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Kano eyes $10bn energy investment from Morocco

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The Kano State Government says it will attract over $10 billion investment in renewable energy and solid minerals development from its partnership with prestigious Moroccan companies in the next five years.

Abba Yusuf
Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State

The state government also said the stage was set for the signing of a series of investment Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Kingdom of Morocco.

This is contained in a statement on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Kano by Sunusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the media aide to Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf. 

He said the agreements would focus on renewable energy, agriculture and commerce, as part of the state government’s drive to reposition its economy.

Dawakin-Tofa said the development was sequel to a high level investment mission to Morocco led by the governor.

He said the delegation held strategic meetings with key Moroccan institutions including the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), the Moroccan Agency for Africa (OCP Africa) and the Casablanca Chamber of Commerce.

According to Dawakin-Tofa, the agreements will also explore areas such as investor identification, financing models, and cutting-edge technologies for energy storage and efficient distribution, particularly for industrial use in Kano.

He said the Casablanca Chamber of Commerce, one of Africa’s leading private sector platforms, expressed its willingness to collaborate with the state in areas of renewable energy and solid minerals development.

“This partnership is expected to boost the state’s economy and contribute to the projections of attracting up to $10 billion in investments over the next five years in line with the state’s strategic investment plan,” he said.

Dawakin-Tofa said the delegation also met with OCP Africa, one of the world’s largest fertiliser producers.

“OCP welcomed the partnership, proposing new agricultural development projects that include fertiliser blending plants, advanced supply chain systems, and support for smallholder farmers through modern farming technologies.

“The visit marks a major milestone in the state’s pursuit of global partnerships to fast-track industrial growth, clean energy transition, and sustainable agricultural development.” 

According to Dawakin-Tofa, one of the major outcomes of the visit is a proposed partnership with MASEN, which included technical collaboration to support Kano’s transition to clean energy.

“MASEN, renowned for managing one of Africa’s largest solar power plants in Ouarzazate generating 500 megawatts has pledged to share its expertise, lessons learned and offer technical support for Kano’s Light-Up Kano Initiative, which aims to generate 2,000 megawatts of solar energy within five years.”

By Aminu Garko

Lagos boosts waste collection, eyes decarbonisation

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has said that it has increased its waste collection capacity across the state.

Muyiwa Gbadegesin
Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin

LAWMA’s Managing Director, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, revealed this on Thursday, April 17, 2025, during a news conference on climate action through waste de-carbonisation and co-processing technology.

The event took place in Ijora, Lagos. Gbadegesin was represented by Dr Essien Nsuqbiq, Director of Waste Management Research, Statistics and Policy Development.

The conference was held in partnership with the University of Lagos (UNILAG), LAFARGE, and LAWMA, among others.

The conference is also an initiative of TETFund Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management (TCEBCEM), UNILAG.

It involves the Centre for Environment Human Resources Development (CENHURD), UNILAG, and the UNILAG Green Hub.

Gbadegesin stated that waste management is a shared responsibility globally.

“We have increased our collection capacity. It won’t be instant, but you’ll notice improvements as we progress.

“LAWMA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LAFARGE and initiated school advocacy for a waste-free Lagos,” he said.

Speaking on de-carbonisation, Gbadegesin explained that most carbon emissions originate from organic sources.

“In waste management, most carbon comes from organic waste. Carbon may come from other sources, but organic waste is the easiest to decarbonise.

“That’s why we are creating synergies. In 2022 and 2023, we collaborated with LAFARGE on an experiment,” he said.

The experiment assessed the proportion of Lagos waste that is non-recyclable and combustible.

He emphasised the importance of strategic collaboration in achieving Lagos’ decarbonisation goals.

“We have also completed studies with UNILAG and other universities focused on de-carbonisation.

“Lagos waste data shows that if 50 per cent of organic waste is used for fertiliser, bio-gas, or bio-fuel, 50 per cent remains.

“If LAFARGE takes 30 per cent, and recycling handles 10 per cent, only about 10 per cent remains.

“In the end, this will significantly improve the environment,” he added.

Dr Abdulganiy Adelopo, Co-ordinator of Green Hub, UNILAG, said people are key to solving environmental problems.

“Our research is inclusive. We consider the entire waste process, from generation to disposal,” he said.

He introduced the idea of a Nigerian decarbonisation order, where waste has both solution and value.

“Once waste is valued, people will better appreciate its management. Even after recycling ends, waste can still be useful,” he noted.

Adelopo said UNILAG is committed to using technology for job creation and youth empowerment.

“This is why we work with industry. Every part of the waste chain has potential.

“Your waste is your power. Don’t discard it – use it to add value and improve the climate,” he encouraged.

He announced a one-day seminar on de-carbonisation education.

“This inclusive seminar will be held on April 22 at UNILAG,” he said.

According to him, the seminar aims to unite stakeholders to address challenges posed by 32 million tonnes of annual waste in Nigeria.

Its theme will be ‘Sustainable Climate Action in Nigeria Through Waste De-carbonisation and Co-Processing Technology’.

UNILAG’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, will serve as chief host of the seminar.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics and Research, Prof. Bola Oboh, will be the host.

Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, Babajide Alo, will deliver the keynote address.

Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, will chair the event.

Michael Deelen, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos, will co-chair.

By Henry Oladele

As world observes International Mother Earth Day on April 22

Mother Earth is clearly urging a call to action. Nature is suffering. Oceans filling with plastic and turning more acidic. Extreme heat, wildfires and floods, have affected millions of people.

Earth
Earth

Climate change, man-made changes to nature as well as crimes that disrupt biodiversity, such as deforestation, land-use change, intensified agriculture and livestock production or the growing illegal wildlife trade, can accelerate the speed of destruction of the planet.

That is why we need to recover our ecosystems. Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet – and its people. Restoring our damaged ecosystems will help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction. But we will only succeed if everyone plays a part.

For this International Mother Earth Day, let’s remind ourselves – more than ever – that we need a shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet. Let’s promote harmony with nature and the Earth. Join the global movement to restore our world!

The planet is losing 10 million hectares of forests every year – an area larger than Iceland.

A healthy ecosystem helps to protect us from diseases. Biological diversity makes it difficult for pathogens to spread rapidly.

It is estimated that around one million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction.

Courtesy: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

NiMet forecasts three-day thunderstorms from Sunday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted a thundery weather outlook from Sunday, April 20, to Tuesday, April 22, 2025, across the country.

Thunderstorm
Thundery weather

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Saturday, April 19, in Abuja envisaged chances of localised thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Adamawa and Kaduna (southern) states during the afternoon or evening period on Sunday.

According to NiMet, partly cloudy skies are anticipated over the North Central region in the morning hours.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger, and Kogi states.

“Over the southern region, cloudy morning is expected with chances of localised thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Delta States.

“Later in the day, localised thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Anambra, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Imo, Abia, Ekiti, Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta states,” it said.

The agency predicted sunny skies on Monday over the northern region throughout the forecast period with the exception of some parts of Adamawa, Kaduna and Taraba states where isolated thunderstorms are expected during the afternoon/evening hours.

“Sunny skies with few clouds are expected across the North Central region during the morning period. Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Kogi, Kwara and Nasarawa states.

“In the southern region, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River states.

“In the afternoon/evening hours, localised thunderstorms are expected over parts of Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Lagos, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Delta states,” it said.

According to NiMet, sunny skies with few clouds are expected over the northern region during the morning hours on Tuesday with slim chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Taraba State.

It anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Adamawa and Kaduna states later in the day.

“Sunny skies with few clouds are expected across the North Central region during the morning period with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of the Benue and Kogi states.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Kogi, Kwara and Nasarawa states.

“In the southern region, cloudy skies are anticipated during the morning hours with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Lagos states,” it said.

It envisaged isolated thunderstorms over parts of Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Oyo, Ekiti, Edo, Ondo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states later in the day.

NiMet urged people to stay in well-ventilated and cool spaces and drink plenty of water as temperatures could be high over most parts of the country, putting people at risk of heat stress.

“Get vaccinated against meningitis, practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly, avoid overcrowding in small spaces, use a nose mask to reduce chances of infection and avoid close contact with those affected.

“Avoid peak sun hours (noon to 3pm) and protect yourselves from undue exposure to direct sunlight. Strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur.

“Public should take adequate precaution. Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations”.

By Gabriel Agbeja

Five dead, 15 rescued in Lagos building collapse

Emergency responders have recovered five dead bodies and rescued 15 others alive at the rubble of a three-storey building that collapsed at Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos.

Building collapse
Rescue operations at the scene of the building collapse

Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office of the National Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the figures on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Lagos.

Farinloye said the five recovered bodies included two adult males and three females, while those rescued alive included six adult females and nine adult males.

The rescue operation is still ongoing.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, had disclosed thet the incident happened around 09.45 hrs. on Saturday, April 19.

“Following distress alerts at 09.45 hrs, LASEMA activated the Emergency Response Plans from Command and Control Centre, Alausa and Onipanu.

“Upon arrival at the incident scene by 09.52hrs, it was discovered that a three-storey building housing a restaurant and bar had collapsed, with several victims trapped under the debris at the aforementioned location.”

He said that, as at then, eight victims were rescued and no deaths recorded.

“One of the rescued victims attended to by the LASEMA Pre-Hospital Care Unit has been transported to the hospital for further medical attention.”

He said the cause of the collapsed building was yet to be ascertained.

He added that LASEMA response teams commenced search and rescue efforts immediately on arrival.

“Safety measures were activated with the operational area cordoned off at the incident scene and update to follow,” he said.

The search is being handled collaboratively by LASEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Lagos State Fire and Ambulance Services, as well as the Public Works Corporation.

Oke-Osayintolu at the scene of the collapsed building, praised the swift action of the first responders and also commended the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for maintaining security in the densely populated neighborhood.

Among those caught in the debris was a family believed to be inside their vehicle, which was parked near the popular restaurant and bar that occupied the ground floor of the building.

By Fabian Ekeruche, Olaitan Idris and Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe

Indigenous communication central for climate change adaptation among rural farmers

Interventions by government and development partners targeting rural farmers for climate change adaptation measures must deploy “Indigenous communication approaches” such as community gathering for information sharing, storytelling, elder teaching, and dance etc.  

Farmers
Farmers

Long practices have seen development partners engage communication consultants who consider communication as a one-sided approach where information is disseminated through radio jingles, TV programmes, and social media.  These approaches do not resonate with cultural practices and realities in rural communities, resulting in a failed communication strategy.

My research findings, “An Examination of Indigenous Communication Approaches for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Among Rural Farmers”, reveal that a top-down approach where communication consultants design climate change communication relying on mass and social media when targeting rural farmers regarding climate change education and adaptation is largely ineffective.  

They are largely ineffective because the approaches disregard the people’s trusted indigenous languages and Indigenous knowledge systems of sharing messages, which result in action and response.

If government and development partners are sincerely concerned about building climate resilience among rural farmers at the grassroots, they must design communication strategies in a way that information will be communicated to the locals through Indigenous channels that foster better understanding, active participation, which will build trust and ownership.

By Audu Liberty Oseni, Director, MAWA-Foundation; Development Communication Specialist

Conservationists save Pacific Island bird from extinction

Another victory appears to be unfolding in the saga to save animals from the brink of extinction! 

Guam kingfisher
The Guam kingfisher

This time, it’s the Guam kingfisher – a Pacific island bird that’s been extinct in the wild for an astonishing 40 years.

But this story will prove that even when a situation appears hopeless – and it’s taken literal decades to see progress – when we set our mind as a community to fix a problem, we can accomplish amazing things, says the Ocean River Institute. 

Also known as the “sihek” in the Chamorro language, Guam kingfishers are beautiful birds with white or cinnamon colouring and blue-green tails with strong, pointed beaks. As their name implies, they are native only to the island of Guam, an American territory and the largest island in the Mariana Island chain located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean between Japan to the north and Papua New Guinea and Australia to the south.

With exploration and commerce came the accidental introduction of non-native species to the island, in particular the brown tree snake, whose population has grown to millions and has wreaked havoc on the kingfisher and virtually every other native bird inhabiting there. 

But thanks to countless dedicated activists and conservationists, kingfishers have been kept alive through breeding programmes in the U.S. until a suitable time came to return them to the wild.

While dangerous predators still roam on Guam, the decision was made to grow their population on Palmyra Atoll, a federally-protected land and preserve a few thousand miles away between Samoa and Hawai’i.

Even without natural predators and with plenty of protected habitat, introduction will still be a slow process; first, rearing a cohort of chicks and moving them to aviaries on the island while awaiting release into the wild. From there, the birds will be monitored and new chicks will be introduced into the aviaries and released until they reach 20 breeding pairs. Before we know it, a self-sustaining wild population will be in place!

If the snake problem on Guam can ever be solved is anyone’s guess. So far, nothing has brought their numbers down to meaningful levels, so for now, the Guam kingfisher will make a new home on Palmyra Atoll.

South African Embassy in Brazil invites climate delegation to hear grassroots energy justice solutions

In a show of growing interest in grassroots-led climate action, the South African embassy in Brazil extended an invitation to members of the South African delegation who were attending the Renew Our Power (ROP) gathering this week. The meeting, held on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the embassy, offered a platform for climate leaders to share the stories, strategies, and solutions they are building through community-driven energy justice work.

Mphakama Nyangweni Mbete
South African ambassador to Brazil, Mphakama Nyangweni Mbete

The delegation was warmly received by senior consular officials, who expressed keen interest in the delegation’s presence in Brazil and their participation in the ROP gathering. The embassy’s outreach aimed to better understand the climate justice work South Africans are advancing at home and the significance of ROP in their organising efforts.

“This invitation was more than symbolic; it was a chance for the voices of youth and grassroots activists to be heard at a diplomatic level. We spoke about the real power of community-owned renewable energy, the urgency of just transitions, and the learnings we’re carrying home to strengthen our work,” said Khaliel Moses, Fair Finance Campaigner at 350Africa.org.

The delegates highlighted how experiences at ROP – from learning about accessible solar technologies and alternative financing models to exchanging youth empowerment strategies – will directly inform their ongoing efforts in communities in South Africa.

They also called on the embassy to:

  1. Amplify youth and community-led renewable energy initiatives;
  2. Represent grassroots climate justice perspectives in multilateral spaces including BRICS, COP30, and the G20;
  3. Support people-centered storytelling and the building of collective power in the transition away from fossil fuels.

In response, consular officials expressed support for the delegation’s work and encouraged them to submit a summary report and formal list of demands. The embassy committed to sharing these insights with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Office of the Presidency.

“This is a moment of recognition. Our communities are building the solutions. What we need now is for our institutions to meet us there, to open doors, shift narratives, and act with urgency,” adds Khaliel.

The South African delegation says it will continue to engage with officials in the coming weeks to ensure that the voices and visions shared in Brazil help shape a just and inclusive energy future at home.

French govt offers firm €149m grant for green hydrogen production plant

Lhyfe, a producer of green and renewable hydrogen for mobility and industry, has disclosed that the French Prime Minister has officially confirmed, by signature, a €149 million grant for its future green hydrogen production plant located near the Grand Canal of Le Havre. The facility is expected to reach a capacity of up to 34 tonnes per day.

Lhyfe green hydrogen production site
3D modelling of a Lhyfe green hydrogen production site (onsite)

The project was selected in 2022 by the European Commission as part of the third wave of IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) dedicated to hydrogen. In March 2024, the French government announced its decision to award the grant to Lhyfe, through Roland Lescure – then Minister Delegate for Industry and Energy – during a visit to Le Havre.

The contract signed with Bpifrance outlines the terms of implementation for the public funding. Lhyfe will receive an initial advance of €18 million by June 2025, enabling it to cover investments already made since 2022 and to launch the next stages. A second tranche will be released in the following months based on the achievement of milestones specified in the contract.

Subsequent payments will take the form of reimbursements for eligible and duly justified expenses, contingent upon the successful completion of predefined annual milestones, over a four-year period and up to a maximum total amount of €149 million.

With the Green Horizon project, Lhyfe intends to produce up to 34 tonnes of green hydrogen per day near the Grand Canal du Havre (Normandy), one of Europe’s largest industrial port areas.

This site will supply the region’s needs in terms of decarbonisation of industry and mobility. The plant will be located near the Yara site in Le Havre, whose decarbonisation roadmap includes the use of green hydrogen. Yara is interested in and supports Lhyfe’s project.

The Lhyfe production site, to be located on a 2.8-hectare plot of land in Gonfreville-l’Orcher, is expected to be completed by 2029 and will be one of the first large-scale production sites for decarbonised hydrogen produced by water electrolysis in France and Europe.

Completion of this project will help demonstrate the technical feasibility and economic viability of this solution, which is an essential complement to direct electrification for decarbonising economies, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and meeting the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets set out in the Paris Agreement.

According to the promoters, this type of pioneering project must be implemented swiftly to pave the way for the larger-scale facilities needed to meet the ambitious targets for installed electrolysis capacity (4.5 GW targeted in France by 2030) and greenhouse gas emission reductions outlined in the French and European hydrogen and decarbonisation strategies.

For this project, Lhyfe has already submitted the building permit and the environmental authorisation request. Grid connection and availability of the necessary power have been secured.

Matthieu Guesné, founder and CEO of Lhyfe, said: “We are proud to receive this grant, which reflects a strong vote of confidence from the French government and the European Commission in a SME that is capable of innovating, meeting complex technological challenges and rapidly turning its ambitions into reality. It also recognises our ability to invest heavily and rally renowned international partners to our side.

“By contributing to the decarbonisation of Le Havre industrial-port area starting in 2029, the Green Horizon project marks a real turning point – one that is essential if we are to decarbonise our industrial uses on a large scale. With this project Lhyfe will surpass the 100 MW milestone in installed electrolysis capacity: a true industrial leap forward!”

About the announcement of the French National Hydrogen Strategy, Guesné stated: “The release of the French National Hydrogen Strategy is excellent news for both the French and European markets. We’ve been looking forward to it for several months, and it now provides the clarity and long-term visibility that stakeholders across the hydrogen ecosystem need to make informed decisions and move forward.

“By setting a realistic production target of 4.5 GW by 2030 and supporting it with subsidies and a dedicated support mechanism for low-carbon and renewable hydrogen production, the French government is aligning its tools with its ambitions. France is home to major industry players, who will strengthen the entire value chain and position our country as European leader in the sector.”

Carbon capture: Planetary Technologies withdraws from St. Ives Bay amid community concerns

In what appears to be another failed geoengineering experiment, Canadian company Planetary Technologies has withdrawn from Cornwall’s St. Ives Bay, effectively abandoning their experimental attempt to capture carbon dioxide after the community raised serious concerns.

St. Ives Bay
St. Ives Bay, Cornwall

After public outcry and scrutiny from community members, the company that dumped magnesium hydroxide in the open ocean has ceased operations. Despite Planetary Technologies’ assurances of safety and claims of environmental benefits, local residents and environmental groups raised significant concerns about the potential risks to marine life and the lack of transparency.

The project was funded by the UK government and by Elon Musk, in a growing trend of geoengineering projects being funded by Silicon Valley billionaires.

According to observers, these highly speculative techno-fixes raise serious human rights concerns, along with urgent questions about accountability and oversight – especially given their potential to harm ocean ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

They added that the St. Ives Bay incident adds to a growing list of failed or halted geoengineering projects worldwide like Arctic Ice Project, Alameda marine cloud brightening project, Harvard backed SCoPEx project and the shut down of the Running Tide company.

Sue Sayer, MBE, Founder and Director, Seal Research Trust, said: “We’re celebrating common sense – for Cornwall, for seals, for safe seas, and for livelihoods. It’s a relief to see that community voices can still influence decision-making by asking the right questions and feeding them into licensing authorities to ensure due diligence is done.

“There’s a vital lesson here: if you want to do something in Cornwall, you need to do it properly – with communities involved from the very start to make sure the project is designed responsibly. David Attenborough once said, ‘the sea will save us’ – but geoengineering it with unknown consequences is a high-risk strategy. Planetary Technologies are ending the way they started: by failing to inform the Environment Agency or the public.”

Senara Wilson Hodges, Coordinator, Keep Our Seas Chemical Free, said: “The prospect of further chemical testing in St. Ives Bay has caused deep concern to our community for two years.  We’re relieved that Planetary Technologies have ceased operations, and we know this is because the community insisted on holding them to account.  We asked important questions and demanded answers. We found out that the design of their experiment was shoddy, its financing was unethical, and they were profoundly ignorant about the marine ecosystem of our bay and the community living around it.”

Mary Church, Geoengineering Campaign Manager, Center for International Environmental Law, said: “The scrapping of a highly controversial geoengineering trial in Cornwall represents a huge victory for the local community. Their tireless efforts ensured that Planetary Technologies’ experiment in St. Ives Bay faced the necessary scrutiny, revealing critical flaws in the process. Ocean alkalinity enhancement technology would not only entail massive, energy-intensive mining operations but also threaten essential marine ecosystems and jeopardize the oceans’ capacity to absorb carbon.

“Manipulating our oceans is not the answer to the climate crisis. Marine geoengineering poses grave dangers to ocean ecosystems and human rights. States have legal obligations to urgently prioritise real solutions to the climate crisis, starting with a full, fast, fair, and funded fossil fuel phase-out.”

Coraina de la Plaza, Coordination, Hands Off Mother Earth! (HOME) Alliance, said: “The community of St. Ives Bay stood together against marine geoengineering and Planetary Technologies. This is a monumental victory that belongs to the community and benefits the planet and future generations. Geoengineering approaches, including marine geoengineering, do nothing to address the root causes of the climate crisis, and they only distract from and delay real solutions. While there is still a lot to do to stop marine geoengineering, this great victory reflects the power of communities.”