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Floods: SERAP urges Tinubu to probe how Borno spent billions in ecological funds

Michael Simire
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Floods: SERAP urges Tinubu to probe how Borno spent billions in ecological funds

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to “direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly investigate the spending of the billions of naira of Ecological Fund collected by Borno State since 2001, including the N816 million collected by the state between January 2024 and June 2024.”

Governor Babagana Zulum
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State

SERAP said, “Suspected perpetrators of allegations of corruption and mismanagement of ecological funds should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any proceeds of corruption should be fully recovered.”

SERAP also urged him to “direct Mr Fagbemi and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to urgently identify and ensure access to justice and effective remedies to affected victims in Borno state.”

SERAP urged him to “direct Mr George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to work with appropriate anticorruption agencies to track and monitor the spending of Ecological Fund by the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, 36 state governors, the 774 local government areas, as well as all emergency management agencies across the country funded through the Ecological Fund.”

In the letter dated September 21, 2024, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Your government has a legal obligation to address the prevalence of flooding across the country and its effect on people, and to ensure that the money meant to stop the floods is not lost to corruption.”

SERAP said, “There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice for the victims of Borno’s flood victims, and accountability for the spending of the monthly ecological funds collected by the state through the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).”

The letter reads in part: “Although ecological funds are shared across the three tiers of government, and emergency management agencies, the funds are managed and supervised by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“The devastation in Borno highlights your government’s obligation to promote and ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of ecological funds by all tiers of government and emergency management agencies.

“SERAP notes that Borno state receives millions of naira monthly through the Federal Allocation Committee as shares from the Ecological Fund.

“Other states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja also monthly receive funds from the Ecological Fund. According to reports, trillions of naira have over the years been budgeted through the Ecological Fund to tackle floods and other ecological problems.

“SERAP is concerned that the ecological funds collected by Borno state over the years may have been diverted, mismanaged or unaccounted.

“SERAP is also concerned about reports that the funds released to the states for ecological projects are characterised by mismanagement, diversion of funds, substandard and abandoned projects fully paid for.

“Ecological funds have also been allegedly spent for other purposes such as election campaigns and political patronage.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.

“Your government has legal obligations to ensure protection of the rights of flood victims in Borno and elsewhere in the country, including the obligation to ensure they receive adequate food, shelter, safe drinking water, access to sanitation and other basic aid.

“Your government must use all means available to it to prevent and address the threats to human rights that result from climate change and to provide access to remedies when these rights are violated.

“According to reports, the recent floods in Borno started when a dam (the Alau Dam in Maiduguri) burst its walls following heavy rainfall. More than 30 people have reportedly been killed by the floods.

“About one million people have been affected, most of whom are housed in camps without food and clean water. The According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 229 people have been killed by floods in Nigeria since the start of the year. The worst flooding in recent times killed 600 people in 2022.

“According to a four-year audit of the Ecological Fund Office carried out by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, the total amount allocated and received by the fund from December 2011 to November 2016 was N277 billion.

“The operations of the Fund from 2012 to 2016 reportedly showed that some of the disbursements were not utilised for the purpose for which it was established. During these periods, N74,170,932,645.20 was released to State Governments to solve ecological problems in their states.

“SERAP notes that the Ecological Fund was established in 1981 to respond to and address serious ecological problems such as soil erosion, flooding, drought, desertification, oil spillage, general environmental pollution, and related issues, as well as prevent suffering and possible death from these natural disasters.

“As the floods in Borno State have shown, the lack of transparency and accountability in the management of ecological funds by states and the resulting human costs directly threaten fundamental human rights – rights to life, to food, to a place to live and work – rights that your government has an obligation to protect.

“Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and the human rights and anticorruption treaties to which the country is a state party impose obligations on your government to probe and prosecute allegations of corruption in the spending of Ecological Fund, and to ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims of flooding.

“Corruption and mismanagement of the fund have caused negative human health impacts and rendered already impoverished citizens incapable of satisfying their minimum needs for survival.

“The failure of successive governments and high-ranking government officials to prevent corruption in the spending of Ecological Fund has hugely contributed to the inability of authorities at all levels to address ecological challenges, and the impact of flooding across the country.

“We note that while a governor may enjoy immunity from arrest and prosecution, he does not enjoy immunity from investigation. Any criminal allegation against a sitting governor can and should be investigated pending the time the governor leaves office and loses immunity.

“The findings of such an investigation can also be the basis for initiating impeachment proceedings against the governor.”

AFSAA commits $100m in funding proposals to food security in Africa

Michael Simire
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AFSAA commits $100m in funding proposals to food security in Africa

The Alliance for Food Security Action in Africa (AFSAA) has announced a commitment to a $100 million in funding proposals dedicated to addressing food security challenges in Africa.

AFSAA
Delegates at the AFSAA food security investment summit at UNGA79 in New York

The announcement was made at a food security investment summit, a side event at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, focused on urgent strategies to combat food insecurity across the African continent. The summit brought together leaders from various sectors, including state players, global development partners, and civil society organisations, to discuss collective and collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing food security and resilience in Africa.

Speaking at the high-profile event, the Chairman of AFSAA, Dr. Paul Abolo, announced a commitment to a $100 million in funding proposals dedicated to addressing food security challenges in Africa, strategically aligned with the upcoming COP29 climate conference. The proposals aim at mobilising resources that will support sustainable agricultural practices, improve food preservation and distribution systems, as well as enhance local capacities in Africa.

Dr. Paul Abolo added that AFSAA’s commitment comes at a perilous time when millions of people across Africa face acute food shortages due to conflicts, economic instability, and climate-related disasters. The AFSAA Chairman said that the vow follows the increased global funding pledges and promises to address global food security challenges such as the World Bank’s $45 billion global financing for operational engagement to increase food and nutrition security (FNS) which includes $13.20 billion for West and Central Africa.

In his presentation, AFSAA’s Director for Strategic Finance, Paul Stevers, stated: “By facilitating investments and funding in innovative agricultural technologies and practices, AFSAA seeks to empower farmers and local businesses while ensuring that food is accessible and affordable across the African continent.”

The side event featured keynote speeches and goodwill messages from top-notch global financiers and investors as well as development specialists who emphasised the importance of collaboration between developed and developing nations among themselves.

Concept notes for augmented agricultural production and improved food security measures were presented to emerging and established agro-allied professionals and participants underscored how the need to achieve sustainable development goals related to zero hunger requires collective and collaborative action.

All the participants present also demonstrated how shared responsibility among governments, NGOs, private sector, stakeholders, and local communities. AFSAA as a global body, reiterated its commitment to addressing food insecurity in Africa through first-rate and first- class strategies for innovation and investments.

Advancing sustainable agriculture: Stakeholders unite for organic, agroecological farming

Michael Simire
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Advancing sustainable agriculture: Stakeholders unite for organic, agroecological farming

On September 19, 2024, a significant gathering took place at the Bolton White Hotel in Abuja, where key stakeholders convened for the National Stakeholders Workshop on Organic Agriculture and Agroecological Farming in Nigeria.

Agroecology
Participants at the National Stakeholders Workshop on Organic Agriculture and Agroecological Farming in Nigeria, held in Abuja

This event was organised by the Heinrich Böll Foundation in collaboration with the Alliance for Action on Pesticides in Nigeria (AAPN), ActionAid Nigeria, and the Organic and Agroecology Initiative (ORAIN). It aimed to build upon the momentum generated by an earlier workshop held in June, addressing critical issues facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector while promoting sustainable practices that enhance food security and environmental health.

The workshop highlighted the pressing challenges within Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, which contributes significantly to the nation’s GDP and employs a substantial portion of the population. Despite its importance, the sector grapples with various issues, including a heavy reliance on conventional farming methods that have led to soil degradation and reduced biodiversity.

The introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has raised concerns about public health risks, threats to sovereignty, food control and environmental impacts, while the widespread use of synthetic pesticides threatens both human health and local ecosystems. Furthermore, Nigeria’s agricultural products often face rejection in international markets due to non-compliance with safety standards, underscoring the urgent need for improved agricultural practices that align with global safety regulations.

Climate vulnerability looms large over Nigeria’s agriculture, as the sector heavily depends on rain-fed systems, making it susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change such as droughts and flooding. With less than 1% of cultivated land under irrigation, farmers are increasingly at risk of losing their livelihoods to erratic weather patterns. Insecurity has further compounded these challenges, disrupting farming activities and forcing many farmers to abandon their lands. Additionally, post-harvest losses remain alarmingly high – estimated at around 50% for fruits and vegetables – due to inadequate storage and processing facilities.

The workshop underscored the importance of organic agriculture and agroecology as pivotal solutions for achieving food security in Nigeria and environmental restoration. The National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) for 2022-2027 emphasises organic agriculture’s role in enhancing food security through resilient local food production systems. These practices not only support biodiversity conservation but also promote better health outcomes by providing chemical-free food options. The NATIP advocates for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) that include organic farming techniques aimed at increasing productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Mr. Ikenna Donald Ofoegbu from Heinrich Böll Foundation while sharing the above reality, addressed the economic challenges faced by farmers, emphasising that high food inflation and reliance on imported inputs hinder progress in organic farming and agroecology. He advocated for government intervention through financial support mechanisms such as low-interest loans and grants specifically tailored for farmers willing to transition to more sustainable nature-based farm methods. His remarks highlighted a consensus among participants regarding the necessity of supportive policies that facilitate access to resources for smallholder farmers.

Throughout the day, participants engaged actively, sharing insights and experiences that enriched discussions. Prof. Olugbenga O. AdeOluwa from the University of Ibadan presented compelling data on the current state of organic agriculture in Nigeria. He pointed out that despite its potential benefits, there is still a low level of adoption due to a lack of awareness among farmers about organic practices. His call for increased education and training resonated with many attendees who recognised that knowledge is crucial for transforming agricultural practices across the country.

Dr. Koffi Emmanuel Gle from ECOWAS echoed these sentiments, stressing that sustainable agriculture must be prioritised not only in Nigeria but across West Africa. He emphasised that agroecological practices are essential for supporting smallholder farmers who are often most affected by climate change impacts and economic instability. His commitment to promoting these practices through regional initiatives was met with enthusiasm from attendees who recognised the interconnectedness of agricultural challenges across borders.

The workshop also featured contributions from representatives of various farmer cooperatives and civil society groups who shared their success stories in adopting organic farming techniques. They spoke about how transitioning to agroecological practices not only improved their yields but also enhanced their market access as consumers increasingly demand organic products. Their testimonies served as powerful examples of how grassroots movements can drive change within local communities.

As discussions unfolded throughout the day, it became clear that organic agriculture and agroecology present significant opportunities for transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. These practices not only promote sustainable food production but also offer economic benefits by enabling farmers to access premium markets both locally and internationally. Moreover, they contribute to environmental preservation by reducing carbon footprints and enhancing ecosystem services.

A significant outcome of the workshop was the validation of Standards for Organic and Agroecological Farming in Nigeria. Participants engaged in thorough discussions that led to clear implementation strategies designed to support these standards across various agricultural practices throughout the country. This validation marks a critical step forward in establishing a framework that not only guides farmers but also aligns with global organic certification requirements.

In conclusion, the National Stakeholders Workshop served as a crucial platform for advancing organic agriculture and agroecology in Nigeria. The outcomes from this event are expected to shape future agricultural policies that align with sustainable development goals while mitigating the threats posed by conventional farming practices.

To realise these aspirations fully, it is imperative that all stakeholders commit to collaborative efforts aimed at implementing effective strategies that will ensure a resilient agricultural system capable of meeting the needs of Nigeria’s growing population while safeguarding its natural resources for future generations.

Zero waste: Stakeholders tasked on sustainable plastic waste management in Nigeria

Michael Simire
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Zero waste: Stakeholders tasked on sustainable plastic waste management in Nigeria

Green consumerism and behavioural change on the part of Nigerians are some of measures that need to be adopted in achieving secularity and, until we entrench these into our waste management systems, we are just scratching the surface.

Zero Waste
Participants at the SRADev Nigeria organised Zero Waste workshop in Lagos

Dr. Leslie Adogame, the Executive Director of Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria), made this submission at a two-day workshop that held from September 19 to 20, 2024, in Lagos. It was themed: “Advancing Capacity and Strengthening National Advocacy Towards Implementing a Zero Waste Initiative in Plastic Waste Management in Nigeria”.

Dr. Adogame said: “Presently in Nigeria, we consume like there is no tomorrow and we produce recklessly but if we can factor the basic element of waste reduction from source by producing and consuming only what you know you can manage, we are on the right path of achieving zero waste.

“We need to start producing only things we know we can recycle because we don’t have the capacity to invest in sanitary landfill.

“The economy is going down and investing in waste management such as the sanitary landfill is very huge, so invest more in behavioural change that will produce few wastes going to the dump site.”

The Executive Director of SRADev Nigeria went further: “You don’t need rocket science to manage waste. Go to the developed countries right from the doors you have bins where your food waste goes, your recyclable goes into a particular bin, then somebody comes to take it, and that recyclable they aggregated, and somebody else needs that waste, and they are just easily recycled around, and you don’t have waste all over.

“If you can conscientise and imbibe this will be on a path of sustainable waste management, and that is what we are trying to sell to the government, not to begin to look for businesses, MoU that will install an Incinerator that will not work beyond one or two years.

“And yet, billions of dollars would have been wasted on those things don’t work. Even developed countries where they have those facilities, it is a deception for you to say you want to do incineration in Nigeria in the year 2024. Just go simple: zero waste. Organic waste volume in Lagos is huge. Almost 60% of waste in Lagos is huge, and a lot of people can be employable through organic waste conversion.”

In his submission, Weyinmi Okotie, Clean Energy Campaigner, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), admitted that achieving zero plastic waste management is going to be lot of work and a lot is expected from all stakeholders in the industry.

Okotie said: “Plastic waste management is a systematic problem, so we have to look at it together from the holistic point of view, we can achieve zero plastic waste.

“In achieving zero plastic waste, first of all we need to understand the level we are right now, I know we have some data, but first of all, getting to all the data and then realising the scale of what we need to do.

“Lagos State Government should also shelve the idea of building a waste-to-energy incinerator because the moment you have such an incinerator, there will be no need for people to reduce waste, these are some of the factors that can militate against achieving zero plastic waste in Nigeria,” Okotie submitted.

In his remarks, Olugbenga Adebola, National President, Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), who is assertive about achieving zero plastic waste, opined that

with a whole lot of commitment on the part of way the people, the government, and every practitioner, the government indeed needs to take the lead.

Adebola recalled: “Over 20 years ago, as far back as 2002 me and some other few Nigerians, Lagosians in particular, were sent to Cairo, Egypt to go and understudy the Zero Waste initiative by a foreign organisation. We were sent to America also to understudy them, and we came back to Nigeria with a view to implementing it in Lagos in particular.

“However, we need a lot of political will. The political will is key, and I want to give it to Lagos State. Yes, Lagos State has been in the forefront. Given the political will, other states need to implement the Zero Waste Initiative, or the Zero Waste project would only start from the point of waste generation, where every waste generator must see their waste not as a waste, but as a resource.

“So, it is only when you see your waste as a resource that you now begin to package it in such a way that you do what we call segregation, where you sort your waste into different waste components such as plastic, paper, aluminium and all manners of waste. These are not going to be disposed of, they are expected to be exchanged for a resource. You are expected to get money out of it.

“Right now, I’m happy with where we have taken especially plastic waste to. The plastic right now is a scarce commodity in Nigeria, especially PET bottles. Everybody’s looking for PET bottles because it has attracted a lot of renumeration right now. So, the same thing with paper, the same thing with aluminium, the same thing with scrap metals. So, the only waste that you could say is not being used, is the organic waste.

“Currently, there are projects that are coming up where the organic waste will be converted into organic fertiliser, biogas, and bio ethanol, which they are going to be using to power even some of our trucks and some of our vehicles.

“And of course, the biogas that you are also going to have that we are expected to extract will also serve as a CNG that the federal government is talking about, and that is also, you know, implementing the federal government policy in reducing the reliance of fossil fuel like petrol and diesel and so on and so forth.”

On his part, Mr. Ade Babajide, Director, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, noted that, in achieving the aims of environmental sustainability, regulators, NGOs and other stakeholders need to collaborate more.

He said that the Lagos State Government has been doing a lot in the area of waste management one of which was the recent ban on styrofoam materials.

“The government banned the use of styrofoam across the state simply because it was constituting nuisance to the environment by blocking the drainages and the waterways leading to floodings, so we had no choice than to take that decision.”

Babajide, who represented the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, said: “Even till today and on a daily basis our Enforcement and Monitoring Team do go out to ensure that we rid the state of the menace.

“I can confirm to you that, as we speak, over 85% of styrofoam are gone and we are not relenting in haunting for it to ensure that it does not find its way back to the environment.”

Talking about converting organic waste to manure, Babajide said it that the Federal Ministry of Environment that is saying that synthetic fertiliser is destroying the soul recently approved a billion-dollar factory to be built in Lagos, that could have been encouraged to set up a multi-billion-dollar facility using organic waste to produce organic fertiliser, and the environment would have been better for it.

“I understand the synthetic fertiliser has more yield compared to the organic one, but we need to enlighten and educate our people on the benefit of one over the other. These are the issues we really need to look at and address head-on.”

The seminar organised by SRADev Nigeria under the auspices of Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) witnessed participants from Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Association of Wastepickers of Lagos (ASWOL), some selected schools and Oko-Ọba Estate GRA Scheme One, with online participants from Nipe Fagio (Tanzania), Adansonia Green (Senegal) Gayo and Local Government Official (Ghana), and End Plastic Pollution and Project Kollekt (Uganda), among others.

By Ajibola Adedoye

Vietnamese climate activist, Hoàng Thị Minh Hồng, released from prison

Michael Simire
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Vietnamese climate activist, Hoàng Thị Minh Hồng, released from prison

Imprisoned climate defender, Hoàng Thị Minh Hồng, was released in Vietnam on Saturday September 21, 2024, one year after she was sentenced in Ho Chi Minh City.

Hoàng Thi Minh Hồng
Hoàng Thi Minh Hồng

Hồng was arrested on May 31, 2023, and on September 28, 2023, charged with tax evasion and sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of 100 million VND. After serving one year of her three-year prison sentence, she is now safe with her family.

Since her arrest, 9,206 people from 55 countries have signed petitions and pressured officials to call for Hồng’s early release, standing in solidarity with all climate defenders.

“When Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years, he spoke these words: ‘Our march to freedom is irreversible. We must not allow fear to stand in our way.’ Hong has stood against that same fear, and we are delighted to have her back in our arms. Our joy is overflowing and our thanks bountiful for everyone who helped secure her freedom.”

350.org recognises that what has happened to Hồng is part of a broader pattern of repression against climate defenders in Vietnam.

“We stand in solidarity with other climate defenders who remain in prison in Vietnam, including Dang Dinh Bach and Bach Hung Duong. Our hearts are full of new hope and continuing solidarity for them.

“As we head into New York Climate Week, we as a global climate organisation urge all political leaders to secure the safety of all climate defenders across the globe. Hong is one among many inspiring climate defenders protecting all of our livelihoods and futures. They are fighting for all of us, against the power of fossil fuel corporations, who are willing to throw the entire planet into climate chaos for the sake of profit. Their fight is our fight. We are in this together,” said Liangyi Chang, 350.org Asia Managing Director.

At the age of 24, Hồng became the first Vietnamese person to visit Antarctica, and as one of the country’s most prominent women climate leaders established an affiliate organisation of 350.org. With its numerous accomplishments, the organisation played a pivotal role in phasing out the development and funding of fossil fuels in Vietnam and advocating for its transition to 100% renewable energy.

Hồng’s freedom has been described as a win for all people in Vietnam: she has been instrumental in educating the population about climate change and advocating for saying no to fossil fuels and building of community based renewable projects. As one of five countries most at risk from climate change, Vietnam is said to be positioned to benefit from such advocacy, and her arrest undermined Vietnam’s positive steps towards climate action.

Globally, climate leaders are facing increasing persecution, from the UK’s heavy-handed arrests of environmental blockaders, to the US violently arresting celloists during the “Summer of Heat” actions, to Colombians ongoing crackdown on Indigenous climate leaders.

“It is with overwhelming joy that we celebrate the early release of our dear friend, colleague, and courageous advocate, Hoàng Thi Minh Hồng. Her unwavering dedication to justice and her tireless work has inspired us all, and her courage fuelled our collective efforts to bring her home. Hồng believes in a better world, and today we are thankful to receive the news of her freedom; the world is much better for it.

“We are profoundly grateful to everyone who has stood with Hồng, amplified her voice and demanded justice for her. As we gather during Climate Week in New York, we honor Hồng’s courage and continue to champion the work of all climate defenders in Vietnam and their right to be free. Hồng’s release has demonstrated that hope and unity make an unstoppable force – when we come together, we cannot be silenced. Globally, we are witnessing a concerning pattern of persecution against climate leaders. We must rally together to protect these brave individuals, whose voices are not just a call for justice, but a lifeline for our shared future,” said Namrata Chowdhary, 350.org Head of Public Engagement.

Vietnam is a recipient of a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) agreement, a partnership designed to support the country’s rapid transition away from coal. The “Just” aspect of the agreement has been under fierce scrutiny from the climate movement, as Vietnam has continued to silence climate defenders and the meaningful participation of civil society in its implementation.

Hồng’s early release resembles the early releases of environmental leaders Mai Phan Loi and Nguy Thi Khanh, who were both released several months before their full sentences, also charged under “obscure” tax violations.

Subnational leaders call for greater action on fossil fuels from heads of state at UN Summit

Michael Simire
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Subnational leaders call for greater action on fossil fuels from heads of state at UN Summit

The United Nation’s Summit of the Future opens in New York on Sunday, September 22, 2024, and world leaders meeting there must take ambitious action on fossil fuel phaseout, says a letter signed by leaders of states, regions and cities from across the globe.

UN Headquarters
UN Headquarters, New York

At the end of August, governments reinstated a commitment to transition away from fossil fuels in the third revised draft of a new United Nations pact, after nearly 80 Nobel prize winners and former world leaders hit out at the removal of a specific mention of fossil fuels from an earlier revision.

The latest draft states: “We decide to reaffirm all elements of our call on parties to the Paris agreement in the UAE consensus to contribute to global efforts in a nationally determined manner, taking into account the Paris Agreement and their different national circumstances, pathways and approaches, as set out in in paragraph 28 of the UAE consensus…to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science.”

A letter from a group of 14 mayors, governors and subnational leaders from five continents, representing more than 40 million people, makes clear that heads of state must urgently take fossil fuels head on and without delay, stating: “… we must banish fossil fuels to the past and curb their undue influence in the present. We cannot and will not be fooled by the smoke and mirror tricks played by those who want us to sleepwalk into our own extinction.

“At a time when we need faster, fairer action, G20 nations continue to pour billions into fossil fuel subsidies. It’s time to stop propping up these polluting industries and use these funds to scale up local and equitable climate action instead.  This is the most effective way to cut emissions and will create a third more jobs than if we continue with business as usual.”

Organised by NGOs Climate Group and C40 Cities, the letter is being signed by the mayors Jaume Collboni (Barcelona, Spain); Michelle Wu (Boston, US);  Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr (Freetown, Sierra Leone),  Dr Eckart Würzner (Heidelberg, Germany); Giuseppe Sala (Milan, Italy); Valérie Plante (Montreal, Canada); LaToya Cantrell (New Orleans, US); and Anne Hidalgo (Paris, France) – and regional leaders Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy Thekla Walker (Baden-Württemberg, Germany); Governor Kim Tae-heum (Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea); Prince Bassey Edet Otu (Cross River State, Nigeria); Member of the Executive Council for Environment Sheila Mary Peters (Gauteng, South Africa); Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks Benoit Charette (Québec, Canada); and Governor Mauricio Kuri González (Querétaro, Mexico).

UN deputy chief urges world leaders to increase innovation amid global crises

Michael Simire
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UN deputy chief urges world leaders to increase innovation amid global crises

The UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, has emphasised the critical role world leaders could play in driving innovation and change as world leaders gather at the UN for the Summit of the Future and General Assembly High-Level Week.

Amina Mohammed
Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, Amina J. Muhammed

Mohammed said that solutions were needed as leaders gather during time of mounting crises and debt burdens in the Global South.

“You are called to provide solutions to people affected by climate chaos and the spectre of conflict and insecurity that ranges from full-blown war in your communities, to violent extremism, crime or violence against women,” Ms. Mohammed said.

With the deadline for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approaching in 2030, Mohammed warned that leaders are essential to getting progress “back on track.”

“We need your energy, initiatives and ideas more than ever to make the sustainable development goals real in people’s lives,” the deputy chief said.

She further stressed the need for leaders at a local level, including mayors, since 70 per cent of the world’s population is expected to live in cities by 2050.

Mohammed also noted that local leadership currently assists in driving transformative change by tackling the climate crisis, improving access to affordable energy and fostering more equitable communities, among other ways.

“We are seeing the dividends of your determination in breakthroughs to challenges once considered intractable,” Mohammed said.

Yet, “There is still much to be done.”

The UN Deputy chief urged urban leaders to continue the work that has contributed to global success while insisting on the need for more equitable and accessible service systems, and increased climate solutions for cities.

She further said: “We need an empowered local democracy with peace at its core; and we need more resilient communities with early warning systems for disaster prevention.”

Mohammed also called for leaders’ amplified ambition in achieving the SDGs to “deliver a world that is more prosperous, equal and sustainable for everyone, everywhere.”

By Cecilia Ologunagba

NNPCL, NLNG, FIRS, Delta, Lagos, JAMB, T-Pumpy, others partner GOCOP for 2024 conference

Michael Simire
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NNPCL, NLNG, FIRS, Delta, Lagos, JAMB, T-Pumpy, others partner GOCOP for 2024 conference

More partners are lining up for the eighth annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Delta State Government and Lagos State Government, as well as the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and T-Pumpy Concept Limited, coming strongly behind the forthcoming event holding in Kogi State capital, Lokoja.

NNPC
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr Mele Kyari

The 2024 Conference Planning Committee chairman, Danlami Nmodu, confirmed this in a press statement by GOCOP Publicity Secretary, Sir Remmy Nweke, recalling that the likes of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Emadeb Group and Dangote Group had earlier joined the train of partners for the event slated for Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the Reverton Hotel, GRA Lokoja, Kogi State.

Other partners, Nmodu noted, include the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Setraco Nigeria Limited, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Access Bank plc, Zenith Bank plc, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Fidelity Bank plc, Sovereign Trust Insurance plc (STI), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), to name but a few.

According to him, the eighth conference theme would focus on “Nigeria: Tackling Insecurity, Power Deficit, and Transitioning to Digital Economy”, with the former governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyle Imoke, delivering the lead paper as keynoter.

High spot of this 2024 conference, Nmodu said, would be the business luncheon with GOCOP partners on Wednesday, October 2, at the same venue, whereas the main conference, which is open for interested public, would hold on Thursday, October 3.

As said by Nmodu, the 8th edition has been confirmed to be chaired by the former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman, accompanied by the former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd), and the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, as Guest Speakers, just as the Professor of Political Science at the Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi, and an edutainment communicator and veteran broadcaster, Ms Debrah M. Ogazuma, would make up the panelists.

Nmodu recalled with excitement that GOCOP conference 2023 was chaired by the JAMB Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof Ishaq Olarenwaju Oloyede, while the first Nigerian Professor of Capital Market, Prof. Uchenna Joseph Uwaleke, was the keynote speaker.

Preceding speakers at the GOCOP annual conferences consist of Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, who in 2019 delivered a lecture on “Economy, Security and National Development: The Way Forward.”

In 2021, Mr. Boss Mustapha, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, keynoted the conference and spoke on: “Post Covid-19 Pandemic: Recovery and Reconstruction in Nigeria.”

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, delivered the keynote at the 2022 edition themed “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome.”

GOCOP was established to ensure that online publishers uphold the tenets of journalism.

Google introduces AI-powered tool for urban growth management, flood preparedness

Michael Simire
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Google introduces AI-powered tool for urban growth management, flood preparedness

Google has introduced Open Buildings 2.5D Temporal Dataset, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered tool to plan for urban growth management and flood preparedness across Africa.

Google
The Google AI tool can plan for urban growth management

Mr Abdoulaye Diack, the Programme Manager, Google Research Africa team, who said this in a statement in Lagos on Friday, September 20, 2024, said the Al-powered tool helped to plan for population growth, respond to crises, and understand urbanisation’s impact.

The Open Buildings 2.5D Temporal Dataset can track building changes. This includes estimates of building presence, counts, and heights, and works between 2016 and 2023.

Diack noted that the Open Buildings Project was an initiative to solve major issues of villages and towns in Africa that were not being on the map.

According to him, by 2050, the world’s urban population is expected to grow by 2.5 billion, with nearly 90 per cent of that growth happening in cities across Africa and Asia.

He added that, to keep up with this rapid urbanisation, governments, humanitarian organisations and researchers needed accurate information on buildings and infrastructure.

“This data helps to plan for future growth, respond to crises and ensure resources are distributed fairly but in many parts of Africa and the Global South, this vital information is outdated or simply unavailable.

“That is why Google launched the Open Buildings project in 2021. It started at the AI Research Lab in Accra, Ghana, and has helped map 1.8 billion buildings across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean about 40 per cent of the globe.

“This data has been used by governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and researchers to improve services and respond to disasters.

“Now, we are expanding this effort with the Open Buildings 2.5D Temporal Dataset, which does not just map buildings, it shows how they change over time and estimates their heights,’’ the Google official said.

According to him, governments and organisations can use this data in various ways such as flood preparedness.

“In flood prone areas, accurate data can help authorities predict which buildings and neighbourhoods are most at risk.

“The data can also be used for urban growth, in cities like Kumasi, Ghana, which has seen rapid expansion; this data allows city planners to better manage resources and infrastructure.

The programme manager said that it could also be used for disaster recovery.

According to him, in places like Palu, Indonesia, where a tsunami struck in 2018, this data showed how the built environment changed before and after the crisis, helping rebuild communities more effectively.

“It helps governments, humanitarian agencies, and researchers to ensure that everyone is counted and represented.

“With this new dataset, Goggle is giving these organisations better tools to plan for the future, respond to crises, and support communities in need,” he added.

By Stellamaris Ashinze

Nigeria, World Bank, AfDB collaborate on university electricity project

Michael Simire
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Nigeria, World Bank, AfDB collaborate on university electricity project

The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB), is working to provide electricity to selected universities and teaching hospitals.

Adebayo Adelabu
Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu

Mr Abba Aliyu, Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), said this on Friday, September 20, 2024, in Abuja at the Energising Education Programme  2024 Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum (SEF).

Aliyu stated that over $250 million had been spent on phases 1, 11 and 111 to deploy infrastructure, build distribution networks, upgrade substations, and meter connecting areas.

He highlighted the construction of world-class training centres for renewable energy.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, emphasised energy access as crucial for education, progress, and development.

Adelabu, represented by Mr Bem Ayangeaor, Assistant Director of Renewable and Rural Power Access, highlighted that electricity enabled schools to extend learning hours, utilise educational technology, and create safe and comfortable environments.

“This, in turn, boosts enrollment, improves academic performance, and enhances teacher-student productivity.

“The Energising Education Programme (EEP) was conceived to address electricity access issues in educational institutions.

“While many Nigerian universities are connected to the national grid, the consistency and quality of electricity supply vary greatly, especially in rural areas.

“Educational institutions face challenges in securing reliable and affordable electricity due to infrastructure limitations, financial constraints, and technical difficulties, hindering quality education and undermining the academic experience.”

However, Adelabu noted opportunities for innovation and collaboration through investing in renewable energy technologies, improving grid infrastructure, and promoting energy efficiency.

He stressed the importance of sustainability in unlocking the potential of energy access and education.

“To ensure continued impact, beneficiary institutions must take ownership of EEP projects and actively participate in their sustainability,” the minister said.

Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigerian Electrification Project (NEP) at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), emphasised the importance of collaboration and communication between REA and universities at a recent forum.

He said the event brought together vice chancellors, chief medical directors, directors of physical planning/works, legal officers from Energising Education Programme (EEP) universities, and other key stakeholders to discuss ways forward on the projects.

He said the forum aimed to address concerns surrounding EEP Phase I, focusing on urgent interventions to enhance the sustainability of power plants deployed during this phase.

He said EEP inaugurated in 2018 sought to provide reliable power supply to 37 federal universities and seven affiliated teaching hospitals nationwide.

“These institutions are being equipped with solar hybrid power plants, capable of generating over 100 Megawatts (MW) of clean energy.”

Some of the benefitting universities said that the project would assist in ensuring steady power supply.

Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, expressed relief over the arrival of a new energy project, stating that energy issues had long plagued Nigerian universities.

He emphasised that, for the project to be sustainable, schools must take ownership.

“The coming of this project is a relief,” Ndaeyo said.

Also, Mrs Ruksiyatu Ahmed, Director of the Physical Planning Unit at Modibo Adamawa University in Yola, said the project’s timing couldn’t be better and its importance can’t be overstated.

“Coming up with a sustainable way of getting energy is crucial.

“We’re grateful to those who conceived this idea and made it a reality,” Ahmed noted.

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and beneficiary universities have signed a collaborative agreement to ensure the sustainability of the projects.

By Constance Athekame

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