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FG Begins Plan on COP29, Reviews Outcomes of Last Session
FG Begins Plan on COP29, Reviews Outcomes of Last Session
By: Michael Mike
As the nation begins to plan for the the 29th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) holding in Azerbaijan, the Federal Government has emphasised the need to review the outcomes of the 28th session (COP28) held in Dubai.
The government said the outcomes of the negotiations at COP28 have implications for Nigeria’s development aspirations and climate action across all sectors and as such should be reviewed and the outcomes achieved appraised.
COP of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the supreme governing body that convenes annually to assess progress in dealing with climate change and make plans for climate action within the UNFCCC guidelines.
COP28 held in Dubai last year sets out the actions needed to keep 1.5°C within reach in line with the goal of the Paris Agreement.
At COP28, Nigeria stressed the request for its inclusion in the G7’s climate partnership list for the Just Energy Transition Partnership towards an effective and sustainable framework in addressing the socio-economic effects of energy transition.
Nigeria also called for urgent scaling up of adaptation finance, expansion of adaptation acceleration programmes, and a substantive global goal on adaptation.
On Tuesday in Abuja, stakeholders gathered to review the outcomes of COP28. The meeting was organised by the National Council on Climate Change and the Delegation of the European Union in Nigeria.
Speaking at the one-day workshop, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal said the 28th session of the Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for resolute action in the face of escalating climate crises and environmental challenges.
He said: “With negotiations focused on crucial issues such as mitigation, adaptation, finance, and transparency, the outcomes of COP28 have far-reaching implications for the future of our planet.”
The Minister added that: “As we gear up for COP29, it is imperative that we foster a spirit of collaboration, unity, and shared responsibility, harnessing the collective wisdom, expertise, resources of all stakeholders and firm commitments to advance Nigeria’s environmental goals.
“Nigeria, like many other countries, is already feeling the impacts of climate change. From extreme weather events to rising sea levels, the effects of climate change are evident in our daily lives.”
He noted that stakeholders need to take action and work towards a more sustainable and resilient future for the people and the environment.
On his part, the Director General of the NCCC, Dr Salisu Dahiru noted that as an oil-producing and developing nation, the agreements forged during COP28 pose the need for a strategic review of our national actions and climate goals.
“Hence, this workshop presents a pivotal opportunity for us to reflect on these outcomes and chart a path forward towards sustainable solutions as we speed our transition to a climate-resilient future.
“We seek to facilitate the inclusive participatory process to motivate actions towards seeking higher ambitious goals for our transition to a low carbon economy and to create a forum for government, businesses, states, and other stakeholders to continue to shape and strengthen the climate action processes in Nigeria,” Dr Dahiru stated.
The Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the EU to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca urged stakeholders to walk the talk on climate actions.
FG Begins Plan on COP29, Reviews Outcomes of Last Session
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
•••771 to Graduate in Nigeria in 2025
•••Otuaro Hails Scholars’ Performances
By: Michael Mike
Nine students awarded foreign post-graduate scholarships by the Presidential Amnesty Programme have graduated from their master’s degree rprogrammes in universities in the United Kingdom.
The successful scholars are the first graduates in the offshore post-graduate scholarship deployment to UK institutions by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic session.
They graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University, University of Dundee and The University of Law with master’s degrees in cyber security, data science and engineering, law, construction and civil engineering management, project management, and ICT.
Also, 711 undergraduate and post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries are expected to graduate from universities within Nigeria this year.
The PAP, on Wednesday, 3 December, 2025, organised a graduation reception for the scholars in London.
Otuaro has congratulated them on their successful graduation, stressing that they completed their programmes in record time which shows the seriousness they had put into their studies.
He said they have justified the Federal Government’s investment in their education with their successful graduation, and urged other beneficiaries not to be distracted in their academic pursuits.
“We congratulate these scholars on their successful graduation. It shows that they took their studies seriously. That is what we demand of every scholarship beneficiary, whether at the undergraduate or post-graduate level”, Otuaro said.
He reiterated his unwavering commitment to expanding the scholarship scheme to create more opportunities for indigent students of Niger Delta extraction to access higher education with a view to closing the human capital development gap in the region.
Otuaro said it was for this reason he deployed 3800 beneficiaries in-country in the 2024-2025 academic year, and increased the figure to 3900 in the 2025-2026 academic session with 200 for foreign scholarships.
Otuaro has so far deployed 7700 students for the PAP scholarship scheme within Nigeria in less than two years.
Within this period, also, he has also deployed 162 students from the region for post-graduate programmes in targeted disciplines in the UK universities.
According to him, this is in conformity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu for the Niger Delta, who has given unprecedented support to the PAP because of his sincere love for the area.
The PAP boss said, “Our decision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Niger Delta. We will continue to create more higher educational opportunities for students from indigent backgrounds in our region.
“We are also deepening the implementation of the programme’s mandate in informal education and other areas for the sustainable peace and socio-economic advancement of the region.”
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
By: Michael Mike
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited has been incorporated to seamlessly allowed for the Refinery and Free Trade Zone in Ondo State.
A press statement on Thursday read that: “In furtherance of our commitment to the execution of these two major projects – Refinery and Free Trade Zone in conjunction with the Ondo State Government, the joint partners have taken another giant step by incorporating a joint company, namely – SUNSHINE JOINT VENTURE INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED – as the vehicle to be used in executing these projects. A move that further reinforces the sincerity of purpose and total commitment of the funding partners to move ahead together as a united front.
According to the release by Wale Adekola on behalf of the JV, the Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limitedwill, going forward serve as the vehicle to work with the Ondo State Government through the Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) in the implementation of the executed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
The statement added that: “In moving the projects forward for implementation, the JV team met in Dubai to finalize the funding modalities and put in place structures and plans for the commencement of activities for ground breaking and community engagements. These initial activities are aimed at complementing the 50th Anniversary of the creation of Ondo State and the one year anniversary of the election of the Executive Governor of the Sunshine State, His Excellency, Chief Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa CFR.
At the Dubai meeting were key officers of the JV Company, including: Messrs SALEHI FARHAD; ZAHERI NAVID; EGHBAL KORDJAMSHIDI; SAHEED ZAHERI; DR. STEPHEN DIKE; HENRY OWONKA AND MRS. NAMVAR MARYAM.
The statement further informed that, plans have been concluded to mobilize the relevant contractors working with the locals and host communities to put up structures that will host the information center, architectural models to showcase the projects on offer and facilities that will serve the team. All these are being planned with ONDIPA to execute the relocation and accommodation of the host communities that are likely to be affected by the projects and create a seamless transition that will engender peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship with our host communities.
The JV company further reiterated its commitment to work with Ondo State Government (through ONDIPA) to change the infrastructural landscape of the Sunshine State and for mutual benefits.
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
By: Zagazola Makama
Seven suspected bandits were arrested along the Benin–Agbor Road in Edo State during stop-and-search operations, security sources confirmed.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, all Fulani youths, were intercepted after being offloaded from a truck at about 1800 hours on 2 December 2025. A search revealed pictures of assault rifles, including AK-47s, on their mobile phones.
Upon interrogation, the suspects claimed to have travelled from Adamawa State. Investigations are ongoing for the possible recovery of actual firearms and to determine their involvement in criminal activities.
Security agencies have urged members of the public to report any suspicious movements to help prevent criminal acts in the area.
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
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