely with countries in the Region to strengthen TB control programmes, improve access to TB services, scale up TB detection and treatment and promote TB prevention and control.
WHO recommends that governments invest in strengthening their health systems to improve access to TB services, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas, promote TB prevention and control measures, including, infection control and contact tracing, and prioritise scaling up screening, TB detection, treatment, psychosocial and nutritional support with a focus on vulnerable populations.
As the world observes World Water Day under the theme “Glacier Preservation,” Budzanani Tacheba, interim executive director of the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL), has emphasised the importance of protecting global water sources.
Budzanani Tacheba, interim executive director of the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL)
Tacheba highlighted the critical role of wetlands in biodiversity, serving as habitats for various species, supporting food chains, and providing essential ecosystem services, including water purification and flood protection.
“Today, we are reminded of the critical importance of protecting our water resources – both frozen in glaciers and flowing in rivers, lakes, and wetlands. As glaciers around the world retreat due to climate change, we must also turn our attention to another crucial element in the global water cycle – wetlands. Often overlooked, these ecosystems play an indispensable role in safeguarding freshwater quality, supporting biodiversity, nurturing ecosystem health, and ensuring that clean water is available for all,” he said.
His message resonated strongly in Southern Africa, where climate change and water scarcity are significant concerns.
“At SASSCAL, we recognise that water is a shared and finite resource. We are all interconnected, and the health of our water systems affects everyone – across borders, regions, and generations,” he added.
Tacheba also spoke about WeMAST, a project led by SASSCAL aimed at sustainable wetland management in Southern Africa.
Funded by the African Union and the European Union, the project seeks to preserve wetlands, which act as natural water filters, removing pollutants and regulating water flow.
“Through our WeMAST Project, we have developed the WeMAST Geoportal – a platform that provides real-time access to Earth Observation data on wetlands’ health, water quality, and biodiversity across Southern Africa. This platform enables people in the SADC region to monitor the state of their wetlands, track changes in water quality, and respond quickly to emerging environmental challenges,” he explained.
He emphasised how satellite data has become a crucial tool for informed decision-making, empowering governments, environmental experts, and local communities to manage their resources sustainably.
“By leveraging the power of technology, we are not only gathering data; we are empowering communities with the knowledge they need to take action. The Geoportal is about connecting people to the tools and information that will help them protect their water resources – whether it’s preventing pollution, managing wetland ecosystems, or responding to water crises,” Tacheba said.
Reflecting on this year’s World Water Day theme, Tacheba acknowledged Africa’s glaciers in the Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Mount Kenya, stressing the need to recognise wetlands as a cornerstone of water security.
“These ecosystems – often overlooked in the fight for freshwater resources – are essential to the future of our planet. They play a central role in the water cycle, and their preservation is directly connected to our collective ability to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all,” he said.
Tacheba called on governments, NGOs, civil societies, local communities, and individuals to recognise the irreplaceable value of wetlands.
“Together, we can protect and restore these ecosystems, ensuring that clean, safe water remains accessible to all, now and for future generations,” he said.
World Water Day, observed annually on March 22, raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water and calls for action to tackle the global water crisis.
As the world marks World Water Day 2025, the Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition (OWORAC) has called for urgent action to safeguard Africa’s water resources from what it describes as the twin threats of climate change and water privatisation.
Uncontaminated water. Photo credit: Ravi Kant
In a statement released on Friday, March 21, 2025, the coalition called on African governments to protect water as a public good, warning against the growing trend of treating water as a market commodity. It decried attempts to justify water privatisation under the guise of climate adaptation.
Part of the statement reads: “This year’s theme, ‘Glacier Preservation’, spotlights the punishing impacts of climate change on global freshwater reserves. But the message must be clear, the climate crisis is no excuse to hand over our water to corporations.”
OWORAC noted that rising global temperatures, largely driven by reckless extractivism and lack of corporate accountability, are already severely affecting freshwater availability across Africa. As such, allowing profit-driven models to control water supply would only deepen inequality and worsen access for vulnerable populations.
“Africa’s water crisis is already at a tipping point with over 1.3 billion Africans facing water insecurity every day. The glaciers that feed our rivers and sustain life are melting at alarming rates, threatening water security for millions,” the coalition said.
“The melting of glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro, the Rwenzori Mountains, and Mount Kenya —which feed vital rivers like the Nile, Congo, and others – will exacerbate droughts, food insecurity, and water stress for millions across the continent. In Africa, where entire communities depend on freshwater sources fed by mountain glaciers and seasonal flows, this crisis will not only intensify water shortages but also worsen social inequality. For those who already struggle to access clean and affordable water, the effects of climate change will be catastrophic -unless urgent action is taken.”
The coalition drew a direct link between the worsening climate crisis and the growing push for water privatisation, calling them “two sides of the same coin.”
“As glaciers recede and freshwater becomes scarcer, corporations and financial institutions are exploiting this crisis as an opportunity to entrench profit-driven models of water management,” OWORAC said.
“The push for corporate control schemes such as so-called public-private partnerships (PPPs), water concessions, and bulk water purchase agreements across Africa has never been more prominent as African governments systematically cede control of water systems to profit-oriented entities. This has led to escalating water tariffs, reduced public oversight, and water cutoffs for non-payment, denying vulnerable populations access to a basic human right.”
The pro-public water coalition warned that privatisation is not a solution to climate-induced water scarcity, arguing instead for long-term, publicly funded solutions.
“If climate change is shrinking our water sources, then African governments must act decisively to expand and protect public water systems, not privatise them. The argument proffered by privatisation advocates, where they posit that increased private sector investment into the water sector is an appropriate response to climate-induced water scarcity, is flawed.
“We need long-term commitments and action to adapt to climate change and fulfill the human right to water. Yet these urgent needs are simply incompatible with the insatiable pursuit of ever-rising quarterly profits and stock prices that corporations and their shareholders demand. The recklessly short-sighted profit incentives that have driven our planet to the current state of unsustainability must not be allowed to govern our essential public services, especially the provision of safe drinking water.”
The statement cited past failures of water privatisation in countries such as Senegal, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Mozambique, Gabon, and Tanzania as evidence that applying market models to essential services is not only ineffective but harmful to marginalised communities.
“Market-driven models do not solve water crises, they worsen them and, in many cases, even create new ones.
“The path forward requires massive public investment in water infrastructure to build climate resilience, community-driven water governance models that prioritise local needs over corporate profits, and legislative protections to prevent the privatisation of freshwater resources and public water services under the guise of ‘climate adaptation’.”
The coalition urged African governments, regional blocs, and global institutions to reject all forms of water privatisation and instead support state-led, publicly financed water systems that are accessible to all.
“We also call on these institutions to strengthen climate adaptation policies that protect freshwater reserves and ensure sustainable public water management. African governments should also hold multinational corporations accountable for water exploitation and stop financial institutions from imposing privatisation as a pre-condition for water sector financing.
“Glaciers are melting, but our resistance remains unyielding. African governments must act now to invest in strong, climate-resilient public water systems – not sell them off to corporations. We will not allow the climate crisis to become another excuse for corporate capture of our water. Water belongs to the people – not the market,” the statement concluded.
The coalition comprises SYNATEEC Trade Union, Cameroon; African Centre for Policy and Advocacy, Cameroon; Biodiversity and Biosafety Association, Kenya; Confédération de Syndicats Autonomes du Sénégal, Senegal; Senegal Water Justice Network, Senegal; Water Citizens Network, Ghana; Revenue Mobilisation Africa, Ghana; Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Nigeria; and Corporate Accountability, USA.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is inviting its member governments and accredited observer organisations to nominate experts to serve as Co-Chairs and members of the Task Group on Data Support for Climate Change Assessments (TG-Data).
Jim Skea, IPCC Chair
A call for nominations of experts by governments and observer organisations to serve as TG-Data members has been launched. Nominations should be submitted by Thursday, April 17, 2025, says the IPCCC.
The final selection of TG-Data members will be undertaken by the IPCC Bureau.
The IPCC Task Group on data support provides guidance to the IPCC’s Data Distribution Centre on the curation, traceability, stability, availability and transparency of data and scenarios related to IPCC reports.
The TG-Data work mainly requires but is not restricted to data specialists, with a particular expertise in areas such as data provenance, scientific workflows, climate data handling systems, FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) Data principles, and development and/or analysis of climate and observational datasets.
TG-Data membership is renewed with the author selection process of a new assessment IPCC report. Following the agreement on the outlines of the three Working Group contributions to the Seventh Assessment Report reached at the Panel’s 62nd Plenary last month, the IPCC is currently calling for the nomination of authors for these three Working Group contributions.
The IPCC is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change.
It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in 1988 to provide political leaders with periodic scientific assessments concerning climate change, its implications and risks, as well as to put forward adaptation and mitigation strategies.
In the same year the UN General Assembly endorsed the action by the WMO and UNEP in jointly establishing the IPCC. It has 195 member states.
World Water Day, held annually on March 22, celebrates water and raises awareness of the approximately 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water, according to the United Nations.
The Coca-Cola Foundation water facility
Together with partners, the Coca-Cola system and The Coca-Cola Foundation invests in water initiatives that benefit nature and communities. The group advances solutions that help provide safe drinking water to those living in vulnerable communities and in water-stressed regions.
The Coca-Cola Foundation’s Strengthening Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Service Delivery (S-WASH) initiative in Nigeria collaborates with community members, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and local government authorities.
Borno State, a water-stressed area in Nigeria, is experiencing a severe water crisis impacting health, education, and quality of life. The S-WASH initiative, implemented locally by the Global Environment & Technology Foundation (GETF) and WaterAid, has positively impacted six communities, two healthcare facilities, and one public school. Now, more than 16,000 people have better water, sanitation and hygiene services; women are trained as volunteer hygiene promoters; and youth are trained as maintenance artisans.
One of the beneficiaries, Zainab Bulama, a healthcare officer at Gamboru Primary Healthcare Centre in Borno State, Nigeria, said: “Before S-WASH, we lacked clean water. Now, with the rehabilitated borehole and handwashing stations, we can teach hygiene practices and ensure quality care.”
Carlos Pagoaga, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation, said: “This water project is an example of our efforts to scale and accelerate access to safe drinking water and improve water security across Nigeria. We are grateful to work with local partners and communities to amplify our impact.”
