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FG Validates Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

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FG Validates Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria on Wednesday took a significant step toward halting biodiversity loss and reducing the degradation of high-biodiversity areas to near zero with the
Federal Government officially validated the revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2025–2030.

The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2025-2030, is a comprehensive roadmap aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The validation was performed in Abuja by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, who was represented by the Director of the Forestry Department, Dr. Amah Moses.

Speaking at the event, the Minister said the newly updated NBSAP is broad in scope, with ambitious and comprehensive targets that aim to transform Nigeria’s biodiversity landscape.

He noted that: “Target 1 alone will have a massive impact,” while adding that the NBSAP has outlined Nigeria’s unique biodiversity, including its rich ecosystems and endemic species, which are deeply integrated into the country’s economy, ecology, and culture.

He said: “As is clearly articulated in the NBSAP, Nigeria is blessed with some of the richest biodiversity in Africa,” Lawal said. “This impressive biodiversity not only supports food security, healthcare, fresh water access, and agriculture, but is also essential to the overall wellbeing of Nigerians.”

The Minister stressed that preserving biodiversity is not just an environmental necessity but a national priority, with the plan designed to bring biodiversity loss in critical areas close to zero.

Lawal, while acknowledging that implementing the NBSAP will be a challenging task, however expressed confidence that with persistence, dedication, and collaboration among stakeholders, the goals of the strategy can be realized for the benefit of all Nigerians.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, who was also represented at the event, described the validation workshop as a crucial milestone in Nigeria’s environmental conservation efforts.

He noted that, over the past months, experts, policymakers, and stakeholders had worked diligently to review and refine the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to ensure it aligns with global best practices and national development priorities.

“As we come together today to validate this important document, we are reaffirming our collective commitment to transforming the NBSAP into actionable solutions,” he stated.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), Joseph Ojo, highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in biodiversity conservation.

He said: “Biodiversity affects all of us, and our actions or inactions affect biodiversity conservation in Nigeria.”

Ojo emphasized that environmental conservation ultimately benefits humanity, stating, “Let us know that we are not doing the environment a favor, we are actually doing ourselves a favor. Because at the end of the day, the environment does not really need us, we need the environment.”

FG Validates Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

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We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

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We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

By: Michael Mike

Rescued 12 Nigerian trapped workers in Central African Republic (CAR) on Friday narrated their ordeal on breathing air of freedom in Nigeria, alleging that they were sexually harassed by their Chinese employers while workers at mining site.

The 12 stranded Nigerian men whose video went viral some three weeks ago finally arrived Nigeria and paid an appreciation visit to the NIDCOM office, where they were received by Chairman/ CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other management staff.

The leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn said it is important for the world to know that despite owing them 11 months salaries, “we were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.

“I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. We were treated badly there but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today.

“I am one of those people who usually abuse Nigeria and I don’t think anything good can come out of the country but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.

“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) ,NEMA, Immigration Service and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately”, he said.

Freeborn said they had suffered a lot in the past 20 months that they left Nigeria and pleaded with the government to help them redress the injustices meted out to them by their employers.

He recalled how they were left stranded in the forest after work without payment leaving them starving in a harsh and unsafe living conditions. With support from the Presidency Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,NIDCOM, and the Nigerian mission, they were relocated to Bangui, provided with medical care, and eventually brought safely back home.

Welcoming back the returnees to Nigeria, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured them that justice will be served as the Commission in conjunction with relevant government agencies would take up the matter on their behalf.

The NIDCOM boss condemned the acts as inhumane and assured that the matter would be pursued to ensure justice is served in line with the citizen diplomacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

She counselled them to be of good behaviour and partner with the Commission in its advocacy on irregular migration and its consequences.

NIDCOM through Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave some cash support to all the returnees to enable them settle down while expecting their unpaid salaries.

She also called on well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the Nigerians to settle down back in the country.

A cash donation from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation, were given to all the 12 returnees.

Adenugba explained that the support was a demonstration of belief in the evacuees’ potential, meant to serve as a seed for rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and creating new opportunities at home.

Other rescued workers are Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun and Olayemi Peter Adewale.

Others were Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala and Yusuf Bameyi.
End

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Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

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Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police in Ogun have arrested a mobile policeman and several security guards for alleged conspiracy, burglary and theft from a warehouse belonging to H.K Printing & Packaging Limited, Agbara.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Aug. 9 at about 11:00 p.m., when a truck drove into the company premises and proceeded to the warehouse, allegedly aided by security operatives on duty.

According to the sources, Insp. Ibrahim James, attached to PMF 16 Abeokuta, was captured on CCTV moving around and allegedly leading the operation.

Another officer, Insp. Olabamipe Olaiya, posted to the same beat, was said to be absent from duty at the time.

The company’s security guards and the implicated police personnel allegedly conspired with others still at large to break into the warehouse and cart away goods whose total value is yet to be ascertained.

Police detectives led by CSP Phillips Abayomi, Acting ACP, Agbara Division, visited the scene and arrested the mobile policeman along with the private security guards on duty during the incident.

The suspects are being interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing accomplices and recover the stolen items.

Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

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Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

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Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nasarawa State Police Command says it is searching for a herbalist, simply identified as Alfa, over alleged involvement in a ritual killing and attempted murder in Mararaba.

It was gathered that the case was reported by one Jamilu Abubakar, a vigilante member.

Abubakar allegedly accompanied two young men to Alfa’s residence on Aug. 12 to seek spiritual assistance purportedly to make more money through internet fraud.

“It was gathered that Alfa prepared a concoction and meat for the victims to eat. Shortly after consuming the meal, both developed severe stomach pain and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Mararaba.

“Sadly, one of the victims, Ani Sunday, aged 21, was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while the second, Tosin Akurunor, is responding to treatment,” said the sources.

He said Abubakar had been arrested for his role in taking the victims to the herbalist, while the main suspect, Alfa, was at large.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Alfa and conclude investigations, he added.

Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

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