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Experts Present Guidelines To Tackle Climate Change and Economic Growth
Experts Present Guidelines To Tackle Climate Change and Economic Growth
By: Michael Mike
Experts in environmental field have come out with key policy steps to address the threat of climatic changes and launch the country into a new era of industrial development and economic growth.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the leader of the group (Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), a non-partisan organisation devoted to sustainable policy research, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, said after months of research, the group has unraveled 11 key steps and decisions that if taken in the next five years, there would be a socio-economic transformation required to enable Nigeria to meet the government’s 2060 net zero carbon emissions mission target.
Okereke, who is an internationally recognized scholar, flanked at the press conference by Executive Director, Society for Planet and Prosperity, Oghenemere Orugbo and CEO, GCA Capital Partners, Obi Ugochukwu, recalled that at
the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26), Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari committed to achieving net zero by 2060, which would be in line with the Climate Change Act and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, released in August 2022 and was developed to serve as the pathway toward achieving the 2060 net zero target. He noted that Nigeria has also launched a long-term vision for 2050, which is expected to inform the development of its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy.
He said riding on the shoulder of Mr. President’s announcement at COP26, the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) a non-partisan organisation devoted to sustainable policy research on the 28th of July 2022 launched the project “Nigeria: Top 10 Net zero Measures” with funding from the European Climate Foundation (ECF), disclosing that the Top 10 measures were later developed into 11 measures after critical examination by experts.
He said: “The main aim of the project was to map 11 key steps and decisions that if taken in the next 5 years will underpin a socio-economic transformation required to enable Nigeria to meet the government’s 2060 net zero target, the project was also aimed at presenting these steps and decisions in a format that is accessible to a wider public through communication materials that can stimulate and inform a wider public debate, involving civil societies and policymakers.”
He revealed that: “In selecting the top 11 measures, the Society for planet and prosperity engaged with senior experts from the government, the private sector, trade unions, civil society organisations, academia and think tanks, the media, and international development partners. They were invited to discuss and assess the benefits of successful implementation of each measure against four criteria, which are deemed to fairly represent the breadth of the development challenges facing the country.”
He said according to the report, prioritized measures that if implemented jointly over the next five years would significantly positively impact the ability of Nigeria to embark on a low-emission development pathway to a net-zero emission future are; (1) A strong focus on generating renewable electricity both on and off-grid (minimum of 30% of on-grid electricity from renewables), (2) Elimination of diesel and gasoline generators for electricity generation by 2030. (3) Plant 300 million trees [this decade] and promote Agro-forestry, reforestation and afforestation, including community-based forest management and recovery. (4) End (associated) gas flaring by 2030 (5) Reduce wood cooking from the current 72% of the population to 20% of the population by 2030 / introducing clean cooking into 30 million households (6) Embark on the construction of 300,000 green homes in the next 12 months and 1.5 million over the next 5 years (7) A modal shift in transport by realizing a shift of passengers to Bus Rapid Transport (BRT); backed up by enforcement of emissions standards in vehicles. (8) End landfilling of untreated waste and transit into properly designed and managed landfills with state-of-the-art gas collection (9) Increase the amount of irrigated land (ha) using renewable energy for pumping from 24.35% to 100% (and associated increase use of off-grid power in communities) (10) Consistent economy-wide Energy Efficiency improvements (-50% from 2015 baseline) Examples are reducing electricity transmission losses and replacing 4 million incandescent bulbs with Tubular Fluorescent Lamps (TFLs) or Light-emitting Diode (LEDs), equipment standards. (11) Landscape-scale restoration and recharging of the Lake Chad basin.”
He revealed that: “A rough calculation indicates that the eleven measures could result in an emission reduction of about 174.01 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030 similar to the fossil emission of Algeria or Iraq in 2021.”
He said: “Therefore, it is very important to note that the total implementation of all the measures in this report will facilitate the achievement of Net zero by 2060 as pronounced by Mr. President at COP26.”
Monday,
Okereke lamented that Nigeria is facing existential threat due to climate change, insisting that something urgently needed to be done to avert and stimulate the nation’s economy as the world is fast moving from fossil fuel.
He said the nation is presently at two extremes, the need to control climate change and build the economy and safeguard Nigeria over dependence of oil revenue, insisting that this must be top priority for the incoming administration.
Experts Present Guidelines To Tackle Climate Change and Economic Growth
Fadile Pays Tribute to Late CJN Mohammed Uwais, Describes Him as “My Father in the Judiciary.”
By: Michael Mike
The first military-trained lawyer with a PhD in International Law in Nigeria, Col. Bello Fadile (rtd), has mourned the passing of a stalwart, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais GCON, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), who passed on at the age of 89.
Fadile, a prominent figure and author, paid a heartfelt tribute yesterday to the late jurist, describing him as “My Father in the Judiciary.”
Fadile recounted the remarkable story of how Justice Uwais, then CJN, intervened on his behalf during his detention in 1995, braving the military regime to ensure his release.
The Nigerian Army’s first lawyer tribute highlighted Justice Uwais’s unwavering commitment to justice, humility, and integrity. He quoted Uwais’s powerful statement: “A corrupt judge is more harmful to society than a man who runs amok with a dagger in a crowded street.”
Part of the statement read: “At the ripe age of 89, he left us in this sinful world as Allah SWT willed. We accept the vadict as appeal lies nowhere. To we the immediate families, we pray to Allah SWT to give us the fortitude to carry on relying on the principles he lived on and left for us which are:- humility, impartiality, humane, love, detribalised, uprightness and fear of Almighty Allah SWT.
“And to the Nigerian judiciary which he dedicated his life to, i urge you all to follow his footsteps, which he captured brilliantly;
‘ A corrupt judge is more harmful to the society than a man who runs amok with a dagger in a crowded street. The latter can be restrained physically. But a corrupt judge deliberately destroys the moral foundation of society and causes incalculable distress to individuals through abusing his office while still being referred to as Honorable “
“ As captured in my book, Lives: The Bello Fadile Memoirs, I shall forever be grateful to MyLord, the Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais GCON for the risk he took when I was arrested for the alleged fathom coup in 1995.”
Fadile who is the founder and chair of the Council for African Security Affairs, recounted how he was “detained near his house and I sent at note to him as the then CJN, without hesitation or fear of the military, his life or his job, he acted on my request and reached out Late Honorable Justice Karibi-Whyte and together they raised my detention with the Head of Military Government. And of course, they became my link to the Head of State, going and coming back with messages. What man with a lion heart.”
“On my release in March 1999. MyLord traveled from Abuja to Kaduna to see me. He came with clothes, bundles of sheda, and thousands of cash. That was my Father in the Judiciary for you. I was able to see him after 10 years in November 2024, and now he is no more.,” he added.
Fadile noted that late Justice Uwais’s legacy serves as a shining example for the Nigerian judiciary.
According to him, Justice Uwais’s remarkable life and contributions to Nigeria’s judiciary will be remembered for generations to come, adding that “his courage, integrity, and dedication to justice have left an indelible mark on the nation’s legal landscape”.
Fadile Pays Tribute to Late CJN Mohammed Uwais, Describes Him as “My Father in the Judiciary.”
Alau Dam: Zulum, Shehu of Borno Plead with FG to Expedite Rehabilitation Work.
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the rehabilitation and expansion of the Alau Dam to avert a repeat of last year’s devastating flood disaster.
Maiduguri and surrounding local government areas experienced their worst flooding in decades following the collapse of the Alau Dam in 2024. In response, the Federal Government approved N80 billion for the dam’s reconstruction and expansion, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in March 2025 to mark the commencement of the project.
Governor Zulum while responding to a request by the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, on the need to fast tract the project, during the traditional Sallah homage at the Government House in Maiduguri. The Governor expressed concern over the slow pace of work, warning that the rainy season has already begun.
“After the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and expansion of the dam, which we all attended, the truth is that the work is not progressing as expected,” Governor Zulum stated.
“The last time I visited the President, I informed him about the true state of the project, and I assure you that I will not relent. I will continue to follow up, and I have also notified the Vice President as well. In the meantime, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) has constituted a committee to provide immediate intervention at the dam.”.
The governor pledged to connect all local government headquarters to the national grid before the end of his tenure. He also promised massive road rehabilitation once the Pulka quarry plant is completed.
“These are two critical issues dear to me, he said. I assure Your Royal Highness that all local government headquarters will be connected to electricity before my tenure expires, Insha Allah. Regarding road infrastructure, insecurity has been a major challenge, but we remain committed. We have procured 40 brand-new Howo tipper trucks, and once the Pulka quarry plant is completed, we will embark on extensive road rehabilitation across the state.”
Governor Zulum thanked the people of Borno for their continued support and cooperation to his administration.
Earlier, the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi said the sallah homage has been part of the tradition during every festive season, acknowledging the unprecedented transformation the Zulum’s administration is executing across the state.
He emphasised the importance of expediting the Alau Dam project, noting that the first phase should have been completed by now. He referenced the recent flooding in Mokwa, Niger State, as a warning of what could recur in Borno if swift action is not taken.
“We witnessed the catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri on 10th September 2024, and we do not want a repeat, the Shehu said. The Federal Government must act immediately.”.
The royal father also urged the Governor to follow up with the Federal Government on oil exploration in Tuba, road rehabilitation, and electricity connectivity for local government areas.
During the event, Governor Zulum also received delegations from the University of Maiduguri, Kashim Ibrahim University, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, and Federal Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare, who paid similar homage.
Alau Dam: Zulum, Shehu of Borno Plead with FG to Expedite Rehabilitation Work.
Flooding: Zulum, Shehu of Borno Plead with FG to Expedite Rehabilitation Work on Alau Dam
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the rehabilitation and expansion of the Alau Dam to avert a repeat of last year’s devastating flood which nearly submerged Maiduguri and environs.
Maiduguri and surrounding local government areas experienced their worst flooding in decades following the collapse of the Alau Dam in 2024. In response, the Federal Government approved N80 billion for the dam’s reconstruction and expansion, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in March 2025 to mark the commencement of the project.
Zulum, while responding to a request by the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, on the need to fast tract the project, during the traditional Sallah homage at the Government House in Maiduguri, the governor expressed concern over the slow pace of work, warning that the rainy season has already begun.
He said: “After the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and expansion of the dam, which we all attended, the truth is that the work is not progressing as expected.
“The last time I visited the President, I informed him about the true state of the project, and I assure you that I will not relent. I will continue to follow up, and I have also notified the Vice President as well. In the meantime, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) has constituted a committee to provide immediate intervention at the dam.”.
Meanwhile, the governor has pledged to connect all local government headquarters in the state to the national grid before the end of his tenure. He also promised massive road rehabilitation once the Pulka quarry plant is completed.
He said: “These are two critical issues dear to me, I assure Your Royal Highness that all local government headquarters will be connected to electricity before my tenure expires, Insha Allah. Regarding road infrastructure, insecurity has been a major challenge, but we remain committed. We have procured 40 brand-new Howo tipper trucks, and once the Pulka quarry plant is completed, we will embark on extensive road rehabilitation across the state.”
Zulum thanked the people of Borno for their continued support and cooperation to his administration.
Earlier, the Shehu of Borno said the sallah homage has been part of the tradition during every festive season, acknowledging the unprecedented transformation the Zulum’s administration has extended to all parts of the state.
He reiterated the importance of expediting the Alau Dam project, noting that the first phase should have been completed by now.
He referenced the recent flooding in Mokwa, Niger State, as a warning of what could recur in Borno if swift action is not taken.
The paramount ruler said: “We witnessed the catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri on 10th September 2024, and we do not want a repeat.. The Federal Government must act immediately.”.
The royal father also urged the Governor to follow up with the Federal Government on oil exploration in Tuba, road rehabilitation, and electricity connectivity for local government areas.
During the event, Governor Zulum also received delegations from the University of Maiduguri, Kashim Ibrahim University, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, and Federal Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare, who paid similar homage.
Flooding: Zulum, Shehu of Borno Plead with FG to Expedite Rehabilitation Work on Alau Dam
Fadile Pays Tribute to Late CJN Mohammed Uwais, Describes Him as “My Father in the Judiciary.”
Yobe: One killed as Fulani attacks traders in Fune local government
Alau Dam: Zulum, Shehu of Borno Plead with FG to Expedite Rehabilitation Work.
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