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Govt reaffirms commitment to clean energy solutions for women’s empowerment

Michael Simire
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Govt reaffirms commitment to clean energy solutions for women’s empowerment

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to promoting clean energy solutions as a key pillar of women’s empowerment, particularly in underserved communities across Nigeria.

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

Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, made this statement on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Northeast LPG Penetration Programme and distribution of LPG cylinders in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The minister highlighted the urgent need to address energy poverty among Nigerian women.

Quoting data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), she revealed that more than 98,000 Nigerians die annually from complications related to household air pollution, largely caused by cooking with firewood and other solid fuels.

“This is one of the highest rates in the world. Yet, for too long, this issue has been ignored, and women have paid the price with their health, time, productivity, and security.

“Experts say the smoke a woman inhales daily from cooking with firewood is equivalent to smoking more than 100 cigarettes a day.

“That is far more than the average smoker,” she said.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim decried Nigeria’s position among the top five countries globally with the highest number of people relying on solid fuels for cooking, in spite of having Africa’s largest gas reserves.

She pointed out that this reliance on firewood significantly contributed to deforestation, environmental degradation, and climate change.

“Women and children are disproportionately affected, inhaling dangerous pollutants that contribute to lung disease and heart conditions.

“For a country with the largest gas reserves in Africa, which can meet domestic energy needs for decades and position Nigeria as a global clean energy leader, it is unacceptable that millions of households still rely on firewood for cooking.

“This highlights the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions that can improve the lives of millions while also advancing Nigeria’s role in the global clean energy transition,” she emphasised.

She explained that the LPG cylinder distribution event represented more than just providing cooking gas, it symbolised the government’s commitment to transitioning Nigerian families from firewood to clean, safe, and efficient cooking solutions.

“The ministry has established the Steering Committee for the Nigerian Women Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Scale-Up and Empowerment Initiative to ensure the sustainability of this transition.”

Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that about one million households would be transitioned to clean cooking solutions over the next three years, with a focus on underserved areas.

She also emphasised that the initiative would provide women with economic opportunities in the LPG value chain through training, entrepreneurship, and financial support.

While interventions like LPG cylinder distribution were crucial, she stressed the need to remove systemic barriers to clean cooking adoption.

“The government is advocating fiscal incentives to make LPG more affordable and collaborating with state governments to integrate clean energy into social intervention programmes.

“The ministry’s Strategic Roadmap for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Clean Energy Adoption will focus on mobilising resources, fostering partnerships, and implementing targeted interventions to eliminate energy poverty.

“We cannot continue to lose our mothers, daughters, and children to preventable health conditions caused by indoor air pollution.

“We cannot afford to destroy our forests at an alarming rate when a cleaner, safer alternative exists.

“We cannot, in good conscience, claim to be working for women’s empowerment while leaving them trapped in a cycle of energy poverty.

“The ministry will not rest until every Nigerian woman, no matter where she lives, has access to clean, affordable cooking solutions,” she said.

She also acknowledged the support of stakeholders and Gov. Babagana Zulum for their contributions to women’s empowerment.

She urged men to champion the transition to clean cooking, emphasising that a healthier home would benefit everyone.

By Justina Auta

World Wildlife Day: Ondo, stakeholders condemn wildlife poaching

Michael Simire
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World Wildlife Day: Ondo, stakeholders condemn wildlife poaching

The Ondo State Government has decried poaching and illegal killing of wild animals for bush meat, warning that the practice could lead to extinction of some rare wildlife.

World Wildlife Day
Participants at an event to commemorate the World Wildlife Day, at Ifon, Ose LGA, Ondo State

Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Olumide Kinga, condemned the practice on Tuesday, March 3, 2025, in Ifon, Ose LGA, at an event to commemorate the World Wildlife Day.

The event was jointly organised by the state government and L’Extinction Thorn Carving Makers, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), to draw attention to fast extinction of some wildlife in the state.

Kinga frowned at “the stark reality” of illegal killing of wildlife and bush meat trading in the state.

The Permanent Secretary said that the event was also to celebrate the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora in 1973.

“Every year, we must recognise the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet and sensitise people on the illegal killing of wildlife for consumption as bush meat.

“The ministry has been collaborating with L’Extinction Thorn Carving Art Creators to sensitise people to appreciate and protect nature because art is not limited to celebrating talent.

“It also plays a fundamental role in raising awareness on nature causes and prompting significant action,” he said.

Kinga said that the aim of the event was also to seek collaboration with stakeholders, including community leaders to foster more open communication with hunting communities.

“The ministry will continue to synergise with heads of Ondo hunting communities, especially in Idanre where the killing of an elephant occurred in 2018, which was described as self defence.

“Cruelty to animals is a crime which our laws frown at,” he said.

In her speech, Mrs. Bolajoko Ayeni, one of the brains behind L’Extinction artwork, stated that nature had always served as a source of inspiration for artists.

Ayeni added that representation of wildlife with thorn carving could provide a unique window of miniature pieces into the natural world.

“Art possesses truly invaluable powers for the transformation and protection of wildlife around the world,” she said.

Mr. Olulaja Akeredolu, an associate in L’Extinction, said that thorn carving could be used to promote economic incentives and offer hunters and youths alternative income sources to reduce reliance on bush meat sales for income.

Akeredolu, while teaching youths and hunters on use of thorns to carve giraffe postures, used a pen knife to meticulously carve intricate designs of giraffe directly onto the thorn’s surface,

He said the proceed of money realised from the sales of L’Extinction thorn carving of wildlife could be used to empower hunters to minimise killing of wildlife and bush meat sales.

Also, Mrs. Olayemi Olapeju, an artist, who spoke on the theme of the 2025 World Wildlife Day – “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” said one out of every eight elephants seen in Idanre forest was killed in 2018.

Olapeju, who is the Ondo State Goodwill Ambassador for Environment, said that statistics showed that Nigeria had an estimated 300–400 elephants remaining, while there are approximately 415,000 African elephants left in the world.

Olapeju said that “No To Extinction” art exhibition, which was held recently was to highlight the stark reality of poaching, killing of wildlife and bush meat trading.

“The society needs to accelerate efforts to fight against illegal killing of wildlife and bush meat trading, which is the human-induced reduction of species.

“The elephants in Nigeria are critically endangered and may go into complete extinction in a few years’ time if we don’t put an end to illegal killing and trading of wildlife,” she said.

The event featured art fair for hunters, market women and youths at Osse River Park in Idoani and display of several L’Extinction artworks of critically endangered wildlife and informative art paintings.

 The artwork and paintings, Olapeju said, illustrated the detrimental effects of illegal killing of wildlife on the environment.

By Muftau Ogunyemi

World Obesity Day: CAPPA renews call for healthy food policies

Michael Simire
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World Obesity Day: CAPPA renews call for healthy food policies

To commemorate World Obesity Day (WOD), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has renewed its call for comprehensive healthy food policies to strengthen local diets and tackle the country’s rising obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden.

Sugar-sweetened beverages
Sugar-sweetened beverages

In a statement made available to EnviroNews on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the civil society organisation (CSO) highlighted the alarming data on the global obesity scourge, saying it reinforced CAPPA’s advocacy for urgent measures to discourage Nigerians from excessively consuming sugary drinks, which are a risk factor for overweight and obesity.

These measures, CAPPA said, include raising the tax imposed on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) Tax from the current N10, to N130 per litre or by any rate that is not less than 20 per cent of the product’s retail price.

World Obesity Day encourages practical solutions to help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight, undertake proper treatment, and reverse the obesity crisis.

CAPPA aligned with the WOD theme of “Changing Systems, Healthier Lives” which puts the onus on systems that influence the drivers of obesity and related chronic diseases to act.

The NGO noted that these include the food systems, healthcare services, governments, media, and workplaces and communities.

“These systems are directly or indirectly linked to the increasing rates of obesity,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director.

The NGO argued that the case for speedy action is reinforced by the grim reality of local and global forecasts on diabetes.

According to the World Obesity Federation (WOF), 1.9 billion or 1 in 4 people will be living with obesity in 2035, costing the global economy about $4.32 trillion. This is twice the figure for 2010. Worse yet, there will be a 100 per cent increase in childhood obesity between 2020 and 2035, while 1 in 4 people are likely to be living with obesity by 2035.

“Ten years after the international health community set aside March 4 as World Obesity Day, it is disheartening to see a condition once thought to be more prevalent in wealthy nations, steadily creeping among populations in low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria,” Akinbode said.

He noted that as of 2020, there were more than 21 million overweight and 12 million obese ‘persons in the Nigerian population aged 15 years or more, accounting for an age-adjusted prevalence of about 20 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively, according to the National Library of Medicine.

CAPPA urged the government at all levels to pay attention to the worrisome practice of food corporations flooding the markets and grooming Nigerians with unhealthy, ultra-processed food products targeted at children and other classes of the country’s teeming youth population, to the detriment of their health and nutritious, indigenous diets.

Oluwafemi noted that these junk foods have been linked to overweight and obesity, adding that this unhealthy diet crisis is costing the country invaluable manpower and productivity loss due to hospitalisation and chronic disability of NCD victims.

Referencing the WHO, he added that obese children are at higher risk of developing serious health problems including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and other respiratory problems, sleep disorders and liver disease.

“Childhood obesity also increases the risk of obesity, non-communicable diseases, premature death and disability in adulthood,” he added.

“Taking action on obesity is a critical step in reducing the burden of other chronic non-communicable diseases, hence the call for a raise in the SSB tax – a pro-health levy – to N130 per litre and the proceeds ploughed into the healthcare sector.”

Edo Assembly to partner EDEN on environmental sustainability

Michael Simire
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Edo Assembly to partner EDEN on environmental sustainability

The Edo State House of Assembly has opened its doors of partnerships with Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), to ensure environmental safety and protection for the people, with environmental laws and policies that conform with global environmental best practices.  

EDEN
Members of the Edo State House of Assembly with the visiting Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) team

This was established when EDEN paid an advocacy visit to the House Committee on Environment of the Edo State House of Assembly, to familiarise with the lawmakers and to chat the way forward on environmental health and protection in the state.

Speaking to the lawmakers, the Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Williams, who led the EDEN team, spoke on the importance of environment health as relates to the health of the people, emphasising that environmental protection is a collective duty that must take a wholesome approach.

He pointed out that Nigeria’s state of environment is at its lowest, because we have not been able to upscale our environmental laws to meet up with modern standards that have been tested and proven effective in other developed climes.

Williams stressed that the legislative arm of government is the bedrock of developmental policies, which places their duties at the front burner of every advocacy effort that is geared towards environmental and human right protection, while tackling policies that safeguards the people against plastic pollution, the destruction of biodiversity, harmful extractive practices, water and air pollution, and other environmental issues.

Responding to EDEN’s drive for environmental change, a member of the House Committee on Environment and lawmaker representing Akoko Edo Constituency II, Okogbe Donald, spoke on the menace of polythene packaging and single-use plastics as a major environmental concern in the state.

He intimated the EDEN team on plans by the House Committee on Environment to develop a bill that will restrict the use of polythene packaging and single-use plastic, which will also encourage a take-back policy to rid the state of polythene and plastic waste, as we move towards a total ban.

Okogbe added that EDEN as a network with research and projects around environmental issues will be instrumental in setting up policies and laws that will improve the environmental health of the state.

On his part, the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment and member representing Igueben constituency, Inegbeboh Ojie Eugene, added that there are several environmental policies that have been tested and proven progressive in other countries that can be implemented in Nigeria and Edo State, to ensure a clean and safer environment for the people.

He also added that EDEN’s expertise in waste management, extractives and other areas that concern the environment will be a highly welcomed addition to the bills that the committee is working on.

He appreciated EDEN and its team for the great initiative, assuring the team that the doors of the committee are always open to EDEN for partnerships, collaborations and discussions that are geared towards the good of the environment.

Earlier, EDEN also paid advocacy visits to the Edo State Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Health respectively, to strengthen environmental protection in the state, through partnerships with the key stakeholders.

Oil spill: Obololi community decries neglect, pollution of Nun River in Bayelsa

Michael Simire
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Oil spill: Obololi community decries neglect, pollution of Nun River in Bayelsa

The Obololi community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has reported that no relief has reached them following the Feb. 16, 2025, oil leak, which discharged crude and polluted the River Nun.

Obololi spill
Obololi spill site

The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) traced the spill to a 16-inch Nun River-Kolo Creek underwater pipeline operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

However, the Chairman of Obololi Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr. Goodnews Okoi, confirmed the no response report in an interview on Tuesday, March 4.

He noted that the riverine community, located along the banks of the River Nun, is facing severe water scarcity amid a cholera outbreak across Bayelsa.

Lamenting the pollution of the river, which previously served as the community’s primary source of drinking and domestic water, Okoi said residents were now forced to rely on sachet water at exorbitant prices.

“We feel abandoned, this oil spillage has adversely impacted the entire community. We have suspended our fishing vocation as our farmlands and creeks are also not spared.

“The cost of water had gone up by approximately 100 per cent; we pay as much as N50 for a  sachet of water and we buy a bag for N800, the hardship is so much given the general economic hardship.

“Sadly, the operator of the facility has not shown any concern on the sufferings caused by the spill.

“In fact what the officials of SPDC tell us is that unless the Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) concludes on equipment failure, SPDC will not act.

“Also, we have been expecting relief from the state government following the visit of Bayelsa Commissioner for Environment.

“The local government Chairman, Target Segibo, offered to rehabilitate an existing borehole. They started repairs but the submersible pump failed, and they are yet to procure any replacement,” Okoi said.

Okoi noted that the oil company had yet to engage the community on NOSDRA’s recommendation to divert the river to access the leak point.

He expressed concerns that constructing a dam to divert the river could disrupt the navigability of the River Nun.

“This recommendation by NOSDRA is a major concern for us. How will boats carrying goods, merchandise, and essential items navigate? SPDC must consider these concerns and ensure its operations are carried out with a human touch.

“Look at what we have been going through since mid-February, yet the company has not provided any form of support despite the impact of the spill,” Okoi said.

Sources in the Obololi community disclosed that the recovery of spilled crude into plastic tanks is already underway.

SPDC’s spokesperson, Mr. Michael Adande, previously disclosed that the company had shut oil feeds into the leaking pipeline.

Though Adande had pledged to provide updates on relief, remediation, and response efforts, but has yet to do so.

By Nathan Nwakamma

Govt to establish carbon market for economic, industrial growth

Michael Simire
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Govt to establish carbon market for economic, industrial growth

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, says the ministry will establish carbon markets across the country, to guarantee economic and industrial development.

Jumoke Oduwole
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole

Oduwole said this when she featured at a ministerial briefing by the Ministry of Information and Cultural Orientation, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Abuja,

According to her, the ministry has already initiated discussion with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on establishing Nigeria’s carbon markets for utilisation and storage.

She added that the aim was to unlock sustainable finance for industrial growth.

A carbon market is a trading system that allows companies and individuals to buy and sell carbon credits, to offset their greenhouse gas emissions.

It is also a tool to help fight climate change. 

“I thought carbon market was quite important and it is a discussion that should be able to also provide an appropriate response to alternative energy,” she said.

According to the minister, the ministry has the mandate to create and maintain an enabling environment and regulations, for development and expansion of industry, trade and investment.

“Therefore, this ministry facilitates the development of Nigerian businesses regulatory and policy wise, for it to be able to thrive,’’ she said.

She said that the ministry was committed to ensuring that manufacturers get maximum support from the government.

Oduwole noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had provided a $200 billion intervention fund that was meant for business growth in the country.

“$50 billion of that fund was meant for manual businesses as grants and then $75 billion for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and another $75 billion, meant for manufacturers,

“I think, that provision and intervention are still being managed, by the bank of industry.

“The ministry is currently looking at pursuing how to get our manufacturers to benefit from an appropriate price of gas.

“I think this is likely to be the game changer that our manufacturers and our industrialists are also able to purchase gas, the same way that it is done.

“When this happens, a lot of the matters about high cost of commodities are going to be brought down,’’ she said.

Oduwole said that seven of the ministry’s  eight-point agenda was specifically to accelerate economic diversification.

She added that the ministry was mandated to create and maintain an environment and regulations for development and expansion of industry, trade and investment.

“Therefore, this ministry facilitates the development of Nigerian businesses, regulatory and policy wise, for it to be able to thrive,’’ she said.

The minister said that the ministry was committed to ensuring strong implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

She said that Nigeria had the privilege of hosting the Secretary-General, AfCFTA, Mr. Wamkele Mene, adding that some Nigerian businessmen also commended on the implementation.

According to her, AfCFTA aims to make it easier and cheaper to move goods and services between countries.

By Vivian Emoni

‘Nigeria not a dumping ground’ – HOMEF decries plans to import wastes from EU

Michael Simire
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‘Nigeria not a dumping ground’ – HOMEF decries plans to import wastes from EU

The Health of Mother Health Foundation (HOMEF) has frowned at an announcement relating to the Nigerian government’s intention to import “non-hazardous” waste from the EU into the country.

Toxic waste
Toxic waste containers. Over 2,000 drums, sacks, and containers full of hazardous wastes were dumped in Koko, a small fishing village in southern Nigeria, in 1988

Describing the news as “ill-conceived” and “vexatious”, the environment watchdog said it is a rude shock at a time of widespread ecological challenges.

According to HOMEF, even wastes certified as non-hazardous are often hazardous – containing traces of heavy metals and other dangerous elements.

“We denounce the ploy, under any guise, to import any form of waste to Nigeria,” submitted the Benin City-based group.

HOMEF recalls the willful dumping of toxic waste in Koko, Delta State, Nigeria, in 1988.

“These wastes were labelled ‘non-hazardous’ and branded as ‘fertilisers’. While the labelling was to portray no harm, the actual content was indeed harmful, with significant impacts and contamination on air, water and land,” stated the group, adding:

“We also remember the Trafigura case of waste dumping in Côte d’Ivoire (after several unsuccessful efforts to dump wastes in several other countries) for an induced fee of about $17,000 with the help of local collaborators in the name of waste management companies. The hazardous nature of the wastes was concealed and became known only after other countries refused.

“We see the ‘Request for Inclusion in the List of Countries to Which the Export from the European Union of Non-Hazardous Wastes and Mixtures of Non-Hazardous Wastes Destined for Recovery is Authorised’ as a ploy to woo countries like Nigeria into obnoxious systemic legal waste colonialism.

“Nigeria and other African countries have become dumpsites for thousands of obsolete and unusable computers and other e-wastes. Major sources of these e-waste items include China, the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, the UAE, and Morocco.

“Nigeria is already plagued with environmental pollution arising from oil and gas exploitation, pollution arising from the exploitation of solid minerals, plastic pollution, and genetic pollution in foods. For a country already almost overwhelmed by these issues, seeking approval to import waste of any kind is not only ill-advised but also ecocidal and dangerous.”

Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of HOMEF, stated: “This move exposes the government’s willingness to discount the wellbeing of citizens for a mess of porridge.

“It is inconceivable that a nation with life expectancy of about 56 years and a broken healthcare delivery system would succumb to the level of begging to import someone else’s waste, when we can hardly handle our domestic wastes.

“HOMEF, as well as other well-meaning Nigerians, rejects the Nigerian government’s plot to allow other countries and regions to use Nigeria or any other African nation as dumpsites for waste products from their conspicuous consumption.

“It is clear that rich countries commodify waste and make it appeal to the appetites of poorer countries that are seeking foreign exchange by all means. Thus, the EU could report that €18.5 billion worth of EU waste was exported in 2023. What the impacts of those wastes have been and will continue to be in the countries where they were exported is a question that the trade merchants will never answer.”

According to HOMEF, the EU seems to align with the assertion of Lawrence Summers, World Bank Chief Economist in 1991, who wrote that Africa is hugely under polluted and that it makes economic sense to dump wastes here.

In his memo, he said, “Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank encourage more migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs (Least Developed Countries)?  A given amount of health-impairing pollution should be done in the country with the lowest cost and the country with the lowest wages. I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable, and we should face up to that.”

Bassey added: “In a world that is in the grip of extreme geopolitical distortions, the shameful truth is that the high consumption nations are happy to offload their wastes on zones regarded as suitable for nothing except to be sacrificed as refuse dumps.”

Alex Ekwueme varsity partners French Embassy on plastic waste management

Michael Simire
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Alex Ekwueme varsity partners French Embassy on plastic waste management

Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, is in partnership with the French Embassy Fund (FEF 209) project, on plastic waste management on campus.

AE-FUNAI
VC’s rep, Prof. Romanus Ejiaga (5th left), in a group photograph with some management staff and participants at the workshop

In line with this, the university on Thursday, February 27, 2025, hosted a one-day workshop with the theme “Plastic Waste Management in AE-FUNAI”, aimed at reducing, reusing and recycling of plastic waste to create value, and support young researchers in developing solutions for a healthier environment.

AE-FUNAI was one of the five institutions of higher learning in Nigeria that won the French Embassy research grant for plastic waste management in Nigeria to combat plastic pollution and promote safer environment on campus.

Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sunday Elom, extended his gratitude to the French government for the award, assuring that the university would work tirelessly to reduce the menace of plastic waste on campus.

The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Romanus Ejiaga, reiterated that the title of the project, “Green Campus Initiative: Transforming Plastic Waste to Wealth in AE-FUNAI Community”, encompasses elements of environmental education, community education, and entrepreneurial development that promote responsible and recycling practice on campus.

He maintained that the university is committed to a safer environment through the Campus-Green Initiative established in 2016, with the aim of making the campus more environmental- friendly and beautiful by planting trees and raising awareness about climate change.

He appreciated the coordinator of the project, Prof. Robert Onyeneke and his team for the feat, while hoping that knowledge gained at the workshop will positively transform our society.

Earlier in his welcome address titled “Transforming Plastic Waste to Wealth in AE-FUNAI”, the Project Coordinator, Prof. Robert Onyeneke, appreciated the French Embassy in Nigeria for their dedication to environmental sustainability in Nigeria and lasting collaboration with AE-FUNAI.

He noted that in AE-FUNAI and its environment, the magnitude of plastic waste is not comprehensively known as plastic waste is continuously increasing and the crises require urgent attention.

He said that the purpose of the workshop was to bring together key stakeholders in Ebonyi State, the academia, government, private sector, communities, amongst others, to share knowledge and explore practical solutions aimed at reducing plastic waste as well as promoting eco-friendly alternatives.

Prof Onyeneke further reiterated that tackling plastic waste challenge in our environment requires coordinated efforts at different levels, thereby, encouraging the masses to join hands together to address the challenge.

He extolled the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elom and his management team, for their unwavering support, adding that sustainable plastic waste management falls within the core of the Vice-Chancellor’s strategic vision of building an environmentally conscious, socially inclusive and climate-resilient university.

While giving his goodwill message, a representative of the National Environmental Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Ebonyi State, Mr. Austin Nwanuforo, applauded the organisers of the workshop for availing them the opportunity to participate in the plastic waste management awareness creation, stressing that, as an agency, they have been having advocacy and sensitisation on plastic waste management.

He stated that plastic waste has been a challenge to the nation and called for all hands to be on deck to curb the crisis.

Mr. Nwanuforo, mentioned that the agency has introduced the mechanism known as R, which includes Reduce, Reuse, Recover, Repair, Redesign and Recycle, aimed at mopping out plastic waste in the society.

He added that the agency has also drafted a regulation that ensures that plastic waste management is being handled by all the stakeholders for proper management.

He assured the university of the agency’s willingness to partner with it in the area of awareness creation by introducing environmental club in the university where students will be educated properly on plastic waste management.

Presenting a lecture titled “Preventing Plastic Pollution: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, Dr. Friday Archibong stated that improper waste disposal systems and lack of awareness about sustainable waste disposal are issues surrounding our environment which, in turn, cause a lot of harm to the body.

He noted that in preventing plastic pollution, all regulatory measures from the university and the government must be put in place to stop indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste in waterways and landfills.

Contributing, Dr. Obinna Oje who spoke on “The Role of the Universities in Tackling Plastic Waste”, maintained that universities play a pivotal role in addressing plastic waste through education, research, innovation, and community service, adding that as hubs of knowledge and innovation, they are positioned to drive systemic change by placing a ban on plastic items in cafeterias, and as well install water refill stations on campus.

He enjoined students and faculty members to join hands and contribute to a sustainable future, stressing that plastic waste pollution, if not properly managed can cause health damage to lives.

CODE, UBEC explore collaboration to encourage adoption of gender-responsive budgeting framework

Michael Simire
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CODE, UBEC explore collaboration to encourage adoption of gender-responsive budgeting framework

In an attempt to tackle Nigeria’s educational crisis, the federal government has revealed a plan to get the estimated 17 million children who are not in school back in the classroom within the next four years.

CODE
Cross section of participants during CODE’s courtesy visit to the UBEB headquarters in Abuja

While this idea may appear overly ambitious, the breakdown shows that the goal is to incorporate at least 10 million of this group into the system within three years.

Speaking to the management team from Connected Development (CODE) during a courtesy visit to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) headquarters on Monday, March 3, 2025, in Abuja, Hajiya Aisha Garba, Executive Secretary of UBEC, stated that this plan is achievable because the government has already enrolled nearly half of that projected number in various Quranic schools.

“So, what we’re trying to do, working with relevant agencies, is within the next two to three years, we’re able to at least bring basic education into the lives of 10 million out-of-school children,” the ES said.

She explained that this would be accomplished by integrating or infusing Quranic education, collaborating with the Al-Majri Commission and other relevant organisations to ensure that even those attending Al-Majri Quranic schools have basic reading skills.

With CODE’s proposed collaboration and work with other relevant commissions and directly, particularly with States Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), Hajiya Garba assured that “we will have the necessary infrastructure, conducive learning materials, and an environment to ascertain that even those who have dropped out are back in school.”

In his remarks, CODE’s Chief Executive Officer, Malam Hamzat Lawal, who led his team to honour this August visit, informed the audience that the purpose of their visit was to first congratulate Garba on her appointment as the UBEC’s executive secretary and to explore potential areas of alignment between their works for collaboration.

Lawal described the ES as having an amazing profile and stated that his hope is for his female children to be like her, since her accomplishment illustrates the value of education.

Without schooling, he added, Garba would not have been able to climb to the position of managing one of the World Bank’s largest funds.

As a result, the activist, who is also a Malala Fund Education Champion, stated that the partnership will ensure that these children have access to education and return to school to improve their dignity.

“With this partnership, what it means is we’re going to scale in terms of accelerating progress, reducing the numbers of out-of-school children, and working with critical partners, particularly religious and traditional institutions, to ensure that they all go back to school,” CODE’s CEO stated.

He continued by saying that this will be accomplished by making sure that teachers receive proper training, higher salaries, and appropriate money for the necessary infrastructure.

“Every class must be conducive for children, particularly girls.

Because we know that when girls are on their menstrual cycle, without water or a toilet, they will be unable to attend school,” Lawal explained.

Sani Muhammad, the founder of the Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI), stated that through the Malala Education Fund Champion program, his organisation has worked with SUBEBs, particularly in Kano State, to persuade the government to adopt the gender-responsive budgeting education framework.

BCAI, he continued, has also worked with non-profit organisations such as CODE and other government agencies to create the Community Participation Framework (CPF), which helps capture the voices of young girls living in underprivileged communities.

“You serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration to many young girls, and we want to congratulate you and also wish you success as you steer the affairs of UBEC,” Muhammad said.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

Climate Change Council engages stakeholders on how to promote bankable climate-smart initiatives

Michael Simire
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Climate Change Council engages stakeholders on how to promote bankable climate-smart initiatives

As the first country in West Africa and the second in Africa to have the Climate Change Act, Nigeria is set to have an enabling framework to attract climate finance and a ready-to-go mechanism to domicile climate change funds and support bankable climate-smart projects.

NCCCS
Group photo of participants at the event

The Director General of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, who unveiled the plan on Monday, March 3, 2025, during a stakeholder meeting hosted by her council in Abuja with support from the Green Protocol, emphasised the outcome of the deliberations, which she said has two distinctive pathways for the country: the government mechanism for the climate change fund and a draft for climate finance taxonomy.

According to her, “Africa is set to host COP32 in 2027, and Nigeria can be a co-host.”

She went on to say that in COP29, climate funding pledged by developed countries increased from $100 billion per year to $300 billion per year. Which means it is urgently important to have a specific framework that can provide an architecture for climate finance, operationalisation of climate change funds, domiciliation, and use of proceeds for Nigeria.

In the event was the Rwanda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo, who spoke about the similarities between both nations and climate change issues such as desertification in the Sahel, rising sea levels on the Atlantic coast, and biodiversity losses.

While commending Nigeria, he shared Rwanda’s commitment with the country to drive sustainable projects that create job opportunities.

“Africa is not here to be a victim. We are here for a pact for urgency for climate change demand integrated with a stakeholder’s approach where government agencies, civil society organisations, and communities work together to plan initiatives on the ground,” the diplomat stated.

He continued by adding that Rwanda is proud to stand with Nigeria in this journey, as it is one of the first countries in Africa to issue a green bond and a framework for carbon credits trading and is ready for carbon trading and capacity training on green economy initiatives.

According to Green Protocol, the fund has the potential to drive investments in renewable energy, adaptation measures, and resilience, ensuring that communities most affected by climate change receive the support they desperately need. The state of research is more inspiring, and the diverse group of partners in one room is committed to shaping climate finance in Nigeria.

“This event is a testament that we can work hand-in-hand with the government to achieve real, tangible, and concrete products,” the body noted.

The federal government of Nigeria is expected to spearhead the sponsorship of the climate fund as the initial seed capital funder. With the NCCCS facilitating it, the funding is expected to align with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), have a fund structure, and have an investment development link for donor partners.

By Nsikak Emmanuel Ekere, Abuja

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