National News
FG Advises States on Need to Establish Climate Change Department to Avert Nationwide Environmental Disaster
FG Advises States on Need to Establish Climate Change Department to Avert Nationwide Environmental Disaster
By: Michael Mike
All states in the country have been advised to establish a climate change department with the task of regularly report climate action within their state for proper national reporting on issues of climate change and to avert major environmental disaster in the country.
The advice was given by the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako during the launch at the weekend in Abuja of the report on “Mapping Climate Change Impact, Policy and Action at the Sub-national level in Nigeria.”
Salako while stating that the Nigerian government is taking measures to address the challenges of climate change in the country, on the project launch revealed that the steps are reflected in Policy, Legal, Institutional Programme, and Projects initiatives.
The Minister explained that the project also provides the opportunity to localize the understanding of climate impacts specific to different regions and to identify the unique challenges faced by different sub-national entities.
He noted that: “This project is crucial for understanding local challenges, formulating effective policies, and coordinating climate action, while facilitating coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders at the sub-national level, it will help tailor-made policymaking and action plans with the specific needs and vulnerabilities of each State.”
Salako said the Ministry of Environment was also taking steps to create awareness of climate action at sub-national levels in Nigeria by ensuring improved climate action and resilience among the 36 states.
He explained that at the Federal level, the setting up of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change has mandated the Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to have Climate Change Desks/Units/Departments to ensure the mainstreaming of climate change in their sectoral development activities and have regular meetings on National Climate Actions.
The President Society for Planet Prosperity, a non governmental organisation in Nigeria, Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, in his remarks during the launch, said that the report will assist states to generate income, access carbon finance and build climate resilience.
He lamented that the level of awareness of climate change in the 36 states across the country is very poor.
Okereke explained that Society for Planet Prosperity has been working with the Federal Minister of Environment, specifically the department for climate change, and the Nigerian governors forum to do a mapping to understand the level of climate awareness in the 36 states of the country including the FCT.
He said: “We also know that the federal government has put in place a number of major institutions and policies for climate action, but you don’t take climate change action at the federal level whether you’re planting forests, whether you’re doing erosion control, it has to happen at a state owned level, etc but everybody knows we do not know the state of climate action in the sub national level this is a major gap that has been present for the past 12 years since action on climate change in Nigeria.
“So we decided to tackle this gap by finding out what states are doing on climate change.” He
He noted that only eight states have climate policies out of the 36 states in Nigeria while 7 have a climate change action plans, while 12 states have captured climate change in their states budget.
He said the report shows that states need to put in action to drive climate change action policy plans, while adding that the report will be forwarded to the states government across the country to help them develop policy and plans on climate change resilience.
Chairman Security and Special Interventions and Climate Change, North East Development Commission, Sam Onuigbo, on his part urged the Governors and the Local Government Chairmen to take the threats posed by climate change very seriously to avert major environmental disaster.
He advised that Governors and the Local Government Chairmen must make adequate budgetary provisions for improved climate change action and resilience.
Onuigbo said: “Mapping Climate Change Impact, Policy and Action in Nigeria’s project aims to map the impact of climate change in the 36 states, and 774 local government areas to analyse the existing policies and actions in these sub-nationals, and identify the support needs of these sub-nationals to effectively domesticate climate change policies to attract climate fund and investments.”
The Niger state Governor, Mr Mohammed Baggo said that the mapping of climate impacts, policy, and actions at the subnational level is crucial in formulating effective strategies to combat climate change.
He said this will allow state governments to understand vulnerabilities, identify areas that require immediate attention, and develop tailored policies and action plans.
The report was launched by a non-governmental organisation in Nigeria, Society for Planet and Prosperity, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The report is expected to help citizens, especially states and local governments, understand that climate change is a major developmental challenge facing Nigeria and how to address its impact.
FG Advises States on Need to Establish Climate Change Department to Avert Nationwide Environmental Disaster
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to strengthen unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Director-General of the institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
He said the occasion, which signifies the end of a period of fasting, reflection and spiritual devotion, provides an opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to the values of peace, compassion and national unity.
Ochogwu urged Muslims to sustain the virtues cultivated during Ramadan—such as self-discipline, patience, charity and piety—beyond the festive period, stressing that such values are essential for building harmonious communities and strengthening the nation.
According to him, Nigerians must also rise above religious, ethnic and political differences and embrace mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as vital ingredients for national development.
“At a time when the country is confronted with complex challenges, unity of purpose and collective responsibility are crucial to overcoming divisions and building a more secure and prosperous nation,” he said.
The institute also expressed concern over recent security incidents in parts of the country, including the tragic bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State, which claimed several lives.
Ochogwu extended condolences to families of the victims, praying for the repose of the deceased and speedy recovery for those injured in the attack.
He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to its mandate of promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution across Nigeria, noting that IPCR would continue to work with government institutions, communities and other stakeholders to address the root causes of conflict.
The IPCR boss further urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and actively support peacebuilding initiatives in their communities.
“Peace is a shared responsibility, and every Nigerian has a role to play in safeguarding it,” he added.
Ochogwu also prayed that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration would usher in renewed hope, healing and unity for Nigeria while advancing peace, stability and national progress.
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
National News
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has restated the Federal Government’s resolve to defeat terrorism, declaring that those behind recent attacks in the country will be decisively confronted.
He noted that beyond the presidential directive to security chiefs, the Federal Government was investing more in equipment and other logistics to boost the fight against terrorism across the country.
Senator Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he visited victims of the bomb blast who are receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Condemning the gory multiple explosions in Maiduguri on Monday in which more than 100 people were affected by the incident, with over 20 confirmed dead, he described the perpetrators as barbaric, stressing that no cause justifies the killing of innocent people.
The Vice President said his visit was to sympathise with the injured and families affected by the tragedy, assuring of government’s support through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the North East Development Commission, and the Borno State Government.
The Vice President was accompanied by Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur; NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar; Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahijo, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who congratulated Muslim faithful across the country on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Federal Government, the minister urged Muslims to uphold the core values of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice, which define the Ramadan period. He emphasized the need for Nigerians to reflect on these virtues beyond the fasting season as part of efforts to build a more harmonious society.
Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, regardless of religious affiliation, to use the festive period to pray for national peace, unity, and sustained progress, noting that collective responsibility remains key to the country’s stability.
He further encouraged Nigerians to celebrate responsibly and extend kindness to the less privileged, in line with the spirit of the season.
The declaration underscores the government’s continued commitment to promoting unity and peaceful coexistence in the country, as millions of Muslims prepare to celebrate one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar.
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