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Environmental Degradation Not in Tandem with Spirit of National Anthem, Oppresses Most Vulnerable Nigerians-FG

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Environmental Degradation Not in Tandem with Spirit of National Anthem, Oppresses Most Vulnerable Nigerians-FG

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has decried that environmental degradation is not in tandem with the spirit of Nigeria’s national anthem as it oppresses the most vulnerable Nigerians.

Speaking at the Circular and POPS-free Plastics in Africa Project Inception Workshop in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal said: “As we reflect on the words of our national anthem, “Help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed,” we must recognize that environmental degradation is indeed a form of oppression. It disproportionately affects the most vulnerable groups in our midst and limits opportunities for future generations.”

The Minister noted that: “This project represents our collective determination to break free from this oppression and build a Nigeria where both people and nature can thrive.”

Lawal while declaring the workshop opened, said: “I wish to express my profound appreciation to all critical partners who have made this initiative possible, namely: the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for financial support; UN Environment, the Implementing Agency, for providing technical support; and BCCC- Africa, for its resourcefulness in providing guidance for the project implementation. To NESREA, the performing environmental police in Nigeria – your commitment to environmental protection and your role as the National Executing Partner is deeply appreciated.”

He noted that Nigeria, as one of the five beneficiary-nations in Africa, has an ample opportunity to, among others: reduce the import, production and use of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in plastics-containing products in the automobile, construction and electronics sectors) and the generation of unintentionally-produced POPs (UPOPs), with their attendant burdens of pollution and morbidity in our environment; identify safe, eco-friendly and effective alternatives to POPs- containing plastics as well as suitable technologies to manage POPs-contaminated waste in an environmentally sound manner; and adopt and enforce upstream policies and financial instruments, to implement circular economy practices and eliminate or replace problematic products with more sustainable alternatives.

He said the cross-cutting dimension of POPs Management and plastic pollution, including the magnitude of associated challenges call for collective responsibility among all sectoral stakeholders, stressing that: “It is therefore heartwarming to note an equitable representation of high-level policy makers, the dedicated presence of ‘Basel Centre’, the Industry, Academia, Civil Society Organisations, and our Development Partners, whose expertise, vast wealth of experience and solemn commitment wil be brought to bear in actuating successful delivery of the project.”

He decried that while plastics have brought undeniable benefits to modern life, in the absence of an effective waste management strategy and circular economy system, more than three-quarters of scrap plastics get discarded and dispersed in open dumps, burnt, clog the drainage system and ultimately discharged into the marine environment as microplastics.

On his part, the Director General/CEO, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor said on this historic inception workshop for the Circular and POPs-Free Plastics in Africa Project. “Today, we gather as partners, stakeholders, and custodians of our environment to embark on a transformative journey that will shape Nigeria’s environmental future for generations to come.”

He noted that: “The significance of this gathering cannot be overstated. We are here to address one of the most complex and pressing environmental challenges of our time – the pervasive threat posed by Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in plastic materials. POPs are carcinogenic and mutagenic, causing cancer, genetic mutations, neurological damage, reproductive problems, and immunological disorders. Exposure to POPs has severe long-term health consequences.

“POPs disrupt ecological systems, threatening aquatic ecosystems and human health. “

He noted that: “Many chemical additives used during plastic production to provide the finished plastics products (e.g. plastic housing units of electronics) with unique properties (including plasticity and fire retardancy) are classified as POPs. A typical example is polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, including penta-BDE, octa-BDE and deca-BDE). These chemicals are toxic, chemically stable and readily accumulate in the environment and living organisms.

“These toxic substances represent a silent crisis, accumulating in our ecosystems, permeate our food chains, and posing severe risks to human health and biodiversity when end-of-life plastics from electronics are not properly managed. As Nigeria’s apex environmental regulatory agency, NESREA recognizes both the gravity of this challenge and the tremendous opportunity this project presents for gradual and systemic change.

“In Nigeria, our focus on the electronics sector under this project is particularly strategic. Our nation has overtime, emerged as a regional hub for electronic goods in West Africa, with all the attendant responsibilities, advantages and disadvantages this position entails. While we celebrate the economic opportunities this brings, we must also confront the environmental implications. The lifecycle of electronic products – from production to disposal – presents multiple points where POPs could be released into the environment. This project thus provides us with the necessary tools, resources, and partnerships we require to transform this sector into a model of environmental responsibility and circular economy principles.”

Environmental Degradation Not in Tandem with Spirit of National Anthem, Oppresses Most Vulnerable Nigerians-FG

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Food Security, Regional Inclusion Key To Nigeria’s Stability – President Tinubu

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Food Security, Regional Inclusion Key To Nigeria’s Stability – President Tinubu

** Says every region of the country has role to play in national development

** Hails Taraba’s agricultural potential as proof of nation’s shared prosperity at state’s 2025 investment summit

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pinpointed food security, along with regional economic inclusion, as the first currency of Nigeria’s path to long-term stability.

Accordingly, he disclosed plans by his Renewed Hope administration to transform Taraba State into an important centre for agricultural productivity, energy generation, and mineral resource development.

The Nigerian leader, who spoke in Jalingo on Wednesday during the opening of Taraba International Investment Summit 2025, described the state as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s agricultural and industrial future, as its agricultural potential is a manifestation of the nation’s shared prosperity.

Represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the summit, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s economy from the ground up by leveraging local resources and decentralising development.

“Food sufficiency is the first currency of national stability. This is why we have prioritised agriculture as the anchor of our national strategy,” he said.

The President praised Taraba’s vast agricultural assets, calling for a shift from subsistence farming to industrial-scale food production.

“Our farmers must transition from the use of hoes and cutlasses to tractors and harvesters,” he said, stressing that modern tools are vital for increasing productivity and feeding Nigeria’s growing population.

Noting that Taraba is not just a state with potential, but also a strategic player in the national economy, President Tinubu described the state as a major player in producing export-grade tea, coffee, and livestock for the meat industry.

“Taraba’s role in this vision is central. From the export-grade tea and coffee grown on its hills to the livestock raised here that feed the nation’s meat industry, this state is an agricultural powerhouse that must be fully harnessed.

“The Kashimbila Dam, Nigeria’s largest hydroelectric dam, is not merely a monument of engineering. It is a symbol of what is possible when we dream and deliver,” he stated.

The Nigerian leader warned, however, that Nigeria’s development goals would not be met by merely exporting raw commodities: “We cannot live on raw produce and unprocessed minerals. What we need are factories to add value, clusters to drive innovation, and industrial parks to convert ideas into impact.”

He stressed that every region of Nigeria has a role to play in national prosperity, saying each part of Nigeria is a gift to the other, just as he said each region “complements the other so profoundly that the deficiency of one region is often redeemed by the sufficiency of the other.

“Our ultimate awakening as a nation begins with this realisation that no part of this country can thrive in isolation. What Taraba offers the nation is more than its breathtaking mountains or fertile valleys; it is a strategic contribution to our shared prosperity,” the President added.

He commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his visionary leadership, which he has demonstrated by convening the summit.

“There’s no doubt that you have chosen to reshape the destiny of your people. This is a defining moment for Taraba. We are determined to ensure that investment does not remain a tale of Lagos and Abuja alone. We are expanding the map of economic inclusion to include Jalingo, Gembu, Takum, Wukari, Bali, and every enterprising corner of Taraba,” President Tinubu told the governor.

He assured that the federal government is not a distant observer but a committed partner in transforming the state’s economic potential into measurable growth.

As the global demand for clean energy minerals like lithium and cobalt accelerates, President Tinubu called on investors to take a long-term view of Taraba’s role in the future of sustainable technology.

Earlier, Governor Kefas said that with the summit, life has come to Taraba State, assuring investors that the state is peaceful and safe for business, with huge human and natural resources.

Governor Kefas told investors present at the national summit that he has created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State, who represented the Chairman of the Forum, pledged the cooperation of the subnationals in developing agriculture in Nigeria.

“All the factors of production, land, water, sun and many others are all inherent in Taraba. So, the State government must be an enabler of businesses,” Governor Bago said.

Also, business mogul and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said he will continue to invest in Nigeria and mobilise other businesses to invest in Nigeria because when local investors perform excellently, they will encourage foreign investors to join them without invitation.

“We want to remain here and continue to invest in Nigeria to impact the lives of others, as we keep creating jobs and more jobs. When the local investors are doing well, the foreign ones will come without anybody inviting them. When you have a good restaurant, you will not need to invite people to come and eat. You will hear them talking about such restaurants. Start with the local investors, and this state shall become the shining star,” he said.

On his part, renowned banker and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Chief Tony Elumelu, said Africa has opened an investment window for the world because the continent has what it can showcase.

He pledged to partner with Taraba State in ensuring that its vision comes true. “Investments help in building the capacity of our youth through employment generation. When we create investment, we improve our people,” he said.

For his part, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Mohammed Abubakar Sa’ad III, commended the Taraba State Governor for organising an international investment forum, which he described as historic.

Speaking on behalf of the spiritual and traditional leaders in Nigeria, the Sultan called on people in leadership positions to change the scenario, even as he said Taraba State is more secure now under the leadership of Governor Kefas, and urged the Governor to sustain the tide.

Food Security, Regional Inclusion Key To Nigeria’s Stability – President Tinubu

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West Africa’s Disaster Management Experts Convene in Accra to Strengthen Regional Recovery and Resilience Strategies

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West Africa’s Disaster Management Experts Convene in Accra to Strengthen Regional Recovery and Resilience Strategies

By: Michael Mike

Heads of Disaster Management and Civil Protection Agencies from ECOWAS Member States are gathered in Accra, Ghana for the 16th Consultative Meeting of the Regional Committee for Disaster Management in West Africa (GECEAO).

The three-day meeting, organized by the ECOWAS Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs (DHSA), aims to review the regional Recovery Roadmap and Roster, strengthen disaster coor- dination, and enhance resilience-building across the region.

Opening the event on behalf of the Director of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, Head of the Disaster Risk Management Unit, underscored the impact of disasters on West African communities over the past 25 years, noting losses exceeding a billion dollars.

He highlighted the growing frequency and intensity of disasters driven by environmental degradation, rapid urbanization, and climate change.

He said: “Member States must prioritize humanitarian assistance and invest in resilience-building programmes in collaboration with partners to mitigate these challenges.”

ECOWAS’ 2025 Humanitarian Response Initiative targets reaching over 600,000 individuals through programmes addressing food security, displacement, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hy- giene), healthcare, and early recovery support. The initiative also emphasizes regional pre- paredness, emergency response coordination, and the adoption of new technologies to ensure timely, dignified aid delivery.

Speaking on behalf of Hajiya Zubaida Umar, Director General, Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Idris Mohammed emphasized the urgent need for cooperation and collaboration for effective management of disasters across the region, stating that “West Africa is increasingly vulnerable to floods, droughts, epidemics, and conflicts—events that threaten lives and reverse development gains. Now is the time to strengthen partnerships and build a resilient and united sub-region.” By sharing experiences, expertise, and resources, we can build a more resilient region, he added.

He also shared Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to train disaster management professionals through partnerships with six federal universities, offering certificate to postgraduate programmes in disaster and development studies, aimed at building regional expertise.

He further emphasized NEMA’s commitment to working with disaster management agencies of ECOWAS member states to enhance the collective capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters. We have done it in the past, and we ready to build on our past achievements, he said.

Chairman of GECEAO and Director General of Ghana’s National Disaster Management Orga- nization (NADMO), Major (Rtd.) Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, commended Ghana’s recent legislative reforms empowering NADMO and announced the development of a national Disaster Risk Financing Strategy. He stressed the need for capacity building and called on participants to use their expertise to inform policy and drive impactful resource allocation.

“Our collaboration must translate regional hydro-meteorological warnings into tangible pre- paredness and mitigation actions,” Major Kuyon said. “Let us integrate disaster risk reduction into our national development plans for 2025–2026 and work toward GECEAO’s vision of harmonized disaster management in West Africa.”

The consultative meeting serves as a platform for strategic dialogue, knowledge exchange, and regional solidarity, as ECOWAS Member States work together to confront rising disaster risks and protect vulnerable communities across the region.

West Africa’s Disaster Management Experts Convene in Accra to Strengthen Regional Recovery and Resilience Strategies

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ECOWAS, EU, Germany Collaborate to Combat Growing Threat of Cybercrime in West Africa

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ECOWAS, EU, Germany Collaborate to Combat Growing Threat of Cybercrime in West Africa

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the German Federal Foreign Office and the European Union, have convened a High-Level Briefing and Workshop on Cyber Diplomacy for the ECOWAS Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) to combat the growing threat of cybercrime in Nigeria and other West African countries.

According to a statement on Wednesday by the German Embassy, “On 20 May 2025, the ECOWAS Commission in partnership with the German Federal Foreign Office and
the European Union, under the Joint Platform for Advancing Cyber Security, hosted a High-Level Briefing and Workshop on Cyber Diplomacy for the ECOWAS Permanent Representatives Committee
(PRC) in Abuja, Nigeria.”

The statement further read that: “As cyber threats grow in complexity and scale, particularly in a rapidly digitalizing West Africa, strengthening cyber security and international cooperation has become imperative to safeguard sustainable development and foster regional cyber resilience.

“Against this backdrop, the workshop
aimed to enhance awareness of cybersecurity as a strategic foreign policy issue and foster regional dialogue on cyber diplomacy.”

The statement revealed that: “The event forms part of the ECOWAS-Germany-EU initiative on advancing cybersecurity. It seeks to implement the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Action Plan developed jointly under Germany’s G7 Presidency with a focus on building cyber diplomacy skills, advancing confidence-building measures (CBMs), and strengthening critical infrastructure across the region.”

The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther opened the event on behalf of the
German Embassy. In her remarks, she emphasized: “In an era where cyber threats know no borders,diplomacy is key to defend our shared values of security, trust, and cooperation in cyberspace. Cyber
diplomacy promotes cross-border cooperation and represents a crucial stride towards fostering a more secure and interconnected cyberspace – globally, and particularly here in West Africa.”

ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Mr. Sédiko Douka, and Chair of the ECOWAS PRC, Ambassador Musa Nuhu,, also addressed the gathering, underscoring the
strategic value of digital resilience and multilateral engagement.

The workshop marked another milestone in the ongoing implementation of the ECOWAS
Cybersecurity Agenda and reaffirmed the commitment of all partners to strengthening regional security, trust, and sustainable digital transformation.

ECOWAS, EU, Germany Collaborate to Combat Growing Threat of Cybercrime in West Africa

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