National News
FG Moves To Restore 4 Million Degraded Forest
FG Moves To Restore 4 Million Degraded Forest
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government said it will soon move to restore 4 million hectares of degraded land forest and landscape, which is in line with its commitment to the Africa Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative, (AFR100).
It however said that this would only be achievable through stakeholders’ collaboration that would create an enabling environment for the exchange of information relating to successful implementation through its various engagements.
The Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, disclosed this at the Formal Inauguration of the AFR100 National Stakeholders Platform on Degraded Forest and Landscape Restoration in Nigeria, held in Abuja on Thursday.
Ikeazor said the AFR100 would accelerate achievement of food security, increase climate change resilience and mitigation as well as combat rural poverty.
The Minister added that: “This will not only contribute to the UN decade on ecosystem restoration but will also deliver on the objectivities of the three global Multilateral Environmental Agreements, that is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, UNCCD and the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, UNCBD.”
She noted that landscape restoration is not limited to planting trees, it is about restoring the whole landscape and involves several sectors such as agriculture, livestock, forest and the environment, town planning and housing, water and sanitation, energy, tourism and land use planning.
She said that “the platform would serve as a framework for exchange of experience, sharing of results and dissemination of information on the restoration of forest and degraded landscapes in Nigeria to track and monitor progress thereby subscribing to the Bonn challenge barometer.”
She added that: “After more than four years since Nigeria joined the AFR100 imitative, the government through the Federal Ministry of Environment with the Department of Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought Management as the focal department for the AFR100 initiative is here to inaugurate the AFR100 national stakeholder’s platform to foster collaboration among MDA’S public and private Oragnisation, CBO’s, NGO’s, as this would enhance coordination of restoration activities and strengthen partnership.”
She claimed that collective commitment towards sustainable land management practices would help conserve and restore the Nigeria environment and make the country vulnerable to climate change.
Ikeazor said each year, 13 billion hectares of forest are lost to land conversion for agriculture uses such as pasture and cropland.
She lamented that: “This has detrimental effects on regional water availability, soil fertility, biodiversity, and climate change. More than 70% of all natural ecosystems have been transformed to produce food and animal, illegal logging is threatening forest worldwide, home to several indigenous people, communities and wildlife.”
Also Read: Police arrest popular singer Timaya over alleged…
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, Mr Hassan Musa, said the AFR100 stakeholder platform would create awareness, promote sustainable practice, and serve as frame work for the exchange of experience as well as sharing of results and dissemination of information on restoration activities in the country.
It would also present an opportunity for public and private sectors to demonstrate large scale of transformative action to restore degraded land.
He said; “A national stakeholder’s platform for forest Landscape Restoration was convinced to help harmonise and integrate various interventions on restoration in the country, to accelerate restoration practices towards achieving the commitments to the African Forest Initiative, AFR100 and the Bonn challenge.”
He also commended the development partners especially the United Nations Development Program UNDP for sponsoring this meeting to foster collaboration amongst stakeholders and hasten the restoration of degraded forest and landscapes.
AFR100 Regional Coordinator for West Africa, Dr Oluseynou Ndoye commended the Nigerian government for taking the decision to restore 4m hectares of degraded land forest and land by 2030, being the second largest engagement in West Africa.
He noted that exceeding the objective of the initial commitment, 33 technical partners and 12 financial partners support the initiative.
“The AFR100 Initiative responds to the Africa Union mandate to restore 100million hectares of degraded forest and land by 2030. It is a contribution to Agenda 2063 which is the African continents strategic framework for an inclusive and sustainable development, ” Dr Ndoye added.
The Africa Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative, AFR100 is a country led effort to restore 100m hectares of forest and degraded landscape across Africa by 2030, to date 32 countries have pledged to restore 128million hectares thus surpassing the commitment goal.
It is a pan Africa initiative aimed at restoring 100m hectares of degraded forest and land by the year 2030.
FG Moves To Restore 4 Million Degraded Forest
ActionAid Alleges Government Paying Lip-service to Free First Nine Years of Schooling
…Demands Immediate Government Action to End Educational Exclusion of Poor Children
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria has alleged that the government is only paying lip service to the avowed policy of free education to children in their first nine years of schooling, insisting that a massive number of children are still being denied their right due to inadequate resources, poor infrastructure, and a lack of transparency in the use of public funds.
A statement on Monday by the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu demanded an immediate government action to end educational exclusion of poor children in the country.
The statement read: “ActionAid Nigeria vehemently disapproves the failure of the Nigerian government to provide quality education to children from poor backgrounds- one of its most vulnerable citizens. Despite the free education policy that was enacted to cater for children in their first nine years of schooling, a massive number of children are still being denied their right due to inadequate resources, poor infrastructure, and a lack of transparency in the use of public funds. This is a shocking dereliction of duty.
“This obvious inaction by the government is a clear betrayal of the trust placed in them by the citizens. The inconsistent working relationship between federal and state governments has resulted in a catastrophic failure of coordination, prioritization, and curriculum development. This is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately.”
Mamedu added that: The outrageously high number of poorest children who are out of school is a direct consequence of the government’s appalling neglect of public services.”
Mamedu said: “According to the Nigerian Education Factsheet by UNICEF, about one fourth of the children of primary school completion age did not complete primary education. Moreover, there’s a staggering wealth-based disparity, as 97 per cent of children from the richest families complete primary school, compared to just 34 per cent from the poorest families.
“The gap widens in senior secondary school, where 90 per cent from wealthy families complete their education, versus a mere 16 per cent from poor families.”
He lamented that: “There are also significant ethnic disparities- children from Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Ibibio, and Edo backgrounds tend to have higher completion rates, while those from Fulani and Kanuri backgrounds face lower rates of educational attainment.”
He said he firmly believes that “Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that all children have access to quality education.”
He added that: “The current state of education in Nigeria is a crisis, and we assert that the government takes immediate action to address these issues and prioritize the future of our children.”
Mamedu said: “ActionAid strongly demands that the government: Implements the policy of free education for the first nine years of schooling effectively, without delay; Improves coordination and prioritization between federal and state governments, to ensure a unified approach to education; Increases transparency in the allocation and use of public funds for education, to ensure that resources are being used effectively; Allocates sufficient funds for infrastructure development and improving the school experience for children, to provide a safe and supportive learning environment.”
He said: “It’s time for the government to step up and fulfill its responsibility to provide a decent education for all, without excuses or exceptions.”
ActionAid Alleges Government Paying Lip-service to Free First Nine Years of Schooling
Six terrorists killed as army troops raid terrorists enclaves
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Operation Hadin Kai of the Nigerian Army have killed six fighters of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) during a raid of a “notorious enclave” in Goniri in Damboa LGA in Borno.
It was gathered that the feat was recorded when the troops of 81 Division Task Force Battalion stormed the terrorists enclave in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force on May 9, 2024.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the The troops successfully cleared Wulma Mashi and Kodow and destroyed structures of the terrorists. The troops went further to clear Goniri and Kokotuma. Contact was made with the terrorists in a small market before Gorere market.
The troops gundown the six terrorists and destroyed all the structures in the area.
Six terrorists killed as army troops raid terrorists enclaves
FG Declares Wednesday Holiday to Mark Worker’s Day
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 1st May, 2024 as a Public Holiday to commemorate this year’s Workers’ Day Celebration.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, reiterated the need for excellence, efficiency and equity in all spheres of labour, re-affirming President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, productivity, and inclusivity in the workplace.
Tunji-Ojo, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Aishetu Gogo Ndayako, said: “In alignment with this year’s theme, which focuses on ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate, I wish to state that the Federal Government remains steadfast in its resolve to prioritise the safety and well-being of all citizens. Let me reaffirm Mr. President’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for work, where every worker can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development”.
The Minister, while acknowledging the contribution of workers, called for proactive measures to mitigate adverse effects of climate change through synergy in in the implementation of sustainable practices and policies that promote well-being in the workplace and in building a nation guided by the principles of integrity, diligence and compassion.
Tunji-Ojo also urged Nigerians to remain committed to the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda as he wishes workers a happy celebration.
FG Declares Wednesday Holiday to Mark Worker’s Day
Troops Kill 4 Terrorists In Sambisa Forest
23 bandits killed in a deadly rivalry clashes in Zamfara
Nigerian Troops Eliminate Shekau’s top ally, Tahir Baga, Clear 5 Terrorists Enclaves in Sambisa Forest
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
News2 months agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
News2 months agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns2 months agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS3 months agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions2 years agoTHE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions3 months agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Opinions2 months agoUMTH:…and the testimonies of patients and patient relations
-
National News2 months agoFraud and Mismanagement Rock INGO’s IDP Cash Assistance Effort in Bama
