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EU, Stakeholders Meet on Cocoa, Others Compliance with Deforestation Regulation
EU, Stakeholders Meet on Cocoa, Others Compliance with Deforestation Regulation
By: Michael Mike
Stakeholders have received the report of an EU-funded study analysing the preparedness of cocoa and other value chains to comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
The EUDR, introduced on 29 June 2023, aims to limit the EU market’s impact on global deforestation, forest degradation, and biodiversity loss, promote deforestation-free supply chains, reduce the EU’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, and protect human rights and the rights of indigenous peoples.
Products covered under the EUDR include cocoa as well as palm oil, cattle, soy, coffee, timber, rubber, and their derivatives (beef, furniture, and chocolate are also listed). As the EU attracts 67 percent of cocoa exports from Nigeria, preparedness in this sector is particularly critical.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, stated that the EU aims to develop a strategy that both protects the environment and mitigates the effects of climate change.
He said: “In cocoa farming, a lot of virgin land is cleared, and farmers utilise such forested lands to farm. This is why the EUDR is important to discourage deforestation, but also why the EU is here to support the local farmers with improved agro-ecological techniques and improvements in productivity.”
The workshop also presented the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), a new legislative instruments applying to all value chains and requiring that, while conducting economic activities, companies should minimise negative environmental and social impacts.
Explaining the significance of the CS3D, Massimo De Luca added, “From water, to child labour, companies need to assess risks associated with their activities and measures to remedy, including compliance with national and international standards.”
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented by the Deputy Director, Cocoa/Member, National Cocoa Management Committee, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ajayi Olutobaba, welcomed the EU’s partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the introduction of the EUDR.
He said: “The EU’s partnership with the Ministry on the critical issue of the EUDR, and the need for due diligence assessments to be conducted in relevant value chains, is a welcome development.”
He added that: “Given the importance of the EUDR and the need to ensure due diligence assessments in Nigeria’s cocoa sector to guarantee deforestation-free supply chains for cocoa and other agricultural products, I recently inaugurated the National Taskforce on EUDR, comprising all relevant stakeholders in the affected value chains.”
He said: “The National Taskforce, chaired by me, aims to develop a unified national approach to meet the EU’s deadlines. We have already begun operations and hope to achieve our objectives as soon as possible.”
In his presentation, the key expert commissioned by the European Commission
Javier Sánchez, noted that while the EUDR presents short-term challenges for producing countries, it offers significant opportunities in the medium term.
“The EUDR should not be seen as a disadvantage for Nigeria. This is an opportunity to enhance environmental sustainability, create sustainable value chains, and strengthen compliance with national regulations across the value chain,” he said.
Sánchez emphasised that compliance with the EUDR strengthens the role of small producers in international value chains by promoting transparency, allowing consumers to know the origins of cocoa, coffee, and other products.
“The private sector, particularly EU-based importers, is the key player responsible for EUDR implementation. They will face significant sanctions for non-compliance. Due to the structure of the value chain, they will then also look to the upstream actors, especially cooperatives and middlemen, who have information about the origin of the products, to ensure EUDR is complied with.”
“While the government cannot replace the private sector’s role, it can facilitate compliance by developing tools and ensuring awareness of the regulations that private sector actors must follow,” he added.
EU, Stakeholders Meet on Cocoa, Others Compliance with Deforestation Regulation
Zulum announces N1 Billion support to UMTH for Kidney Transplant
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced a N1 billion financial support package for the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) to facilitate kidney transplants for underprivileged patients from the state.
Demonstrating immediate commitment, Governor Zulum authorised an initial deposit of N250 million to cover transplants for 50 indigent patients.
The governor made the announcement during the 110th General Meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, alongside the commissioning of the epoch-making projects at UMTH.
He confirmed that the remaining N750 million would be disbursed in three instalments.
“I am pleased to announce that Borno State government will deposit the sum of N250 million to support kidney transplant of 50 patients. I am ready to contribute N1 billion as government’s contribution towards supporting the less privileged indigenes of the State ,” Zulum stated.
“The Borno State government therefore pledges to support this initiative and is ready to provide all the partnership required to sustain the provision of kidney transplant to less privileged patients at UMTH. This is only the beginning—I promise to do even more,” he added.
Governor Zulum commended UMTH for its strides in specialised healthcare, particularly its recent successful kidney transplants.
“I was told both the patients and donors are doing very well. Indeed this is a landmark achievement and a great relieve to patients most importantly to those who cannot afford the cost of transplant,” he remarked.
Speaking on the State Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services (SEMAS), the governor confirmed that ten new fully equipped ambulances would be deployed across health facilities by the week’s end. This, he stressed, would bolster the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative.
“As a Government, we pledge our full support for the sustenance and scale-up of the Maternal and Newborns Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative programme. We view it not as a standalone initiative, but as a critical complement to our broader health reform agenda,”.
“We are committed to ensuring that Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative succeeds in providing comprehensive antenatal care, emergency obstetric services, skilled birth attendance, postnatal follow-up and routine immunisation to protect our children from preventable diseases,” he stressed.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, lauded Governor Zulum for fostering collaboration between state and federal governments to deliver equitable, affordable healthcare.
“Governor Zulum exemplifies teamwork by working closely with the federal government to enhance healthcare quality and accessibility in Borno,” Pate said.
Chief Medical Director, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo acknowledged the state’s N500 million intervention following the 2024 floods, had helped to restore critical services, including the renovation of Trauma and Kidney Centres, procurement of medical consumables and the reactivation of oxygen plant.
The event was attended by dignitaries including Minister of Health and Social Services Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, National Assembly members, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe (GCON), the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, former deputy governor, Hon. Usman Mamman Ndurkwa and over 70 Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors.
Zulum announces N1 Billion support to UMTH for Kidney Transplant
Troops neutralise three terrorists in ambush operations in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised three terrorists and intercepted logistics supplies during coordinated ambush operations in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama on Tuesday that the operations were conducted by under Operation Desert Sanity IV.
The sources said that the first ambush occurred late on July 28 at Kawuri general area, where troops lying in wait intercepted terrorists transporting logistics. On sighting the ambush team, a firefight ensued, resulting in the neutralisation of two terrorists, while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds.
Items recovered included packs of salt, Maggi seasoning, detergents, wrappers, brassieres, hijabs, shoes, a solar panel, torchlight batteries, and packs of SIM cards.
The troops returned safely to base early on July 29.
In a separate incident around midnight on the same day, troops on patrol observed suspicious movement ahead of their location in Konduga.
An alert was sent to an ambush team already in position, which swiftly engaged the terrorists at a different axis of the local government area. One terrorist was neutralised, while others fled.
The troops recovered items from both operations and returned to base without casualties.
Troops neutralise three terrorists in ambush operations in Borno
Troops neutralise two terrorists in Borno, recover weapons
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised two ISWAP terrorists during a fighting patrol in Aligambari village, near Gajiram in Borno State.
A reliable source told Zagazola Makama on Tuesday that the troops, acting on credible intelligence, launched a swift operation in the area at about 1:00 p.m. on Monday.
According to the source, the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with superior firepower, killing two of them in the process.
He said that the soldiers also recovered one AK-47 rifle, one PKT machine gun and two magazines from the scene.
“The troops are currently dominating the area of responsibility with aggressive patrols to deny the terrorists any freedom of movement.
“All captured items are in the custody of the troops, and further instructions are being awaited from higher headquarters,” the source added.
Troops neutralise two terrorists in Borno, recover weapons
Zulum announces N1 Billion support to UMTH for Kidney Transplant
Troops neutralise three terrorists in ambush operations in Borno
Troops neutralise two terrorists in Borno, recover weapons
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