National News
FG Threatens to Sanction Illegal Operators in Forest
FG Threatens to Sanction Illegal Operators in Forest
By: Michael Mike
The federal government has warned against illegal activities in forests across the country, insisting anyone caught involved in any form of illegalities in forest reserves would be severe sanctioned.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris issued the warning on Friday during a workshop on the operationalisation of the Forestry Inter-Ministerial Joint Task Force (FIM-JTF), on the exploitation of Forest Resources.
The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director, Forestry Department, Mrs Hajara Sani, urged members of the JTF to work assiduously for a smooth take-off.
He tasked them on effective operations that would forestall all forms of illegalities in the country’s forests, in order to achieve Sustainable Forest Management.
Idris warned that anyone identified as a refractory logger, must be apprehended and documented, and handed over to the appropriate authority for sanctions, which include being blacklisted from export, depending on the gravity of the offence.
He said: “As you are aware, Nigeria is facing replete environmental challenges such as deforestation and land degradation, among others, due to unsustainable logging activities, especially as witnessed during the recent ban on wood and related product export from 2018 without corresponding forest replenishment.
“This, therefore, prompted the former Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, to conditionally lift the ban/suspension, and put in place effective measures to regulate the sector so as to achieve Sustainable Forest Management,” he said.
Idris however noted that the JTF’s mandate was to bring sanity to the sector, by ensuring investors and other players in the sector complied with Forest Laws, Standards and Regulations, to checkmate forest/wildlife crimes, illegal logging, environmental degradation and consequently, help to reverse the deplorable state of the forest.
He said: “It is very important we manage the forests sustainably for the continuous provision of an array of products and services for both the present and future generations.
“To advance progress already made on lifting the ban effective and productive, it is expedient that members of the reconstituted Inter-Ministerial Joint Task Force, meet to deliberate on strategies for surveillance and operations.
“This leap is aimed at curbing illegal forest exploitation, which has affected and destroyed the country’s rich biodiversity, thereby denying our nation the full realisation of its potential.”
He equally said that the states had very important roles to play in the forestry sector, being custodians of the forests. He added that: “With the vast experience the states have in the wood industry, coupled with diverse efforts of the ministry and the private sector, illegal activities in the states can be tackled effectively if we are all committed to the task.”
He promised stakeholders that guidelines and standards would be put in place to regulate the sector, and ensure sustainable forest management, while they generated increased revenue for the country.
He said: “Let me intimate you here that National Forestry Trust Fund is also planning, as part of these measures, to curb deforestation by establishing whistle-blowers.
“I believe the contribution of whistle-blowing will make the work of JTF easier and more effective.
“On this note, I urge all members of the JTF to discharge their duties without fear or favour. Compromise should not be ‘heard of’ or ‘seen’ in the execution of this national duty.”
On his part, the representative of the National Park Service (NPS), Mr Danjuma Magaji,, said the service played a very important role in forests conservation.
While also speaking at the event, the representative from the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Oluwadamilola Olaofe,, said that as a revenue generating agency, the service knows the importance of forestry, and assured the ministry of its full support for the FIM/JTF.
The representative of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mr Afu Peter, said that Prof. Aliyu Jauro, the agency’s Director General, had promised to assist the JTF work effectively.
FG Threatens to Sanction Illegal Operators in Forest
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday said that the Federal Government’s programmes and policies under President Bola Tinubu-led administration were improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Mrs Adaline Patari, the State Director of NOA, Gombe State office, stated this shortly after a road show to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary in Gombe.
Patari said that programmes and policies of Tinubu-led administration had supported many Nigerians from the student’s loan to conditional cash transfer to support to small businesses amongst others.
She stated that the initiatives by the present administration had restored hope and put the country amongst serious countries pursuing better reforms to improve their economy while revamping infrastructure.
According to her, many undergraduates benefitting from the student’s loan scheme which has removed all financial hindrances impeding access to tertiary education now feel a sense of belonging.
She said that the programmes and policies of the Federal Government have benefitted many households and improved their welfare in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“The reforms of the Federal Government are working and many persons are proud to be Nigerians and more persons are now trying to do the right things as Nigerians.
“People are beginning to see themselves as proud Nigerians and that confidence of being a Nigerian is being restored.
“Today, many Nigerians are benefitting from the programmes of the current administration, this means that the country is now working for them,” she said.
While acknowledging that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed, Patari said, at 65, we have made tremendous progress especially working together in peace and unity.
She urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu administration’s programmes towards building a better country that works for all Nigerians.
The state director said that with the necessary reforms being carried out and already yielding results in the economic, agriculture, security and other sectors, more Nigerians would be prouder to be Nigerians in the future.
“Today, the country is progressing and we are united; we are now prouder to be Nigerians and I can tell you that the labour of our heroes past, indeed is never in vain,” she added.
Commending the contributions of youths to national development, Patari urged them to have a positive mind-set towards Nigeria and to always express optimism of a better Nigeria for everyone.
Patari also lauded the renewed strength with which NOA under the Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu was being driven.
She said that government’s policies and programmes were getting more supports from Nigerians because of the constant engagements of Nigerians by the NOA nationwide.
The event also featured sensitisation of residents on Federal Government’s policies, programmes and the need for the people to support the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
By: Michael Mike
Senior Government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have today met in Abuja to assess the vibrant economic partnership between the two parties and chart a way forward.
The inaugural Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Trade and investment Dialogue (TID) was anchored by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, and Director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security (DG TRADE), Ms Dora Correia,
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot,, welcomed the launch of the Dialogue, which they said underscored the growing importance attached to trade and investment in the EU-Nigeria partnership.
This Senior Officials’ meeting marks an important step in strengthening the trade and investment partnership between the EU and Nigeria, and provided opportunity for the officials to exchange views on areas of mutual interest; address potential challenges and explore opportunities for further collaboration.
Discussions focused on a range of issues, including trade and investment policy, cooperation on market access barriers and requirements, preferential trade and investment arrangements, investment, collaboration within the World Trade Organization (WTO), regulatory measures that could impact trade and investment, and the identification of trade and investment-related development cooperation areas.
Both sides expressed their interest to continue the Dialogue, with the second TID billed to take place in Brussels, Belgium, in 2026, on a date to be jointly decided.
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 1st of October as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on this historic occasion.
Tunji-Ojo, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, enjoined citizens to continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960.
He urged Nigerians to further keep faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which is anchored on national rebirth, economic transformation, and collective prosperity.
The Minister expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of all Nigerians, the country will continue to grow stronger in peace, progress, and development.
He wished Nigerians a happy and memorable 2025 Independence Day celebration.
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
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