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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
Zulum moves to resettle Konduga IDPs in four months
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has announced the planned closure of Konduga internally displaced persons (IDP) camp within the next four months.
This follows the successful closure of Bama IDP camp, the largest displacement facility outside the state capital and the planned shutdown of Gwoza camp.
Speaking to newsmen during a recent visit to the camp, Zulum, however, stressed that the relocation is entirely voluntary and no one will be forced to resettle where they are not willing to go.
The Governor has consistently maintained that returning to ancestral homes or other areas of choice must be based on the displaced persons’ expressed willingness.
He said, “We are not carrying out the resettlement process immediately; we are here to discuss with the IDPs so that in the next four months they will be resettled in a dignified manner. I believe you heard from the IDPs that they are willing to return home. Return shall be voluntary, not by force”.
During his visit to Konduga, Governor Zulum inspected resettlement houses currently under construction in Amarwa and later proceeded to Maiwa in Mafa LGA. The Amarwa resettlement city, for which the governor had earlier laid the foundation, is being built to shelter displaced persons living in camps.
In Maiwa, the state government is constructing massive housing units as part of the ongoing resettlement programme. The resettlement houses are equipped with public facilities like a primary healthcare centre, a water facility, and other basic amenities.
Zulum was accompanied by the member of the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba; the Member of the House of Assembly for Konduga, Hon. Bukar Modu; the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele; and other senior government officials.
Zulum moves to resettle Konduga IDPs in four months
Zulum Announces Closure of Konduga IDP Camp as Borno Accelerates Resettlement Drive
…Inspects ongoing housing projects in Amarwa, Maiwa
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has announced plans to close the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Konduga Local Government Area as part of efforts to accelerate the state’s ongoing resettlement programme.
The move comes shortly after the successful closure of the Bama IDP camp, which was the largest displacement camp outside Maiduguri, as well as preparations for the shutdown of the Gwoza IDP camp.
Governor Zulum, who disclosed the plan during a visit to Konduga, said the resettlement of displaced persons would be carried out in a dignified and voluntary manner, stressing that no resident would be forced to return to any location against their will.
The governor said the government would engage with the displaced communities before the process begins, noting that the return of IDPs must be based on their readiness and willingness.
“We are not carrying out the resettlement process immediately; we are here to discuss with the IDPs so that in the next four months they will be resettled in a dignified manner. I believe you heard from the IDPs that they are willing to return home. Return shall be voluntary, not by force,” Zulum said.
During the visit, the governor inspected ongoing construction work at the Amarwa resettlement city, where housing units are being developed for displaced families. The project, which was earlier inaugurated by the governor, is designed to provide a permanent settlement option for residents currently living in camps.
Governor Zulum also visited Maiwa in Mafa Local Government Area, where the state government is constructing additional housing units under its resettlement initiative.
The housing projects include essential social infrastructure such as primary healthcare centres, water facilities and other basic amenities aimed at ensuring sustainable living conditions for returnees.
The Borno State Government has continued to prioritise the rebuilding of communities affected by years of insurgency, with the closure of IDP camps forming part of a broader strategy to restore normalcy, rebuild livelihoods and support the safe return of displaced residents.
Governor Zulum was accompanied on the inspection tour by the member representing Bama/Ngala/Kala-Balge Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Engr. Bukar Talba; the Konduga State House of Assembly member, Hon. Bukar Modu; Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele; and other senior government officials.
Zulum Announces Closure of Konduga IDP Camp as Borno Accelerates Resettlement Drive
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorist Informants, Cattle Rustlers in Yobe Market
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested two suspected terrorist informants and cattle rustlers during a joint operation with local hunters at the Buni Yadi Friday Market in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Military sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out at about 2:00 p.m. on July 24 by troops of 27 Task Force Brigade in conjunction with members of a hunters’ group acting on intelligence.
The suspects were identified as Muhammadu Sani, 32, from Mainahari in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, and Buba Umaru, 40, from Garin Jauro in Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State.
According to the sources, the operation turned violent when one of the suspects attacked a member of the hunters’ group with a cutlass while resisting arrest.
The hunter sustained severe head injuries during the attack and was immediately attended to, while the troops overpowered and apprehended the suspects.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Muhammadu Sani confessed to serving as a logistics supplier and informant for Boko Haram terrorists for nearly seven years.
He also admitted to leading terrorists to the residences of two local residents, where the insurgents successfully rustled cattle during separate attacks.
Military sources said the confession is expected to assist ongoing intelligence efforts aimed at dismantling terrorist support networks operating within communities across the North-East.
The two suspects are currently in the custody of 27 Task Force Brigade and are undergoing further investigation to determine the extent of their involvement in terrorist logistics, intelligence gathering and cattle rustling activities.
Security officials said the arrest underscores the critical role played by local intelligence and collaboration between troops and community-based security groups in identifying individuals who provide logistical support and operational information to terrorist elements.
They added that troops of Operation HADIN KAI will continue to target terrorist collaborators, informants and logistics networks as part of ongoing efforts to deny insurgents the local support structures that sustain their operations across the North-East.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorist Informants, Cattle Rustlers in Yobe Market
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