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Green Growth Africa Establishes EcoJustice Africa to bring Violators of Environmental Laws to Book
Green Growth Africa Establishes EcoJustice Africa to bring Violators of Environmental Laws to Book
By: Michael Mike
In order to put an end the prolonged environmental crimes in Nigeria and the rest of Africa, the Green Growth Africa has established EcoJustice Africa to bring violators of environmental laws and standards to book.
The rise of environmental crimes across Africa, and its catastrophic consequences on our socio-economic prosperity and natural ecosystems has become of great concern.
Speaking at a pre-launch press conference of EcoJustice Africa, Dr. Adedoyin Adeleke, the Executive Director of Green Growth Africa, a leading United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)-accredited NGO committed to the innovation, development and implementation of ‘greened’ socio-economic development solutions to address Africa’s development challenges, quoting UNEP said: “Environmental crimes have emerged as the world’s fourth largest form of organised crime, trailing only drug trafficking, counterfeiting, and human trafficking,
He lamented that: “As a continent, Africa is blessed with rich biodiversity and natural resources: a quarter of the world’s mammal species, one-fifth of the world’s bird species, and one-sixth of the world’s remaining forests call Africa home. Sadly, out abundant biodiversity coupled with endemic poverty, weak regulatory frameworks, and low risks of detection and conviction makes Africa a prime target for illegal mining, wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, hazardous waste dumping, and other environmental violations.”
He noted that: “These violations are concentrated in remote and marginalised communities, areas often beyond the reach of conventional security, government, and even media. While these crimes are properly called “crimes against the environment”, in reality, they can be described as “crimes against humanity” given their far-reaching economic and social implications.”
He further decried that every year, environmental crimes cost Africa about $195 billion, noting that: “in context, that is more than 10 times of Nigeria’s total budget for 2024. For the over 70 per cent of people living in sub-Saharan Africa who depend on forests and woodlands for their food and livelihoods, environmental crimes threaten their food security, jobs, and incomes. These illicit activities not only devastate ecosystems and the lives of millions of Africans dependent on ecosystem services but also fuel corruption, promote money laundering, and weaken the rule of law. As such, developing African economies lose billions in potential revenues and development opportunities, while a small group of criminals reaps the profits – leading to the quandary which in Nigerian parlance may be described as “monkey dey work, baboon dey chop.”
He added that: “Beyond the immediate potential socio-economic impacts of environmental crimes and violations, such human activities negatively affect natural ecosystems, leading to environment-related calamities that are entirely preventable. For instance, droughts – one of the most common “disasters” in Africa – can be linked to illegal logging and deforestation. While we often mischaracterise such events as ‘natural disasters,’ the truth is that they are not natural at all. Terming and referring to them as natural disasters posit that they happen naturally, that there is nothing we did to cause them and there is nothing we can do to prevent them. But is that really true? No! Nature is balanced from creation, disasters of such form for which we suffer significant social, economic and environmental losses are caused by humanity’s upset of the natural ecosystem. Hence, we say: “there are no natural disasters, rather, nature-based disasters.”
He noted that EcoJustice Africa is here to bring solution to the many environmental challenges, introducing a citizen-driven, tech-enabled initiative designed to combat environmental crimes and empower communities to exercise their “right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment”.
He revealed that EcoJustice Africa combines seven solution pillars to stem environmental crimes and promote environmental justice in Africa: Citizen Empowerment, Digital Innovation, Data Verification, Stakeholder Engagement, Evidence-based Advocacy, Data-Driven Policy Engagement and Strategic Litigation.
To employ a people-centred approach, empower citizens as environmental activists, facilitate inclusivity and equitable access to the media; Green Growth Africa developed the groundbreaking digital innovation.”
He said: “The devastating consequences of environmental crimes extend far beyond the environment —they disrupt the lives of millions of Africans, threaten food security, and jeopardize the socio-economic development of our beloved continent. Urgent, coordinated action is needed to combat these crimes and protect Africa’s future. EcoJustice Africa stands at the forefront of this action. By empowering citizens with digital tools to expose environmental crimes, we amplify their voices and shine a light on injustices that often go unnoticed. Our approach ensures that decision-makers have access to accurate, timely data to deliver targeted policy interventions, hold perpetrators accountable, and foster systemic change. Through EcoJustice Africa, we are building a movement to reclaim our collective right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
“We cannot do this alone. To governments, we call on you to prioritise policies and frameworks that protect our biodiversity and ecosystems from illicit activities and strengthen regulatory capacity to curtail environmental violations. To civil society organisations, join us in amplifying community voices and driving grassroots action. To the private sector, partner with us to sustain and expand EcoJustice Africa’s impact. To the media, we invite you to collaborate with us in amplifying the fight against environmental crimes by using your platforms to spotlight these issues and raise awareness about their far-reaching consequences.
“Together, we can combat environmental crimes, restore dignity to those whose livelihoods depend on Africa’s natural resources, and create a just, equitable, and prosperous Africa.”
Green Growth Africa Establishes EcoJustice Africa to bring Violators of Environmental Laws to Book
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has said the principles of the United Nations Charter offers guidance to Nigeria and other African countries bedeviled by terrorism and other violent conflicts.
The message was given by the Director-General of the Institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of United Nations.
Ochogwu said: “Today, October 24, 2025, marks exactly 80 years since the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. As the world commemorates this historic milestone, we are reminded of the enduring vision of the Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. This vision remains profoundly relevant to Africa and to Nigeria, where the pursuit of peace, justice, and inclusive development continues to shape our collective aspirations.
“In today’s complex and rapidly changing security environment, the principles of the Charter, namely sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for international law offer essential guidance. Across Africa, the persistence of violent conflicts, terrorism, and governance challenges underscores the urgent need to strengthen multilateral cooperation, preventive diplomacy, and mediation capacities. Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and her experience in regional peacekeeping and conflict resolution affirm our commitment to these ideals and to the transformative role of international law in sustaining peace and security.
“The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) stands as a bridge between national policy and global peace initiatives. We reaffirm our partnership with the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and other stakeholders to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and institution-building. In this decade of action, we must deepen investments in peace infrastructure, youth empowerment, and cross-border cooperation to realize the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
He added that: “As we look to the future of the United Nations in Africa, the challenge before us is clear: to make peace sustainable, justice accessible, and security inclusive. The continued faith of Member States and communities in the principles of the UN Charter is an enduring source of hope for a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous continent.”
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity.
By Fathia Adenike
The heartbeat of Nigeria’s bustling cities and quiet villages lies ìtàn a Yoruba word meaning “story” or “history” a powerful force shaping cultural identity. Across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic landscapes Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa,and beyond. Storytelling isn’t just tradition; it’s a living bridge connecting past, present, and future.It’s an Oral Threads of Heritage,From moonlit Yoruba folktales whispering òrìṣà deeds to Igbo elders recounting ancestral proverbs, Nigeria’s oral traditions transmit values, wisdom, and belongings. These stories embed moral codes, communal bonds, and cosmological maps that ground Nigerians amid rapid change. Ancient myths seep into contemporary Nigerian life. Olókun’s oceanic power meets Lagos’ tech-driven streets; Ọṣun’s fertility echoes in art exploring feminine resilience. Writers like Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart and Ben Okri The Famished Road weave such mythic threads into explorations of identity, disrupting colonial ruptures.
Today, Nigerian storytelling leaps into digital realms. Podcasts like “The Nairaland Podcast and Twitter threads” retelling folklore showcase ìtàn’s adaptability. Social media becomes a virtual àbù̀ (drumbeat), amplifying voices across Nigeria’s youthful diaspora.
Ìtàn fosters cultural resilience. As Nigeria navigates urbanization, migration, and tech disruption, these stories offer anchors. They articulate collective memory, mediate conflict, and nurture belonging across ethnic lines Igbo, Yoruba.
Hausa in a nation of profound diversity.In Nigeria’s mosaic, ìtàn remains a vital pulse reminding Nigerians, globally, of roots nourishing identity’s complex, beautiful branches. ìtàn remains an irreducible heartbeat reminding Nigerians globally of identity’s deep, branching roots nourishing complex beauty. As Nigeria braids tradition with cutting edge innovation, these stories transmute into luminescent beacons, diachronistic continuity. Resonating poignantly in diaspora conversations spanning oceans.
Echoing vibrantly in Nigeria’s creative expressions celebrating Ultimately, ìtàn transcends mere retrospection; it dynamically sculpts Nigeria’s unfolding narrative vectors. These andaren’t antiquarian tales; they’re heritage-infused blueprints propelling Nigeria’s stories into uncharted tomorrows narratives carrying ancestral essence into modernity’s unspooling scroll. ìtàn brings identity filaments, affirming storytelling as Nigeria’s quintessential cultural DNA.
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity
ShightVault X Èkó Runners Club: Running Through Lagos, Redefining African Performance Culture
LAGOS, NIGERIA – October 11, 2025 — Nigerian sportswear brand, ShightVault is making bold strides in redefining the culture of movement and style in Africa. The brand recently led a major collaboration with the Èkó Runners Club, hosting a vibrant community event themed “RUNWITHLAGOS” at The Finery, Ikoyi.
The activation brought together over 280 guests, including more than 140 runners who took part in a 5KM morning run through the heart of Lagos. The day unfolded into a full lifestyle experience, from yoga sessions and high-intensity training classes to ice baths, networking, food, drinks, and friendly competitions, blending wellness and urban culture in one energetic celebration.
At the center of it all was ShightVault, showcasing its limited-edition collaborative run-fit, a sleek performance line that sold out quickly at the venue.
Speaking at the event, Riches Efe Arhiakpore, Executive Director of ShightVault, described the collaboration as a reflection of the brand’s growing vision:
ShightVault is more than a sportswear label, it’s a movement. This collaboration with Èkó Runners Club represents how we want to connect fashion, fitness, and community. We’re open to working with more run clubs across the country and internationally as we expand our reach in both the sports and fashion industries.
The event was powered by key sponsors including KNGSMN, Pocari Sweat, ZoneX, Red Bull, and Glacee Table Water, alongside partners who helped deliver one of Lagos’ most engaging fitness activations of the year.
As ShightVault continues to grow beyond Nigeria’s borders, the brand is positioning itself as a global voice for African sportswear innovation, bridging performance, design, and cultural expression in every stride.
ShightVault X Èkó Runners Club: Running Through Lagos, Redefining African Performance Culture
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
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