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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
Zulum Joins the Rest of Borno People to Fast and Pray for Defeat of Boko Haram, Unity
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum dedicated Monday to prayer and fasting aimed at fostering unity, spiritual resilience and hope among the people amidst the ongoing security challenges.
The governor who arrived in Rann, headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Council, before sunset on Sunday, spent the night coordinating support for security agencies and volunteer forces.
Kala-Balge is one of the communities in Borno State that has faced persistent security challenges from Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents that have disrupted daily life and threatened peace.
According to Zulum, the visit was part of his commitment to fostering unity, spiritual resilience and hope among the people amidst the ongoing security challenges.
Zulum, who had urged citizens to observe fasting and prayers on Monday in a statewide broadcast on Saturday, stated that: “In light of our current security challenges, I am calling on all residents of Borno State to unite in a collective act of faith and solidarity. This Monday, I am inviting you to join me in a voluntary day of fasting and prayer for peace to reign in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, and indeed the entire country.”
The governor on Monday expressed appreciation to the people of Borno and those outside the state for heeding his call to observe fasting and prayers for the restoration of peace in the state.
He said “let me express my appreciation to thousands of people in Borno that have observed today’s fasting and praying for peace to reign in our state. People from other states and even beyond Nigeria joined in seeking divine intervention for the security challenges we are facing. We thank everyone for the solidarity.”
Meanwhile, Zulum has approved 10 patrol vehicles to support the military and youth volunteers in combating the criminal activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents.
Zulum, while announcing the approval on Monday during an address to both groups separately, noted that while the volunteers comprising CJTF, hunters and vigilantes would receive six Takoma/Toyota Hilux, an additional four gun-trucks would be donated to the military.
The Governor rounded up the visit in Kala-Balge by distributing food items to over 10,000 families, mostly women and their vulnerable family members.
Red cross confirms one dead, 21 injured in Bama stampede during cash disbursement
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has confirmed that one person died and 21 others sustained injuries following a stampede during a cash disbursement exercise in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at KASUGULA Primary School, one of the designated pay points for the second phase of a joint humanitarian cash transfer initiative by the NRCS and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
A statement issued by the NRCS on Saturday in Maiduguri described the incident as regrettable, noting that the cash support programme was designed to aid the educational needs of vulnerable families in three local government areas of the state.
The second phase of the disbursement, which targets 8,121 beneficiaries, commenced on May 14 across four locations in Bama, namely: KASUGULA Primary School, Old Bama Primary School, Kaigamari Primary School, and Mbusube Primary School.
“Over 1,000 beneficiaries successfully received assistance on the first day of distribution without incident,” the statement read.
However, on the second day of the exercise, overcrowding at the KASUGULA venue led to a stampede, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to 21 others.
The NRCS said that four of the injured who experienced breathing difficulties were promptly resuscitated and remain under medical care. Their condition is reported to be stable, and they are expected to be discharged soon.
“All the injured were evacuated to the General Hospital in Bama for treatment,” the statement added.
The organisation expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and pledged to review its operational procedures to prevent a recurrence.
The cash disbursement initiative forms part of efforts to enhance access to education and reduce vulnerability among conflict-affected populations in Borno.
Red cross confirms one dead, 21 injured in Bama stampede during cash disbursement
Zulum begs FG not to allow Marte Fall
… Spends night coordinating security logistics
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has appealed to the Federal Government to deploy decisive strategies that would ensure that Marte town does not fall to Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents.
Zulum, who was actively involved in coordinating security logistics till late in the night on Saturday, undertook a tour to assess the challenges faced in Marte, while also exploring sustainable solutions to foster stability.
Before Zulum’s arrival, Marte was completely deserted following a Boko Haram attack last Friday with thousands taking refuge in Dikwa town.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the governor emphasised that his visit to Marte was to foster community cooperation, resilience and continuous support to the security agencies, stating “Marte was resettled about 4 years ago, but unfortunately, over the last three days, it was ransacked and was displaced again.”
“About 20,000 people left Marte for Dikwa; this huge number is a threat as allowing them to stay in the camp may make most of the younger ones become vulnerable to recruitment by the insurgents.”
“Alhamdulillah, we returned to Marte yesterday and spent the night with the support of the Nigerian Army and our volunteers. The community is now resettled for the second time. Still, my prayers to the federal government of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army are that we do everything possible to keep this town on the ground.
“Hitherto, Marte Local Government comprises over 300 towns and villages, now we have only one standing, if we cannot maintain this one, then we will lose the whole Local Government to the insurgents, which will be very obnoxious, and I think we will not allow this to happen. Therefore, I am calling on the federal government and the Nigerian Army so that we can put heads together and hold our ground for this single town in this LGA to remain.”
The governor reiterated his commitment to supporting security agencies in attaining lasting peace in Borno State, stating “on my part as the Governor of Borno State, I would do everything within my power to support our gallant military in their efforts towards lasting peace in our beloved state.”
Zulum begs FG not to allow Marte Fall
Zulum Joins the Rest of Borno People to Fast and Pray for Defeat of Boko Haram, Unity
Zulum spends night in Kala Balge, observes fasting/prayer day
Red cross confirms one dead, 21 injured in Bama stampede during cash disbursement
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