National News
Climate Change: UN Advocates for Solution-based Reporting
Climate Change: UN Advocates for Solution-based Reporting
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations has advocated for solution based approach to reporting on climate change, insisting that this is more productive than the glum approach mostly used by journalists to paint the negative impact of the global threat.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Matthias Schmale,who gave the advised at the media sensitization for journalists on Climate Change and COP28, in Abuja, reaffirmed the global body commitment to supporting Nigeria’s climate change efforts.
He said: “We at the UN including other partners are firmly committed to supporting Nigeria in particular the government in its climate change efforts .we will continue as UN, our close partnership with the federal government as we will work together to implement our agreed sustainable development cooperation frame work which covers the period from 2023 to 2027. Nigeria is implementing improved management of climate change risks and building resilience to adopt to its long term impact through the nationally determine contribution , sustainable energy production and consumption and climate finance.this is a shared goal between the government and the UN.”
Schmale explained that media has critical role to play in mitigating climate change, urging them to report accurately amid widespread misinformation and disinformation, by emphasising on the positive strides made in green energy use and innovations.
He added that: “In the face of misinformation and disinformation, the media must provide accurate information about climate change, the causes and it’s impact. Mis and disinformation are delaying urgently needed actions to ensure a livable future for our planet. This is no doubt a complex issue, that’s why you in the media have the particular responsibility to report the facts explain the science , outline the consequences of climate change for Nigerians. Stories of intent to focus almost entirely on the problem but climate change is solvable . What is vital is balance, the media can help readers and views understand the problem but also to take actions on their carbon foot print and help readers and viewers make informed decisions in their daily lives.”
The Head of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Professor Petteri Taalas, who was represented by the WMO Representative for North, Central, and West Africa, Bernard Edward Gomez, noted that the occurrence of unprecedented heavy rainfall events leading to devastating floods and rising sea levels, affects not only the environment but also social, economic, and political aspects.
He noted that: “The high-impact weather events such as storms, floods, and droughts are causing natural disasters with far-reaching consequences. These events, with cascading effects, result in significant economic losses, displacement of people, and the destruction of livelihoods and communities.”
Taalas while calling journalists to action, stressed the indispensable role of journalism in addressing climate change.
He said: “To effectively address climate change, we must foster information sharing, accountability at all levels, from governance to communities and households. At the governance level, journalists can hold governments institution accountable on climate commitments and actions. They can scrutinize climate policies and investigate implementation levels. At the community level they can empower local communities to understand climate change impacts, develop resilience strategies, and advocates for their needs.”
The role of journalism in addressing climate change cannot be over emphasized. As the fourth estate of the real, journalists have a critical responsibility to inform the public about the realities of climate change role in information sharing and accountability, bridging the gap between governance and communities.”
In a related development, the Director General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Mansur Bako Matazu said a social justice perspective, highlighting the vulnerability of third-world countries contributing minimally to global emissions.
“There is need for localized solutions based on local evidence of climate change. As the world grapples with the unfolding climate crisis, the role of the media, global cooperation, and local solutions are paramount.The urgency to act is underscored by the alarming warnings from experts, time is running out for humanity to succeed in averting the impending environmental catastrophe.”
Highlighting the upcoming UN climate change conference, COP28, in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023, stakeholders emphasized its pivotal role in securing increased commitments from nations to address the climate crisis.
While underscoring the urgency of global cooperation, referring to the Early Warning for All Initiative declared during COP27 by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Climate Change: UN Advocates for Solution-based Reporting
NAN, AWALCO Partners to Promote ECOWAS Parliament
By: Michael Mike
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has pledged to partner the Association of West African Legislative Correspondents (AWALCO) to publicise the activities of the ECOWAS Parliament, particularly its 25th anniversary celebrations.
The Managing Director of the agency, Malam Ali Muhammad Ali,, made the pledge when the leadership of the association paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Thursday.
Ali while expressing appreciation to the association’s officials for deeming it worthy to pay him a courtesy visit, said as Africa’s biggest news content provider, NAN was home to all.
He said: “For deeming it worthy to come and pay us this courtesy call, the agency is appreciative.
“We hope that it will help the Parliament achieve its goals, and raise awareness, like you said, about its activities.
“On our part, the News Agency of Nigeria, like you know, is Africa’s biggest news content provider.”
He noted that the agency is the most authentic and biggest news hub in Africa, with a domineering influence and reach within the West African subregion.
Ali said: “So, with an association like this, certainly in the News Agency of Nigeria, you find a soulmate, a fellow traveler. You are welcome. We look forward to partnering and doing more, and the News Agency of Nigeria is your home.”
Speaking earlier, AWALCO President, Mr Innocent Odoh, explained that the purpose of the visit was to seek the collaboration and support of NAN, as the indisputable leader in terms of news credibility reportage, and viability.
He said that ECOWAS Parliament would be marking its 25th anniversary on November 16 and a series of activities had been lined up for it.
Odoh said that AWALCO, being the association of the parliament’s press corps, was fully involved in it by way of planning to give the occasion a media and publicity glitz.
He said this would help to propagate the ideals of ECOWAS in general, and ECOWAS Parliament in particular, and make the objectives of ECOWAS Commission and Parliament known globally, starting from the subregion.
He said: “In terms of viability, if we talk about the repository of news in all ramifications, in all dimensions, I think the News Agency of Nigeria comes first before any other one.
“So, what we are doing is in line with the media advocacy that we are projecting for the ECOWAS Parliament at 25.
“We can see that if the collaboration with NAN takes off as we planned it, I think it will go a long way in expanding the vision of the association.”
The AWALCO president further said that the partnership would determine how the regional bloc is run, especially at a time that so many things about ECOWAS needed to be interrogated.
“That is why we’re here, to seek that collaboration, to seek that support, how we can deepen that collaboration to ensure that the citizens of the Parliament understand what is happening around them.
“ECOWAS has a vision of 2050 but many people may not be aware of it, but collaborations like this can open up an opportunity for people to understand the vision of ECOWAS,” he added
on her part, Chief Communication Officer, ECOWAS Parliament, Mrs Uche Duru,, who was part of the delegation, in a remark, extended greetings from ECOWAS Parliament Speaker and Secretary-General to Ali and NAN’s management.
The spokesperson for the parliament said the association was beyond Nigeria, as its membership encompassed the entire West Africa, including even from member states that were threatening to exit or had already exited.
NAN, AWALCO Partners to Promote ECOWAS Parliament
National News
Nigeria, China May Head for Diplomatic Row Over Shooting of Immigration Officer at Chinese Firm
Nigeria, China May Head for Diplomatic Row Over Shooting of Immigration Officer at Chinese Firm
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria is not taking lightly the shooting of an immigration officer at a Chinese firm in Jos, Plateau State.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who narrated the story,
The federal government has threatened a serious diplomatic row with the Republic of China over maltreatment of a Nigerian Immigration Service officer shot by a Chinese company in Nigeria for asking for the company’s expatriate list.
Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who narrated the story on Thursday in Abuja at a stakeholders sensitisation workshop on the implementation of the Nigeria Visa policy 2025, said Nigeria is not handling the matter with kid gloves as it would be taken up as a diplomatic issue.
Tunji-Ojo lamented that the development alone is an attack on Nigeria. It will never be condoned.
He said the Immigration officer, who was on official duty, had visited the Chinese company in Jos, Plateau state, to check the list of the company’s expatriates, but the owner of the company ordered a security officer in the premises to shoot the government official.
Tunji-Ojo said: “I won’t go to China as a Nigerian, open a company and tell my security to shoot a government official in uniform. It’s never done anywhere in the world.
“These officers put their lives on the line. These officers serve this country with their all. And you will not come from anywhere and ask them to shoot them in their fatherland.
“It will no longer happen. We will take it up with you. Because that company, we (Nigerian government) have the power to withdraw their business permit Nigeria and declare them illegal.”
He wondered how it had become an offence for an Immigration officer to visit a foreign company and demand to see their expatriate list.
He said: “It will not happen again. So we’re going to be very hard. We will not stop your business. We will not overburden your business. But don’t make us inferior in our own land. No, please.
“And we’re going to be very tough on this. Because talking to you, I’m not just talking with passion on this topic, I’m talking with a lot of anger, because that guy that was shot is a Nigeria that we all swore to protect by virtue of the laws of Nigeria, by the constitution. That Immigration guy was not shot by a terrorist, is a father, he is a son to somebody. He is a husband to somebody. That cannot happen anywhere in the world.
“We will not tolerate it. Please, no agent, no company is above the law,” the Minister declared
Nigeria, China May Head for Diplomatic Row Over Shooting of Immigration Officer at Chinese Firm
Nigeria Explores CNG Technology to Power Defence, Industrial Vehicle Fleets
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar has led a high-level delegation on a tour of UROVESA—a renowned Spanish manufacturer of military and industrial vehicles.
The visit focused on exploring potential collaboration in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technology for powering Nigeria’s defence and industrial vehicle fleets.
The minister was accompanied on the visit by key figures including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo; Presidential CNG Initiative representative, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi; Engr. Henry Oki; and the Special Assistant for Gas Business and Investment to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), where they all engaged in detailed discussions with UROVESA executives.
During the visit, Tuggar emphasized the longstanding trade ties between Nigeria and Spain, noting that Spain remains one of Nigeria’s top trading partners, with Nigerian crude oil exports reaching $3.64 billion in 2023.
He lauded UROVESA’s innovative approach to producing all-terrain, armoured, tactical, and logistical vehicles, and expressed Nigeria’s growing interest in and implementation of CNG-powered solutions.
Tuggar also highlighted Nigeria’s business-friendly economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which have positioned the country as a prime destination for investment in clean energy technologies. The discussions provided a valuable platform for further exploration of future collaborations between UROVESA and Nigeria’s Ministry of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) in CNG-powered vehicle production and supply.
According to a statement by the foreign affairs minister spokesman, Alkasim AbdulKadir, the engagement not only reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to a green energy future but also laid the groundwork for modernizing the nation’s defence and industrial fleets with environmentally friendly and cost-effective energy solutions.
He said the promising outcome of the discussions sets the stage for a strategic partnership that is expected to foster sustainable innovation and drive economic growth for both Nigeria and UROVESA.
Nigeria Explores CNG Technology to Power Defence, Industrial Vehicle Fleets
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