National News
FG Raises the Alarm Over Worsening Land Degradation in the Country
FG Raises the Alarm Over Worsening Land Degradation in the Country
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has raised the alarm that land degradation is expected to worsen in the country as the population continues to grow.
Speaking at this year’s celebration of World Desertification and Drought Day in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Mr Ibrahim Yusuf said: “Land degradation is currently one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems and it is expected to worsen especially in Nigeria with increasing population unless remedial action is
taken.“
The Permanent Secretary who was represented at the ceremony by the Director Department of Drought and Desertification Management in the Ministry, Mrs Mable Okirigho-Emmanuel, said: “Land degradation affects everyone through food insecurity, higher food prices, climate change, environmental hazards and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.”
The Permanent Secretary who noted that the theme of this year’s celebration: “Her Land Her Right: Advancing Gender Equality and Land Restoration Goals,” was apt, noted that: “Land restoration has been proposed as an important measure to reverse degradation and address the problems it causes, while Gender-responsive actions are central to effective, efficient and sustainable land-restoration projects and programmes, equitable and secure land rights for women and vulnerable groups are critical for successful land restoration.”
He said: “We cannot shy away from the fact that women have unequal and limited access over the control of land and that women hold a vital stake in the health of the land, yet they often don’t have control over land. In all parts of the world, women face significant barriers in securing land rights, limiting their ability to thrive and prosper. And when land becomes degraded and water is scarce, women are often the worst affected.”
He insisted that: “Investing in women’s equal access to land and associated assets is a direct investment in their future and the future of humanity. It’s time for women and girls to be at the forefront of global land restoration and drought resilience efforts.”
He noted that: “Nigeria as country party to the UNCCD is expected to consider and domesticate decisions of the Conference of the Parties, one of which is responsible land governance and tenure rights that are gender sensitive to enhance livelihoods and well-being of women and the vulnerable groups, and encourage inclusive participation of stakeholders in sustainable land management.”
FG Raises the Alarm Over Worsening Land Degradation in the Country
National News
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
By: Our Reporter
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria Hajiya Nana Shettima arrived Addis Ababa With Her Husband, Senator Kashim Shettima to attend the 30th General Assembly of Organization of African First Ladies For Development (OAFLAD) while The Vice President will be attending the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of States and Government on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Mrs Shettima is Representing First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON.
The African First Ladies are expected to Focus on internal issues and advance OAFLAD’s strategic priorities.
The 30th General Assembly’s open session under the theme “Building Resilience for Women and Girls: Climate, Conflict, and Sustainable Futures will be held on the 15th of February.

Mrs Shettima who left Abuja this afternoon for Addis Ababa the Capital of Ethiopia will participate in various meetings with African First Ladies spanning for Three Days
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
National News
Vice President Shettima Arrives Ethiopia Ahead Of AU Summit
Vice President Shettima Arrives Ethiopia Ahead Of AU Summit
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government, as well as the 30th General Assembly, scheduled to hold on February 14 and 15, 2026, respectively.
The Vice President was received at the Bole International Airport by the Ethiopian Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Belete Mola, alongside the Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Berhanu tsegaye; Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yussuf Tuggar; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Amb. Dunoma Ahmed; Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Nigeria, Ethiopia, Amb. Nasiru Aminu; Head of Consular and Ambassador-Designate, Amb. Geoffrey Chima and other government officials.

On arrival, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Tuggar, debriefed the Vice President on his itinerary at the Summit.
This year’s AU summit, with the theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on advancing continental commitments toward sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems, and the broader development aspirations encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.

Besides the Heads of State meetings, Senator Shettima will participate in high-level side events, and bilateral engagements with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships across the continent.
Speaking with journalists after debriefing the Vice President, Amb. Tuggar said the launch of the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) is a strategic move to consolidate and strengthen the democratic culture in Africa.

On the gains of the summit, the Minister noted that the country was already taking in the benefits of her participation, with the confirmati on of Nigeria as the host of the African Monetary Institute and the African Central Bank as well as its nomination to the board of the bank.
Vice President Shettima Arrives Ethiopia Ahead Of AU Summit
National News
VP Shettima Departs Abuja to Represent President Tinubu at the 2026 African Union Summit
VP Shettima Departs Abuja to Represent President Tinubu at the 2026 African Union Summit
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit.
The Summit, themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on advancing continental commitments toward sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems, and the broader development aspirations encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.

While in Addis Ababa, the Vice President will join other African leaders at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government, as well as the 30th General Assembly, scheduled to hold on February 14 and 15, 2026, respectively.
On the margins of the Summit, Senator Shettima will participate in high-level side events and hold bilateral engagements with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships across the continent.

The Vice President is accompanied by cabinet ministers and other senior government officials. He is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his official engagements in Addis Ababa.
VP Shettima Departs Abuja to Represent President Tinubu at the 2026 African Union Summit
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