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Deforestation: Tinubu Calls for Action to Strike a Balance between Forest Security and Sustainable Forest Management
Deforestation: Tinubu Calls for Action to Strike a Balance between Forest Security and Sustainable Forest Management
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Tinubu has decried the growing deforestation in Africa which was largely due to subsistence and commercial agriculture, noting that there is urgent need for ambitious regional action to strike a balance between food security and sustainable forest management.
Speaking at the ongoing 1st International Conference on Afforestation and Reforestation holding in Brazzaville, Congo, President Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal
said: “It gladdens my heart that the first ever International Conference on Afforestation and Reforestation is taking place right here in Africa where more than 15% percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions takes place. This historic gathering marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to address one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Forests, covers nearly 31% of the world’s land area and are crucial for maintaining ecological balance, preserving biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods to millions of people. However, deforestation and forest degradation continue to threaten these vital ecosystems, leading to severe consequences for our planet and future generations.”
Tinubu while quoting the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) report that nearly 4 million hectares of African forests are being cut down each year, which is almost double the speed of the world’s deforestation average, noted that factors contributing to forest loss in the region include increasing population, indiscriminate land expansion for agriculture, rapid urbanisation, social needs and illegal logging.
He added that: “About 70% of deforestation in Africa is as a result of subsistence and commercial agriculture therefore, urgent ambitious regional action is needed to strike a balance between food security and sustainable forest management.”
He admitted that the choice of Congo for this conference was apt taking into consideration the contribution of Africa’s deforestation around the world. He said: “We are all here to remedy the situation by bringing together leading experts, policymakers, researchers and practitioners from around the globe to share knowledge, exchange ideas and foster collaborations. Our goal is to develop and implement innovative and scientific strategies for afforestation and reforestation which will in turn restore degraded lands, enhance biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change.”
He stated that: “Regional and global cooperation like this is imperative and will foster development of appropriate regional transformative policy and legal frameworkcapable of mitigating the impacts of climate change. Through initiatives like this we will accomplish progressive adoption and implementation of climate smart agriculture practices that would assist in strikingbalance between food security and sustainable forest management.”
He disclosed that: “Nigeria has gone a long way and we are making progress in contributing to the reversal of forest cover loss through sustainable forest management and massive afforestation. As part of our determination to upscale forest financing and increase forest cover,”
He added that: @Government has recently approved the sum of 8.5 million US Dollars under the Presidential Initiative on Afforestation. These funds are mainly for the afforestation and restoration of degraded forests and other critical landscapes across the country. This is in addition to other similar programmes like the Great Green Wall Pan African Program and Agro-Climatic Resilience Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) being implemented resulting in the restoration of over 1.5 million hectares of degraded forests including establishment of over 1,428.9km Shelter belts covering 4,286 hectares, empowerment of more than 200,000 forest community members and creation of more than 3 million jobs for our youths.”
He said: “Relevant policy and legislative framework are being strengthened in response to the current and emerging circumstances we are faced with. We have recently placed an interim suspension on the export of wood-based products to enable adequate appraisal of the process and ultimately emplacement of a sustainable forest management trade complaint system without jeopardizing progress in the implementation of the UNSPF, NDC, and other global agreements.”
The President said: “Nigeria remains committed to global, regional and sub-regional consensus to promote and accelerate progress on sustainable forest management. This includes the COP27 Africa and Global Decade of Afforestation and Reforestation and COP26 Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use as well as, other key outcomes of COP28.”
He said: “As parties to the globally agreed goals and targets on forests, biodiversity, climate change, and SDGs, we have no choice but to do all within our powers to accelerate transformative delivery of these goals within the set timelines. Restoration of our forest should not only be the responsibility of governments alone. It must be the collective effort of Government, Non-government organizations, corporate/private organizations, civil societies, and communities. We should all strive to achieve the common goal of increasing global forest cover.”
Deforestation: Tinubu Calls for Action to Strike a Balance between Forest Security and Sustainable Forest Management
NIMC Pushes Digital Identity Reforms to Boost Service Delivery, Security
By: Michael Mike
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) through the deployment of secure digital identity systems aimed at improving governance, enhancing national security, and expanding access to public services.
Speaking at a digital conference in Abuja themed “Building Africa’s Digital Foundations Together,” the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, represented by the Head of Infrastructure Technology and Identity Databases, Mr. Sulaiman Falade, said the commission is driving reforms and institutional partnerships to build an inclusive and interoperable digital identity ecosystem.
According to her, the National Identification Number (NIN) has become central to Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, serving as a key tool for identity verification, biometric authentication, and access to both government and private sector services.
She noted that following the Presidential Directive issued on April 5, 2024, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were mandated to integrate the NIN into digital services, particularly in areas involving data capture, identity verification, and authentication processes.
Coker-Odusote stated that NIMC has already established implementation structures to ensure compliance with the directive and to deepen the adoption of digital identity solutions across the country.
She further stressed that the Federal Government’s vision is to establish a unified, secure, and transparent digital identity framework capable of supporting efficient service delivery and accountability in governance.
The NIMC boss added that the commission is also advancing Nigeria’s broader digital governance goals through the deployment of the National Public Key Infrastructure (nPKI), a system designed to strengthen trust in digital transactions, safeguard citizens’ data, and promote secure online interactions.
She called on stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to continue supporting the implementation of Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem, noting that the initiative is critical to national development and economic growth.
According to her, NIMC remains committed to leveraging technology and innovation to build a more connected, efficient, and resilient nation.
NIMC Pushes Digital Identity Reforms to Boost Service Delivery, Security
Tinubu Sweeps Zulum’s Ward with 100% Votes in APC Presidential Primary
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recorded a landslide victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election in Mafa Ward of Borno State, securing all valid votes cast in the exercise held in the home ward of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.
The direct primary election took place at Mafa Central Primary School under the supervision of the Chairperson of the Presidential Primary Election Committee, Hajiya Inna Alkali Imam.
According to the results announced at the ward level, Tinubu polled 2,175 votes, representing 100 per cent of the valid votes cast during the exercise. Out of the 2,277 registered APC members in the ward, 2,175 were accredited and participated in the voting process.
Tinubu’s challenger, Stanley Osifo, an APC chieftain and businessman from Edo State, failed to secure any vote in the ward.
Governor Zulum, who served as the Coordinator and Collation Officer for the presidential primary in the state, said he participated in the exercise as an indigene of Mafa Ward.
“I am from Mafa Ward, and that is why I am here to witness and participate in the exercise. We have two candidates, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr Stanley Osifo,” Zulum stated.
The governor also commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and the turnout of party members.
“So far so good, we have conducted the presidential primary election for Mafa Ward, and I am very impressed with the turnout. We have a total of about 2,277 registered party members in Mafa Ward, out of which 2,175 were accredited for the voting, and all of them voted for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while the other candidate scored zero,” he said.
The APC presidential primary is ongoing in several states across the country, with the party expected to collate and announce final nationwide results at a later date.
Tinubu Sweeps Zulum’s Ward with 100% Votes in APC Presidential Primary
News
I Remember At Age Of 8,General Gowon Would Send Hand Written Letter To Yusuf Signed Uncle Joe-Sanusi
I Remember At Age Of 8,General Gowon Would Send Hand Written Letter To Yusuf Signed Uncle Joe-Sanusi
By: Our Reporter
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has recounted a touching childhood memory about former Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon, portraying him as a compassionate leader who extended personal support to the family of a military officer killed during the 1966 coup.
Speaking during an interview on Signature TV, Sanusi reflected on his early years at St Anne’s Secondary School in Kaduna, where he attended school alongside Yusuf Pam, the son of the late Colonel Joseph Pam, one of the victims of the January 1966 Nigerian coup.
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria recalled that despite the demands of national leadership, Gowon took a personal interest in the wellbeing of Yusuf following the loss of his father. According to Sanusi, the former Head of State frequently sent handwritten letters to the young boy, signing them “Uncle Joe.”
“What I remember at the age of eight was that General Gowon, as Head of State, would send a handwritten letter to Yusuf signed ‘Uncle Joe.’ That is a window into the person you are dealing with,” Sanusi said.
The Emir noted that the gesture has remained vivid in his memory over the years because it revealed a caring and humane side of leadership during one of the most turbulent periods in Nigeria’s history. He suggested that Gowon’s actions reflected empathy and a sense of responsibility toward families affected by the political upheaval of the time.
Colonel Pam was among several prominent figures who lost their lives during the 1966 coup, a pivotal event that reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape and contributed to years of instability and conflict that followed.
I Remember At Age Of 8,General Gowon Would Send Hand Written Letter To Yusuf Signed Uncle Joe-Sanusi
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