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Nigeria Calls for Immediate Action to Preserve Ecosystem, Halt Extinction of Wild Life in West Africa
Nigeria Calls for Immediate Action to Preserve Ecosystem, Halt Extinction of Wild Life in West Africa
By: Michael Mike
Nigerian government has called for immediate action to preserve life-giving ecosystems and to halt the human-induced extinction of wild species in West Africa subregion.
The Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako said there is the urgent need to change the biodiversity narrative of West Africa to arrest the dangerous treat of rising population of climate migrants and environmental displaced persons in the subregion.
Speaking at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) coordination meeting in Abuja, Salako said: “It is clear that there is inequity in the ways countries are impacted by the biodiversity and climate crises. For us In West Africa, a lack of solutions means that our communities will become poorer, our food security jeopardized, and our rural populations forced to relocate as its already happening in many of our countries. It is a fact that the population of climate migrants and environmental displaced people is rising in our subregion.”
He told the stakeholders present at the meeting that they have an important mandate to produce a regional 30 by 30 implementation plan which seeks to secure the effective protection of at least 30% of the ECOWAS region to preserve our life-giving ecosystems and to halt immediately the human-induced extinction of wild species.
He noted that: “ECOWAS region is the only part of the world that is looking at its contribution to halting biodiversity loss through a regional lens, a template critical for global success and to securing nature for future generations. The healthier our region’s biodiversity is, the better it will be in withstanding future climate and biodiversity shocks and the more reslient to continue to deliver for the people.”
8.I want to trust that through your work in the coming days, ECOWAS will take the lead in ambition for biodiversity once again. We will work through the difficult technical aspects and conceive new paths forward, knowing that the eyes of the world are upon us. Our hard work to expand and strengthen our protected areas will serve not only as a sign of our commitment but also as a wake-up call to the rest of the world. If we can do this work here where we lack the resources of the Global North, what will be the excuse for foot dragging by any region?”
He noted that: “When we support one another, we all do better. Over half of global GDP relies on rich biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. Our investment in biodiversity conservation and the 30by30 agenda, is a long term investment in our economies and the future our different countries and indeed the world which will definitely yield return in multiple folds. We should be ready to secure the livelihoods of indigenous peoples and local communities who are the best protectors of the world’s richest biodiversity gifted to our sub-region. I strongly believe that we are ready to act together to protect the lands and oceans that provide our generous ecosystem services and give rise to our utterly unique environments.”
He urged Nigerians to be ready to secure the livelihoods of indigenous peoples and local communities who are the best protectors of the world’s richest biodiversity gifted to our sub-region.
He however assured that: “The President of my country President Bola Tinubu who is also the Chairman of ECOWAS is a committed environment advocate and climate hero who has prioritised sustainability as a core principle of his economic agenda.”
Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the ECOWAS Commission, Mrs Massandje Toure-Litse who was represented by the Head of the Environment and Climate Change Division of the ECOWAS, Mr Bernard Koffi said that it is expedient to ensure that the region is protected through a collective effort by member countries.
“ECOWAS countries have played a significant role in securing the adoption of global commitment to expand protected areas to 30 per cent of the planet by 2030.
“We have a shared responsibility to act by expanding and strengthening our protected areas because degraded ecosystem threatens the physical, economic and food security both of local communities and multinational businesses.”
Nigeria Calls for Immediate Action to Preserve Ecosystem, Halt Extinction of Wild Life in West Africa
Nine injured in farmers–herders clash in Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
No fewer than nine persons were injured on Monday following a clash between farmers and herders in Loko community, Nasarawa State.
Zagazola report that the incident occurred at about noon on Dec. 15 in Bakono village, Loko area, after a dispute over alleged damage to farmland.
The source said the farmland involved belonged to one Bako Usman.
According to the source, the clash resulted in injuries to five farmers and four herders.
Security forces stormed the scene to restore order, while the injured persons were rushed to the General Hospital, Loko, where they were admitted and are responding to treatment.
Sources said that a stakeholders’ meeting had been convened in the community to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
According to the sources, confidence-building patrols are ongoing, the situation is being closely monitored and the area remains relatively calm.
Nine injured in farmers–herders clash in Nasarawa
Soldier killed as troops clash with suspected militia in Taraba
By: Zagazola Makama
A soldier has been killed, while two others are missing following an attack on troops escorting farmers in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred on Monday during a security operation in a bush area of Takum, which has been prone to clashes involving militia elements.
The source said soldiers from a special forces unit along with police, NSCDC were deployed to provide security for Tiv farmers harvesting their farm produce when they were attacked by hoodlums suspected to be local militia in Taraba state.
According to the source, one soldiers was killed during the attack.
The source further disclosed that following the incident, soldiers cordoned off the venue of the Miyetti Allah executives’ election at the FGR Samsokwa Hall, in Takum, and arrested male executives of the association present at the venue. Though it was yet to establish if they were involved in the attack.
Another sources pointed accusing finger at the Taraba state special adviser on security allegedly to be behind the Militia. Though, Zagazola cannot independently verify the claim.
Meanwhile, security forces have arrested a group of suspected armed bandits in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The suspects were caught with AK-47 rifles during an operation carried out on Friday.
After their arrest, the suspects were taken into custody. In a video that later surfaced online, the men were seen lying face down with their hands tied while security operatives questioned them about where they got the weapons.
One of the suspects alleged that some officials of the Kwara State government gave them both the vehicle and the rifles. He claimed they had been operating in the area under the cover of patrol duties.
According to him, the weapons did not belong to them personally. He said their leader collected the rifles and that they often went on patrol together with some individuals he mentioned by name. He insisted that the guns belonged to those officials.
Soldier killed as troops clash with suspected militia in Taraba
Gunmen abduct five workers at construction site in Kwara
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted five workers at a construction site along the Sabaja/Owa-Onire Road in Kwara State.
Zagazola report that the incident was reported at about 4:30 p.m. on Monday by Alhaji Suleiman Abdullah Olanrewaju, manager of Fix Contracting Engineering Company.
The source said Olanrewaju reported that the abduction occurred earlier in the day at about 11:40 a.m. while the workers were on site when the gunmen attacked and whisked them away.
Those abducted were identified as Engr. Ademola Afolabi, Engr. Umar Lade, Fatai and Akin, both labourers, as well as a driver identified as Yusuf.
According to the source, the complainant said he had earlier reported the incident to the military before notifying the police.
Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Oreke mobilised a team of police operatives who linked up with the military and local vigilantes to comb the surrounding bushes in a bid to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators.
Investigation into the incident is ongoing, while security agencies said further developments would be communicated.
End
Gunmen abduct five workers at construction site in Kwara
Nine injured in farmers–herders clash in Nasarawa
Soldier killed as troops clash with suspected militia in Taraba
Gunmen abduct five workers at construction site in Kwara
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