News
Nigeria On Course to Develop National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan- FG
Nigeria On Course to Develop National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan- FG
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has said the nation is on course to develop a practical, inclusive and ambitious National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the Inception Workshop for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework( KMGBF) Early Action Support Project, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako said: “Biodiversity underpins life on earth, from human health and well-being to food and water security to economies and livelihoods. Yet biodiversity is severely threatened and declining at unprecedented levels due to increasing pollution, resource exploitation, land use change, invasive species, and climate change, among other factors.
He noted that: “National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) are the policy instruments for national implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). To accelerate action to achieve the Vision for Biodiversity of living in harmony with nature by 2050, NBSAPs must be rapidly aligned with the new goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.”
He added that: “Having seen the strength of Nigeria’s ambition and technical expertise, I am confident that we can lead the way once again and develop a practical, inclusive and ambitious National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.”
He told the participants that “is your job here today to kickstart this process. We need to ensure that we instrumentalize and accelerate action across sectors and society toward the realization of the goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
“I would like to recognize the vital contributions of GEF, UNEP, FAO and other Partners for providing financial and technical support package that focuses on four components: NBSAP alignment, monitoring systems, policy & institutional coherence, and biodiversity finance.
“Our role here today is to focus on a rapid review of our NBSAP using a whole-of-government approach to identify the level of alignment of national goals and targets with those of the Kunming-Montreal GBF and relevant Sustainable Development Goals, and make adjustments where appropriate.”
Salako said: “I charge you to ensure our National Targets are refined to become measurable, costed, and spatially-explicit by using best practices in gender mainstreaming, stakeholder engagement, engaging with Indigenous peoples and local communities, and apply a whole-of-government approaches. Together, I am sure you can make that happen.”
Early the representatives of the Country Representatives of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Nifesimi Ogunkua said FAO was excitement about Nigeria’s readiness to incorporate agrifood into its NBSAPs.
She noted that: “This forward-thinking approach aligns with FAO’s mission to promote biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resources management and ensure sustainable agricultural practices globally. Nigeria’s dedication to integrating agrifood into its national strategies is a commendable step toward building a resilient and thriving biodiversity conservation.”
She noted that: “We, at FAO, stand shoulder to shoulder with Nigeria in this endeavor. Our commitment extends beyond mere words, as we pledge our full support to the development, implementation, and evaluation of the NBSAPs. We recognize the importance of a holistic approach, and we are ready to collaborate closely with Nigeria to achieve these goals.
“To facilitate this collaborative effort, FAO has developed an impressive array of tools, frameworks, and approaches specifically designed to support the realization of the global biodiversity targets. These resources serve as invaluable assets, empowering nations to navigate the complexities of sustainable development. We believe that by leveraging these tools, Nigeria can make significant strides in achieving its agrifood integration goals.”
She disclosed that: “In Nigeria, FAO operates within the framework of the Country Programming Framework (CPF), a comprehensive guide that directs our support to the country. It is heartening to note that this framework aligns seamlessly with the broader objective of mainstreaming biodiversity. Through the CPF, we aim to contribute to the development of a robust agrifood system that not only meets the needs of the present but also ensures the well-being of future generations.
“We understand the importance of collective action in achieving sustainable development goals. Our doors are open, and we are ready to work hand in hand with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure the successful mainstreaming of agrifood systems in the NBSAPs.”
She added that: “Nigeria’s commitment to integrating agrifood into its NBSAPs is a testament to its vision for a sustainable and prosperous future. FAO is honoured to be a part of this journey, and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact of our collective efforts on biodiversity conservation in Nigeria.”
Nigeria On Course to Develop National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan- FG
News
Centre lauds Kaduna Govt over life skills, gender education policies approval
Centre lauds Kaduna Govt over life skills, gender education policies approval
By Aisha Gambo
The Centre for Girls’ Education (CGE) has commended the Kaduna State Executive Council for approving the Kaduna State Life Skills Policy and the State Policy on Gender in Education (SPGE 2026–2030).
The Executive Director of the organisation, Habiba Mohammed, made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna.
She said the approval marked a transition from donor-supported, time-bound interventions to a sustainable, government-led framework for delivering life skills education and promoting gender equity in schools.
According to her, the Life Skills Policy will equip young people with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values required to succeed in education, employment and life, while the Gender in Education Policy providzbves a framework to promote equity, inclusion, participation, retention, completion and improved learning outcomes.
“The approval moves life skills and gender equity from the margins of the classroom into the core of Kaduna State’s education system,” she said.
Mohammed said CGE contributed to the development and validation of the policies through its system-strengthening project supported by Co-Impact, OASIS Initiative and the Malala Fund, in collaboration with the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) and the Kaduna State Ministry of Education.
She said the policies built on more than 18 years of the organisation’s Safe Space model, which independent evaluations showed had helped reduce child marriage, increase school enrolment and delay early marriage.
According to her, the AGILE programme in Kaduna has reached more than 127,319 girls and 6,250 boys between the ages of 14 and 18, while over 1,400 female and male teachers have been trained as mentors.
She added that institutionalising the model through public policy would ensure that life skills education became a permanent component of the state’s education system.
Mohammed said the policies would address barriers to school access, retention and completion, particularly for girls and other vulnerable learners.
She added that they would also institutionalise life skills as a co-curricular programme, strengthen evidence-based decision-making across the state’s 23 local government areas and guarantee continuity beyond donor-funded programmes.
The executive director commended Gov. Uba Sani for providing the leadership that made the policy approval possible.
She also appreciated the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abubakar Sani Sambo, the Kaduna State Ministry of Education, the AGILE State Project Implementation Unit, the World Bank and other stakeholders for their contributions to the process.
Mohammed reaffirmed CGE’s commitment to supporting the Kaduna State Government with technical assistance during the implementation phase, including teacher training, gender-responsive education sector budgeting and monitoring.
She said the ultimate goal was to ensure that every girl and boy in Kaduna State had the opportunity to learn, develop and thrive.
Centre lauds Kaduna Govt over life skills, gender education policies approval
News
Troops Kill Six ISWAP Fighters, Wound Seven in Failed Attack on Borno Military Base
Troops Kill Six ISWAP Fighters, Wound Seven in Failed Attack on Borno Military Base
By: Zagazola Makama
Six fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were reportedly killed and seven others seriously wounded during a failed attack on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Logomani in Borno State, credible intelligence sources have disclosed.
The sources told Zagazola Makama that the terrorists launched the attack on the military position in the early hours of July 7 but suffered significant casualties after troops mounted a fierce resistance.
According to the intelligence assessment, the attackers had assembled at Garal before advancing on the military base.
Following the failed assault, surviving insurgents were reportedly seen regrouping at Chukun Gudu, where they buried six of their fighters killed during the encounter.
Among those reportedly buried was a senior fighter identified as Munzir, also known as Ba Alayi, who was said to be an indigene of Wulgo.
The development comes as troops of Operation HADIN KAI continue sustained clearance operations aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and disrupting insurgents’ logistics and mobility across the Lake Chad region.
Troops Kill Six ISWAP Fighters, Wound Seven in Failed Attack on Borno Military Base
Health
Cholera Outbreak Kills Nine ISWAP Terrorists in Timbuktu Triangle
Cholera Outbreak Kills Nine ISWAP Terrorists in Timbuktu Triangle
By: Zagazola Makama
A cholera outbreak has reportedly claimed the lives of nine fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Timbuktu Triangle, a known terrorist stronghold in Borno State, intelligence sources have disclosed.
The sources told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the outbreak had spread through the group’s enclaves, highlighting deteriorating sanitary conditions and limited access to medical care within the insurgents’ camps.
According to the intelligence, two additional ISWAP fighters infected with the disease were allegedly executed by fellow terrorists after attempts to manage their condition at Kimba village proved unsuccessful.
The sources said the development pointed to the worsening health conditions within the terrorist hideouts, where sustained military pressure has disrupted logistics, including access to medicines and treatment facilities.
The sources added that commanders had also been urged to intensify efforts to intercept medical supplies and pharmaceuticals intended for terrorist camps in order to further degrade ISWAP’s treatment capability and operational resilience.
The reported outbreak comes amid sustained offensives by troops of Operation HADIN KAI, who continue to target terrorist enclaves and logistics networks across the Lake Chad region in a bid to degrade the insurgents’ fighting capacity.
Cholera Outbreak Kills Nine ISWAP Terrorists in Timbuktu Triangle
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