Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected as the new President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Sidi Ould Tah
Tah was elected on Thursday, May 29, 2025, by the Bank’s Board of Directors at the bank’s annual meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The board comprises Finance and Economy ministers, Governors of Central Banks across Africa and the 81 regional and non-regional members of the Bank.
The keenly contested election saw Amadou Hott of Senegal scoring 3.5 per cent of the total votes casts, Samuel Maimbo of Zambia 20.26 per cent and Tah 76.18 per cent
The new president will take over from Dr Akinwumi Adesina, a Nigerian economist, who led the AfDB for 10 years following his election in 2015.
Niale Kaba, the Minister of Planning and Development for Cote d’ Ivoire and chairman of the board of Governors of AfDB, announced the results.
The president-elect is required to score about 50.1 per cent of regional and non-regional votes casts.
Tah has more than 35 years of experience both in African and International Finance.
He was president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa for 19 years and transformed the bank’s balance sheet.
The president-elect also secured an AAA rating for the bank, positioning it as one of the tops on the continent.
He was also Mauritania’s former Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance.
As senior personnel of multilateral institution, he mobilised huge resources for Africa.
Addressing the Bank Group’s governors and the media shortly after the announcement, Tah said, “Let’s go to work now, I’m ready!”
The other candidates in the election were:
Amadou Hott (Senegal)
Samuel Maimbo (Zambia)
Mahamat Abbas Tolli (Chad)
Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala (South Africa)
Tah will assume office on September 1, 2025, for a five-year term, following the end of the second mandate of current President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.
The African Development Bank’s past heads since its inception in 1964 are:
Mamoun Beheiry (Sudan), 1964-1970
Abdelwahab Labidi (Tunisia), 1970-1976
Kwame Donkor Fordwor (Ghana), 1976-1980
Willa Mung’Omba (Zambia), 1980-1985
Babacar N’diaye (Senegal), 1985-1995
Omar Kabbaj (Morocco), 1995-2005
Donald Kaberuka (Rwanda), 2005-2015
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (Nigeria), 2015-2025.
The election of a new president comes at a crucial time in the Bank Group’s six decades of existence. Africa has remained resilient despite climate shocks, economic disruption, and a shifting geopolitical landscape, but needs to move faster or risk falling behind on delivering on the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, summed up in the Bank Group’s High 5’s.
The 2025 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank Group are taking place from May 26 to 30 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire under the theme “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development.”
The African Development Bank Group comprises three entities: the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund and the Nigeria Trust Fund. Its shareholder countries include 54 African countries or regional member countries, and 27 non-African countries or non-regional member countries.
The newly elected AfDB President has pledged to serve the continent with humility and a deep sense of duty.
Tah said this in his acceptance speech delivered before African finance ministers, governors of the Bank, and dignitaries at the AfDB Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
He expressed profound gratitude to African nations for the confidence reposed in him.
“It is with great humility and a sense of responsibility that I speak to you at this special moment.
“I would like to thank Africa for the trust it has placed in me. I fully appreciate the responsibility and duty that come with it,” he said.
He paid special tribute to his home country, Mauritania, and President Mohamed El-Ghazaouani, whose strong support and diplomatic outreach were instrumental in securing his election.
“I thank my country and President El-Ghazaouani, who supported my candidacy and made tireless efforts to ensure the success we have just witnessed,” he said.
The new AfDB president also acknowledged the unwavering solidarity shown by Africans across the continent and extended heartfelt appreciation to his campaign team for their commitment throughout the election process.
“I will like to make a special mention of my team, who did a remarkable job from beginning to end. I express my deepest gratitude to them,” he said.
While he recognised the many individuals and groups who supported his candidacy, Tah emphasised that the time for celebration was over and called for immediate action.
“Now, let us go to work! I am ready,” he said.
Tah succeeds Dr Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria.
Adesina had served two successful terms and was widely praised for expanding the Bank’s capital base and amplifying its development impact across the continent.
Experts say Tah’s tenure begins at a time when the continent was grappling with multiple economic challenges, including climate shocks, debt distress, and the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure financing.
As he steps into this pivotal role, expectations are high that Tah will continue to strengthen the AfDB’s role as a cornerstone institution for Africa’s development and integration.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Niger State has engaged stakeholders on preparedness and mitigation strategies towards alleviating the impact of anticipated floods in the state.
Participants at the stakeholders’ engagement on National disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) 2025 in Minna
Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director-General of NEMA, said this at a stakeholders’ engagement on National disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) 2025 in Minna, the state capital, on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
The theme of the engagement is: “Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Preparedness and Response”.
Umar, represented by Dr Ishaya Chonoko, Zonal Director in Charge of North West Zone of NEMA, said that the engagement was to strengthen resilience, enhance preparedness, and response to flood disasters across the country.
She said NEMA had received insights into rainfall patterns and flood scenarios for 2025 from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
“NEMA will deploy teams to all states to engage with flood-prone communities, taking early warning messages to the grassroots.
“This will be done with the support of state Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), and community volunteers,” she said.
The director-general called on partners such as the traditional institutions, religious organisations, women and youth groups and the media, to support the initiative, saying disaster management was everyone’s business.
According to her, all hands must be on deck to take the right early warning to safeguard communities at risk, protect critical infrastructure and support uninterrupted socio-economic activities in various communities.
“There is a need to step up our games on what we can do differently from the past and come up with solutions and prepare for quick response,” she added.
Also speaking, Dr Hussaini Ibrahim, Overseeing Director-General, Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said the meeting would proffer solutions to flooding, preparedness, and response from expected flooding to save lives and property and minimise flooding.
Similarly, Alhaji Ahmed Yumu, Commissioner, Ministry for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, said the campaign would help reduce impacts of annually recurring floods in the state.
In attendance were Mr. Hussaini Isah, Head, NEMA, Minna Operations Office, Area Manager of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Akapo Adeboye, traditional leaders and stakeholders from the police and army, amongst others.
In a related development, NEMA, in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), on Thursday launched the National Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) on flood disaster in Nasarawa State.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar, NEMA Director-General, while speaking at a One Day stakeholders’ engagement on NPRC in Lafia, the state capital, said the campaign focused on flood prevention, preparation, mitigation, and response.
According to her, NPRC and stakeholders’ engagement is aimed at reducing the impacts of annual floods, safeguarding livelihoods, and driving socioeconomic growth and development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The director general represented by Mr. Aliyu Waziri, Director, NEMA North Central Zonal Directorate, said that annual floods in Nigeria had caused significant loss of lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
She explained that the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA), had provided valuable insight into rainfall patterns and flood scenarios.
“We have also produced vulnerability maps for all communities at risk to serve as tools to guide government in developing risk reduction measures.
“Public and private institutions, humanitarian organisations, schools, children and youth organisations are expected to leverage these tools to support NEMA’s effort,” she said.
The DG explained that the Agency had developed disaster mitigation strategies, including capacity building of local emergency responders, simulation exercises, and adherence to predicted rainfall onset before planting.
“Other mitigation strategies are; desilting of drainages, integrity tests for critical infrastructure, evacuation plans, Community-based information, sharing, and increased safety and security surveillance,” he added.
Mr. Benjamin Akwash, Director-General, Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), said the Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration was committed to protecting the lives and livelihoods of residents, especially victims of disasters.
He said the state government had been consistent in supporting NASEMA, which enabled the agency to cater to the needs of flood-impacted communities and victims of communal crises in various local government areas.
“I want to thank NEMA for this engagement, I implore the stakeholders to participate actively to guide and prepare them for the 2025 flood prediction as Nasarawa state is among the states flood is expected,” he said.
In her presentation on the overview of NPRC, Mrs. Bernadette Obaje, Chief Search and Rescue Officer, NEMA, harped on preparedness and risk reduction, which entails early warning dissemination, stakeholders’ coordination and planning.
The climax of the 2025 NEMA/NPRC stakeholders’ engagement was an awareness campaign on flood and fire disaster preparedness and response at Gandu Community, Federal University of Lafia.
The stakeholders’ engagement drew participants from the Police, Fire Service, Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the vice chairmen of the 13 local government areas of the state.
As Nigeria prepare its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), has charged stakeholders in the climate change sector to prioritise collation of timely and adequate data in driving the process.
Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS)
Dr. Maduekwe gave the charge in her goodwill message on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, while declaring open the “Stakeholder Consultation, Engagement and Data Collation Workshop for the Preparation of the NDC 3.0 of Nigeria” with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), in Lagos.
Speaking through Halima Bawa-Bwari, a Director in the NCCCS, the Director-General noted that “the workshop on the revision of Nigeria’s NDCs and the collation of data and technical analysis are critical pillars of our national climate ambition and policy planning.”
According to her, “the NDC represents Nigeria’s commitment under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The revision process is not merely an update, it is a chance to raise our ambition, align our national plans with the latest science, and present the progress we’ve made since our last submission.
“This series of consultation workshops is particularly significant because robust and credible data underpins effective climate action. Data enables parties to access current statuses, enables the setting of ambitious but realistic targets, while enabling monitoring of progress made in the effort to achieving climate action and aligning to the Paris Agreement.”
She added: “Accurate and timely data is a key requirement that will enable government to make evidence-based decisions, track our progress, and ensure transparency and accountability in reporting. To achieve this, there is a dear need for engagement, collaboration, and partnership between governments, private sector actors, civil society, NGOs, people with disabilities, among others. This will facilitate the collation of a robust database that can transform our climate change commitments into tangible, progressive action.
“As we move forward, let us seize this opportunity to align our NDC with the urgent need for climate action in all the sectors of the economy, as the ambition of this government is an economy-wide NDC which has a broadened scope that leaves no one behind. Together, we can pave the way for a future where NDCs are not only policy documents but solutions driving sustainability, resilience, and prosperity for all.”
While appreciating the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for their technical and financial support in making the workshop possible, Maduekwe however encouraged all participants to engage openly, share knowledge, raise questions, and work collaboratively to ensure that the outcomes of the workshop feed directly into a stronger and more responsive NDC revision process.
In his submission, Professor Emmanuel Oladipo, a seasoned environmentalist and a university scholar, commended the NCCCS to organising the workshop, saying that it’s the right call in the right direction.
He, however, advised that there should be an implementation plan from the NCCCS to make their plans towards the NDCs more feasible.
According to him “NCCCS should start the thinking on the strategy to do 200 things at a time which might be a bit difficult in my opinion. When I saw that the NDC implementation framework was made, I was happy. You can’t do an implementation framework if we have implemented it. It would have been very clear that some of the things you wanted to do may not be possible.
“And each time I come back to the council, you know, the universities that the federal government is supporting to use solar energy to develop themselves. I kept on asking of the council, are you following all of these? Do you have a way by which you can go CO2 emission savings where everybody is saving universities?
“To me, you can come back in another five years to be right in the same thing. Let us agree that this is very important. Whatever will come out of this NDC framework, which I don’t think is going to be very easy, must be a very, very clear, addictive implementation plan,” he stated.
The ongoing “Consultation, Engagement and Data Collation Workshop for the Preparation of The NDC 3.0″ represents Nigeria’s commitment under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The workshop had in attendance members of NCCCS, representatives of MDAs, academia, and representatives from the UNDP in attendance.
The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be hosted by Mongolia in its capital city, Ulaanbaatar, from August 17 to 28, 2026.
Mongolia
The landmark global event will bring together delegates from 197 Parties, heads of state, ministers, representatives from international organisations, scientific communities, civil society, and the private sector to forge solutions to the interconnected challenges of desertification, land degradation and drought.
Mongolia, with a vast territory of 1.56 million square kilometres, is experiencing land degradation across approximately 76.9 per cent of its land. Recognising the critical role of land management in addressing the triple environmental crisis, the country has become a key voice in global efforts to combat desertification and enhance land resilience.
Mongolia’s ambitious development agendas – particularly its interconnected national movements on environment and agriculture – position the country as a strategic host for COP17 of the UNCCD.
COP17 will be convened in alignment with the United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026), offering a crucial global opportunity to highlight sustainable rangeland management and the needs of more than one billion people who directly depend on these vital ecosystems for their livelihoods.
During the two-week conference, participants will engage in a high-level segment that includes ministerial dialogues, along with multi-stakeholder forums and thematic discussions on science–policy integration, innovation, solutions, technology, and financing. The event is expected to foster impactful collaboration and action across sectors, advancing the goals of sustainable land management, ecosystem and land restoration, and the implementation of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets.
To build momentum toward COP17 and increase public awareness and youth engagement, Mongolia has already launched a series of national initiatives. One key upcoming event is the “Youth4Land” national forum, scheduled for June 16–17, 2025, in Mandalgovi city, Dundgovi Province, in observance of Desertification and Drought Day.
The forum will bring together over 100 young herders, researchers, and policymakers to co-develop sustainable land solutions rooted in traditional knowledge and scientific evidence. This national initiative is part of the country’s efforts to implement outcomes from previous UNCCD COPs and promote inclusive participation.
Mongolia’s strong development and environmental agenda – including the national “Billions of Trees” movement, the “White Gold” community-based rural development initiative, and the “Food Revolution” agri-soil initiative – positions the country as a regional and global model of action.
Hosting COP17 will provide a historic opportunity to elevate international cooperation on land, climate, and biodiversity to a new level, according to the UNCCD.
According to the UN body, the conference will mark a significant step forward in uniting the world around solutions to land degradation and climate challenges, solidifying Mongolia’s contribution to building a sustainable and resilient future for all.
On Saturday, May 31,the world will mark World No Tobacco Day 2025 under the banner “Bright Products. Dark Intentions”. This year’s theme sheds light on the tobacco industry’s tactics to lure women and young people into addiction through flavoured and colourful products.
WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Dr Hanan Balkhy
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death globally, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region bearing a significant burden. The Region has the highest smoking rates among adolescent boys, with countries like Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt ranking among the highest globally. The promotion of new nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, has led to higher dependency rates among vulnerable groups.
Globally, 37 million children aged 13–15 years use tobacco. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, smoking rates in some areas have reached 43% among adolescent boys (aged 13–15 years) and 20% among adolescent girls. The highest prevalence of tobacco use among boys is recorded in the occupied Palestinian territory (West Bank) at 43.3%, followed by Jordan at 33.9% and the Syrian Arab Republic at 31.6%.
The tobacco industry’s promotion of new nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, is particularly concerning. These products often feature flavours and colorful designs that attract women and young people, leading to higher dependency rates. With over 16 000 flavours of e-cigarettes available, it’s no surprise that in some countries nine out of 10 e-cigarette users are drawn to the flavoured products that target younger users.
Alarmingly, the gap in tobacco use between men and women is narrowing, with more women and girls taking up smoking, exposing them to health risks such as cervical cancer, osteoporosis and fertility issues. Meanwhile, the Region already has the highest smoking rates among adolescent boys, underscoring the urgent need for action.
“Our Region has the highest youth smoking rates in the world. We must act to protect the next generation. Let us stand together and make it crystal clear. No more tricks. No more traps. Let’s unite for a tobacco-free future,” says WHO Regional Director, Dr Hanan Balkhy.
In response to the alarming rise in tobacco use among women and adolescents, the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean has launched a targeted initiative. This initiative recognises that women and adolescents share common vulnerabilities, including socioeconomic factors and health care needs that make them susceptible to the industry’s tactics.
Governments, stakeholders and communities must work together to: ban tobacco product flavours and attractive designs; implement graphic health warnings on packaging; restrict advertising and promotion; and increase taxes on tobacco products.
“We need to work with all stakeholders, led by governments, to limit/ban the use of flavours and attractive colourful designs, especially for emerging products including, but not limited to, e-cigarettes and vapes. Let us unite for a tobacco-free future. We owe it to our children, our communities and our future generations to take bold action against the tobacco industry’s tactics,” Dr Balkhy says.
He adds: “On World No Tobacco Day 2025, let’s raise awareness about the tobacco industry’s dark intentions and work towards a tobacco-free future. Together, we can make a difference and protect the health and well-being of our communities. Let’s spread the word and unite for a tobacco-free future!”
Ahead of the World No Tobacco Day commemorated on May 31 annually, anti-tobacco advocates from Nigeria, Kenya, Cameroon, South Africa and Zambia have decried the proliferation of alternative nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snus and nicotine pouches facilitated by sophisticated digital marketing strategies of the tobacco industry to circumvent traditional advertising regulations, potentially exposing young people to such products daily.
According to scientists, tobacco smoking is dangerous to health
They raised the alarm on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at a Webinar with the theme “Ubuntu, We Unmask the Appeal: Exposing Tobacco Industry Tactics” convened by the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Vital Voices for Africa (VVA) and Being Africa.
In his welcome address, Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of RDI, said that the convening is aimed at eliciting more robust conversations on the menace of growing youth smoking rates due to industry marketing tactics and how activists and journalists can effectively play their societal watchdog role as encapsulated in the World Health Organisation MPOWER package.
Jakpor stressed that the convening deliberately included tobacco control advocates, veteran journalists, and development experts who were brought in to share their insights, in-country experiences on industry tactics of glamourising and making their lethal products attractive to young people as well as how activists and the media can synergise to galvanise policy makers to action.
In her intervention on How the TI industry addicts young people – Findings from Nigeria, Oluchi Joy Robert, a UK-based healthcare expert, said in Nigeria the tobacco industry has adapted to the use of social media and the internet in reaching a large audience that is made up of mainly young people and through the online channels, portray themselves as socially responsible.
In her words, “Nigeria is a peculiar case because of the teeming population of young people who are exposed to the internet. The tobacco Industry employs the use of targeted advertising, using online data to target specific demographics”.
She revealed that the entrepreneural initiative of the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) which targets National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members is one among several innovations that the tobacco industry in Nigeria uses to deflect attention from the harms of their products. She pointed out however that the same industry markets their products through online marketing companies that make it possible for young people to order and procure limitless tobacco and nicotine products.
She argued that strengthening regulations around online tobacco marketing, including clear labelling of sponsored content and restrictions on targeting youth are some of the ways around the industry’s grip on the virtual space. She added that educating young people about the tactics used by the tobacco industry and the risks associated with tobacco use would also save young people.
In a similar vein, Paxina Phiri, Communications Specialist at the Centre for Primary Care Research Zambia, revealed that 14% of Zambian youth use tobacco products and the product kills over 7,000 Zambians each year.
She cited Big Tobacco, Tiny Targets, a 2024 report by her organisation which showed that tobacco products were available for purchase in shops/kiosks near schools and kids access them as they procure sweets and candies on their way to and from school.
She revealed that cigarettes in single sticks were also sold in such kiosks that are usually within 100 metre radius to schools. To make the tobacco products enticing, the kiosks are also provided posters, banners and other adverts.
According to her, disturbingly, most cigarette brands on sale in Zambia come from global corporations like BAT.
Professor Catherine Egbe, Senior Specialist Scientist, Tobacco Control, Mental health, Alcohol, Substance use & Tobacco Research Unit, South Africa Medical Research Centre, took the participants down the memory lane in her presentation titled “From Cigarettes to E-Cigarettes: Unmasking the New Face of Nicotine Addiction”.
Professor Egbe revealed that the tobacco industry had a long history of deceptive tactics dating back to 1953 when doctors were portrayed by the industry as lovers of the Carmel brand of cigarette. At the time, the industry started experimenting Social engineering to avoid health concerns raised by scientists about their products.
The publicity stunt on the Carmel brand designed by public relations firm – Hill & Knowlton was published in over 400 newspapers throughout the US and reached an estimated 43 million people. Subsequently there were attempts by the industry to deny or outrightly downplay tobacco harms.
Some of the efforts included the 1954 promise by George Weissman, head of marketing at Philip Morris, that the company would “stop business tomorrow” if they had any knowledge that their products were harmful to consumers, and the 1972 assertion by James C. Bowling, Vice President for Public Relations at Philip Morris, that if the company’s product are harmful it would stop making it.
In 1976, Helmut Wakeham, Vice President for Research at Philip Morris, claimed, “If the company as a whole believed that cigarettes were really harmful, we would not be in the business. We are a very moralistic company.“
Similarly, in 1984: Curtis H. Judge, President of Lorillard, in a deposition, stated that if cigarettes were proven to cause cancer, “No one should sell a product that is a proven cause of lung cancer.“
Egbe argued however that the industry knew many years earlier that their products were harmful, citing a 1963 memo by Addison Yeaman, Vice President and General Counsel of Brown & Williamson which contained the following information: “Moreover, nicotine is addictive. We are, then, in the business of selling nicotine, an addictive drug effective in the release of stress mechanisms.”
She went on to add that the industry’s introduction of E-cigarettes in the 1990s was a continuation of their business as usual philosophy but with the focus now being the youth who are targeted through aggressive marketing tactics.
Picking up from Egbe, Caleb Ayong, Founder, VVA, said that daily purchase of one pack cigarettes has an immediate and measurable impact on standard of living because it drives up health costs and reduces worker productivity.
His presentation titled “How tobacco Undermines UN SDGs” explained how tobacco use undermines virtually all the Sustainable Development Goals, even as he added that four out of every five smokers in the world live in countries with low or medium economic power.
According to him, the money these disadvantaged populations spend on buying cigarettes contributes to their inability to provide a balanced diet for themselves and their families.
He pointed out that smoking also contributes to hunger because valuable cultivated land is used for the cultivation of tobacco.
Tying tobacco directly to the SDGs, he said that tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death and disease worldwide which negates the UN’s third sustainable development goal of ensuring good health for all at all stages of life.
Tobacco use is also responsible for 90% of lung cancers and 25% of cancer deaths globally in addition to the fact that it increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke by 40%.
Other issues he listed include the Interruption of studies of children when their parents get sick from tobacco use, even as he stressed that the huge costs associated with smoking limits the opportunity to invest in education.
Mohammed Maikudi, Nigeria Country Lead, DaYTA Programme of the Development Gateway, made a presentation on Dearth of Data on Children and the DaYTA (Data on Tobacco Use among Adolescents), harping on gaps in data concerning 10 to 17-year-olds and the intervention from Development Gateway through the Data on Youth Tobacco Addiction (DaYTA).
Maikudi explained that the research was conducted in Kenya, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between 2023 and 2025. The research outcomes, which will be unveiled in the months ahead, focuses on 10-17 year olds, attempts to assess factors associated with all forms of adolescent tobacco use (i.e., smoked and smokeless tobacco) in each country, and estimate the prevalence of, and factors associated with the use of novel products such as electronic nicotine/non-nicotine delivery systems and nicotine pouches.
The research showed that current studies focussed mostly on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco while other products such as shisha and those that are emerging (e.g., e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches) are often not included. It also showed that School-based surveys- out of school adolescents are not captured in previous research works.
Speaking on “Empowering the Youth to Combat Tobacco Use”, Achieng Otieno, Founder, Being Africa, said that advocates must look unto the youths themselves as part of the solution to youth smoking and addiction.
Otieno said that in Kenya and South Africa young activists have used innovative tactics such as music campaigns to drive awareness on the dangers of tobacco. This, in addition to engaging educational institutions and outreaches targeting communities, have helped drive awareness on the power of the young people as change drivers.
He lamented the strain on health systems in Africa due to growing cases of tobacco related illnesses as well as the economic costs that are borne by the government and victims of tobacco use even as he added that advocates have serious work to do in stopping the tobacco menace.
This must however be through empowering youth advocates and leveraging on digital technologies that can reach huge audiences.
In his presentation on “Guide to Communicating Youth Smoking for Advocates and the Media”, Philip Jakpor, RDI Executive Director, said that the foundation for synergy in the work of advocates and media is the WHO MPOWER which essentially provides the framework for the roles of all anti-tobacco stakeholders especially activists and the media.
He stressed that the function of monitoring tobacco use warning about its dangers fall within the scope of work of media and activists. He went on to list some of the intersecting areas of work of both. They include Identifying threats to public health; Providing useful information for the government to initiate policies; Analysis and interpretation of government policies, and Mobilisation of citizens for action or support of government policies.
For the reports of advocates and the media to make sense, he said that they must quote relevant statistics such as from the WHO, Global Youth Tobacco Survey and national data, among others. They must also visit relevant websites for information, speak with experts, speak with young people, and focus on human angle.
He also listed outlets for promoting youth-focused tobacco reports. They include press statement, media advisory, articles, press briefings, policy briefs as well as interviews on radio, newspapers/magazines, TV, online platforms. Others are radio jingles, social media platforms and web meetings.
TotalEnergies has announced that its subsidiary, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria (TEPNG), signed an agreement with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) for the sale of its non-operated 12.5% interest in the OML118 Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for an amount of $510 million.
Nicolas Terraz, President, Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies
OML118 PSC is operated by SNEPCo (55%), in partnership with Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (20%), TotalEnergies EP Nigeria (12.5%), and Nigerian Agip Exploration (12.5%).
Located deep offshore at 120 km south of the Niger Delta in Nigeria, it contains the Bonga field, which started production in 2005, as well as the Bonga North field, the development of which started in 2024. Production from the OML 118 PSC, which is mainly oil, represents approximately 11,000 boe/d in Company share in 2024.
Completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Nicolas Terraz, President Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies, said:“TotalEnergies continues to actively high-grade its Upstream portfolio, to focus on assets with low technical costs and low emissions, and to lower its cash breakeven.
“In Nigeria, the Company is focusing on its operated gas and offshore oil assets and is currently progressing the development of Ubeta project, designed to sustain gas supply to Nigeria LNG.”
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has charged major gas-producing companies operating in Nigeria to take concrete steps to increase daily gas production by one billion standard cubic feet (bscf) per annum between 2025 and 2030 to meet the national gas production aspirations as well as bring an end to routine gas flaring.
Ekperikpe Ekpo at the engagement with upstream gas industry stakeholders at the NNPC Towers, Abuja
Speaking at a engagement with upstream gas industry stakeholders held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, Ekpo stressed the need for accelerated growth in the sector to meet the Federal Government’s target of 12 billion scf of gas per day by 2030 from the current 7.3billion scf production capacity.
“We need to grow natural gas production by at least 1 BCF annually till 2030,” Ekpo said.
“Nigeria must emerge among the top 10 natural gas-consuming nations by 2030. To achieve this, we must aggressively increase drilling operations in joint venture assets across all terrains, land, swamp, and offshore, and prioritise the completion of major gas processing and evacuation infrastructure projects.”
Ekpo described the recent divestments by major oil companies as a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s energy sector, noting that it presented opportunities to aggressively exploit and produce both Associated Gas (AG) and Non-Associated Gas (NAG) in the country.
“Capitalising on these divestments requires a clear strategy to accelerate project timelines, modernise existing facilities, and deploy innovative extraction and processing technologies,” he added.
The minister also stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration with international stakeholders and technical experts to ensure the successful execution of gas infrastructure projects, including the AKK and OB-3 pipelines.
Ekpo said these projects are critical to connecting gas resources to domestic and industrial markets, supporting Nigeria’s ambition to become a regional hub for natural gas.
The gas minister, while commending the NNPC/TotalEnergies JV for ending routine gas flaring in its operations, called on other operators to emulate same in order to reduce their carbon footprints and convert the flared gas to wealth for the nation.
Ekpo also emphasised the need for accelerated timelines, enhanced resource allocation, and the exploration of public-private partnerships to overcome funding and technical challenges.
Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, assured investors of a conducive environment to support the government’s targets for the gas sector and stated that the Commission has identified dedicated gas assets to be included in forthcoming bid rounds, even as the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Usman, represented by Esege Esege, noted that President Bola Tinubu is keenly interested in the gas sector realizing its full potential and contributing to national growth and development.
Also, Executive Vice President, Gas, Power, and New Energy NNPC Ltd., Olalekan Ogunleye, assured that NNPC Ltd. and its partners are working together across the gas value chain to meet the target.
“At present, every industry in the domestic gas space is receiving the gas they require due to the very productive cross-sectional collaboration,” he said, adding that efforts are being made to improve affordability
Ogunleye also provided an update on the AKK and OB-3 pipeline projects, saying both have advanced to 78 per cent and 97 per cent stages of completion, respectively.
“We are working towards the timely completion of these projects,” he assured.
The meeting, which brought together key stakeholders in the industry, including MD/CEOs of NNPC Ltd, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Seplat Energy, Renaissance Energy, Total Energies, NAE/AENR, and Esso Exploration, ended with a pledge to work towards unlocking Nigeria’s natural gas potential for national development.
The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA78), the annual meeting of World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Member States, came to a close on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, as health leaders lauded vast accomplishments and global solidarity.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (L) delivers his report before delegates during the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, May 19, 2025. Photo credit: VCG
The Assembly, WHO’s highest decision-making body, convened from May 19 to May 27, under the theme “One World for Health”. Member States considered approximately 75 items and sub-items across all areas of health, engaging in lively debate and adopting consequential resolutions to improve health for all.
“The words ‘historic’ and ‘landmark’ are overused, but they are perfectly apt to describe this year’s World Health Assembly,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The adoption of the Pandemic Agreement and the approval of the next increase in assessed contributions, along with the numerous other resolutions that Member States adopted are a sign to the world that we can achieve cooperation in the face of conflict, and unity amid division.”
World’s first pandemic agreement: equity for all
On May 20, Member States adopted the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement. The moment was met with heartfelt applause, celebrating over three years of intense negotiations by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, comprising WHO’s Member States.
The adoption of the Agreement is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to safeguard the world from a repeat of the suffering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Agreement aims to enhance global coordination and cooperation, equity and access for future pandemics, all while respecting national sovereignty.
Over the next year, Member States will build on the Resolution, by holding consultations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS), an annex to the Agreement which would enhance equitable access to medical advancements.
Sustainable financing: protecting the future of global health
In a changing financial landscape, Member States united to protect WHO’s critical work by approving the second 20% increase in assessed contributions (ACs). By 2030–2031, ACs will make up 50% of WHO’s core budget, providing more predictable, resilient, and flexible funding.
The Assembly’s commitment to sustainable financing did not stop there; at a high-level pledging event during WHA78, health leaders pledged at least $210 million for WHO’s Investment Round, the fundraising campaign for the Organisation’s global health strategy for the next four years (the Fourteenth General Programme of Work). In addition to the $1.7 billion already raised for the Investment Round, these pledges mark a significant step toward sustainable financing of WHO. Since launching in May 2024, the Investment Round has attracted 35 new contributors – moving WHO closer to the broader donor base envisioned in the Director-General’s ongoing transformation agenda.
Action for health: major decisions and resolutions
WHA 78 was steadfast in addressing ongoing health issues and adaptable in targeting threats and conflicts. The accomplishments of the Assembly spanned many areas of health as Member States
adopted a new resolution highlighting the global health financing emergency;
endorsed first-ever resolutions on lung and kidney health, highlighting the upcoming UN General Assembly focus on noncommunicable diseases;
adopted a new resolution on science-driven norms and standards for health policy and implementation;
adopted a new target to halve the health impacts of air pollution by 2040;
adopted an innovative resolution to promote social connection with growing evidence linking it to improved health outcomes and reduced risk of early death;
adopted a resolution for a lead-free future;
adopted a resolution to address rare diseases, protecting the over 300 million people globally who live with one of more than 7,000 rare diseases;
agreed to expand the provisions of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes to tackle the digital marketing of formula milk and baby foods;
adopted a resolution to accelerate the eradication of Guinea worm disease.
The Assembly adopted other resolutions on digital health, the health and care workforce, medical imaging, nursing and midwifery, sensory impairment, and skin diseases, among others. Two new official WHO health campaigns were established: World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day and World Prematurity Day.
Strengthening health emergency preparedness and response
The World Health Assembly also discussed WHO’s work in health emergencies. Over the last year, WHO responded internationally to 51 graded emergencies across 89 countries and territories, including global outbreaks of cholera and mpox – a public health emergency of international concern – as well as multiple humanitarian crises. Working with over 900 partners across 28 health clusters, WHO helped provide health assistance for 72 million people in humanitarian settings. Nearly 60% of new emergencies were climate-related, highlighting the growing health impacts of climate change.
During the Assembly, Member States
considered matters pertaining to WHO’s work in health emergencies and commended the Organisation’s leadership in this space;
noted the Director-General’s report on implementation of the health emergency prevention, preparedness, response and resilience (HEPR) framework and expressed their support for the strengthening of the global architecture;
considered the health needs of people in Ukraine and the occupied Palestinian territory;
noted the Director-General’s report on progress made in implementing the International Health Regulations (2005); and
approved a resolution to strengthen the research base on public health and social measures to control outbreaks.
Remarks of UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell during the presentation of Mexico’s National Climate Strategy on Tuesday, May 27, 2025
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, speaking during the presentation of Mexico’s National Climate Strategy. Photo credit: Miguel Ángel Gutiérrez
This National Climate Strategy is much more than a policy document.
I see it as a declaration of national determination: a blueprint to turn climate ambition into real results that strengthens Mexico’s economy and businesses, and continues to raise the Mexican people up.
It is a roadmap to Mexican prosperity, social development, and economic stability for the next decade.
What’s especially powerful about this strategy is its grounded in the real world of modern Mexico – in the real social and environmental needs of big cities and communities across this extraordinary country.
Because when we talk about climate action, we’re ultimately talking about strengthening resilience and boosting opportunities: in homes, farms, schools, and small businesses.
A strong plan – be that your National Climate Strategy, or Mexico’s forthcoming Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement – is not just about cutting planet-heating pollution, it’s also about livelihoods, resilience, and building prosperity.
It’s about shielding rural farmers from drought.
Climate plans must also be about powering remote villages with solar energy, and ensuring clean air in cities which will slash health costs for governments and households.
Creating well-paid jobs, driving growth and innovation, tackling poverty, and building a more equitable, sovereign and prosperous Mexico.
And this strategy has the power to do just that.
It reflects Mexico’s commitment to inclusive development.
So from just energy reforms that strive towards universal electrification, to rural solar projects, clean public transport, and climate-smart agriculture – this is climate action that puts people and communities first.
The clean energy transition is now a 2 trillion-dollar global market.
In my visits this year to other major economies – the EU, India, China, Brazil, Nigeria – it is very clear the global renewable boom will keep growing.
With the right policies and a bold new climate plan, Mexico can become a magnet for sustainable investment and innovation.
You have all of the ingredients: abundant renewable resources, a dynamic workforce, and a clear national vision.
But ambition alone isn’t enough.
To succeed, implementation must be coordinated and inclusive.
That means aligning national policy and local priorities.
It means involving all sectors, empowering subnational governments, Indigenous communities, and civil society with the tools, finance and knowledge they need to act.
Mexico has a golden opportunity to ensure that climate action benefits all sectors: across agriculture and rural areas, energy, healthcare, transportation, improving the quality of life of all citizens.
At UN Climate Change we also have a special role to play – helping to translate your action, into wider global progress.
Because no country can fight climate change alone. That’s why we urge you to build on this strategy and to submit a strong Nationally Determined Contribution. It is entirely in the interests of all Mexico’s people, businesses and economy to do so.
The stronger the NDC, the bigger the benefits that will flow to Mexico. This kind of clear policy direction will attract even more investment, making Mexico a crucial hub for the clean energy economy, and a top ten global economy.
We stand ready to support your work.
So friends,
Let this launch be the signal: that climate action in Mexico will be bold, inclusive, and relentlessly focused on getting real-world results.
Thank you – and congratulations on this important step forward.
