Climate Resilience: Amina Mohammed Calls for Global Unity for Sustainable Future for All

By: Michael Mike

The need for Africa to unite in solidarity to forge a climate resilient, equitable and a sustainable future for all in the continent was emphasised at the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2025 co-convened by the United Nations in Nigeria and Sterling One Foundation

Speaking at the Summit, which held on 10 – 11 July 2025 in Lagos, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General. Amina Mohammed in a video message, said: “Africa is stepping up with vision, leadership and courageous solutions. Now it is the turn of the international community to rise to the occasion. Let us unite in solidarity to forge a climate resilient equitable and a sustainable future for all.”

She explained that Africa required a renewed surge of global solidarity from governments, development banks, the private sector and philanthropic organisations to unlock the finance, the technology, and the partnerships essential for transformative change across the continent.

She disclosed that: “Our UN Resident Coordinators and Country Teams are diligently collaborating with governments and the private sector to support nationally led initiatives that would translate plans and action, and ambition to the tangible impact on the ground.”

On the progress so far made in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she noted that: “As we stand, five years away from the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals, it is imperative to recognize that our progress is faltering and in many instances regressing, rising debt, declining investment, dwindling aid, and the escalating impacts of climate change are hindering the very nations that have contributed the least to these crises.”

The UN Deputy Secretary-General said 3 billion people reside in countries that allocate more resources to interest payments than to vital sectors like health and education. This, she said, was an untenable situation.

She recalled that during the recent 4th International Conference on financing for development, world leaders came together to adopt the Seville Commitment which delineates three urgent priorities: first, catalysing large scale investment for sustainable development, second, addressing the intertwined debt and development crisis and third, reforming the international financial architecture to better serve the most vulnerable among us central to this commitment must be robust climate action.

Mohammed on climate change and energy access, said that Africa was already grappling with the dire consequences of the climate crisis, yet it was also a continent rich in innovation, resilience and visionary leadership.

She explained that: “The Mission 300 initiative aimed at connecting 300 million people to affordable reliable and clean electricity exemplifies how climate action can align with sustainable development, moreover, through nationally determined contributions.”

She further emphasised that “African nations are crafting blueprints for a just transition integrating climate objectives with energy, food systems, job creation and inclusive economic growth, however, the ambitious goals we set must be met with commensurate support.”

Climate Resilience: Amina Mohammed Calls for Global Unity for Sustainable Future for All

NAJUWA Calls for Creation of Separate Local Government for Jukun People of Benue

By: Michael Mike

Jukun ethnic group in Benue State have demanded for the creation of a separate local government, claiming that they are currently being marginalized in the affairs of the state and are not well represented in the country.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday in Abuja, the National Association of Jukun Wanu (NAJUWA)—the umbrella organisation representing all Jukun Wanu people across Nigeria and the diaspora, claimed that it was unfortunate that they are presently referred to as settlers in Benue State because at least a local government is yet to be designated for them.

The President of the association, Engr. Moses Amankye and Secretary General, Musa Atase, who took time to speak, lamented that their “overlords”, the
Tiv, who are immigrants and settlers in Benue state as the areas in which they are presently settled in the state belonged to the Jukun.

They added that: “The Tiv never owe any land in Nigeria, because they never legitimately established any Kingdom, empire, and neither have any military, let alone conquer an inch of Land or people.

“That the land in the 14 Local Government area in Benue state, that is: Makurdi, Guma, Kwande, Vandekya, Ukum, Konshisha, Katsina Ala, Gboko, Logo, Gwer West, Gwer East, Ushongo, Tarka, and Buruku belong to the Jukun. These LGAs were only created in 1976 and thereafter but before the creation, it was under the control of the Riverine Jukun since 1600 till the 1929 when the British criminally imposed Tiv in contrast to the conquest colonial policy.”

While stating that this matter will definitely be challenged in court, they said: “NAJUWA is however not saying that Tiv should pack and live this land but we are saying that the customary right of this Local Government areas rightly belonged to the Jukun, so is the customary right. By the grace of God Almighty, this will be challenged.”

Addressing the press conference themed: “Defending Our Heritage, Seeking Justice, and Upholding Truth Against Falsehood and Fabrications by the TIV, Who Are Mere Settlers in Benue State”, We, the Jukun Wanu, are the descendants of the great Kwararafa Empire, a people with a rich, documented history and a preserved cultural heritage. Our peaceful and accommodating nature is evident in our longstanding relations with neighbouring communities.  

“The Jukun Wanu, also known as the Riverine Jukun, are present in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Adamawa states. In Benue State, Jukun Wanu are in about 21 communities across Makurdi, Guma, and Logo Local Government Areas. Despite being the original inhabitants and rightful owners of the land now comprising 14 Local Government Areas—currently claimed as Tiv land—we have faced suppression, dehumanization, and inhumane treatment.

“Today, we address the world on these issues. This press conference has become necessary due to persistent intimidation, falsehoods, and land dispossession by the Tiv people. Despite our hospitality in welcoming them centuries ago, the Tiv—now advantaged by numbers, resources, and political power—have systematically seized our lands, renamed our towns and villages, and replaced our traditional institutions with theirs. They have instigated conflicts to erase our existence, yet we have consistently chosen peace over retaliation or any other unlawful means. This press conference is a formal declaration: We will no longer remain silent in the face of oppression.”

They said: “We call on the Federal Government, that it the Office of the President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, The Senate, the Federal House of Representative; our kith and Kins in Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Nassarawa, and the good people of Nigeria to collectively come to our aid by assisting us by creating a Local government for the Jukun in Benue state. We believe this can be achieved if there is will to assist us in our delicate situation.

“Finally, in line with our desire for a creation of Local Government for the Jukun in Benue state, we have already set up a machinery that will pursue that plan by visiting all the stakeholders in the country. This same bodies will be meeting with our stakeholders soon to chat a way forward with all our stakeholders and kins.”

NAJUWA Calls for Creation of Separate Local Government for Jukun People of Benue

Gunmen kidnap Catholic pastor in Niger community, police launch rescue operation

By: Zagazola Makama

A Catholic priest, Pastor Sunday Musa, has been abducted by suspected armed bandits who invaded Samunaka village in the early hours of Friday.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 4:00 a.m. in Samunaka, a community near Babanna in Borgu Local Government Area.

The attackers, numbering about twenty, stormed the village and began shooting sporadically before whisking the cleric away to an unknown destination.

The police said they received information from the Officer-in-Charge of the Babanna Police Outstation, who immediately alerted tactical teams and local vigilantes in the area.

Efforts are currently ongoing to track the kidnappers and rescue the victim unhurt, while patrols have been intensified across vulnerable communities in the Babanna–Borgu axis.

Gunmen kidnap Catholic pastor in Niger community, police launch rescue operation