Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, said the organisation regretted the decision of the United States to withdraw from it.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Photo credit: AFP / FABRICE COFFRINI / Getty Images
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The statement reads: “The World Health Organisation regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization.
“The organisation hopes that Washington will change its decision.
“We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.’’
On Monday, January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was sworn into office for a second term as the President of the United States.
Donald Trump being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America
The Trump administration issued a spate of presidential orders, including announcing withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organisation (WHO), declaring an “Energy Emergency,” rolling back incentives for electric vehicles, and abolishing the non-existent Green New Deal.
Paris Exit
President Trump has announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement immediately, though withdrawal officially takes a year. During that period, it remains up to President Trump if he sends delegations to meetings or participates in any events related to the Agreement.
The announcement is part of Trump’s broader agenda to boost U.S. oil and gas production, and to “drill baby drill!” The United States is the world’s top producer of oil and natural gas thanks to a years-long drilling boom, including in Texas and New Mexico, fueled by fracking technology.
The administration will remain in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), but the order indicates they intend to severely limit participation including on funding and may not send delegations to the Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings. Once the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is official, they may be allowed to sit in Convention meetings (and have a vote if one was taken), but to only participate as an observer to the Paris Agreement meetings and not vote in those sessions.
As during the first withdrawal, a re-entry to Paris by a future president is very straightforward and would become official after a period of 30 days.
The United States, under President Trump, remains the only nation out of 193 other Parties to exit the Agreement – the only multilateral forum where all Parties have a seat at the table.
Trump is declaring anenergy emergency, which could give the administration increased powers to approve production of both fossil fuels — particularly in Alaska — and, interestingly, critical green minerals, essential to the energy transition. A related order demands “unleashing” America’s energy supplies.
The US is already the largest oil and gas producer globally. It reached new oil production highs under the Biden administration. Oil companies are saying they are drilling as much as they can already.
New analysis from Zero Carbon Analytics shows that the EU does not need new US LNG to replace Russian gas: EU gas demand is set to decline by 29% from 2024 levels by 2030, and 67% by 2040.
The executive order on American energy is a laundry list of energy and environmental orders, including reference to an “electric vehicle mandate” that does not exist in law. The Inflation Reduction Act has offered tax incentives for both EV manufacturing and purchases and the Biden administration made progress with tailpipe standards for cars, as did the state of California. Trump is seeking ways to roll back these advances on emissions reductions from the transport sector. The order also ends the brand-new American Climate Corps and orders wide scale reviews of energy infrastructure permitting.
Trump falsely referred to the Green New Deal on Monday, and in his executive orders, a piece of legislation that never advanced in Congress. Multiple orders released on Monday aim to slow or review the massive climate spending approved during the Biden administration, 75% of which has gone to GOP-led districts.
The Biden-Harris administration added more than 775,000 manufacturing jobs from climate bills including the IRA and IIJA, with hundreds of thousands more expected.
The development has generated reactions from a cross section of industry stakeholders.
Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment, Sierra Leone, said: “Climate Action requires long term commitments from all countries. Climate Change related disasters do not conform to political ideologies. We need continued multilateral commitment to collective action, reduction of greenhouse gases, especially by countries with historical responsibility for GHG emissions.”
Fred Njehu, Pan-African Political Strategist for Greenpeace Africa, said: “Africa is a key player in the climate multilateral space, and this is not about to change. Climate Change is a global problem that transcends national borders, so Trump’s administration’s assault on the Paris Agreement is in itself, self defeating. Nations have made progress and are moving ahead to tackle the climate crisis, because without doing so we are confronted with dire consequences. Trump attempting to sabotage global efforts to tackle the climate crisis, is a huge threat to our future. Africa, being one of the continents facing the impacts of the climate crisis, will not stop in the face of those who choose to risk everything for the profit of a privileged few.”
Faten Aggad, Executive Director of the African Future Policies Hub, said: “While this was expected not only due to the lack of commitment to the climate agenda but the immediate economic interests of the largest beneficiary of natural gas trade globally, it is nonetheless concerning. The world cannot afford to see the largest greenhouse gas emitter per capita, and the second largest emitter globally disengage from an agreement that is already under significant strain. Truth be told: we need the US to act seriously. After all, it is responsible for 13.5% of global emissions – more than four-fold Africa’s contribution as a full continent. This is the moment for a stronger leadership from industrialised economies, whose higher ambition is the only way forward to compensate for the USA’s failures.”
Dr. Joyce Kimutai, Climate Scientist, Imperial College London & Kenya Meteorological Department, said: “Our world is in urgent need of climate action at all levels. While surpassing the Paris Agreement goal seems inevitable, bold and immediate steps must be taken by every nation. Even with the potential withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement under the incoming regime – and hopefully not from the convention—the science remains unequivocal: climate change will continue to affect us all.
“The cost of inaction far outweighs the cost of action. Vulnerable communities, who have contributed the least to this crisis, are bearing the heaviest burdens. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are eroding developmental gains and plunging countries further into debt. The longer we wait, the harder recovery will become, and the planet will face massive losses and damages. With its immense potential and resilience, Africa stands ready to be part of the solution to this crisis. It is time for the continent to move forward together, united, even as others may choose a different path.”
Julius Mbatia, Just Climate Policy Expert, said: “It’s inconceivable that the US pulls out of the Paris Agreement and quench its strategic role in shaping the green and safe future that is in the making. This is not the leadership required at a moment when the majority of the people and States are mobilising for climate action and issue unmatched commitment to tackling the climate crisis. As a major historical emitter and economic power house, US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement signals a relinquishing of US’s political, diplomatic, and importantly economic leverage and advantage in a multi-polar world that inevitably continues to innovate, and create new green, low carbon products and supply chains. The world has lived through this once, and greater multilateral cooperation holds a promise to handle it yet again.”
Mouhamadou Sissoko, Secretary General Teranga Lab, Senegal, said: “I would like to express my deep concern at the decision by the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, a move that undermines collective global efforts to combat climate change. This agreement represents an essential pact to limit the devastating effects of global warming, particularly for the most vulnerable populations, such as those on our African continent.
“This withdrawal compromises not only international cooperation, but also the financial commitments needed to support developing countries in their ecological transition and adaptation to climate impacts. This decision is a major setback at a time when the urgency of climate change calls for more concerted action, solidarity and greater ambition. Faced with this situation, we reaffirm our commitment to working for fair climate finance and inclusive solutions for the energy transition.”
Christopher Trisos, AXA Research Chair African Climate Risk, said: “The Trump administration pulling out of the Paris Agreement doesn’t change the fact that increasing burning of coal, oil, and gas only makes climate change worse. This will cause more substantial pain and suffering from climate change, including in the USA. Running away from it is impossible. Policies are needed to keep fossil fuels in the ground.”
Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and key architect of the Paris Agreement, said: “The US withdrawing from the Paris Agreement is unfortunate, but multilateral climate action has proven resilient and is stronger than any single country’s politics and policies.
“The context today is very different to 2017. There is unstoppable economic momentum behind the global transition, which the US has gained from and led, but now risks forfeiting. The International Energy Agency expects the global market for key clean technologies to triple to more than $2 trillion by 2035.
“The impacts of the climate crisis are also worsening. The terrible wildfires in Los Angeles are the latest reminder that Americans, like everyone else, are affected by worsening climate change. Each fraction of a degree of warming avoided means less suffering, more secure futures, and better chances to adapt. That’s why we must keep fighting for 1.5C.
“Responding to the demands of their citizens, cities and states across the US are taking bold action. America is All In accounts for 63 % of the population and 74% of GDP. There is a lot they can still do to work towards the new target set by the Biden administration – to cut emissions by 66 % by 2035.”
Gina McCarthy, former White House national climate advisor, 13th U.S. EPA Administrator, and Managing Co-Chair of America Is All In, said: “If the Trump administration truly wants America to lead the global economy, become energy independent, and create good-paying American jobs, affordable energy, and clean air – then they must stay focused on growing our clean energy industry. Clean technologies are driving down energy costs for people all across our country. And if they want to be tough on China, don’t punish U.S. automakers and hard working Americans by handing our clean car keys to the Chinese.
“The United States must continue to show leadership on the international stage if we want to have any say in how trillions of dollars in financial investments, policies, and decisions are made that will shape the course of our economy and the world’s ability to fight climate change. Our leaders have to face reality – climate impacts are a clear and present danger. It is not the time to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that more and more devastating, dangerous, and costly disasters won’t be heading our way; they are and they will get worse if we fail to embrace a clean energy future.
“By leaving the Paris Agreement, this Administration is abdicating its responsibility to protect the American people and our national security. But rest assured, our states, cities, businesses, and local institutions stand ready to pick up the baton of U.S. climate leadership and do all they can – despite federal complacency – to continue the shift to a clean energy economy. Day-in and day-out state and local efforts will be focused on delivering good-paying jobs, lowering energy bills, cutting pollution, and protecting our health.
“Just as it did during the last Trump Administration, Bloomberg’s America Is All In coalition will work with partners across our country and abroad to ensure we meet our responsibility to stay focused on achieving our climate targets. We cannot walk away from our obligation to protect Americans from the traumatic disasters that threaten our security, our health, our lives and livelihoods, and our economic prosperity.”
Frankie Orona, Executive Director, Society of Native Nations, said: “As Indigenous Peoples, we have long been stewards of the land, water, and air—resources that sustain all life. It is deeply disheartening to witness the incoming Trump administration prioritize corporate greed over the well-being of our communities, our environment, and future generations. The pursuit of LNG export projects, with blatant disregard for the devastating health and environmental consequences, represents a continuation of policies that value profits over people. These decisions threaten not only our sacred lands but also the broader ecosystems we all depend on, compromising the health of countless families in the name of short-term economic gain. We urge policymakers to honor their responsibility to protect the earth and respect the rights of Indigenous Nations, rather than perpetuate this destructive cycle.”
Dr. Rachel Cleetus, the policy director and lead economist for the Climate and Energy Programme at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), said:“Withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement is a travesty. Such a move is in clear defiance of scientific realities and shows an administration cruelly indifferent to the harsh climate change impacts that people in the United States and around the world are experiencing. Pulling out of the Paris Agreement is an abdication of responsibility and undermines the very global action that people at home and abroad desperately need.
“Regardless of politics, the scientific imperative to address the climate crisis remains clear and necessitates urgent actions from U.S. and global policymakers. Last year was the first time global average temperatures exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for an entire year. Unless world leaders act quickly, the planet is on track for up to a 3.1 degrees Celsius increase, which would be catastrophic. As the largest historical emitter of heat-trapping emissions, the United States has a responsibility to do its fair share to stave off the increasingly dire consequences of the climate crisis.
“Instead of seizing the opportunity to expand the economic and public health benefits of clean energy for people across the nation, while working together with the global community to solve this shared challenge, President Trump is choosing to begin his term pandering to the fossil fuel industry and its allies. His disgraceful and destructive decision is an ominous harbinger of what people in the United States should expect from him and his anti-science cabinet hellbent on boosting fossil fuel industry profits at the expense of people and the planet. In addition to the obvious climate harms, such an extreme isolationist posture on a paramount issue of international diplomacy will have wider repercussions for the United States’ standing in the world and its ability to secure international cooperation on other issues of national importance.”
Abby Maxman, Oxfam America’s President and CEO, said: “Another U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is more than reckless – it’s economic self-sabotage and a betrayal of every community, both in the U.S. and globally, already facing catastrophic storms, heat waves, and rising seas. We know from our humanitarian work around the world that climate-driven damage is increasing risks to lives and livelihoods, driving up costs for businesses and industries, and worsening inequality.
“The U.S. should be leading the fight for a livable planet—not only because of its responsibility as the largest historical polluter, but because ignoring the problem at our doorstep will harm people living in the United States, who have recently suffered severe damage from climate-driven disasters like the Los Angeles wildfires and will face even more in the years ahead.
“While we will have a climate denier in the White House, any predictions that this is ‘game over’ for climate ambition are wrong. Most Americans support climate action, and communities, cities, and states across the country are stepping up to work for a sustainable future. The struggle to protect our planet isn’t over—and together, we can still win.”
Linda Kalcher, Executive Director, Strategic Perspectives, said: “The incoming Trump administration could bring turbulent geopolitical times, not just for Europe. There is a risk that the EU turns into a deal-taker, at the mercy of an unpredictable US President.
“Preserving Transatlantic relations cannot translate into weakening European laws or slowing down its net-zero transition. Instead, EU leaders can draw a clear line on democratic standards, the value of multilateralism and forging alliances with like-minded countries to advance the global energy transition.”
Alexandra Scott, Senior Expert, Climate Diplomacy at ECCO, the Italian Climate Change Think Tank, said: “The climate crisis is bigger than any one nation or political ideology. There are two major differences to the last time a Trump administration chose a different path to the rest of the world building economic opportunity and resilience through serious climate action and global cooperation. One is the scale of destruction the climate crisis is bringing – as the price tag on the LA fires has devastatingly shown. The second is the scale of economic opportunity in the clean energy and clean tech markets of the future. The promises Trump has made cannot be delivered without acting to prevent climate impacts and embrace the new economy.”
Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, said: “The global clean energy boom – worth $2 trillion last year alone and rising fast- is the economic growth deal of the decade. Embracing it will mean massive profits, millions of manufacturing jobs and clean air. Ignoring it only sends all that vast wealth to competitor economies, while climate disasters like droughts, wildfires and superstorms keep getting worse, destroying property and businesses, hitting nation-wide food production, and driving economy-wide price inflation.
“The door remains open to the Paris Agreement, and we welcome constructive engagement from any and all countries.”
Manish Bapna, president and CEO at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), said: “Floods wash away entire communities, drought bakes croplands to chalk and firestorms engulf our cities in flames. This is no time to abandon ship, cut U.S. climate leadership adrift and throw our children overboard in dark and rising seas.
“This emboldens a fossil fuel industry determined to block climate action and locking in decades more dependence on the dirty fuels driving the climate crisis. It hamstrings American workers and companies in a global clean energy market worth $2 trillion last year alone. It condemns vulnerable nations to pay a price they can’t afford for a crisis they didn’t create.
“The rest of the world is shifting to clean energy. This will slow that transition, not stop it. But will the world break its dependence on fossil fuels quickly enough to avert the worst of climate catastrophe? Will the United States help to shape that future? Will U.S. workers and businesses benefit from its gains, or cede the field to others and watch opportunity slip from our grasp?
“The United States must remain in the climate fight, uphold the spirit of Paris and keep its promise to the rest of the world. Two-thirds of the country supports clean energy and climate action that’s already creating jobs, cutting consumer costs and making the country more energy secure. As the administration works to reverse those vital gains, we’re counting on states, localities, the private sector and the people to step up and build on climate and clean energy progress.”
Dr. Jonathan Pershing, a veteran diplomat who has worked under four US presidents and attended every single UN COP climate summit, said: “The climate crisis is a global issue that demands urgent action. Failure to act will lead to more wildfires, droughts, and harm to communities and businesses both in the United States and around the world. While the President is withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, the reality is that the federal government alone was never going to solve the climate crisis.
“That has always required an all-of-society approach. Notwithstanding the Administration’s decision to withdraw, many in business, state and local governments, civil society, and philanthropy remain committed to a clean and prosperous future for all. Through collaboration, dialogue, and finding common ground, we will ensure durable climate solutions that foster economic growth, strengthen communities, and build a more sustainable future.“
Evergreen Action Executive Director, Lena Moffitt, said: “As we saw in Trump’s first term, hasty executive actions can be stopped or slowed by effective advocacy and litigation. Despite where Trump may want to take our country, we are still a nation of laws to which even his administration is beholden. Trump’s fossil fuel free-for-all jeopardises our health, increases pollution, and takes more money out of the pockets of hardworking families. The message is clear: Donald Trump is determined to take us backward, and everyday Americans will feel the consequences. Regardless of President Trump’s irresponsible actions, we have critical work ahead in states and communities to continue to build a just, clean energy economy.”
Mandiaye Thiobane journalist and founder of espacedev.net, Senegal, said: “After his inauguration on January 20th, Donald Trump could, as he had promised, submit a request to the UN to withdraw again from the agreement. This decision would then take effect in one year, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement, rather than three years as was previously the case, i.e. in 2017. This would be a serious blow to international climate diplomacy, forcing other countries to increase their efforts in the area of climate diplomacy.
“During this period, the Trump administration could ignore the climate commitments made by the United States under President Joe Biden, with a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 61% to 65% by 2035. Worse still, it will refuse to submit new plans for further reductions in carbon emissions. A blow for the Paris Agreement, one might say.”
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has sought for more funds for seven critical programmes in the housing sector.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa
Dangiwa stated this during the budget defence session of the Senate Committee on Housing at the National Assembly complex on Monday, January 20, 2025.
He listed the projects to include: Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Housing Programme and Slump Upgrading and Urban Renewal Programme, among others.
“I wish to request that the distinguished chairman and members of this very important committee use their good offices to increase the budgetary allocation in seven key areas.
“This is in view of the fact that these areas are very critical to the transformative policies and programmes of Mr President to put the economy on the part of recovery and growth.
“It is pertinent to state here that in the 2024 fiscal year, the sum of N162,609 billion was allocated to our ministry which was considered inadequate.
“Yet, we have been given an envelope of N83.752 billion as the ministry’s capital budget ceiling for 2025, which is a far cry from even the 2024 Appropriation,” he said.
The minister said that the renewed hope cities and estates housing programme was designed to be a catalyst for economic growth.
“The construction and development of these new areas will generate employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses and attract investments.
“The 50,000 units planned to deliver under phase I will create 1,250,000 direct and indirect construction jobs for architects, engineers, plumbers, iron benders, masons, etc.
“This is in addition to the value chain effect of purchase, supply of building materials and other businesses.
“Currently, we have covered 12 states and will like to cover 18 states at 250 units per site. The amount needed to achieve this N108 billion at N6 billion per state,” he said.
According to him, the slump upgrading and urban renewal programme also requires increased budgetary allocation.
“Currently, there are ongoing programmes in four states of each geo-political zone, including FCT.
“This means four sites in four states in each geo-political zone, including four sites in the FCT, bringing the total to 100 sites. At least, N100 billion is needed for better result to be achieved,” he said.
Dangiwa further said that the ministry was exposed to huge amounts of liabilities accruing from the projects completed, duly certified for payments before the end of the budgetary year but which were not paid due to limited time.
“There is the need to make adequate provision for liabilities to enable the ministry reduce the amount of liabilities it is exposed to.
“The ministry has over N92 billion liabilities but will need nothing less than N60 billion in the 2025 budget to reduce the exposure,” Dangiwa said.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing, Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, assured the minister of support to tackle the liabilities incurred.
“We will support you by making sure that we work together to see how best we can approach the minister of finance, the budget office and even the presidency.
“We’ll see how best we can really get this debt relief on the part of the ministry and on the part of our contractors,” he said.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) says Nigeria estimated over $2 billion on carbon market activation programme by 2030.
Prof. Nnaemeka Chukwuone
Prof. Nnaemeka Chukwuone, Director, Resource and Environmental Policy Research (REPRC), UNN, Environment for Development (EfD) initiative, Nigeria, disclosed this at a one-day workshop in Abuja on Monday, January 20, 2025.
The workshop, which was tagged “Exploring the Potentials and Voluntary Carbon Market”, was organised by (REPRC/EfD) initiative.
Chukwuone said that a huge of revenue was attached to carbon market, adding that efficient implementation of carbon market would improve job opportunities in the country.
“Under the carbon market activation programme, it is estimated that Nigeria will have over $2 billion by 2030.
“I believe that if things are done well, it will go beyond that because it will generate a lot of revenue. It will also create job opportunities.
“For instance, if we have offsets in the forestry, agriculture or even energy sector, the country will have a lot of money coming from carbon markets.
“It will also help to sustain the environment in terms of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem,” he said.
The director explained that carbon markets were trading systems that allowed governments and non-state actors to buy and sell carbon credits.
Prof. Polycarp Chigbu, Acting Vice Chancellor, UNN, said that REPRC was established to advance interdisciplinary research, capacity building and policy advocacy on different dimensions of environmental and resource economics.
Chigbu said that carbon market was recognised as key to transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
“Carbon markets are into two categories, which involve compliance carbon market and Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM).
“The VCM encompasses all transactions of carbon offsets not purchased under a regulated carbon market, while compliance carbon markets are marketplaces through which regulated entities obtain offsets under regulatory regimes,” he said.
Chigbu said that the project was aimed to explore the complexity of carbon markets and focusing on voluntary markets
He said that the outcome of the project would improve the design and implementation protocols for carbon markets creation, and increase capacity and awareness of carbon market in the global south.
Chigbu said that the essence of the project was to reduce carbon emission which causes climate change.
He said that the effort would also help Nigeria to achieve its targets in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which is in line with the Paris Agreement.
Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, Director-General, National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, said that the carbon market was an opportunity for Nigeria to address climate change.
“We know that climate change is a serious problem today, and the carbon market is an opportunity to address this issue appropriately.
Maduekwe urged other relevant stakeholders to support the government and REPRC/EfD, initiative, for effective implementation of the project.
According to her, this project will create enormous opportunities for the country, so, all hands are needed on deck to push this to where it needs to be.
“The collaboration of relevant stakeholders will help to achieve these goals,” she said.
As part of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness among young Nigerians and build their capacity on how to live sustainably, the Federal Government has launched the Eco-schools initiative, targeting schoolchildren in Abuja, the country’s capital.
Participants at the Eco-Schools project launch in Abuja
This programme, which is being implemented by the Department of Climate Change (DCC) of the Federal Ministry of Environment, was unveiled on Thursday, January 16, 2025, during a two-day climate change awareness workshop organised by the department in Abuja. Additionally, a handbook was provided to the students to serve as a guide and promote knowledge sharing.
Environmental education is a critical solution to the global climate crisis; hence its integration into the school system cannot be overstated. This is why a number of organisations, most notably the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), are working to provide technical help to Nigeria’s government and to assist states in developing climate-responsive education sector strategies.
Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, the director overseeing the DCC, said it is extremely imperative to empower the next generation with the required skills to help them come up with innovative solutions that address the climate crisis and foster environmental stewardship.
The director, who was represented by Dr. Aliyu Musa Yanure, added that the launch of the scheme represents the government’s commitment to improving climate literacy among students and other citizens across the nation.
“We will empower our students to become champions in their communities, driving initiatives that have a positive impact in their lives,” Dr. Abiola-Awe stated.
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, the Secretary for Health and Environment for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), expressed his satisfaction that his organisation was included in the process due to its connection with the FCT development plan.
According to him, the FCT administration has identified tree planting as a way to promote sustainable environmental management and raise awareness among Nigerians and corporate entities. He noted that secondary schools under the FCT are enlisted as the pivotal drivers of this noble campaign.
“We currently have green champions drawn from 40 schools and hope to expand it further to other schools in the FCT,” Dr. Fasawe said.
This Eco-Schools initiative is being supported by the European Union, UNICEF, Save the Children International, and the FCT secretariat. It is an intervention tool that the DCC aims to cascade not only in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) but also to all the area councils in FCT, namely Kwali, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari, and Abaji.
Students engaged in an interactive session where they learnt about the handbook’s contents, played the Play, Learn, and Act Now (PLAN) game, and asked questions on climate change.
The Cross River State Police Command has failed to arraign the environmental activist, Odey Oyama, in court.
Odey Oyama
Odey, the Director of Rainforest Resource and Development Centre (RRDC), was to appear in Magistrate Court 1 Moore Road in Calabar on Monday, January 20, 2025, by 12 noon but, up until 4pm, there was no information of whether the court was still going to sit.
On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the environmental activist and six others were arrested by Police officers from the Ikom division of the Cross River State Police Command.
He had been in Police custody before being speedily charged to court, he was arraigned on January 16, 2025, but his bail was denied. It was gathered that he is being charged for promoting communal strife.
When contacted on phone on why the accused was not presented in court by the Police, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo, simply said, “it could be that the papers were not ready, I am going to check.”
It will be recalled that, in recent times, Oyama has been engaged in a fierce campaign against Chinese business concerns working with indigenous collaborators who are logging the Effi Rainforest, a trend that has resulted in massive deforestation, dissipation of wildlife and loss of biodiversity.
Some civil society organisations (CSOs) have however called for the immediate release of Oyama, saying his arrest and detention by the Nigerian Police signifies a rising trend of abuse and repression.
The Executive Director of PADIC, formally known as Development Concerns (DEVCON), Dr. Martins Egot, and Director of PeacePoint Development Foundation (PPDF), Mr. Umo Isuaiko, described his arrest and detention as deliberate to keep him incommunicado.
In a statement by the Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Comrade NnimmoBassey, Egot of DEVCON, Isuaiko of PPDF, Executive Director of We the People (WTP), Mr. Ken Henshaw, and 28 others said it was against the law for Odey to be detained beyond 24 hours without trial and “the action of the Nigeria Police has once again demonstrated flagrant disregard for due process and their role in stifling dissenting voices, especially when vested business interests are at stake”.
They said: “This instance, Odey Oyama a conscientious objector to the destruction of the environment, rather than enjoy the protection of the government, is being systematically persecuted.”
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) says it will restore bloody cockles in Ogoni creeks as measures to alleviate the plight of the people of the area.
Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, HYPREP Project Coordinator, visits Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area
Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, the HYPREP Project Coordinator, announced this in a statement on Monday, January 20, 2025, in Abuja.
The development is a follow up to Zabbey’s visit to the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area, where the project is funding a research to carry out the culturing of the bloody cockles.
Bloody cockles (Senilla senilis) are bivalve molluscs commonly found in muddy areas in the intertidal zone and are vital for sustaining the economy and livelihood of people living around coastal communities.
“Bloody cockle has a high nutritional value as it is a complete source of protein and contains high levels of essential amino acids of about (85 per cent to 95 per cent).
“Due to the spills in Ogoni and other human factors, cockles have become critically endangered and have been completely wiped out in most of its shoreline areas.’’
According to him, HYPREP aims to restore bloody cockles by artificially propagating them in the lab and reintroducing them to the Ogoni shoreline.
“Understanding the species’ reproductive biology is essential to determining the renewal capacity of natural stocks,’’ he said.
Zabbey said the initiative was in line with HYPREP’s mandate to restore the environment, including keystone species like the bloody cockle, oyster and other seafood in Ogoni creeks.
He said that the species of seafood had supported the livelihood of the people for centuries, particularly women and children.
The projector coordinator said that the adoption of culturing the bloody cockle at the moment was more sustainable given certain environmental conditions that could affect natural reproduction in large numbers as envisaged.
He expressed optimism that the effort would benefit both Ogoni and other coastal communities in the Niger Delta and beyond.
Zabbey expressed satisfaction over the early successes recorded in the research and said the visit was to encourage the team sustain the efforts to restock the bloody cockle.
He donated microscope and other items to enhance research at the centre and commended the Institute for the initial laboratory cultures which were successful.
The European Commission will soon present a plan for the EU’s complete abandonment of Russian fossil energy resources, spokesperson for climate action and energy, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, said on Monday, January 20, 2025.
European Commission spokesperson for climate action and energy, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen
“The roadmap to wean the European Union off Russian fossil fuels is being crafted.
“It was announced as something that the Energy Commissioner will present within the first hundred days.
“There is still presence of Russian gas in the EU market, and this is something that we rather not see, and this is one of the issues that will be addressed in this roadmap.
“Roadmap framework for moving away from Russian fossil fuels that it will be presented in the coming weeks,’’ Itkonen told reporters.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Ebonyi has launched a campaign against the use of harmful chemicals in food preservation, urging foodstuff dealers in the state to avoid this dangerous practice.
NOA, food stuff dealers during the awareness campaign
Mr. Theophilus Nwokpor, the State Director of the Agency, made the remark on Monday, January 20, 2025, in Abakaliki during an awareness campaign on the use of toxic chemicals for food preservation.
Nwokpor emphasised the serious health risks associated with these chemicals, warning food dealers to refrain from using them.
He pointed out that while the harmful effects of such chemicals may not be immediately apparent, continuous consumption of food preserved with them could lead to serious health issues in the future, including terminal ailments.
He encouraged traders and grain dealers to stop using chemicals to preserve and store grains and instead adopt traditional, safer methods of food preservation.
“We are sensitising traders to the dangers of preserving foods with harmful chemicals. As grain dealers, especially wholesalers who supply markets within and outside the state, you must be cautious.
“The effects of these chemicals are detrimental to health. We cannot compromise human health for material gain.
“Our responsibility is to provide food that nourishes and sustains life, not one that endangers it,” Nwokpor said.
Mr Emeka Orajaka, the State Coordinator of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), also warned against the use of such chemicals.
Represented by Mr Obinna Okonkwo, Principal Regulatory Officer of NAFDAC, Orajaka stated that offenders would face legal action.
He also highlighted that innocent consumers have lost their lives due to food preservation with dangerous chemicals.
Mr Francis Nworie, Secretary of the Foodstuffs Dealers Association, called on the government to reduce the price of special storage bags, known as “Purdue Improved Crop Storage Bags,” from N3,000 to N500 to encourage compliance with safer practices.
In support, Mr Chidi Oduma, Chairman of the Association, emphasised that reducing the price of these bags would encourage food safety and help control harmful food preservation practices.
Oduma also commended the organisers of the programme for addressing this critical issue.
The event included an interactive session with traders and an inspection of food storage practices by officials.
Kwara State Government has directed the temporary closure of forests in the state in order to facilitate the natural regeneration of the forests which had been severely impacted by human interference.
Kwara State Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Buge
This is contained in a statement signed by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Shakirat Muritala, on Monday, January 20, 2025, in Ilorin, the state capital.
The directive was issued after a top management meeting of the Ministry of Environment, Chaired by the Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Buge.
The Commissioner said that the temporary closure was a necessary step to protect the environment and public health.
“Apart from illegal tree-falling for charcoal production, the saw millers also cause distortion by cutting various kinds of trees without regard for regeneration process thereby disrupting the ecosystem.
“The closure will also ensure implementation of laid down procedures for reforestation.
“The Forestry Directorate will partner with stakeholders for various levels of engagements to restore normalcy and ensure that forests were not depleted without regard,” she said.
Buge implored members of the public who deal in forestry related products to cooperate with the Ministry and entrench compliance with laws of the state and restrictions during the period of closure.
She warned that anyone who contravened the directive would face penalties in accordance with the law.
