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Environment Minister Says Swift and Decisive Actions Required to Mitigate Climate Change

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Environment Minister Says Swift and Decisive Actions Required to Mitigate Climate Change

By: Michael Mike

Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal has said swift and decisive actions are needed to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

The Minister made the statement on Wednesday while delivering a speech at the 17th meeting of the Council of Environment in Abuja.

He decried that: “Climate change is threatening ecosystems, livelihoods, and biodiversity, environmental degradation disproportionately impacts marginalised communities, exacerbating inequalities and perpetuating social injustices.”

Lawal said: “We must redouble our efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, embrace renewable energy solutions, and foster sustainable practices across all sectors.

“Mobilising more financial inflow for environmental sustainability is essential because it allows for the allocation of resources towards projects and initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving the environment.

“As we are all aware, environment financing is capital intensive, to mobilise more financial inflow for environmental sustainability there is the need to implore innovative financing mechanisms, such as Green Bonds, Carbon Pricing, and Public-Private Partnerships,” noting that this will help in generating the resources needed for effective environmental protection and conservation efforts.

The Minister added: “I therefore urge members of this council to intensify exploration and implementation of financing mechanisms at their disposal.

“As we convene amidst pressing global challenges, from climate change to biodiversity loss, our duty as custodians of the environment has never been more paramount.

“Each decision we make within these walls reverberates far beyond, shaping the health and sustainability of our planet for generations to come.”

“Our nation stands at a critical juncture, where the urgency to act boldly on environmental issues is undeniable. As guardians of biodiversity, we must safeguard our precious ecosystems from degradation and exploitation,” he urged.

On his part, Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, in an address of welcome stated that the need to galvanise more financial windows for environmental sustainability efforts is not just an aspiration but a commitment that would define our era.

He said: “In our drive to build a sustainable future for our generation and the ones yet unborn, mobilising funding for climate and environmental actions is a core imperative.

“In doing this, we need to emphasis our areas of comparative advantages and present such to the global community as our contribution to addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

“The global north who are the greatest contributor to the environmental challenges being faced by the world is offering us all kinds of technologies, some of them controversial as the solution to the crisis.”

He tasked stakeholders not to loose touch with nature based solutions that offers natural advantages and possess a higher potential to reduce capital flight and improve the livelihoods of the people.

He noted that: “The Federal Ministry of Environment at COP 28 in Dubai December 2023 championed and launched the Ministerial Alliance for Ambition on Nature Finance.

Salako stressed that the launch was to give Nigeria a voice to prompt an ambition on biodiversity finance in global south countries like Nigeria where most of the biodiversity performing critical ecosystem services for the entire world is located.

He said: “As the developed world comes around with their technologies and carbon credit schemes where they almost exclusively determine the pricing, let us also put forward our rich biodiversity worth trillion of dollars.

“Let us remain dedicated to the cause of environmental sustainability in the firm conviction that our collective efforts can pave the way for a healthier and cleaner planet earth.”

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Mr Koffy Kouacou Dominque, on his part, noted that FAO is committed to supporting government at all levels to enhance sustainable natural resources management.

Dominque who was represented by one of the senior staff in the FAO, Nigeria’s office, Tofiq Braimah, said that the organisation’s area of supports are to implement, monitor and report climate commitments outlined in the National Determined Contribution document.

He assured FAO’s continuous support to access climate finance, partnership and technical support to mainstreaming agrifood systems to the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPS), among others.

He however noted that our environment is under increasing pressure from climate change, deforestation, pollution, and other threats that require urgent attention and collaborative action.

Environment Minister Says Swift and Decisive Actions Required to Mitigate Climate Change

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Borno Agency for the Great Green Wall Plants Trees at Key Infrastructure Projects to Combat Desertification

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Borno Agency for the Great Green Wall Plants Trees at Key Infrastructure Projects to Combat Desertification

The Borno State Agency for the Great Green Wall (BAGGW) has taken significant strides in its mission to mitigate climate change, combat desertification, and restore the environment in Borno State. As part of its ongoing efforts to address desert encroachment, the Agency has launched a tree planting initiative at newly commissioned infrastructures across the state.

Following the directives of His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum CON, the Executive Governor of Borno State, the Agency recently planted a total of 700 seedlings at several key locations. These efforts are aimed at replacing depleted vegetation due to urban development and contributing to the greening of Borno.

By: Our Reporter

At the Higher Day Islamic School in Miringa, 400 seedlings were planted, marking a significant contribution to the environmental sustainability of the school’s grounds. The Biu Dental and Eye Hospital, another important infrastructure project recently commissioned by Governor Zulum, saw 200 seedlings planted to enhance the ecological balance around the hospital. Additionally, 100 seedlings were planted at the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Shaffa, located in the Hawul Local Government Area, further reinforcing the state’s commitment to environmental preservation.

In a move to create lasting green spaces across the state, the agency also initiated the establishment of the ‘Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum CON Green Zone,’ a dedicated area aimed at counteracting the effects of desertification and promoting environmental sustainability.

Amb. Usman Aliyu, the Director-General of the Borno State Agency for the Great Green Wall, confirmed that the tree planting initiatives are part of the broader goals of the Agency to create green zones within major urban and rural centers of Borno. As part of this, the Agency continues to engage in activities such as soil restoration, afforestation, and community awareness programs, all designed to protect and preserve Borno’s natural environment for future generations.

In addition to the tree planting efforts, the Borno Agency for the Great Green Wall is actively working to combat the effects of climate change in the state by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, supporting local farmers, and rehabilitating degraded land. These initiatives are crucial not only for restoring the environment but also for improving the livelihoods of Borno’s residents.

This ongoing commitment to environmental restoration aligns with Governor Zulum’s vision for a greener, more sustainable Borno, and sets a strong example for other regions facing similar environmental challenges. The planting of trees at these commissioned infrastructures is a powerful symbol of Borno State’s determination to tackle desertification and climate change while ensuring a healthy future for its people.

Through these collective efforts, the Borno State Agency for the Great Green Wall continues to lead the way in creating a greener, more resilient environment for all.

Borno Agency for the Great Green Wall Plants Trees at Key Infrastructure Projects to Combat Desertification

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Crime

NSCDC Arrests 17 Vandals for Attacks on Pipelines in Niger Delta

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NSCDC Arrests 17 Vandals for Attacks on Pipelines in Niger Delta

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 17 suspected vandals for their alleged role in the killing of an officer of the corps during an operation in the Niger Delta.

A statement by the spokesman of the corps, Afolabi Babawale on Monday read that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad [CG’S SIS] in a tactically coordinated Intelligence base operations have arrested 17 suspects for the alleged role played in a renewed hostility attack on oil and gas Installations in the Niger Delta region.

They were accused of attacking NSCDC Operatives and Tantita Security Service base which led to the killing of Assistant Superintendent Umar Aliyu with Service number 6363 and stealing of a speed boat belonging to Tantita Security Services.

Speaking on the arrest, the CG’S SIS Boss Commandant Apollo Dandaura hinted that a high profile syndicates of 17 sea pirates were arrested by his men in synergy with other sisters security agencies, following an intelligence base coordinated operations at Tonogbe, Ekeremo Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on 6th March, 2025.

He said: “Earlier in January 21st, 2025, there was an attack against the Joint Task Force combining operatives of the NSCDC and Tantita Security Services at their Base in Torugbene II unit at Ekeremo LGA in Bayelsa State by suspected vandals and Sea pirates who were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons”.

“Upon arrival at the base, they shot sporadically at the officers and innocent civilians which led to the killing of ASC Umar Aliyu, his Ak 47 official Riffle was carted away, Ebikame Seimeneyefa of Tantita Security was shot and Tantita Speed Boat was also hijacked and stolen”.

Dandaura disclosed that an intensive undercover and investigative operation was carried out in synergy with sisters security agencies and Tantita, which led to successful tracking and arrest of the 17 suspects.

He said: “We mounted a round the clock and relentless onslaught against the suspects in collaborations with sisters security agencies and the Tantita Security and succeeded in smashing the 17 deadly Sea pirates led by a notorious vandal, kidnapper and armed robber called Ziakede Amatu, who hails from Norgbene community in Ekeremo, Bayelsa State and has been terrorizing the community and all neighbouring states.

“From our preliminary investigation carried out by the Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad squad, the suspects volunteered the following information stating that the same syndicate launched attack against the State Honourable Minister of Petroleum, Hon. Lokpobiri Heineken at his residence on the 1st of January this year.

“According to the kingpin, while engaging in illegal refining of petroleum products in 2023 at Abonima Rivers State, he worked under another notorious suspect called “Emergency ” (Original name unknown); they had 7 Ak 47 which was kept safe in the forest but after refining the products one day the suspect Emergency left suddenly and never returned.

“Ziakede Amatu later migrated from Rivers to Bayelsa State and hinted some Elders in his community about the seven [7] Ak 47 Riffles in which he was advised to withdraw them from the hide out and use them for protection of the community.

“The Suspect, Ziakede after a failed attempt to join the Tantita Security Services, procured Tantita Security Services uniforms to use in his renewed hostility attack on oil installations in order to divert attention, disguise and destroy the good work of Tantita Security while carrying out their dastardly act.

“Further confession revealed that the suspects embarked on this mischievous blackmail against the Tantita Security Chairman, Ekpemupolo Owiezide Government aka Tompolo since they could not infiltrate and get some Surveillance contracts sublet to them; hence the move to vandalise Oil and Gas Installations and this culminated to the attack on NSCDC and Tantita Operatives, leading to the killing of the late officer.”

The exhibits recovered are one AK47 Riffle, two empty Ak47 magazines, charms, 15 Tantita Security uniform (shirt and trouser), 15 Tantita Security T-shirt and 15 black boots.

TheCommander CG’S SIS thanked the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi for enabling the Squad to carry out her responsibilities with necessary logistic support which has engendered its remarkable achievements in fighting crimes and criminalities, combating illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta, carrying out Investigative operations and dislodging criminal minded persons from their hideouts.

He noted that with the ongoing thorough investigation, other suspects would be apprehended in due course and made to face the full wrath of the law.

NSCDC Arrests 17 Vandals for Attacks on Pipelines in Niger Delta

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Crime

Man Arrested for Killing Sister-in-Law in Kano

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Man Arrested for Killing Sister-in-Law in Kano

By: Zagazola Makama

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old man, Anas Yakubu, for allegedly killing his sister-in-law, Fatima Adamu, in Baura Village, Albasu Local Government Area.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on March 16 at about 12:30 p.m. following a misunderstanding between the suspect and the victim.

“Yakubu allegedly hit Adamu, 35, with a pestle on her head, causing severe injuries. She was rushed to the General Hospital in Albasu, where she was confirmed dead by medical personnel,” the spokesperson said.

Police have arrested the suspect, and released the victim’s body to her relatives for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

Man Arrested for Killing Sister-in-Law in Kano

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