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Despite Difficult Times, Fund is Made Available for Energy Transition, Says Bagudu
Despite Difficult Times, Fund is Made Available for Energy Transition, Says Bagudu
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu has said despite the difficult economic times, the federal government has ensured that fund is made available for the nation’s energy transition programme.
Speaking at a conversation: “Unlocking Climate Finance: Actionable Pathways for Nigeria’s Low Net Emissions Growth,” organised by the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) and Enzi Ijayo Africa Initiative, in Abuja on Monday, the Minister who was represented by Special Assistant,
Bolaji Onalaja, said: “There is no understatement of the importance of Climate action for all governments. It is particularly important for Nigeria given that the country has significantly suffered from the effects of climate change, from desertification in the Lake Chad Basin, which has led to migration of herders southwards and has contributed to banditry and clashes with farmers; to the degradation of mangrove forests; and to the frequent floods that have had a devastating impact on livelihoods across the country.”
He noted that “there is a need to raise financing to fund the energy transition, but at the same time as we face a challenging fiscal environment and other short term priorities (including ramping up oil and gas production, and taming inflation, it can sometimes be difficult to prioritize the mainstreaming of climate action but this administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been consistent and has even included in the 2024 budget the inclusion of an energy transition fund and the implementation of the Presidential CNG initiative.”
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director, APRI, Olumide Abimbola said: “We know that climate change is already inflicting immense damage on lives and livelihoods, often to the people who have the least capacity to adapt to its effects such as in Africa. In the six years between 2012 and 2018, extreme weather events in the form of floods and droughts cost Nigeria over 31 billion dollars.”
Abimbola said: “We also know that over the past years, the position of African countries has largely been shaped by the Global North. There is an increasing need for Africans to shape and chart the continent’s climate transition pathways in line with local climate and socio-economic realities, as well as development priorities. Here, African countries such as Nigeria have a leading role to play.
“Nigeria is the most populous African country, the country with the youngest African population, the largest petroleum production, and one of the largest economies on the continent. What Nigeria does, can do, or plans to do, especially around financing, is of immense consequence for the continent.
“The global realities of climate change mean that the landscape for finance and global geopolitics is changing significantly. As climate and ESG considerations become increasingly important in accessing finance from the Global North, plans that do not have climate action in view are finding it more difficult to attract financing.
“This is leading to a significant decline in new investment in fossil fuels, for example, with investments into energy financing of any kind increasingly being based on climate considerations. For Nigeria, navigating between weaning itself off fossil fuel dependence and accelerating renewable energy investments is of extreme importance.”
He noted that: “In the last year, Nigeria received about two billion dollars in climate financing, a small fraction of the need, even in the energy sector alone,” adding that “increasing flows will not come from simply articulating our vision for climate action or making bold statements of intent. They will only come when we begin to internally reflect and shape what climate transition, especially a just transition, means to us – and when we begin to implement reform initiatives directed at clearly demonstrating that our plans are fact-based and rooted in the realities of our political economy.”
He said: “For us to do this, we need to reflect internally and evaluate actionable pathways for Nigeria’s Low Net Emissions Growth. Pathways that do not compromise on our development priorities, and that also incorporate resilience in the realities of foreseeable climate impacts.”
He said: “We need to ask ourselves critical questions such as: Is Nigeria doing the right thing in the right way or are we just dangling the prospect of billions of dollars of climate finance in the offing? Should Nigeria be looking to design more flexible short-, medium- and long-term strategies that will be fit for purpose? How should Nigeria be maintaining a balance between adaptation and mitigation? Should the focus be more on consumer-led promotion of technology products, rather than top-down, policy-driven prescriptions?”
Despite Difficult Times, Fund is Made Available for Energy Transition, Says Bagudu
Four police officers injured in patrol vehicle crash on Yelwata–Makurdi road
By: Zagazola Makama
Four personnel of the 18 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Squadron were injured on Friday when their patrol vehicle was involved in a lone accident along the Yelwata–Makurdi road in Benue State.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 9:10 a.m. when the officers, on routine patrol of the axis, were travelling in an official Toyota Hilux driven by Cpl. Augustine Garba. The vehicle reportedly lost control and somersaulted into the bush.
Sources said that the DPO Yelwata mobilised tactical teams to the scene. The injured officers were evacuated and rushed to the Police Clinic in Makurdi for urgent medical attention,” the source said.
Three of the injured personnel were treated and discharged, while one officer remains hospitalised.
Police authorities confirmed that the remaining officer is in stable condition.
The sources said that the Benue Police Command has commenced internal review procedures to determine the cause of the crash and ensure adherence to patrol safety protocols.
Four police officers injured in patrol vehicle crash on Yelwata–Makurdi road
Police arrest notorious bandit linked to killings of officers in Benue, Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Police operatives in Benue have arrested a suspected notorious armed bandit believed to be responsible for multiple attacks on security personnel in the state.
Zagazola gathered that the suspect, identified as Yongu Justine Makwagh of Kadarko in Nasarawa State, was arrested on Friday at about 8:00 p.m. at Balcony Park in Makurdi following months of sustained surveillance.
It was gathered that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Daudu led the operation after acting on credible intelligence, with reinforcement from operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) on special duty.
Sources said Makwagh has been on the command’s wanted list due to his alleged involvement in several deadly attacks in the Sankera axis.
“The suspect was earlier linked to the killing of two Safer Highway Police personnel at Yelwata and two operatives of the Department of Operations (DOPS) in Daudu, during which firearms were carted away,” the source said.
The arrest is considered a major breakthrough for the command, which has intensified efforts to dismantle bandit networks operating across Benue and neighbouring states.
Police authorities said the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation, while further investigations are ongoing to recover additional arms and track his accomplices.
Police arrest notorious bandit linked to killings of officers in Benue, Nasarawa
“We are behind you,” Zulum addresses armed forces in Damboa
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Saturday, addressed troops of 25 Task Force Brigade of Nigerian Army, declaring the state’s and its people’s support for their relentless fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents.
The governor, speaking at a front-line military base in Damboa, sympathised deeply with the officers and soldiers, acknowledging the immense personal sacrifice and hard work they put in daily. He commended what he described as their “giant effort and supreme sacrifice” in the ongoing battle to secure Borno State and protect civilians from the threats of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Zulum stated, “On behalf of the government and good people of Borno State. We are here in Damboa purposely to commiserate with you over the recent setback which claimed the lives of some of your colleagues.
It is an unfortunate event, and I want to extend my condolences to you and the families of all the officers and men of this brigade who lost their lives while discharging their duties. We pray to Almighty Allah to heal those injured in action as soon as possible.
For those of you who are still alive and healthy, we pray that God will protect you, give you the vision and strength to carry out your duties effectively. You have been doing very well. We have acknowledged your support and would like to commend you.
I want to once again sympathise with you on behalf of the government and good people of Borno State, and to assure you that we will do everything possible within the resources available to us to support your mission and vision to end the crisis.”
The governor was received by the Brigade Commander of 25 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Igwe Patrick Omokeh.
The visit was part of Zulum’s tour of communities in southern Borno. Earlier in the day, the governor met with grieving families in Chibok, where he commiserated with them over the loss of lives and property, offering condolences and immediate relief to those that
lost properties.
During the Chibok meeting, the governor announced concrete measures to protect lives and property. He noted that the state government, in collaboration with the federal government and security agencies, is implementing enhanced measures to protect vulnerable communities against future attacks.
“We are here to offer our condolences over what happened these past days in Chibok general area, especially to those who lost their lives. The situation is painful. We are here to show our sorrow over what happened.
Death comes at its appointed time. We offer you our condolences and assure you that, God willing, the issue of insecurity in Chibok will be resolved. We will provide a permanent solution and put an end to it.
We will take action. Please be patient. Our thoughts are with you, and one thing that made me happy is how you have remained calm and stayed in your communities despite everything,” Zulum said. The governor announced financial assistance of N1 million to the bereaved families and N500,000 to those whose properties were destroyed during the recent unfortunate attacks.
“We are behind you,” Zulum addresses armed forces in Damboa
Four police officers injured in patrol vehicle crash on Yelwata–Makurdi road
Police arrest notorious bandit linked to killings of officers in Benue, Nasarawa
“We are behind you,” Zulum addresses armed forces in Damboa
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