31.2 C
Lagos
Monday, April 28, 2025
Home Blog Page 5

New training course aims at boosting sustainability of sports

Michael Simire
-
0
New training course aims at boosting sustainability of sports

Wednesday, April 23, 2025, marks the official launch of the Sports for Climate Action training course – a step forward in the broader capacity-building programme under the UN Climate Change Sports for Climate Action Initiative.

Simon Stiell
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell. Photo credit: Phil Dera Photography

The new online training course is designed to support sports organisations – from local clubs to international governing bodies – in adopting and implementing sustainable practices that reduce their environmental impact.

The training was developed with the support of sportswear giant, adidas, as part of its “Move for the Planet” initiative, which aims to harness the power of sporting communities to promote sustainability and climate action.

Through the UN Climate Change Sports for Climate Action Initiative, sports organisations can become catalysts for environmental responsibility, community engagement and global collaboration.

Launched in 2018, the Sports for Climate Action Framework provides guidance for climate action and environmental sustainability in the sports sector – leveraging the global reach of sport to raise awareness and drive systemic change. With over 250 members, the initiative continues to grow as a powerful force for transformation across the industry.

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, said: “Providing opportunities for learning and training, as well as the opportunity to connect with others across the wider sports community is one way we are able to support sports communities to take action. Through Sports for Climate Action, we encourage sports organizations to take meaningful steps – whether by making events more sustainable, reducing their carbon footprint, or using their platforms to inspire fans and communities.”

UN Climate Change has partnered with adidas and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to tap into the potential of sport as a universal force for unity and collective climate action at the local level.

Ashley Czarnowski, Senior Director of Global Purpose Marketing at adidas, said: “We’re delighted to welcome back ‘Move for the Planet’ for a third year. It’s an extremely important initiative that helps to support sporting communities facing the effects of extreme weather.  With the continued expansion of sports and projects included in ‘Move for the Planet’, we can’t wait to see the movement and impact grow even further.”

Explore the Courses:

  • Introduction to Sports for Climate Action: Designed for anyone interested in how sports and climate change intersect, this course explores how sport contributes to and is affected by climate change, and what can be done to build a more sustainable, resilient sports sector. It comprises four short modules (about one hour and 20 minutes in total) featuring interactive lessons, videos, quizzes and practical activities.
     
  • Sports for Climate Action: Geared primarily toward staff of sports organizations, this advanced course builds on the introductory course and offers actionable strategies for integrating climate considerations into operations, business planning, and stakeholder engagement. The course includes five in-depth modules (about four hours in total) with case studies, expert interviews, and practical exercises. 

Both courses have been developed by UNITAR  and are available on UN CC: e-Learn platform. They are fully online, self-paced and free of charge.

What’s next?

A dedicated training series for grassroots sports NGOs is on the way, aimed at empowering local communities with the knowledge and tools they need to co-design climate solutions that reflect their realities and priorities. This upcoming initiative will further extend the reach of the Sports for Climate Action Initiative, ensuring that climate action through sport is inclusive, community-led and impactful.

Firm launches Rivers 2050 Vision, unveils steering committee, statewide survey

Michael Simire
-
0
Firm launches Rivers 2050 Vision, unveils steering committee, statewide survey

Policy Shapers, a civic-tech organisation based in Port Harcourt, has announced the official launch of the Rivers 2050 Vision, a 25-year development blueprint to be co-created by citizens across Rivers State, Nigeria. As part of the launch, the organisation has opened a public statewide survey to collect the dreams, ideas, and priorities of residents to inform the visioning process.

Port Harcourt
Port Harcourt, Rivers State

The Rivers 2050 Vision has been described as a bold, youth-led initiative aimed at shaping a roadmap for sustainable development across all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State. Citizens are invited to share their perspectives through the official survey now live at bit.ly/rivers2050.

Over 100 young professionals from diverse backgrounds within and outside Rivers State have joined the Rivers 2050 Task Force, working through sub-committees to facilitate town hall meetings, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and data collection exercises.

“We believe that the future of public policy must be co-created by the people it is meant to serve,” said Ebenezar Wikina, Founder of Policy Shapers and Convener of the Rivers 2050 Vision. “This project is not just about a document; it’s about building a civic culture of participation, imagination, and accountability. Rivers State deserves a future shaped by its people, especially its youth.”

To provide leadership and strategic oversight, a Steering Committee has been appointed from among the task force members. The committee comprises: Udokanma Georgewill, Chair, Book Committee; Wisdom Chapp-Jumbo, Partnerships Lead; Awajimimam J.S. Egop, Chair, Launch Committee; Mmesoma Augustine, Chair, Survey Committee; and Birah Zorbai Jr., Chair, Focus Group Committee.

The insights collected through the survey and wider engagement activities will contribute to the development of the vision book, “Rivers 2050: Our Vision”, a citizen-authored strategic document that outlines practical aspirations for the future of Rivers State.

The official website for the project, www.Rivers2050.org, will launch on April 30, 2025, providing updates, publications, and ways for the public to get involved. 

Timothy Radcliffe: A society without charity is doomed to failure

Michael Simire
-
0
Timothy Radcliffe: A society without charity is doomed to failure

Recent news reports that the US government may impose new curbs on charitable giving are profoundly worrying. The ability of charities, funders, and philanthropies to operate and deliver support unhindered in America and globally is vital not only to those who benefit from aid, but also to those who give it

Pope Francis
Pope Francis. Photo credit: dailytimes.com.ng

Every Easter, Christians remember how at the Last Supper, on the eve of Jesus’s crucifixion, hope seemed to be lost. Most of Jesus’s closest friends were about to deny and desert him. All that lay ahead was torture and a hideous death. But in this moment of despair, Jesus made himself a gift for all, giving bread to the disciples and saying, “This is my body given for you.” This act of hope extended into Easter morning, when life triumphed over death, love over hatred, and divine giving over human grasping.

As we mourn the death of Pope Francis, our hope following this Easter Sunday is that even the smallest acts of kindness can bear fruit beyond our imagining. Let’s remember that when faced with 5,000 hungry people, all the disciples could muster were five loaves of bread and a couple of fish. But it was enough to feed everyone, with the blessing of the Lord of the harvest.

Our world is plagued by poverty and violence – problems that seem impossible to solve – at a time when the postwar global order is in danger of collapse. Christian charities – Catholic Relief Services, World Vision, Samaritan’s Purse, and Jesuit Refugee Service come to mind, among many others – are playing an admirable role in helping alleviate this suffering. When so many people have no hope for the future, these charities’ efforts in the United States and globally are fundamental to our faith.

That role will become even more important in the coming years, as major economies cut their foreign-aid budgets, inflicting profound damage on vulnerable people, each one made in the image of God. Boston University’s new digital tracking initiative estimates that the near-total freeze on US foreign-aid funding and programming since January has already resulted in the deaths of more than 68,000 adults and more than 142,000 children.

Judaism and Islam also insist that charitable giving is essential to a life of faith, rather than an optional extra. The word “charity” comes from the Latin caritas, which means “love.” In that sense, charities express what is fundamental to our human dignity: the ability to give freely and to receive gifts without shame.

True, some aid can be patronising and humiliating, imprisoning people in a culture of dependence. But this is not how most of these charities work. Instead, they recognise that the most vulnerable and fragile among us bear witness to oft-forgotten aspects of human dignity: resilience, solidarity, mutual dependence, trust in God and each other, and gratitude. Jesus says that whoever reaches out to “one of the least of these” gives to him.

To turn away from the poorest is to reject God. Above all, aid sustains family life, especially the women and children whom it should be unthinkable to abandon. Nikolai Berdyaev, the Russian existentialist philosopher, wrote: “Bread for myself is a material question; bread for my neighbor is a spiritual question.” For Christians, the ultimate act of giving is shown in Christ’s shedding of his blood on the cross. For all of us, whether religious or not, charity is life-giving blood, which circulates in the body of society, nourishing life with its kindness.

Given this, recent reports in Reuters, Bloomberg, the New York Times, and the Financial Times that the US government may impose new curbs on charitable giving are profoundly worrying. The ability of charities, funders, and philanthropies to operate and deliver support unhindered in the US and globally is vital not only to those who benefit from aid, but also to those who give it. A society in which charitable giving is deliberately restricted would be doomed to poverty itself, both financial and moral.

Pope Francis devoted his life to serving the poor and tackling injustice. His final Easter “Urbi et Orbi” message is worth reflecting on: “I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolation from others, but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger, and to encourage initiatives that promote development.”

Hope, faith, and charity are the foundational virtues of Christianity. Although many of us were running low on hope this Easter, our faith remains strong, as must our common commitment to charity.

Timothy Radcliffe, the first Englishman to be elected Master of the worldwide Dominican Order in its 800-year-history, was created Cardinal by Pope Francis on December 9, 2024

Govt moves to end premature deaths caused by firewood toxins 

Michael Simire
-
0
Govt moves to end premature deaths caused by firewood toxins 

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMoWA) has partnered with key stakeholders in the energy sector to end premature deaths caused by firewood and traditional cooking stoves toxins.

Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said this during a multi-stakeholder engagement in Abuja on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, expressing optimism that the initiative would end energy poverty for Nigerian women.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that, through the use of solar powered equipment for agricultural development, the initiative would promote clean home solutions.

“Over 80,000 women die prematurely from the toxic smoke of firewood and traditional cooking stoves; hence the efforts aim to reach Nigerian women across all 774 Local Government Areas.

“Energy poverty is not just a technical challenge, it is a social injustice.

“It locks women in cycles of unpaid labour, economic dependence, and health risks. In many communities, women spend up to eight hours a week gathering firewood.

“Through this initiative, we will provide access to energy through solar home systems, clean cooking technologies, solar water pumps, e-mobility tools, and other productive-use appliances in every corner of this nation,” she said.

Mr. Abba Abubakar-Aliyu, Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), said under the $550 million Nigerian Electrification Project, about eight million Nigerians and 35,000 businesses were impacted, out of which 12,000 were women led businesses.

He added that President Bola Tinubu approved $750 million off grid project out of which $410 million had been earmarked for mini grids and $240 million for solar home system.

“So, there is a huge opportunity for us to replicate and to make sure that we scale this intervention across the country,” he said.

Mr. Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), described energy poverty as one of the greatest barriers to the advancement of women, especially in rural communities.

Halilu was represented by Dr Olayode Olasupo, Director, Manufacturing Services, NASENI.

According to him, poverty ranges from a lack of access to clean energy for cooking to access to energy for lighting and other essential social systems.

“This thereby limits access to critical services, restricts economic opportunities and compromises health and safety,” he said.

By Justina Auta

AATF, partners enlighten farmers, processors on cassava value chain

Michael Simire
-
0
AATF, partners enlighten farmers, processors on cassava value chain

The second phase of a comprehensive training programme targeting cassava farmers and food processors was held in South-West Nigeria with 1,200 cassava farmers and 200 food processors across five locations in Oyo State – Iseyin, Ijaye, Oyo, Serafu, and Soku were trained on good agronomic practices (GAP), cassava value addition, farm mechanisation, and the processing of high-quality cassava flour.

AATF
Some of the participants at the training with trainers from Master Bakers. Photo credit: AATF

The training was organised under the Mechanisation of Cassava Production and Processing Project, the initiative is being implemented by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) and is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through the Fund for the Promotion of Innovation in Agriculture (i4Ag).

The project coordinator, Mr. Taiwo Samuel Ogunleye, stated that the programme’s objective is not only to boost cassava yield but also to encourage value addition beyond traditional products like gari and fufu.

“This initiative is part of AATF’s broader commitment to enhancing the productivity and income potential of Nigeria’s cassava value chain,” he explained.

Dr. Adeyemi Olojede, Director of Tuber Crops Research at NRCRI Umudike and team lead for the initiative, emphasised the project’s long-term goal of empowering 6,000 farmers and 1,000 food processors in the region over a three-year period.

“This hands-on training is designed to improve cassava productivity and significantly enhance the livelihoods of farmers and processors,” he said.

Dr. Olojede also highlighted the importance of promoting the use of High-Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) as a means of boosting income diversification for rural households. He noted that experts from NRCRI, the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) Ilorin, and the Master Bakers Association in Abuja have been deployed to ensure the training’s success.

A key feature of the programme is its emphasis on women and youth empowerment, particularly in processing activities. The 200 participating processors, primarily women from Oyo State, were also trained in the economics and techniques of HQCF production, helping to create new opportunities and improve household incomes.

Participants expressed gratitude to the organisers for equipping them with essential skills that will enable them to adopt modern farming techniques, embrace mechanisation, and tap into value-added cassava products.

This second training phase follows the inaugural session held in 2024, during which over 800 farmers and processors were trained. The programme will conclude in 2026, reaching its target of 6,000 trained farmers and 1,000 trained food processors, fulfilling AATF’s commitment made during the commissioning of the Cassava Mechanisation and Agro-Processing Facility in Fashola, Oyo State, in April 2024.

By bridging the knowledge and technology gap in cassava production, the training is expected to contribute significantly to national food security and rural economic development.

Protecting ecosystems, preventing pandemics: The urgent case for bat conservation

Michael Simire
-
0
Protecting ecosystems, preventing pandemics: The urgent case for bat conservation

On International Bat Appreciation Day, observed on April 17, 2025, conservationist Benneth Obitte underscored the critical role bats play in sustaining ecosystems and preventing disease outbreaks. Speaking to journalists, Obitte emphasised that the health of human populations is deeply connected to the wellbeing of wildlife, particularly bats, and the ecosystems they inhabit.

Bats
Bats

Bats and Human Health: An Overlooked Connection

“Science has proven that our health is directly tied to the health of our environment and the animals living in it,” Obitte said. “When bats are stressed, their risk of shedding viruses increases, just like rodents. As human activity encroaches on their habitats, the chances of contact – and transmission – rise.”

Obitte explained that bats are essential for ecosystem balance. “We rely on healthy bat populations to pollinate plants, control agricultural pests, and even reduce disease vectors like mosquitoes,” he noted. “Some bat species consume their body weight in insects each night, helping to suppress pests that would otherwise decimate crops and spread disease.”

Ecosystem Engineers: Bats as Pollinators and Seed Dispersers

Obitte highlighted the ecological importance of fruit bats, which serve as mobile seed dispersers. “Fruit bats often fly hundreds of kilometers each night, feeding on fruits and dispersing seeds across forests,” he said. “As they consume fruit juice mid-flight, they drop seeds far from the parent plant – an act that promotes reforestation and plant diversity.”

He added that insectivorous bats are also vital pollinators, especially for plants that bloom at night. “In the U.S. and Europe, bats save farmers millions of dollars annually by reducing the need for chemical insecticides,” he said. “Their ecological services are both invisible and invaluable.”

Public Health Implications: The Zoonotic Threat

While bats can carry viruses, Obitte clarified that the real danger comes from human encroachment. “Zoonotic diseases – those that jump from animals to humans – are more likely when natural barriers are broken,” he warned. One bat species, Rousettus aegyptiacus, has been linked to Marburg hemorrhagic fever, a deadly virus similar to Ebola. “This species is heavily hunted in Nigeria. If even one infected bat comes into close contact with humans, it could spark a public health crisis.”

Habitat Loss and Overexploitation: The Greatest Threats

According to Obitte, the biggest threats to bats in Nigeria are habitat loss and overexploitation. “Smallholder farming, logging, and tree felling are destroying the habitats bats need to survive,” he said. “These activities also threaten many other species.”

He pointed out that overhunting is a growing concern. “The chocolate fruit bat, Africa’s most hunted bat, is being wiped out across the continent. While some species can escape to new habitats, others – especially cave dwellers – are vulnerable to mass killings.”

Lack of Data and Research Gaps

Nigeria is home to over 100 bat species, but Obitte noted that the conservation status of many remains unknown due to insufficient data. “Some species may already be endangered, but we lack the research to confirm it. At the Small Mammal Conservation Organization, we are training new scientists to close this knowledge gap and provide data-driven conservation solutions.”

Obitte called for the enforcement and modernization of Nigeria’s endangered species laws. “Many of our wildlife protection laws are outdated and poorly enforced. We need urgent reforms and better coordination,” he said.

He also emphasized the need for widespread sensitization. “Most people don’t even know their actions – like hunting bats – are illegal. Education and public engagement are key to changing behavior.

Bats are indispensable to healthy ecosystems, food security, and disease prevention. Conserving them isn’t just about saving wildlife – it’s about safeguarding human lives. As Obitte put it: “We don’t need to fear bats if we respect their habitats. But if we continue to destroy the natural buffers between humans and wildlife, we open the door to the next pandemic.”

By Ajibola Adedoye

Earth Day 2025: Our Power, Our Planet – beyond renewables

Michael Simire
-
0
Earth Day 2025: Our Power, Our Planet – beyond renewables

Fifty-five years after the first Earth Day celebration, the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” was chosen to commemorate the 2025 edition of this annual event. Earth Day is aimed at demonstrating support for environmental protection. 

Earth Day
The ecosystem is already under pressure from various environmental challenges. Photo credit: Mayowa Adebote (2025)

Back on April 22, 1970, when the inaugural Earth Day was observed, many people were not aware of the power they held as individuals, industries, companies, and even nations. Today, as various environmental challenges impact different regions of the world, it is inspiring to see over 1 billion people in more than 193 countries recognising the potential within their hands to change our shared planet for the better.

Driven by the effect of environmental challenges such as the global warming, fossil fuel dependence, food and biodiversity loss, plastic pollution, and air pollution, the diverse range of events organised globally sends a clear and urgent message for us to use “our power” to protect “our planet.” This is not merely a slogan or campaign title; it should be viewed as a directive. We must acknowledge that the power to alter the course of the climate crisis lies not in distant promises or isolated efforts but in our collective will.

In addition to the human power we hold, this year’s theme highlights power as a resource. In line with the ambitious goal to triple clean electricity through renewable energy by 2030, outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, we must ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

The world is at a crossroad. As we confront the impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and energy inequality, it has become clear that the only viable path forward is a complete transition to renewable energy. This shift is not only essential for securing the planet’s future but also for addressing a range of pressing issues that threaten both human health and the environment.

The call to move from fossil fuels to renewable energy is no longer a distant ideal; it is a present-day imperative. The science is clear, the impacts are visible, and the clock is ticking. However, beyond environmental slogans and climate summits lies a simple truth: continuing down our current path is unsustainable, not only for Earth but for ourselves.

Fossil fuels have powered human progress for centuries but at a steep cost. From polluting city air with toxic emissions to destabilising our climate through carbon overload, their legacy is both powerful and destructive. Renewable energy offers a promising future – one where the skies are clearer and the air we breathe is no longer a silent killer.

Our ecosystem is already under pressure from various environmental challenges. We are approaching planetary boundaries while facing additional threats from rising temperatures and acidifying oceans. We have the option to explore renewable energy sources such as solar and wind to significantly lessen the burden on our lands and waters, helping to preserve the fragile balance of life on Earth.

Beyond renewable power from solar, wind, or hydro, we must recognise and harness our moral, intellectual, and collective power – the ingenuity of engineers, the determination of researchers, the activism of communities, and the boldness of youth who refuse to inherit a broken world.

The future isn’t waiting, and neither should we. Happy Earth Day 2025!

By David Praise Fashakin and ‘Seyifunmi Adebote

Fashakin is a Mechanical Engineering Student at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and a Renewable Energy Enthusiast

Adebote is an Environmentalist and Communication Professional, a diplomat-in-training and International Development Practitioner. He hosts the Climate Talk Podcast and GreenBytes Wednesday series

Peace Corps: The third rail of U.S. global development assistance

Michael Simire
-
0
Peace Corps: The third rail of U.S. global development assistance

This article presents a case for now vastly expanding the United States Peace Corps in light of threatened cuts to it and the dismantling of U.S. foreign aid department

Whereas there has been broad consensus that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is in need of reform, there is also an even wider and more deeply held belief that the value of Peace Corps – begun in 1961 – is incalculable relative to its incredibly modest cost. American citizens’ experiences of living and working with local communities around the world forges innovative, mission-driven individuals in all sectors of society, enhancing the United States and its allies.

Peace Corps
Former Peace Corps Volunteer Mark Apel (second from left) returning to Morocco as a USAID Farmer-to-Farmer Volunteer, advising on agriculture development in the province where he previously served Photo credit: Rachid Montassir, 2020

At about one percent of the cost of USAID, the Peace Corps not only upscales American people’s skills at typically formative junctures of their professional lives, but earns the partnership of individuals, families, and communities in more than 140 friendly countries. President Kennedy’s vision for the Peace Corps was to annually place 50,000 American volunteers at project sites, approximately seven times the number of those currently serving.

Increasing the Peace Corps’ budget from its current level of approximately $300 million to a fully funded $2.5 billion (less than 10 percent of USAID’s latest annual budget), could fulfill the 50,000-volunteer potential. At this moment of radical change (the end of federal agencies and departments and their associated layoffs), the impact upon Americans and U.S. international partners of increasing the Peace Corps budget would not only generate jobs for U.S. citizens, primarily youth, but also bridge a spectrum of relationships at minimal cost.

A fair concern about the Peace Corps over its years has been its struggle to recruit people from all economic backgrounds; many people who have not had the opportunity to gain higher education have important practical skills that can be applied toward the betterment of society. Increasing the programme from 7,000 to 50,000 volunteers while broadening its access to those who may not have considered this professional avenue in the areas of agriculture, mechanics, teaching, health care, and more, could offset recent layoffs by creating jobs in the interior of the United States.

Moving to 50,000 Peace Corps Volunteers is the low-cost palliative needed to address the untenable situation of a high-cost international development complex removed from direct people-to-people experiences and the resulting insufficient impact. Also, the Peace Corps benefits the American volunteers as much or even more than the local people and communities with whom they engage all around the world because their capacities are strengthened by doing. Volunteers’ responsiveness to locally determined priorities not only achieves the sincere goodwill generated during the two-year Peace Corps service, but creates a frame of reference for them of what is entailed in economic growth, forming a basis for their future outsized achievements in all helpful walks of life.

Serious cuts to the Peace Corps will likely unleash the ire of the well-organized former volunteers (nearly 250,000) in all of the 50 states, with inter-state networks based on the countries and periods they served. The Peace Corps is therefore a third rail of United States global development assistance with now a wide array of consequences before us. For the cost, there is every good reason to immediately expand it to its original intention at a bargain that is rarely, if ever, found among government programmes.

By Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir, a sociologist and former Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Morocco from 1993 to 1995

Stakeholders urge joint investment in Nigeria’s energy transition

Michael Simire
-
0
Stakeholders urge joint investment in Nigeria’s energy transition

Stakeholders in the environmental sector have called on governments at all levels, civil society groups, and individuals to collaborate and invest in Nigeria’s renewable energy transition process.

Mohammed Abdullahi
Former Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi

Speaking at a conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, April 22, to commemorate the 2025 World Earth Day, they emphasised the need for substantial financial and technical investments from government and the public.

The event was themed “Our Power, Our Planet: From Policy to Action” and was organised by Climate Justice, Creative Culture and Communities for Peace (CCC4Peace).

It was in collaboration with TrashMongers, Ecocykle, Basic Rights Watch, the Initiative for Human Rights and Gender Awareness, the Coalition for Socioecological Transformation (CoSET), and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Mohammed Abdullahi, former Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, stated that many Nigerians are more concerned with daily survival than with reducing their carbon footprint.

He asserted that to achieve Nigeria’s ambitious climate goals, the government must prioritise breaking the cycle of poverty through targeted programmes.

This, he said, would empower citizens to afford climate-friendly solutions such as fuel-efficient cookstoves, LPG and biogas systems, solar home installations, and electric or compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles.

“The government should place greater emphasis on innovation in energy infrastructure, optimal utilisation of domestic financing, and harmonisation of existing energy policy frameworks.

“In industrialised countries, energy systems have powered decades of development but also caused environmental damage, warming oceans, melting glaciers, and extreme climate events that disproportionately affect poorer nations.

“To truly transition, we must move from a mindset of short-term consumption to long-term restoration. The shift to renewable and sustainable energy is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

“And within that necessity lies an extraordinary opportunity to lead the way toward a better future.”

Abdullahi, also a former Minister of Environment, stressed that a just energy transition must ensure inclusivity, particularly for vulnerable communities, indigenous populations, and marginalised groups.

“This includes creating new opportunities for workers displaced by the fossil fuel phase-out and ensuring their access to retraining and dignified work within the emerging green economy.

“The world today faces an existential crisis driven by unsustainable energy practices, climate change, and environmental degradation. Yet, this is also a moment of unprecedented opportunity,” he added.

Peniel Ibe, Coordinator of CCC4Peace, explained that the initiative seeks to empower Nigerian youth to participate meaningfully in both local and global climate discourse and advocacy.

She explained that the initiative aimed to introduce young people to justice-centred climate solutions and to demonstrate how such solutions could be applied within their local contexts.

“YouPad serves as a platform for youth engagement in policy, climate change, security, governance, and development.”

Ibe expressed appreciation to the participants, noting that their presence demonstrated a collective commitment to securing not only the future of the planet and Nigeria, but also a future grounded in justice, inclusion, and action.

“As we mark World Earth Day, we are reminded of both the planet’s fragility and the power of our collective resolve as Nigerians.

“The climate crisis challenges us to rethink our approach. We cannot afford to serve both the fossil fuel industry and the renewable energy cause.

“We cannot promote justice and injustice simultaneously, as the consequences, especially for Nigeria would be dire.”

She observed that although momentum is growing across Nigeria and Africa for renewable energy adoption, the transition risks replicating existing inequalities if not deliberately planned and inclusive.

She explained that the conference was part of an ongoing initiative by CCC4Peace and YouPad to bridge the gap between policy dialogue and the lived experiences of communities most affected by climate change, with a focus on youth engagement.

“Policies are often crafted without input from the very communities they affect most. We felt the need to create a space for diverse voices to reflect and respond to a critical question: how do we move beyond policy to meaningful, inclusive action rooted in community realities?

“The fight for a liveable planet, one in which Nigerians are safe, is not only scientific and technical, it is also profoundly social, political, and moral,” she added.

Ibe expressed hope that the outcomes of the conference would translate into tangible actions within schools, strategic frameworks, and collaborative networks.

Other speakers, including David Arinze (Off-Grid Energy), Tengi Okoli (Natural Resources Governance), and Salaudeen Hashim, shared the views of both Abdullahi and Ibe.

They highlighted the importance of policy in promoting renewable energy use in Nigeria.

The conference also featured a panel discussion and fireside chat focused on how young professionals can contribute to Nigeria’s renewable energy transition.

Additional sessions explored strategies for ensuring the transition is rooted in environmental justice.

The event concluded with a screening of Drifting Away, a documentary series by Simpa Sampson, followed by an open discussion session.

As a fossil fuel-dependent nation, Nigeria is undertaking a transition aimed at diversifying its energy sources and reducing carbon emissions.

This aligns with the country’s commitment to achieving Net-Zero Emissions by 2060, as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term Low Emissions Development Strategies (LT-LEDS).

The Nigeria Energy Transition Plan (ETP) is a locally developed, data-driven, multi-faceted strategy designed to guide the nation towards net-zero emissions through reforms in energy consumption.

It outlines a roadmap for reducing emissions across five key sectors: Power, Cooking, Oil and Gas, Transport, and Industry sectors responsible for approximately 65 per cent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Key targets under the ETP include achieving an installed electricity generation capacity of 250GW by 2050, with 90 per cent of this derived from renewable sources.

By the same year, 80 per cent of vehicles are expected to run on electricity, and clean cooking technologies should be adopted by 80 per cent of the population.

By Akpan Glory

Edun leads Nigeria’s delegation to IMF spring meetings in Washington

Michael Simire
-
0
Edun leads Nigeria’s delegation to IMF spring meetings in Washington

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has led Nigeria’s delegation to the 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings holding in Washington DC.

Wale Edun
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr. Wale Edun

The meeting holding from April 21 to April 26 in the US capital is being attended by delegations from 190 countries.

In Nigeria’s delegation are Chief Executive Officers of financial institutions, representatives of the private sector, Civil Society Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations and other stakeholders.

The meeting aimed at promoting global macroeconomics financial stability, along IMF’s long-standing mission would provide policy advice, surveillance of member countries’ economies, and financial assistance to countries facing balance-of-payments issues.

The meetings will focus on building a better balanced and more resilient world economy that can better withstand economic shocks and promote sustainable development.

The specific activities of the meeting also include analysing the world economy, holding bilateral consultations with member countries, and providing support to countries navigating economic challenges.

It will also discuss the global economic outlook, global financial stability, and poverty eradication

At the meeting, the IMF is also expected to release its World Economic Outlook and Global Financial Stability Report.

The World Economic Outlook will provide analysis and projections of the global economy, the global financial stability report, assess the global financial system and highlight systemic issues.

The meetings will also discuss the need for reforms to the global financial architecture to support developing countries as well as poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth

Other key area of discussion at the meeting is how to address the economic impacts of climate change on the nations.

IMF and the World Bank are two intergovernmental organisations, often referred to as the Bretton Woods Institutions that were established in 1944 to rebuild the global economy after World War II.

While the IMF focuses on maintaining the stability of the international monetary system, the World Bank aims to reduce poverty and promote development in developing countries..

The IMF also acts like a financial policeman, ensuring the global financial system functions smoothly, while the World Bank is like a development banker, helping countries invest in their future

Specifically, the IMF conducts economic surveillance, both at the national and global levels to monitor the health of its 190 member countries.

The IMF provides loan to member-countries struggling with a balance of payments crisis and offers advice on how to improve the their financial regulations

The World Bank on its part, focuses on reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development in developing countries.

It lends money to developing countries for development projects, provides policy advice and technical assistance, and promotes knowledge sharing and innovation to help countries tackle development challenges.

By Nana Musa

1...456...2,202Page 5 of 2,202

TV Report

Archives

2025 EnviroNews Nigeria. All Rights Reserved.

×