Environment Minister Urges Media to Lead Fight Against Climate Crisis

By: Michael Mike

Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has called on the media to take a more active role in confronting the country’s growing environmental challenges, stressing that responsible reporting and public awareness are crucial to safeguarding Nigeria’s ecological future.

Speaking on Wednesday at a media engagement workshop held in Abuja, Lawal described journalists and digital communicators as strategic partners in the national effort to address climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss.

He noted that the media, widely recognised as the Fourth Estate of the realm, plays a critical role in shaping public understanding of environmental issues at a time when the country faces mounting ecological pressures.

“The environment is not an abstract concept. It is the air we breathe, the land that feeds us, the rivers that sustain communities, and the climate that shapes the future,” the minister said.

Lawal highlighted a range of environmental threats confronting Nigeria, including desertification spreading across northern regions, severe flooding and erosion in the South-East and South-South, oil pollution and gas flaring in the Niger Delta, widespread deforestation, and the growing impacts of climate change on livelihoods and food security.

He explained that under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Ministry of Environment has intensified efforts to promote environmental sustainability while supporting economic development.

According to him, government initiatives in 2025, including the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project and the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, restored more than 1.14 million hectares of degraded land and facilitated the planting of over 1.5 million trees across Nigeria.

“These achievements demonstrate our national commitment to building a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Nigeria,” he said.

The minister, however, stressed that greater media attention is required to elevate environmental reporting in the country. He observed that environmental issues are often treated as secondary despite their direct impact on agriculture, public health, and economic stability.

He urged journalists to adopt more data-driven and solutions-oriented reporting approaches that highlight both environmental challenges and innovative responses to them.

Lawal also encouraged media professionals to take advantage of digital and social media platforms to engage Nigeria’s youthful population and amplify awareness about climate action and environmental protection.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media through improved access to environmental data, field activities, and information resources to support effective reporting.

“Future generations deserve a Nigeria where the air is clean, forests thrive, rivers run pure, and the land remains productive,” he said.

Lawal added that the stories told by journalists today have the power to shape public behaviour, influence policies, and inspire collective action needed to secure Nigeria’s environmental future.

Environment Minister Urges Media to Lead Fight Against Climate Crisis

Apelogun Amirul Hajj: Ogun Governor Charges Leaders on Pilgrims’ Welfare

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved the appointment of Alhaji (Prince) Shamsudeen Adebayo Apelogun as the Amirul Hajj for the 2026 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

Apelogun, who holds the revered titles of Asiwaju Adinni of Ogun State and Baba Adinni of Remoland, is expected to lead and coordinate Muslim pilgrims from the state during the annual religious exercise.

In a related development, the governor also appointed Sheikh Zakariyah Ishaq Olorungbebe as Chairman of the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for the 2026 Hajj operation. He will oversee the administrative and operational activities of the board.

The appointments, according to the state government, are part of early strategic efforts to ensure a seamless, well-organised and successful pilgrimage for Ogun State contingents.

Governor Abiodun charged both appointees to carry out their responsibilities with diligence, integrity and a strong sense of commitment, stressing the need for effective leadership, proper coordination and collaboration to guarantee the comfort, safety and spiritual fulfilment of pilgrims.

He further reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing the necessary support and institutional framework to ensure a hitch-free Hajj exercise.

The statement was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi.

Apelogun Amirul Hajj: Ogun Governor Charges Leaders on Pilgrims’ Welfare

SOJA Condemns Killing of Civilians in Jos, Demands Security Reforms

By: Michael Mike

Speak Out for Justice Advocacy Ltd/Gte (SOJA) has strongly condemned the killing of innocent civilians in Angwan Rukuba area of Jos, Plateau State, describing the attack as a grave violation of human rights and a threat to national security.

In a statement issued on Monday, the organisation said the tragic incident reportedly occurred on March 29, 2026, Palm Sunday, when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a gathering of civilians, leaving several people dead and others injured.

SOJA said the attack, regardless of the identities or affiliations of the victims, represents a serious assault on human life and dignity, stressing that no society can thrive where citizens live under constant threats of violence.

“The perpetrators of such acts are not invisible forces—they are individuals who must be identified, apprehended, and brought to justice under the law,” the organisation stated.

The advocacy group emphasised that violence should never be viewed through religious, ethnic or social lenses, noting that the sanctity of human life transcends all divisions.

It added that the killings constitute violations of several international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, all of which guarantee the right to life and personal security.

The organisation also cited provisions of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, particularly Section 33(1), which guarantees the right to life, and Section 14(2)(b), which states that the security and welfare of citizens shall be the primary purpose of government.

According to SOJA, Nigeria has obligations under international human rights law to protect citizens from violence and to implement effective measures that ensure the realization of the right to life and security.

The group noted that repeated incidents of violent attacks in parts of the country point to gaps in preventive security mechanisms and response systems, urging authorities to urgently address the situation.

While acknowledging ongoing efforts by security agencies, SOJA called on the Federal Government, the Plateau State Government, and relevant security institutions to conduct a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the killings.

It also urged authorities to ensure the swift identification, arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for the attack and their collaborators.

The organisation further recommended strengthening intelligence gathering and community-based security systems, reviewing existing legal and operational security frameworks, and improving inter-agency coordination and rapid response mechanisms.

SOJA also called for adequate support and relief for victims and affected families.

“Nigeria must not become a society where the right to life is routinely undermined by acts of violence,” the statement said. “Every loss of life is a blow to our shared humanity and national stability.”

The group stressed that decisive action was necessary to restore public confidence, strengthen the country’s security architecture and uphold the rule of law.

SOJA Condemns Killing of Civilians in Jos, Demands Security Reforms