News
Environment Minister Says Swift and Decisive Actions Required to Mitigate Climate Change
Environment Minister Says Swift and Decisive Actions Required to Mitigate Climate Change
By: Michael Mike
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal has said swift and decisive actions are needed to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
The Minister made the statement on Wednesday while delivering a speech at the 17th meeting of the Council of Environment in Abuja.
He decried that: “Climate change is threatening ecosystems, livelihoods, and biodiversity, environmental degradation disproportionately impacts marginalised communities, exacerbating inequalities and perpetuating social injustices.”
Lawal said: “We must redouble our efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, embrace renewable energy solutions, and foster sustainable practices across all sectors.
“Mobilising more financial inflow for environmental sustainability is essential because it allows for the allocation of resources towards projects and initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving the environment.
“As we are all aware, environment financing is capital intensive, to mobilise more financial inflow for environmental sustainability there is the need to implore innovative financing mechanisms, such as Green Bonds, Carbon Pricing, and Public-Private Partnerships,” noting that this will help in generating the resources needed for effective environmental protection and conservation efforts.
The Minister added: “I therefore urge members of this council to intensify exploration and implementation of financing mechanisms at their disposal.
“As we convene amidst pressing global challenges, from climate change to biodiversity loss, our duty as custodians of the environment has never been more paramount.
“Each decision we make within these walls reverberates far beyond, shaping the health and sustainability of our planet for generations to come.”
“Our nation stands at a critical juncture, where the urgency to act boldly on environmental issues is undeniable. As guardians of biodiversity, we must safeguard our precious ecosystems from degradation and exploitation,” he urged.
On his part, Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, in an address of welcome stated that the need to galvanise more financial windows for environmental sustainability efforts is not just an aspiration but a commitment that would define our era.
He said: “In our drive to build a sustainable future for our generation and the ones yet unborn, mobilising funding for climate and environmental actions is a core imperative.
“In doing this, we need to emphasis our areas of comparative advantages and present such to the global community as our contribution to addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
“The global north who are the greatest contributor to the environmental challenges being faced by the world is offering us all kinds of technologies, some of them controversial as the solution to the crisis.”
He tasked stakeholders not to loose touch with nature based solutions that offers natural advantages and possess a higher potential to reduce capital flight and improve the livelihoods of the people.
He noted that: “The Federal Ministry of Environment at COP 28 in Dubai December 2023 championed and launched the Ministerial Alliance for Ambition on Nature Finance.
Salako stressed that the launch was to give Nigeria a voice to prompt an ambition on biodiversity finance in global south countries like Nigeria where most of the biodiversity performing critical ecosystem services for the entire world is located.
He said: “As the developed world comes around with their technologies and carbon credit schemes where they almost exclusively determine the pricing, let us also put forward our rich biodiversity worth trillion of dollars.
“Let us remain dedicated to the cause of environmental sustainability in the firm conviction that our collective efforts can pave the way for a healthier and cleaner planet earth.”
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Mr Koffy Kouacou Dominque, on his part, noted that FAO is committed to supporting government at all levels to enhance sustainable natural resources management.
Dominque who was represented by one of the senior staff in the FAO, Nigeria’s office, Tofiq Braimah, said that the organisation’s area of supports are to implement, monitor and report climate commitments outlined in the National Determined Contribution document.
He assured FAO’s continuous support to access climate finance, partnership and technical support to mainstreaming agrifood systems to the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPS), among others.
He however noted that our environment is under increasing pressure from climate change, deforestation, pollution, and other threats that require urgent attention and collaborative action.
Environment Minister Says Swift and Decisive Actions Required to Mitigate Climate Change
News
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Gallant troops of the Nigerian Army’s 33 Artillery Brigade have launched a major offensive against terrorist and bandit hideouts in Dajin Madam Forest, straddling Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau State, destroying several camps and neutralising two armed criminals during successive encounters.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation commenced at about 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2026, with troops advancing into the forest in a coordinated offensive against criminal elements operating within the area.
During the operation, the troops successfully cleared several terrorist camps across five identified locations within the forest, denying the criminals access to their established hideouts and support infrastructure.
The troops subsequently destroyed and burnt the terrorists’ life-support structures, including facilities believed to have sustained their presence and operations in the forest.
The offensive gathered momentum at about 3:41 p.m. when troops made contact with the armed bandits at another location within the forest.
The soldiers engaged the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
Evidence of the effectiveness of the engagement was indicated by bloodstains observed along the bandits’ withdrawal routes, suggesting that some of the fleeing criminals might have sustained gunshot injuries.
Undeterred, the troops continued exploiting the general area, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of ammunition, communication equipment, mobility assets and other logistics.
Items recovered included 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, PKT ammunition links, two motorcycles, two drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), two communication radios and four mobile phones.
The troops also recovered three woodland and desert camouflage uniforms, two Keystone camouflage uniforms and other sundry items believed to be associated with the activities of the criminal group.
In a further demonstration of sustained combat pressure, the troops made another contact with the fleeing bandits at about 6:30 p.m. during a pursuit operation.
The soldiers engaged the criminals, neutralising two bandits close to Kukawa village in Kanam Local Government Area.
Two additional motorcycles were also recovered during the encounter.
Following the successful engagements, the troops moved to a harbour position at Kukawa, where they continued to maintain their operational presence in the area.
The operation represents a significant offensive against armed criminal networks using the Dajin Madam Forest corridor as a hideout, with the destruction of their camps, recovery of ammunition and logistics, and the neutralisation of two bandits further disrupting their operational capabilities.
The sustained advance by the troops also illustrated the Nigerian Army’s determination to deny terrorists and bandits safe havens in the forests linking Kanam and Wase, while maintaining pressure on fleeing elements.
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo
By: Zagazola Makama
An inspection team from the ECOWAS Force Headquarters and Army Headquarters has assessed the operational readiness of Nigeria’s ECOWAS standby force at Naquora Barracks in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the team, led by Brig.-Gen. Sheikh Sulaiman Massaquoi, visited the barracks on Nov. 7, 2026, to evaluate the troops’ preparedness for possible deployment.
The team received briefings on troop readiness, training and administrative matters, and witnessed demonstrations on roadblock operations and crowd dispersal.
Massaquoi commended the troops for their performance and urged them to sustain high standards of professionalism, discipline and physical fitness.
The inspection visit ended without any incident.
ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Gunshot-Wounded Victim in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have foiled a suspected kidnapping attempt and rescued a gunshot-wounded victim along the Rafin Sanyi axis in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops of Sector 6 OPEP, deployed at Sopp, responded to a distress report at about 9:40 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2026, after suspected kidnappers blocked the road in the area.
The swift intervention of the troops reportedly forced the criminals to flee before they could carry out their operation.
The troops subsequently combed the area and rescued one occupant of a Sharon vehicle who had sustained a gunshot wound.
The victim was evacuated to the Nigerian Army Medical Outpost at Tigi, where he received first aid treatment.
Troops have continued to dominate the general area through fighting patrols to prevent the criminals from regrouping and forestall further attacks.
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Gunshot-Wounded Victim in Plateau
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle, Discover Suspected Bandit’s Corpse in Old Oyo National Park
ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News3 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions5 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News2 years agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions5 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News3 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS3 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns3 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Politics1 year ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
