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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
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STRONG CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS KEY TO MILITARY SUCCESS” – GEN ML AGWAI (RTD) TELLS AWCN PARTICIPANTS
STRONG CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS KEY TO MILITARY SUCCESS” – GEN ML AGWAI (RTD) TELLS AWCN PARTICIPANTS
By: Our Reporter
Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd), CFR, delivered a thought-provoking lecture to participants of Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) Course 9/2025. The lecture, titled “Civil-Military Relations and Military Effectiveness,” was held at the College Lecture Hall in Asokoro, Abuja. General Agwai emphasized that strong civil-military relations are crucial to military professionalism, ethical governance, and operational success.
He highlighted that a professional military must not only be combat-ready but also function within the framework of democratic oversight, public trust, and national development. The lecture covered key areas, including the relationship between the military and the state, military professionalism in civil relations, and the impact of civil-military relations on military effectiveness.
General Agwai noted that military effectiveness is not solely determined by firepower or tactics but also by the level of trust and cooperation between the armed forces, government institutions, and the civilian population. According to him, “A military force that enjoys public confidence and aligns its operations with national interests will always outperform one that operates in isolation.”
The lecture also examined historical and contemporary examples of civil-military relations from around the world, drawing lessons for Nigeria’s security framework. General Agwai stressed the need for continuous engagement between the armed forces and civil society to strengthen national security, peacebuilding, and crisis management.
The Commandant AWCN, Major General Umar Muhammed Alkali, commended General Agwai for his insightful presentation, describing it as a valuable contribution to the intellectual and strategic development of the course participants. The event concluded with an interactive session where participants engaged the guest lecturer on various aspects of civil-military relations and its application to Nigeria’s security challenges.
STRONG CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS KEY TO MILITARY SUCCESS” – GEN ML AGWAI (RTD) TELLS AWCN PARTICIPANTS
Zulum orders 2-year tax waiver for flood victims, others
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved a two-year tax waiver for traders who were affected by the September 2024 flood disaster and Maiduguri Monday market traders.
Zulum granted the waiver to ease financial burden and encourage business growth. The devastating flood caused economic hardship, with many residents losing their livelihoods.
The chairman of Borno State Internal Revenue Service (BO-IRS), Professor Ibrahim Bello Alhaji, who made this known last week, stated that the waiver was part of Zulum’s tax administration reforms which prioritise ease of doing business in the state.
Professor Bello equally noted that Borno State now ranks 12th nationally in terms of improved and digitised tax programmes.
The BO-IRS chairman highlighted ongoing projects in Jiddari, Umarari, GRA, Bulumkutu, Custom, Chad Basin and many other locations, stressing that every part of the state benefits from tax-generated funds.
Zulum orders 2-year tax waiver for flood victims, others
Music Donates Towards Feeding, Education of Orphans, Abandoned Children in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
Sony Music Entertainment has donated towards the feeding and payment of school fees of children at an orphanage home, Vines Heritage Home, Gwagwalada in Abuja, Nigeria.
The donation was presented through ActionAid Sweden to ActionAid Nigeria and disbursed to the orphanage home which house 219 orphans and abandoned children.
Presenting the donation to the Vines Heritage Home at the weekend in Abuja, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu disclosed that about $10,000 was donated by a musician on the Sony Music Entertainment label who felt persuaded to contribute towards bettering the living of orphans in the country.
He said the artiste chose to remain anonymous.
Mamedu said: “It is with great joy and gratitude that I stand before you today on behalf of ActionAid Nigeria to acknowledge and celebrate a significant milestone in our collective efforts towards promoting access to quality education and improving the well-being of children in Nigeria.
“We are deeply grateful for the generous funding support provided by Sony Entertainment through ActionAid Sweden. As a globally recognized organisation, Sony Entertainment understands the crucial role of investing in education and securing a brighter future for children. This invaluable support will significantly impact the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in our society, particularly the 76 girls from Vines Heritage Home (VHH) and the 219 children under our care.”
He added that: “Through this funding, ActionAid Nigeria will ensure the payment of school fees for the second and third terms of the 2024/2025 academic session for 76 girls in five schools within the Gwagwalada Area Council. This means that these young girls can continue their education without disruption, empowering them with the knowledge and skills they need to build brighter futures.
“In addition to supporting education, the funding has been also used to procure food and essential non-food items for 219 children in VHH. Proper nutrition and necessities are critical for a child’s overall development, and with this intervention, we are ensuring that no child in our care goes to bed hungry or lacks the essentials they need to thrive.” Mamedu also said: “Furthermore, part of the funding from Sony Entertainment will be utilized to engage policymakers to advocate for better education policies that improve learning outcomes for children. By working closely with key decision-makers, we aim to create systemic changes that will enhance access to quality education and ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has an equal opportunity to succeed.
“I would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Sony Entertainment for their commitment to social responsibility and their willingness to invest in the future of our children. This act of generosity is a testament to the power of partnerships in driving meaningful change in our communities.”
He said: “We also recognize and appreciate the presence of our key stakeholders, including the representative from the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCTUBEB). Your dedication to strengthening the education sector is invaluable, and we look forward to continued collaboration to ensure that every child has access to quality education.
To the young girls and children who are the direct beneficiaries of this initiative, I want you to know that you are valued, and your dreams matter. Education is a powerful tool that can change lives and uplift communities. Take full advantage of this opportunity, work hard, and continue to aspire for greatness.”
Music Donates Towards Feeding, Education of Orphans, Abandoned Children in Nigeria
STRONG CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS KEY TO MILITARY SUCCESS” – GEN ML AGWAI (RTD) TELLS AWCN PARTICIPANTS
Zulum orders 2-year tax waiver for flood victims, others
CAPPA organizes round table for reporters in Borno as the polity counts down to 2027 election year
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