WordPress

Category: Environment

  • World environment day:FG inaugurates climate justice ambassadors

    World environment day:FG inaugurates climate justice ambassadors
    Inauguration
    By Felicia Imohimi
    Abuja, June 5,2024 (NAN)The Federal Government has inaugurated Climate Justice Youth Ambassadors (CJYA) as part of activities to commemorate the World Environment day.
    CJYA is an initiative of  Oxfam Nigeria geared towards promotion of sustainable environment.
    The Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Lawal while  inaugurating the ambassadors on Wednesday in Abuja,  lauded Oxfam for mobilising youth to be vanguard of  environmental protection.
    He said that the  constitution of the  ambassadors was a great progress in the nation’s efforts to ensure environmental sustainability.
    Lawal said that environmental protection was not the responsibility of the Federal Government and States alone,  but for all and sundry.
    “We need to continue to propagate the issue of climate justice from big cities like Kano, Lagos Port Harcourt among others who are major polluters of the environment.
    “We in the ministry are on it and we need to fight for climate justice at all levels.
    “l assured Oxfam that the ministry will continue to support and provide all that is required to achieve climate justice across board to ensure sustainable environment for our future generations,”he said
    Kenneth Akpan, Climate Justice Project Coordinator, Oxfam Nigeria said the organisation through the African Activist for Climate Justice (AACI) Project, has deepened its engagements towards ending poverty.
    Akpan said the vulnerable populace includes  women, youths and persons with disability in the face of climate reality and injustice.
    He said the climate justice  ambassadors was borne out of the AACI project to tap into the strength,  and capacity of  youths as solution bearers to the country’s climate challenges.
    According to him, it is also to support the government as foot soldiers to deepen and carry out governments drive to solve the global climate crises at the grassroot, local, states, national among others.
    “The mission is to see how Nigerian youths can become global leaders and reference point to the global climate crisis starting from home.
    “We have encouraged them to take charge as climate activists,  leaders of tomorrow in climate space.
    “Among these ambassadors are youth that are converting plastic into interlocking tiles,  youth that are taking care of Jabi Lake by removing water hyacinth and recycling it and others.
    ” They have come up with climate gain that children can play and improve their knowledge on climate action, “he said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Environment Day is commemorated annually on June 5 with the theme ” Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience”.
    Event to mark the day was a quiz competition by Government Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) Wuse, Maitama and Jabi.
    JSS Jabi emerged winner, JSS Wuse came second while Maitama came third. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FUA/JPE
    =======
    Edited by Joseph Edeh

  • Kano govt to plant 3m trees to tackle climate change

    Kano govt to plant 3m trees to tackle climate change

    Trees

    By Muhammad Nur Tijani

    Kano, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Kano State Government says it has concluded plans to plant three million tree seedlings to mitigate the effects of climate change.

    Alhaji Nasiru Garo, the state’s Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday, to mark the 2024 World Environment Day.

    “We were able to plant one million trees last year and we are planning to plant three million more this year, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders like ACReSAL, NGOs, individuals and organised private sector,” he said

    Garo, who decried the activities of illegal loggers in the state, said tree felling generally has negative effects on the ecosystem.

     

    The commissioner urged people of the state to imbibe the culture of keeping their environment clean and always avoid felling of trees.

    He explained that government would continue to sensitise people, using the media, on best practices of protecting the environment through tree planting.

    Garo, however, called on individuals and organisations to plant plenty trees and flowers to help save the environment.

    According to him, the state government has sustained clearance exercise of drains and drainages across the eight metropolitan local government areas to prevent flooding.

    The commissioner, therefore, warned the people to desist from indiscriminate waste disposal and commit to clearing their drains to avert flooding.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5.

    The theme for the 2024 commemoration is “Land restoration, stopping desertification and building drought resilience”. (NAN) (www. nannews.ng)

    MNT/AAA/FAA

    ===========

    Edited by Aisha Ahmed/Folasade Adeniran

  • Climate Change: HYPPADEC to plant 1 million tress in Plateau 

    Climate Change: HYPPADEC to plant 1 million tress in Plateau
    Trees
    By Polycarp Auta
    Barkin-Ladi (Plateau State), June 5, 2024 (NAN) The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYYPADEC) has pledged to plant one million economic trees to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation in Plateau.
    The Managing Director of the commission, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, made the pledge at an event it organised to commemorate the 2024 World Environment Day (WED) on Wednesday in Barkin-Ladi.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WED is celebrated every year on June 5 to raise awareness and call for actions to protect the environment.
    The global observance day has “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience” as the theme for 2024.
    According to the N-HYYPADEC boss, the commission believes tree planting will aid in restoring degraded land and support renewal of energy sources.
    Sadiq also said that the move would  improve soil fertility and create new sustainable sources of income for communities, noting that tree planting would be extended to other hydroelectric power producing states.
    The managing director, who decried dam overflows which displaced million of Nigerians, expressed the commission’s commitment toward addressing ecological problems and dam overflows in the country.
    He said “dam overflows have led to deadly floods that displaced millions of
    Nigerians, as the deadly incidents of flood and erosion that destabilised the country about two years ago is still fresh on our minds.
    “In addition to the effects of dams’ overflow, changes in vegetation contribute to desertification and other ecological challenges.
    “This is why we are launching an ambitious project to establish a community tree nursery with the capacity to produce one million seedlings of indigenous economic trees.
    “The initiative is to promote agroforestry practices, enhance biodiversity and support the livelihoods of local communities across the N-HYPPADEC states.”
    Earlier, Mr Peter Gwom, the Plateau Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Minerals Development, thanked N-HYPPADEC for the gesture, insisting that all hands must be on deck toward tackling climate change.
    Gwom said that the state government would soon domesticate the climate change policy enacted by the Federal Government.
    “We want to have an act that will enable us to have 10-year environmental plan on the Plateau.
    ”It will enable the state to have a direction on how to deal with environmental issues,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    AZA/HA
    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

  • Kaduna: SURWASH seeks synergy with media to ensure sustainability 

    Kaduna: SURWASH seeks synergy with media to ensure sustainability
    By Stella Kabruk
    Project
    Kaduna, June 5,2024(NAN) The Kaduna State Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene (KD- SURWASH) has sought the collaboration of the media organisations in the state to ensure the sustainability of its projects..
    Its State Communications Officer, Affiong Edim spoke on Wedesdayn in Kaduna during a media lunch with Heads of Media Organisations and Directors of Programmes.
    She said the aim of the lunch was to build and maintain cordial relationships with media workers in the state with a view to achieving effective reportage for the benefit of the citizens in the state.
    Edim said the role  of the media in any society cannot be over emphasized as they were a very important vehicle to drive  messages and deliver them to the citizenry.
    She said SURWASH, as a developmental programme has the major objective to increase access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
    According to her, it also aims to strengthen sector institutions in two result-areas in the seven participating states that include Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina and Plateau.
    Edim said, “The strategy aims to ensure that all Nigerians have access to sustainable and safely managed WASH services by 2030, in compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6.1 for water and 6-2 for sanitation.
    “This is achievable with the use of two financing instruments: Investment Project Financing (IPF) for capacity improvements and Programme for Result (PforR), which will drive results generation.
    ” ​For us in Kaduna State we have commenced the first phase of construction in health centres and schools.”
    She stated that preparation to commence construction work in communities and other institutions across the implementing local government areas was ongoing.
    Edim said, “With this development, we need our people to utilize these facilities, not just utilizing but judiciously utilizing, take ownership and ensure they are sustained. “
    Also speaking, the state Coordinator of the project, Mr Esau  Ambinjah, said SURWASH was a World-Bank supported programme.
    He said that it was a transformational step towards achieving Nigeria’s goal to ensure that all Nigerians have access to sustainable and safely managed WASH services.
    According to him this will be as enshrined in the National Action Plan of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
    ​
    Ambinjah said SURWASH has introduced a result-based approach that simultaneously incentivizes establishing and operationalizing key policies, regulations and institutional reforms.
    This, he said, was required for improved sector performance alongside the necessary infrastructure construction and rehabilitation.
    “The programme uses two financing instruments namely:  Investment Project Financing (IPF) for capacity improvements and sector strengthening and Programme for Result (PforR).
    ”Which will drive results generation under various Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) after verification by an independent Verification Agents (IVA).
    ” The programme became effective on 14th January 2022 with an implementation period of six years,” he said
    According to  Ambinjah,  the  development objective of the programme was to increase access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
    He added,”And to strengthen sector institutions in ttwo result areas in the seven participating states of Nigeria (Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina and Plateau.
    “The strategy aims to ensure that all Nigerians have access to sustainable and safely managed WASH services by 2030, in compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6.1 for water and 6-2 for sanitation.”
    The coordinator said following the commencement of the programme in the state ,all the 23 local government areas were requested to submit their expression of interest (EoI) to participate in it line with the selection criteria of the World Bank.
    Ambinjah said,, ”All the LGAs submitted their EoIs and they were appraised in line with the selection criteria and six LGAs came up with the highest scores and emerged winners
    ”’The pilot LGAs are Chikun, Igabi,Jaba, Jema’a,Sabon Gari and  Soba.”
    He listed the expected results at the end of the programme, including  the estimated numbers of beneficiaries under the programme/
    He said, ”There are 6,100,000 people to be  provided with basic drinking water services. 1,400,000 people were provided with access to improved sanitation services.
    ”Others are 500 an open defecation free- verified communities,  2,000 schools and health care facilities to be provided  with improved WASH services.”
    In his remarks, the  Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure, Ibrahim Hamza, said the programme was all  about ensuring sustainability.
    Represented by the Permanent Secretary,Ashiru Abdul, Hamza assured of the state government’s commitment for the sustainability of the project.
    He said, ” If the programme is successful, everything will be fine because health is wealth.
    ” We are giving 100 per cent support to ensure the success of the project in the state as we give attention to health,water and sanitation and hygiene.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    KSS/BRM
    =============
    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mzni

  • 2024 World Environmental Day:UNICEF, Sokoto Govt. inaugurate climate change committee

    2024 World Environmental Day:UNICEF, Sokoto Govt. inaugurate climate change committee

    Environment
    By Habibu Harisu
    Sokoto, June 5, 2024 (NAN) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) partnered Sokoto State Government to establish a technical committee on climate change and environmental issues in the state.
    The committee members, led by Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Nura Tangaza, along with other dignitaries also launched the plantation of one million trees to mark the 2024 World Environment Day (WED).
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WED is celebrated annually on June 5 to raise  awareness and call for action for the protection of the environment.
    Inaugurating the committee on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Yusuf Maccido, commended UNICEF for the support and pledged maximum support for the committee to succeed.
    Maccido described the effects of climate change as devastating to human and environmental progress, stressing the need for collective efforts in tackling the menace.
    The Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Nura Tangaza, said the committee would assist
    the state government on desirable actions and policies at all levels.
    Tangaza said the committee would also assist the government in addressing the endangered desertification, drought resilience, land restoration programmes, climate change and others.
    According to him, the committee will ensure enlightenment campaigns against dangerous human actions, climate change mitigations and tree plantation, as well as nursing across the state.
    Tangaza said the ministry had earmarked one million trees for schools, institutions, reserves and streets across the state this year.
    He noted that 70 per cent of the trees are economic trees, in recognition of their dual importance to  human lives and urged residents to support the ministry in nursing the trees.
    In his address, UNICEF Wash Officer, Mr Ebri Ibor, underscored the importance of environmental conservation and assured the fund’s support, describing the committee’s inauguration as a landmark achievement.
    Ibor enjoined the committee members to live up to their expectations and channel their findings, suggestings, recommendations to the appropriate places for prompt actions.
    NAN reports that Ibrahim Dankani and Dr Abubakar Gumi from Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto delivered lectures on environmental challenges, drought resilience and desertification.
    The commissioner for environment launched tree planting campaign at Sultan Maccido Institute of Islamic Studies and premises of Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps NSCDC (NSCDC), Sokoto Command.
    The event witnessed students planting trees at allocated spaces, while Mr Aliyu Gandi, a Deputy State Commandant of NSCDC, assured that tree planted in their headquarters would adequately be protected and nursed. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    HMH/HA
    ========
    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

  • HOMEF seeks state of emergency on environment

    Environment

    By Nathan Nwakamma

    Yenagoa, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), an ecology advocacy group, has urged the Federal Government to urgently declare a state of emergency on the environment.

    Executive Director, HOMEF,  Dr Nnimmo Bassey, made the call on Wednesday in a statement to commemorate the 2024 World Environment Day (WED).

    Bassey said that the 2024 World Environment Day was dedicated to communities whose lands and livelihoods had been lost to extractivism and pollution.

    The theme for 2024 WED is “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience.’’

    According to Bassey, this year’s celebration urges us to reflect on stewardship duty towards the nature, environment and all living beings rather than continuing with a predatory and destructive relationships that negate collective well-being.

    He urged that steps must be taken to halt deforestation, biodiversity erosion and land degradation, adding that without serious climate action humanity would remain on a downward spiral to multiple crises that were already plaguing the world.

    “Today is a good time for reflection and a change of direction.”

    Bassey said that the 2024 WED offered Nigeria a template for socioeconomic and environmental reexamination and action.

    He explained that parts of Africa were ravaged by environmental degradation, water stress and drought as Nigeria was particularly affected by desertification and other ecological harms.

    “As we celebrate World Environment Day, we remind ourselves that our environment has been plagued with destructive activities especially through resource extraction and poor land-use changes.

    “Nigeria needs an emergency environmental restoration plan across board as the only way to build resilience and ensure a safe future.

    “This is our duty to ourselves and to future generations and immediate steps should be taken by the Nigerian government to ensure the proper clean-up of polluted lands, restoration of same and payment of compensation for damage suffered.

    “We must wake up from the futile dream that the earth can be recklessly exploited without dire consequences.

    “We need to understand that the generous gifts of Nature must be handled with gratitude and care.

    “We are living witnesses to the crimes committed in mining communities, oil fields and conflict zones.

    “We must protect our biodiversity; reject species-eroding genetic modifications of all sorts and support harmonious relationships with Nature.”

    Bassey said that the WED was an important day for governments to resolve to ensure that communities were fully informed, consulted and their consent received before projects that impacted of the environment were designed or implemented.

    According to him, it must never be forgotten that these communities continuously tackle the impacts of the multidimensional ecological crisis in their unsupported and vulnerable state and deserve to be protected.

    “We should transformatively change our policies and choices to live sustainably in harmony with nature; with the complete understanding that the planet is our only home and that her resources are finite,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    NN/CJ/

    =======

    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

  • Climate change: NGO establishes ‘Eco Heroes club’ in Abuja school 

     

    Climate

    By Funmilayo Adeyemi

    Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN) The Ecolife Conservative Initiative, an NGO, has established an ‘Eco Heroes Club’ at the VineCare Schools, Abuja, to mitigate the effect of climate change.

    The Executive Director of the initiative, Mr Chibuzor Akubuike, spoke during the event in commemoration of the World Environment Day on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said the club was necessary to train children how to protect their environment.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5 annually, with the aim of raising awareness on the need to fight global warming and climate change.

    The 2024 theme is tagged “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.’’

    According to Akubuike, the club will take up the ‘zero litter campaign’, presently at the VineCare Schools to other schools in Abuja and across the country.

    “The campaign is aimed at building an army of students that will be aware of the need to take care of the environment to mitigate the effect of climate change,’’ he said.

    Also, the Head of Basic School, VineCare Schools, Mr Taiwo Odanaogun, said the hands-on experiences received by the students played significant role in preserving the country’s natural resources.

    Odanaogun said that all hands must be on deck especially educators, to instill in the young minds the values of environmental stewardship and sustainable living.

    “Our ‘Eco Heroes: Zero Litter Campaign’ is a testament to our commitment to creating a cleaner and greener future.

    “Through this campaign, we aim to empower our pupils to take active roles in reducing litter, recycling and participating in tree planting activities.

    “These actions, although small, have a profound impact on our environment,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Guest Speaker, Mr Absalom Jimba, charged the young Eco heroes to take responsibilities as their collective efforts were powerful steps to a cleaner and greener world.

    “The theme reminds us of the vital role we play in protecting our environment. Littering only not tarnishes our beautiful surroundings but also harms wildlife and pollutes our water and soil.

    “Each piece of litter we see is a small reminder of the impact human actions have on our planet,” he said.

    NAN also report that the commemoration featured tree planting exercise by the initiative and students of VineCare Schools as well as presentation of recyclables, non-recyclables and organic waste baskets to the school. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    FAK/CJ/

    =======

    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

  • WED: NGO distributes tree seedlings to 400 residents in Zaria

  • Stakeholders advocate tree planting to mitigate effects of climate change

    Tree

    By Angela Atabo

    Abuja, June 5, 2024(NAN)Save the Children International (SCI), an NGO, alongside other stakeholders in the environmental sector, says there is need to imbibe the culture of tree planting to mitigate the effects of climate change.

    They stakeholders made the call at the Climate and Sensitisation Activity and Tree planting exercise to celebrate the World Environment Day on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The programme was organised by SCI Nigeria under its Children’s Generation Hope Campaign, in partnership with Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), at Junior Secondary School ,Piwoyi Community, FCT.

    According to Mr Ifedilichukwu Innocent, Advocacy Campaign Policy Manager, SCI, the effect of climate change is on the rise and children bear the brunt of it most.

    Innocent said that as a child-centred organisation, SCI designed its programmes around health, nutrition, livelihood, climate change and others and works towards protecting children.

    “We are happy as an organisation to be part of this year’s tree planting working with government and other stakeholders.

    “We are using this opportunity to also encourage school children to also be part of the tree planting.

    “What that is doing is helping them to know is that they have to work hard to safeguard the environment.

    “So we are happy that the children are adding their voices and participating in planting these trees,” he said.

    Innocent said that there were lots of benefits associated with tree planting ranging from health to economic, among others.

    He added that the action informed children about their environment and helped them to work towards safeguarding it.

    Innocent encouraged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of tree planting to promote green environment and tackle climate change.

    Ms Rebecca Mamven, Deputy Director Environmental Management Department, AEPB,  said the theme for 2024 World Environment Day was “Land Restoration, Rehabilitation and Drought Resilience.”

    Mamven explained that AEPB’s purpose was to sensitise communities to seeks ways to restore the land back from degradation and stop desertification.

    She added that the board was also working to promote drought resilience with planting of different types of trees and plants.

    “In the north especially, we experience drought a lot; so, we are here to celebrate this day with our children and to teach them how to address these things,” she said.

    Mrs Pauline Nwagugu, Deputy Director, Education and Principal, Junior Secondary school Piwoyi, commended the stakeholders for bringing the tree planting project to the school.

    Nwagugu said she was a lover of green environment and had been plating tress in the school since she was transferred there.

    She, however, expressed gratitude that the students were being carried along to promote green environment and assured the group of the school’s commitment to sustaining the project.

    The Chief of Piwoyi, Tanko Bahago, said the idea of planting trees in communities and schools was a welcome development.

    Tanko said that the community had plans to plant trees around but was waiting for the rainy season to do that.

    “By planting trees on this day, we actively contribute to the preservation of our environment and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come,’’ he said.

    He thanked the stakeholders for the initiative and for remembering his community for such a laudable project.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng

    ATAB/CJ/

    ======

    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

  • 1 dead, others injured, trapped in Niger mining site collapse

    Mining
    By Rita Iliya
    Minna, June 4, 2024 (NAN) A mining site has collapsed in Galkogo village of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger, killing one person and trapping more than 30 persons, the state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has said.

    “One person had been confirmed death, six persons rescued with severe injuries while more than 30 people were still being trapped,” the agency said.

    The Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, said in Minna on Tuesday that the incident occurred on June 3.

    He said that the agency received report of a mining site collapse at Galkogo village of Shiroro.

    Baba-Arah said that the cause of the mining site collapsed was as a result of heavy rainfall impacts on the soil.

    He expressed concerns that the rescuers ran for safety from the site because the site kept falling.

    He also noted that the agency had yet to get full details on rescue operations due to insecurity in the area.

    He, however, said that excavators had been deployed to the site for the rescue operations.

    The director-general also said that the agency received report of persistent bandit attacks in Shiroro and Mashegu local government areas of the state.

    He said that the bandits reportedly attacked Adogo Malam village on June 2 and kidnapped six persons.

    He also said that the suspected bandits kidnapped more than 20 people and stole many cattles in Tunga Kawo, an adjoining community from Erena.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    RIS/KAY
    ======
    Edited by Kayode Olaitan