The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has dismissed as false the information that gene transfers carried in Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) such as crops are harmful.
Dr Rose Gidado
Dr Rose Gidado, Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department, NBRDA, who said this during an interview on Monday, February 17, 2025, in Abuja, noted that it was important to approach the topic of gene transfer from a scientific standpoint which is evidence-based rather than speculation.
She said the technology of genetic engineering started after the discovery of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) structure, which, according to her, is the same in all living things, both plants and animals, except for virus.
DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information for the development and functioning of an organism.
Gidado said gene editing involved taking gene from one living organism to another living organism.
“We believe the trait that you want, what you are looking for is there in another living organism.’’
“It’s just actually gene that you are taking, a gene that would go for that trait that you want and once they get into the host plant, they establish themselves.
“The host environment receives them and once they establish themselves that trait that you want begins to manifest in the new host,’’ she said.
Gidado further said that if the trait was brought for drought or flood tolerance, then the crop ends up being either of flood or drought tolerant.
According to her, the gene of either plant or animal is usually altered for specific beneficial reasons.
The expert said the gene of the genetically modified beans (Bt cowpea) contained a gene called 1Ab gene which gave protection to the crop against the devastating insect pest of beans called “Maruca”.
She said although there were other insects attacking beans, but that the Maruca was the most devastating, of which the 1Ab gene gave protection against pest attack.
“Just as the maruca is the devastating insect pest of beans, so also is the pink bollworm the devastating insect of cotton,’’ she said.
She said it was preferable for farmers to plant a GMO seed for improved yield, cautioning that conventional seeds needed pesticide spray up to 10 times.
She said that with genetically modified seed, the frequency of the spray would be reduced while the yield would improve than the normal seed.
“Before any GMO product is approved for consumption in Nigeria, it undergoes a detailed risk assessment process; evaluated by experts in public health, molecular biology, ecology and toxicology,’’ she said.
Nearly 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, have been seized in a global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking networks, jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
Seized Pangolin scaled found packed in 230 bags among packets of frozen beef
Operation Thunder 2024 (November 11 – December 6) brought together police, customs, border control, forestry and wildlife officials from 138 countries and regions, marking the widest participation since the first edition in 2017.
Authorities arrested 365 suspects and identified six transnational criminal networks suspected of trafficking animals and plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Such species are illegally trafficked to meet specific market demands, whether for food, perceived medicinal benefits, “luxury” and collector items or as pets and competition animals.
The live animals, which included big cats, birds, pangolins, primates and reptiles were rescued in connection with 2,213 seizures made worldwide.
Where possible, wildlife forensic experts collected DNA samples before transferring the animals to conservation centres, where their health was assessed while awaiting repatriation or rehabilitation, in line with national frameworks and relevant protocols.
The collection of DNA is a crucial part of supporting prosecutions, as it helps confirm the type of species and its origin or distribution, shedding light on new trafficking routes and emerging trends.
Large-scale trafficking of animal parts, plants and endangered species
In addition to the live animals, participating countries seized hundreds of thousands of protected animal parts and derivatives, trees, plants, marine life and arthropods.
Timber cases represent the most significant seizures, primarily occurring in sea cargo container shipments, while most other seizures took place at airports and mail processing hubs.
Authorities also investigated online activities and found suspects using multiple profiles and linked accounts across social media platforms and marketplaces to expand their reach.
More than 100 companies involved in the trafficking of protected species were also identified.
Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General, said: “Organised crime networks are profiting from the demand for rare plants and animals, exploiting nature to fuel human greed. This has far-reaching consequences: it drives biodiversity loss, destroys communities, contributes to climate change and even fuels conflict and instability.
“Environmental crimes are uniquely destructive, and INTERPOL, in cooperation with its partners, is committed to protecting our planet for future generations.”
Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary General, said: “Operation Thunder continues to shed light on a crime that is often not a priority for enforcement actors. Through our joint efforts we have established cooperation mechanisms that facilitate the exchange of information and intelligence, and we have refined our enforcement strategies.
“The illegal wildlife trade is still rapidly growing, highly lucrative and has devastating effects. The WCO remains committed to supporting its members and partners to effectively combat this serious crime.”
Ivonne Higuero, CITES Secretary-General, said: “Operation Thunder exemplifies the power of international collaboration in the fight against wildlife crime. The increasing participation of national authorities year after year is in recognition of the urgency and scale of this global challenge. As part of ICCWC, CITES remains committed to working with Parties to ensure that wildlife trafficking is confronted with a unified response.”
Significant seizures include:
Indonesia: 134 tonnes of timber headed to Asia via ocean freight.
Kenya: 41 tonnes of exotic timber headed to Asia via ocean freight.
Nigeria: 4,472 kg of pangolins scales
Türkiye: 6,500 live songbirds discovered during a vehicle inspection at the Syrian border.
India: 5,193 live red-eared ornamental slider turtles concealed in passenger suitcases arriving from Malaysia at Chennai Airport.
Peru: 3,700 protected plants intercepted en route from Ecuador.
Qatar: Eight rhino horns found in a suspect’s luggage while transiting from Mozambique to Thailand.
United States: One tonne of sea cucumbers, considered a seafood delicacy, smuggled from Nicaragua.
Hong Kong, China: 973 kg of dried shark fins originating from Morocco seized at the airport.
Czech Republic: Eight tigers, aged between two months and two years, discovered in a suspected illegal breeding facility.
Indonesia: 846 pieces of reticulated python skin, from the world’s longest snake species, concealed on board a ship.
Australia and the United Kingdom reported seizures of bear bile, often used in traditional medicine.
More than 300 seized firearms, vehicles and poaching equipment.
Building a global intelligence picture of wildlife and timber trafficking
Regular operations such as Thunder enable investigators to build a comprehensive global intelligence picture and detailed offender profiles, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement efforts and resolution of cross-border cases.
Cooperation between various stakeholders is essential for effectively combating transnational criminal networks, from seizure to arrest and prosecution, as the data collected enable customs administrations to refine their risk management and compliance strategies, and stay one step ahead of criminals, ensuring that their contribution to the fight against wildlife crime is dynamic and responsive.
Ahead of the operation, countries exchanged actionable intelligence on ongoing cases and high-value targets, updating critical information on 21 INTERPOL Red Notices for suspected traffickers wanted internationally. This exchange continued throughout the operation, with officers using the secure channels provided by both INTERPOL and the WCO to communicate in real time.
Over 100 partners, including 37 tech companies, 11 countries and five international organisations, have joined forces under the Coalition for Environmentally Sustainable Artificial Intelligence (AI), aiming to ramp up global momentum to place AI on a more environmentally sustainable path. Spearheaded by France, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Coalition brings together stakeholders across the AI value chain for dialogue and ambitious collaborative initiatives.
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris
The Coalition was announced at the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris, where Heads of State and Government, leaders of international organisations, CEOs, academics, artists, and members of civil society gathered to discuss support for AI innovation, adequate regulation, and respect for rights to ensure development of these technologies in the interests of all, including developing countries.
The Coalition will encourage AI initiatives for the planet, including its role in decarbonising economies, reducing pollution, preserving biodiversity, protecting the oceans, and ensuring humanity operates within planetary boundaries. It will use a collaborative approach – bringing together governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector – to focus on standardised methods and metrics for measuring AI’s environmental impacts, comprehensive life cycle analysis frameworks for reporting and disclosure, and prioritisation of research on sustainable AI.
“We know that AI can be a force for climate action and energy efficiency. But we also know AI power-intensive systems are already placing an unsustainable strain on our planet,” UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, said in his remarks at the Summit. “So, it is crucial to design AI algorithms and infrastructures that consume less energy and integrate AI into smart grids to optimise power use.”
While AI may help tackle some of the world’s biggest environmental emergencies – for instance, it is being used to map the destructive dredging of sand and chart emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas – a growing body of research cautions that there is a negative side to the explosion of AI and its associated infrastructure, including the electronic waste produced – and high levels of electricity and water consumed – by the proliferating data centres that house AI servers produce electronic waste.
From data centres to training models, AI must run on sustainable energy that fuels a more sustainable future. The Coalition aims to build sustainable AI into the global discussion in much the same way AI security or AI ethics are studied.
“The AI Action Summit is a turning point: for the first time, the ecological transition has been at the core of the discussions in a international AI summit. I am very proud that France organised this first Forum for sustainable AI with 200 stakeholders present,” said Agnès Pannier-Runacher, France’s Minister of Ecological Transition, Energy, Climate and Risk Prevention. “Today, my Ministry, with ITU and UNEP, launched the Coalition for Sustainable AI – more than 90 members, including 37 companies, have joined this ambitious initiative on green AI and AI for green.”
More than 190 countries have adopted a series of non-binding recommendations on the ethical use of AI, which covers the environment. In addition, both the European Union and the United States of America have introduced legislation to temper the environmental impact of AI. However, the policy landscape remains sparse.
A number of recent initiatives are working to build the knowledge base around AI and the environment: through the National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology (INRIA) and the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, a community of 36 scientists, companies, public institutions and international organisations have published a position paper identifying the challenges that must be overcome to maximize the positive effects of AI systems while limiting their environmental impact.
The first hackathon combining AI and energy sobriety, the Frugal AI Challenge, also brought together more than 60 teams of data scientists around the unprecedented challenge of designing AI models related to environmental issues, including the detection of climate disinformation, analysis of regions at risk of fires, identification of illegal deforestation) while optimising their energy efficiency. In addition, the first international working group on the use of generative AI to provide access to environmental knowledge aims to develop a best practice guide for the effective and ethical use of generative AI to provide access to environmental documents, while a multi-stakeholder Green Digital Action initiative, convened by ITU, has launched a new thematic pillar on green computing with a dedicated Sustainable AI working group.
In 2024, UNEP released an issue note that explores AI’s environmental footprint and considers how the technology can be rolled out sustainably; it followed a major UNEP report, Navigating New Horizons, which also examined AI’s promise and perils. In 2025, UNEP will publish a guide to encourage public and private purchases towards energy-efficient data centres. These guidelines will be based on international best practices and established global standards (EU Code of Conduct, Energy Star, ISO/IEC 30134, etc.). They will inform investors, development banks and local authorities on the objective elements defining an energy-efficient data centre.
“The power of AI to solve complex global challenges is becoming ever clearer, but so too are its environmental impacts and the need for environmental guardrails to ensure the field grows sustainably,” said Golestan (Sally) Radwan, Chief Digital Officer for UNEP. “The new Coalition brings together critical stakeholders who have the power to work together and build systems that ensure the net effect of AI on the planet is positive as the technology continues to deploy rapidly.”
As global leaders convene at the Munich Security Conference 2025 (MSC 2025) to address pressing security challenges, land restoration is emerging as a crucial strategy for conflict prevention and long-term stability.
Participants at the Munich Security Conference, Bayerischer Hof | Dachgarten Lounge: MSC 2025 – Conversation on Land Restoration and Security. Photo credit: MSC/Thomas Niedermueller
At the MSC 2025 session Conversation on Land Restoration and Security, hosted by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in partnership with Adelphi research, experts and decision-makers explored the role of land restoration in fostering resilience, security and transboundary cooperation.
UNCCD Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Thiaw, said: “Land degradation is not merely an environmental crisis – it is a critical security challenge. Over 3 billion people depend on land for survival, yet up to 40% of global land is already degraded, exacerbating food and water scarcity, economic instability and displacement. Governments, security organisations and financial institutions must recognise that restoring land is restoring peace. Without urgent action, competition over shrinking resources will continue to drive instability and displacement.”
The significance of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification today extends far beyond its original goal of combating desertification. As fertile soils become increasingly scarce and land rights are challenged globally, these issues threaten food security, biodiversity, and climate stability, said Jochen Flasbarth, the has been State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), adding that “Ultimately, they pose a serious risk to global peace and security. To effectively respond, the agenda on land, peace and security must be elevated on the global stage, with a strong emphasis on integrated cooperation at international, regional and national levels.”
Land Degradation: A Global Security Threat
As climate change accelerates desertification and depletes essential resources, competition over dwindling land intensifies, increasing the risks of conflict and forced migration. It is estimated that climate change could lead millions of people moving within their own borders by 2050.
Land degradation exacerbates conflict, intensifying competition over food, water and resources
60% of ecosystem services in conflict-affected regions have already been degraded, making recovery even more challenging
Only 10% of global climate finance (2015-2024) has been allocated to land restoration, despite its role in reducing conflict risks
The economic cost of land degradation is estimated at $6.3 trillion annually, significantly impacting global stability
Environmental peacebuilding initiatives, such as transboundary land restoration, create shared incentives for cooperation and long-term stability.
Strengthened governance and land tenure rights are essential to ensuring that land restoration contributes to lasting peace and resilience
“The Ground for Peace report presents compelling evidence from global research and real-world initiatives that restoring land and ecosystems is not just an environmental necessity – it is a strategic pathway to peace and security,” says Dr Beatrice Mosello, Senior Advisor at Adelphi research. “By demonstrating how sustainable land management reduces competition over resources and fosters cooperation, the report makes a strong case for integrating land restoration into global security policies. Urgent action is needed to scale up financing and policy support, ensuring that land restoration becomes a key tool for peacebuilding worldwide.”
The Role of Land Restoration in Global Security
Transboundary land restoration presents a critical opportunity for mitigating and resolving disputes over shared natural resources. By fostering cross-border collaboration, sustainable land management can serve as a confidence-building measure, equipping governments and marginalised communities with the tools needed for cooperative decision-making.
One such initiative is the Peace Forest Initiative (PFI), launched by the UNCCD in partnership with the Korea Forest Service. The PFI promotes cross-border cooperation in fragile and conflict-affected regions by restoring degraded lands and forests, reducing tensions, and fostering trust through shared environmental efforts.
Successful large-scale restoration projects further demonstrate the potential of land rehabilitation to strengthen regional cooperation and economic resilience. The Great Green Wall, which stretches across the Sahel, has shown how combating desertification can also enhance stability and livelihoods. Similarly, the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) – one of the world’s largest conservation zones – exemplifies how joint resource management can protect biodiversity while easing tensions over land and water access across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
In Latin America, the Cordillera del Cóndor Transboundary Conservation Corridor, established as part of a peace agreement between Ecuador and Peru, underscores the role of environmental restoration in reconciliation and long-term stability.
However, the success of these initiatives depends on strong governance frameworks and sustained financial commitments to ensure their long-term viability and impact.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Affairs Minister of State, Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, emphasised the far-reaching consequences of land degradation, stating: “Land degradation leads to conflicts, leads to violence, leads to extremism, leads to terrorism, leads to migration, leads to political instability, and leads to all of us paying an extremely high price to deal with the consequences of an issue that, had we paid attention to at the outset, would have cost us a fraction of the resources.”
The Ground for Peace report calls for immediate investments in land restoration as a fundamental pillar of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Scalable solutions – such as agroforestry, reforestation, and water conservation – must be expanded to stabilise fragile regions, reduce resource-driven conflicts and foster economic resilience.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Starzs Gas Limited were upbeat about growth prospects of Nigeria’s gas subsector and the potential boost to industrialisation as the groundbreaking ceremony for a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mother Station got underway in Iwhreken, Ughelli South, Delta State, on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Esueme Dan Kikile, with Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Starzs Investments Company Limited, Mr. Greg Ogbeifun; Vice Chairman, Miss Iroghama Ogbeifun; and other dignitaries at the groundbreaking ceremony for a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mother Station, Iwhreken, Ughelli South, Delta State, on Thursday
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Esueme Dan Kikile, commended Starzs Investments Company Limited, parent company of Starzs Gas, for pushing industry boundaries with its expansion into the gas subsector.
Ogbe described Starzs Gas Limited, whose offerings cut across natural gas compression, CNG fueling and refueling stations, conversion workshops and training centres, motorised CNG tube skids for sale and distribution, as well as engineering, construction and procurement solutions, as a veritable vehicle “to drive industrialisation and expand Nigeria’s economy.”
He was particularly elated that the multi-million-dollar Integrated CNG Project, which is slated for commissioning in the first quarter of 2026, has come at a time that the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas programme is going full steam, with the NCDMB itself acting as an enabler to numerous gas development and utilisation projects across the country.
On the Board’s performance in implementation of its core mandate, the Executive Secretary disclosed that local content hit 56 per cent in the last quarter of 2023, up from five per cent in 2010, when the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act came into force, noting that more and more Nigerian assets and resources are being utilised in oil and gas operations in the country.
Ogbe urged the host community, Iwhrekan, to cooperate with Starzs Gas Limited so as to enjoy maximum benefits and also facilitate unhampered production activities at the company. He said he was encouraged by the enthusiasm of the House of Representatives member for Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Udu Federal Constituency, Francis Waive, who was present at the ceremony, which could facilitate NCDMB’s sustainability programme for protection and security of the company’s facilities.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Starzs Investments Company Limited, Mr. Greg Ogbeifun, said the establishment of Starzs Gas Limited signalled “a generational shift,” as the Starzs Group, a conglomerate with such leading companies as Starzs Marine and Engineering Services Limited, Starzs Shipyard Limited, and Starzs Investments Company Limited, had for decades focused largely on the maritime industry.
He said Starzs Gas Limited was the culmination of unrelenting pressure by his daughter, Miss Iroghama Ogbeifun, that the global clamour for elimination of gas flaring and reduced carbon footprint, which form the basis of President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives on gas utilisation, be considered as a challenge to entrepreneurship.
According to him, he yielded and provided the necessary material support for the new company, whose focus is on gas for industrial applications, gas-to-power, and gas as auto fuel. The company is also engaged in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects within the gas subsector.
The Starzs Group Chairman announced the immediate promotion of Miss Iroghama Ogbeifun to the position of Vice Chairman of the conglomerate in appreciation of her exceptional capabilities in visioning and implementing the blueprint for the new business organisation and her energy and drive.
Earlier in a welcome address, Miss Ogbeifun, Managing Director of Starzs Gas, expressed profound gratitude to guests among whom were top executives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its subsidiaries, Chief Executive Officer, ND Western, Olanrewaju Kalejaiye, represented by the company’s Commercial Manager, Sunday Okunbor, Feb Idahosa, Waive, of the House of Representatives, the Council of Chiefs of the community, and President of the Nigerian Gas Association, Aka Nwokedi.
She said the event of Thursday was “not just groundbreaking…but setting the stage for cleaner energy and development for the host community,” pointing out that the NNPCL Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) has 15 per cent equity in the project, and that her company would leverage the partnership and expertise of the NNPCL.
“We are embarking on a journey that will drive industrial development,” Miss Ogbeifun assured the audience, adding that the Integrated Gas Project would significantly facilitate attainment of objectives in Federal Government’s Decade of Gas programme.
In a goodwill message, Francis Waive said Thursday (day of the groundbreaking ceremony) was a very important day for him, adding, “This is my place, my community, my constituency.” He told the community, “Let us work with Starzs to achieve success,” noting that development was coming to them if the people would refrain from disruptive activities.
The Chief Executive Officer of ND Western, Kalejaiye, expressed happiness at the initiative of the Starzs Group, pointing out that “Gas is not just fuel but an enabler of economic prosperity.” He described the project as most valuable as it broadens the country’s energy mix, while calling for collaboration between policymakers, producers and other key stakeholders.
The President, Nigerian Gas Association, Nwokedi, said the project being undertaken would reduce carbon footprint and bring about other economic benefits. He commended the partnership between the NNPCL Gas Marketing Limited and Starzs Gas as well as the focus and tenacity of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, for developments in the subsector.
In a related goodwill message, the Managing Director of NNPC Gas Marketing Limited, Justin Ezeala, described the Integrated Gas Project as a timely response to the Federal Government’s charge to the private sector to invest in gas infrastructure to promote resource development and utilisation.
Ezeala, who spoke as representative of the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekpo, and Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, said the Federal Government “believes in the vision of Starzs” and that “It is reassuring that the National Assembly is making the right laws and Government is making the right policies.”
Starzs Gas Limited is building a CNG Compression Station adjacent to the gigantic NAZ 3 Gas Plant at Utorogu, Delta State. The Compression Station, by design, has an initial capacity of two million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd), which is scalable to five mmscfd within 18 months. It is envisaged to expand from CNG to domestic LNG production.
Stakeholders in the environment space and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) have expressed mixed reactions on the feasibility of Nigeria achieving open defecation-free target by 2030 with over 48 million Nigerians still practising open defecation.
Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation
They disclosed this in separate interviews on Sunday, February 16, 2025, in Lagos.
Year 2025 was initially set out to end open defecation in Nigeria, but the Federal Government shifted the date to 2030 to ensure that all stakeholders work for its actualisation.
The 2021 WASH NORM statistics indicated that about 48 million people still resort to open defecation.
Some argued that the date was not realisable, while others expressed optimism that all hands must be on deck to make the 2030 deadline possible.
Ayo Adebusoye, a lawyer and development consultant, said the 2030 date was not realisable.
Adebusoye, who is also the Chairman, Lagos Civil Society Participation for Development, said there was no evidence on the ground to show that an end to open defecation would happen in 2030.
“You have to be intentional, whenever you have commitments like this, you have to make obvious moves. It is not just to say it.
“In Lagos State, for instance, what we are facing is a whole lot, especially since the Lagos Waste Management Authority was destabilised during the Ambode regime. In so many places, we see refuse being dumped on the streets.
“We see all manner of people everywhere urinating or defecting on the streets,” Adebusoye said.
He said government needed to be intentional, adding that there must be people monitoring the streets.
He noted there was a need for more public toilets placed in strategic places like motor parks.
“Government at all levels have to become serious and the local government areas have a role to play – this is one of the main constitutional duties of the local government.
“Right now, we are not on track,” Adebusoye said.
According to him, there should be adequate enforcement to ensure that street by street, open defecation is phased out.
He said that petrol stations should be engaged to ensure that they have decent public toilets for people as obtained in other climes.
For Cecilia Imadu, a WASH expert with Save the Children, a non-governmental organisation, the fight to end open defecation had been ongoing.
According to her, development partners have been in the vanguard of ensuring that Nigerians adopt best hygiene practices to end open defecation.
She noted that open defecation had been a major channel for the spread of diseases.
She, however, said there were gaps in the aspects of ownership and sustainability in the struggle from the part of government and citizens.
Imadu who noted that the Federal Government had passed policies to end open defecation such as the Clean Nigeria Campaign said but there were still gaps in infrastructure and behavioural change.
She identified lack of maintenance of WASH facilities and scaling up on the drive to end open defecation as gaps to tackle
“If the government is more commitment toward this, I think we will get there by 2030.
“Save the Children had supported Somolu Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos State to end open defecation, where some infrastructures were put in place and they were handed over to the community under the stop diarrhea campaign some years back.
“But we cannot say for sure how well these infrastructure are being put to use and the level of maintenance.
“This is because when development partners intervene, they hand over to the community and by extension to the government to take it up from there.
“So, we are still lacking in the aspect of ownership and sustainability.
“If the government can do more in that regards, there is no doubt that the 2030 deadline is achievable,” Imadu said.
Ms Titilayo Ogedengbe, environmental officer, Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), acknowledged that incidences of open defecation adorn the Berger Bus Stop area of the LCDA on the Lagos Ibadan expressway.
Ogedengbe said the Lagos State Government in 2024 embarked on series of campaign and have put in measures to end open defecation within the Berger corridor.
According to her, the government through the park unions have engaged people to police the Berger area to stop the indiscriminate defecation in the area.
Ogedengbe expressed optimism that the 2030 date for the eradication of open defecation was realisable.
She said the state government had ensured the provision of adequate toilet facilities, especially in the Berger area, to ensure that people do not defecate in the open.
She added that development partners, like WaterAid Nigeria, have been intervening in the LCDA to instill behavioural change among the residents.
“By 2030, there will not be open defecation within the Berger axis because of the measures already put in place by the Lagos State government,” Ogedengbe said.
For Pastor Segun Feyemi, the Community Development Commitee Chairman, Ojodu LCDA, the 2030 deadline is realisable, given the indices on ground.
Feyemi said that Ojodu LCDA had been working with WaterAid to end open defecation.
Prince Adeniran Ogunbanwo, CDC Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, said the 2030 deadline feasible.
Ogunbanwo said that all the stakeholders should work in unison, adding that with robust campaign citizens should be sensitised on the dangers of open defecation.
“Ikorodu North LCDA is doing its best to put structures on the ground to combat open defecation within the confinement of available resources.
“But the resources is not enough, we still need partnership like what we are having with WaterAid to do more.
“We still need more intervention with other agencies,” he said.
He said that the environmental health officials in Ikorodu North were doing their best to sensitise the residents on the dangers of open defecation and the need for residents to make use of their toilet facilities.
He, however, noted that they were short staffed.
Mr. Ola Oresanya, Commissioner for Environment, Ogun State, said the causes of open defecation must be addressed to achieve the target.
“If we want to end open defecation, we need to look at what causes it, why are people defecating openly.
“Some of the reasons include lack of toilets, people have bad habits of not looking for the nearest facility when the call of nature comes.
“And because they have no shame, they enjoy themselves doing it openly,” he said.
Oresanya noted that in the area of Infrastructure, there are many houses, especially in the villages, that don’t have toilets.
According to him, there were also lack of adequate public toilets.
He noted that some other places that could be used like shopping malls and fueling stations and eateries are locked up.
“We need to get a law to reprimand such facilities for not making their toilets available.
“For those indulging in such bad habits – defecating openly, there must be enforcement and heavy fines to deter them.
He noted that Ikenne LGA in Ogun State had been declared open defecation free.
He said that the state was looking at an additional five LGAs to be declared open defecation free by 2025.
“It means all houses within the LGA has public toilet facilities with running water. and there is regular inspection.
He said that Ogun State planned to have 400 public toilets, adding that one unique thing about the public toilets in Ogun State is that they are also sources of energy.
“They produce electricity from the feces. It us green energy, and it is a PPP arrangement, whereby we allow the sector to use their money to build it and we help them to recover their funds through serious enforcement.
“We also want to implement the law that if you get to a petrol station in Ogun State and they don’t allow you to use their public toilet, the station could lose their operating licence.
“We can seal them up because they have reneged on their agreement,” Oresanya said.
African Union leaders on Sunday, February 16, 2025, demanded a massive increase in climate finance, calling for $1.3 trillion annually as Kenyan President, William Ruto, chaired a high-stake meeting ahead of upcoming global climate negotiations.
Kenyan President, William Ruto
The summit at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, underscored the vast gap between developed nations’ commitments and Africa’s actual needs in the fight against climate change.
“Africa presented a unified voice at COP29, with strong participation from African leaders, ministers, and experts. While the conference made some progress on key issues such as climate finance, adaptation, and carbon markets, the outcomes fell short of Africa’s expectations,” Ruto said.
The Kenyan president noted that the current pledge to mobilise $300 billion by 2035 represents just a fraction of what Africa requires to effectively address climate challenges.
South African Minister, Dion George, highlighted his country’s upcoming G20 presidency as a crucial opportunity for advancing the continent’s environmental agenda.
“Through the G20, South Africa will continue to contribute to global efforts in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution,” George said.
Kenyan Foreign Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, emphasised the need for continental unity on climate issues.
“It is imperative for African nations to speak with one voice on matters of debt and climate change. Our collective strength will ensure that our concerns are heard and addressed in international forums,” Mudavadi said.
Serah Makka of the ONE Campaign called for fundamental changes in how Africa’s wealth is calculated.
“Africa needs to recalibrate its economic metrics to truly reflect its wealth, including natural assets. This will not only improve our debt ratios but also attract sustainable investments,” Makka said.
The gathering concluded with a unanimous commitment to develop a comprehensive climate finance plan before the COP30 conference in Brazil.
The Executive Secretary, Pan-African Association of Sanitation Actors (PASA), Mr. Kitch Bawa, has urged African governments to make sanitation and hygiene top priority.
Speaking to Africa Media Practitioners virtually on Saturday, February 15, 2025, he outlined PASA’s ongoing initiatives in 25 countries to strengthen sanitation services.
CNC team visiting toilets constructed under the ‘Build Operate and Maintain’ intervention in Abuja
He emphasised the need for better waste management systems across the continent.
He said: “We are committed to improving sanitation infrastructure and advocating training of sanitation and health workers.”
He announced the upcoming launch of PASA One City, One Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) Initiative.
This, he said, would be introduced in Kampala, Uganda, during the Mayors and Local Authorities Forum at the African Water and Sanitation Association (AFWASA) Congress on Feb. 18.
Bawa expressed concern over the mismanagement of fecal sludge treatment plants in several African countries, warning that inadequate facilities posed serious health risks to individuals and communities.
He emphasised the need for climate-resilient sanitation infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability.
Addressing the issue of open defecation, he revealed alarming statistics that demonstrate the severity of the problem.
He, however, reassured that PASA is actively working to combat the challenge.
He said: “Our mission is to enhance public health and improve the quality of life in African communities. We call on the media to raise awareness about the importance of sanitation and hygiene in Africa’s development.”
Dr Simeon Kenfack, the Director of Programmes at AFWASA, stressed the need for stronger sanitation policies and oversight.
He stated that AFWASA is collaborating with multiple countries to improve sanitation services, citing Senegal as a model example.
He further revealed that the organisation is mentoring five other nations to adopt Senegal’s successful sanitation strategies.
He noted that “to amplify its impact, AFWASA has committed to partnering with media practitioners to drive awareness and advocacy.”
Kenfack acknowledged media’s vital role in influencing public policy and behaviour.
He said: “Journalists are key allies in sanitation advocacy, and we are eager to collaborate with them to improve conditions across Africa.”
The director said sanitation is a critical public health issue that demands immediate and sustained action, reaffirming AFWASA’s commitment to make this a reality.
“We are dedicated to tackling this issue and ensuring improved sanitation across the continent,” he added.
A WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP), along with the UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water, reveals the poor state of sanitation in Africa.
A survey conducted across the 55 member states of the African Union between 2000 and 2022 revealed that only 31 per cent of the population had access to safely managed sanitation, while just 28 per cent had access to basic hygiene in 2022.
Alarmingly, 779 million people lack basic sanitation, including approximately 208 million who still practise open defecation.
With over 85 million Nigerians living without access to reliable energy, the African Coalition for Sustainable Energy & Access (ACSEA) has urged the government to prioritise policy implementation and awareness raising to address this issue.
Participants at the National Consultative Dialogue on Nigeria’s Energy Transition and Renewable Energy Commitments, held in Abuja
ACSEA’s advice is especially important considering that energy inequality in Nigeria has resulted in over 70% of the population using firewood as a cooking fuel, a practice that kills over 93,000 people each year.
“We believe that an equitable energy transition is possible when communities are actively involved, and decision-making processes are transparent and inclusive,” Pius Oko, the country project lead for ACSEA, stated.
Oko, who made the statement while addressing some participants in Abuja on Friday, February 14, 2025, during the national consultative dialogue on Nigeria’s Energy Transition and Renewable Energy Commitments, hosted by ACSEA, Lift Humanity Foundation (LHF), and Ecosteward and Humanitarian Foundation (EHF), drew attention to two key vital instruments – the Nigeria’s Climate Change Act (CCA 2021) and the Energy Transition Plan (ETP) – that capture the nation’s vision and outline strategic actions to achieve its climate ambition.
According to him, while the CCA 2021 provides a legal framework for climate resilience, carbon budgeting, and transitioning to a low-carbon economy, the ETP, on the other hand, outlines a plan to realise net-zero emissions by 2060 and increase renewable energy access.
Now, the question is: why is energy inequality still present and expanding in the country?
The attempt to provide answers to this question inspired ACSEA and her partners to bring together stakeholders to brainstorm on Nigeria’s responsiveness and come up with a strategic action plan to bridge the gaps.
At the conclusion of the exercise, five major factors were found to be the cause of the issue: inadequate accountability and enforcement, which impedes progress on carbon budgeting and emission reduction; and the limited participation of grassroots communities, especially women and young people, in the formulation and implementation of policies.
Other issues include the nation’s excessive reliance on fossil fuels (oil makes up more than 90% of export revenue), a lack of investment in infrastructure and capacity building for renewable energy, and conflicting laws that encourage the growth of fossil fuels.
Nweze Emmanuel Obinna, the Programme Director of Ecosteward and Humanitarian Foundation (EHF), believes that Nigeria must put aside its rhetoric about policy and begin taking practical steps in order to overcome this setback.
“For a truly sustainable and equitable energy future, we must close policy gaps, enhance accountability, and involve local communities, women, and youth in decision-making processes,” he said during his remarks at the conference.
As a result, the EHF programme director tasked the government and other relevant stakeholders to take immediate and deliberate action to promote the implementation of climate-smart and socially inclusive energy policies that benefit all Nigerians.
PLAN International, an NGO, has unveiled plans to come up with climate change clubs, targeting schools and communities in Adamawa and Yobe states.
Participants at the five- day capacity building workshop in Kano
Nubwa Ibrahim, PLAN’s Social Behavioral Change Communication Officer, disclosed this at the end of a five- day capacity building workshop for journalists and other stakeholders in Kano on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
The stakeholders were drawn from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Academicians, Ministry of Environment and NiMet.
Ibrahim said the programme would be implemented in 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Adamawa and Yobe states, with seven LGAs in each state.
She said the project, with support from Zurich Foundation, aimed to educate young people about the causes and consequences of climate hazards.
Ibrahim added that it would also equip them with skills to build resilience to equip young people with the knowledge and tools of addressing environmental challenges while providing long lasting solutions in a more innovative way.
“The programme will foster a sense of responsibility for the environment, advocate for sustainable practices and to inspire others to take actions.
“It will create a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who are committed to a more sustainable future,” she said.
According to her, the school teachers will act as focal persons for the activity.
“They will receive training on climate change from experts, so they will be able to facilitate sessions and transfer knowledge on climate change for actions.
Mr. Mathew Aliyu, Climate Change Resilience Influencing Officer and resource person, said the strategy for influencing climate resilience is divided into three phases.
The phases include foundation and awareness-building, policy advocacy and capacity-building, as well as implementation, support, and monitoring.
“ZCRA Nigeria’s structured approach to climate resilience advocacy focuses on partnerships, awareness, and policy engagement, with a commitment to ensuring no one is left behind in climate action,” he said.
He called on participants to join the effort in building climate-resilient communities.
Prof. Ambrose Zemba, a lecturer at Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola, described the workshop as timely, considering the effects of climate change in the targeted states.
He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained in addressing climate change challenges in the country.
