International

Stakeholders Design Framework to Maximize Nigeria’s Carbon Market

Published

1 year ago

January 30, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Stakeholders Design Framework to Maximize Nigeria’s Carbon Market

By: Michael Mike

The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have gathered stakeholders in the environmental sector to prepare framework for Nigeria’s carbon market, which has potential of unlocking major industrial revolution in the country.

Speaking at the workshop on Nigeria’s Carbon Market Framework: Article 6 Training & Implementation Design organised by NCCC and UNDP in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal said It is essential to note that carbon markets present very important tool to reach global climate goals in short and medium term.

The Minister who was represented at the workshop by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari noted that carbon markets
could help to mobilize resources and reduce costs to give countries and companies the space to smooth the low-carbon transition and be able to achieve the goal of net zero emissions in the most effective way possible.

While admitting that Nigeria’s carbon market is an emerging market that is yet to actualize its full potential, Lawal said: “The need to unlock its opportunities is pivotal to promoting sustainable growth, stimulate economic development and mitigate climate change. The country’s carbon market would serve as an attraction for climate finance and as a means to curb greenhouse gas emissions.”

The Minister said: “Nigeria has the potential to produce million tons worth of carbon credits annually by 2030 through projects like Reforestation, Renewable energy, Waste to energy, Improved cook stove,” insisting that: “Unlocking Nigeria’s Carbon market opportunities holds potential for sustainable growth, economic development and climate change mitigation. Collaborating with international partners, capacity building and targeted investments can help actualize these potentials.”

He added that: “Nigeria has over the years shown increasing interest in reducing its emissions through engagement in relevant partnerships and initiatives. This has been demonstrated in our NDC (Nationally determined contribution), the long-term low emission development strategies and the country’s interest to consider cooperative climate action under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. In the updated NDC submitted in 2021, based on the new mitigation analysis, “Nigeria restates its commitment to its unconditional target to reduce GHG emissions by 20% below business-as-usual by 2030, and increases its conditional target to 47% below business-as-usual by 2030 on the condition of receiving appropriate support. All these initiatives are pointers to Nigeria’s efforts in reducing its GHG emissions.

“However, in view of achieving and implementing Nigeria’s NDC, it is timely to consider the different approaches for carbon market necessary to steer the country on the trajectory of low-carbon policies while considering national priorities such as socio-economic development and sustainable development. Considering this, the goal of this workshop is to delve deeper into the intricacies of Article 6, with a focus on operationalization and advancing the development of Nigeria’s Article 6 Framework.”

On his part, the Director General of the
National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr. Salisu Dahiru said: Despite its low level of emissions, Nigeria has the potential for a range of carbon mitigation activities above and beyond the planned activities of the NDC that may allow it to access carbon finance through trading to assist its ambitious goal to become a developed, carbon-neutral, and climate-resilient economy by 2060.”

He added that: “Thus, as the marketplace for carbon trading is emerging, it will be of great importance to explore opportunities and identify implications and risks associated with carbon market under the PA’s Article 6 in Nigeria.”

Dahiru explained that: “Participating in Article 6 necessitates a country-led, efficient, and robust institutional architecture with high-level engagement and monitoring. The arrangement must have legal and administrative authority to effectively implement Article 6 on behalf of the national government. The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) is Nigeria’s National Designated Article 6 Authority (NDAA), responsible for overseeing all Article 6-related activities and transactions. NCCC authorizes and approves Article 6.2 and Article 6.4 projects that accord with national interest.

“Nigeria is also establishing an Article 6 Technical Committee (A6.TC) to coordinate engagement across all government ministries and departments. A6.TC members will review progress, challenges, and investment prospects in their respective industries. The team will assess the impact of current and upcoming cooperation agreements on the country’s NDC attainment, sustainable development benefits (including green job creation), and financial resource mobilization.”

He told the stakeholders that: “This workshop is therefore timely, as there are a lot of interest on Article 6. Operationalization of Article 6 of the PA is one of the core role of NEYEN, so we can explore their expertise to understand carbon market and how it works. I therefore call on commitments and cooperation from relevant sectors to ensure successful deliberation and accomplishment of the goals of the workshop.”

Stakeholders Design Framework to Maximize Nigeria’s Carbon Market

International

Nigeria Commiserates with Catholic Church Over Demise of Pope Francis

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigeria Commiserates with Catholic Church Over Demise of Pope Francis

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has expressed profound sorrow at the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who died on Monday, 21 April 2025, at the age of 88 years.

The departed Holy Father, the political head of Vatican City and the head of the Catholic Church, was described in the statement as a global moral leader whose papacy was marked by humility, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to peace, social justice, and the dignity of all people.

The statement read: “Nigeria commiserates with the teaming population of the catholic church in the country and joins the international community, particularly the Catholic faithful worldwide, in mourning this immense loss. Pope Francis’ deep concern for the marginalized; including refugees, the poor, and victims of conflict, resonated strongly in Nigeria, where his calls for interreligious harmony and solidarity were a beacon of hope amid challenges.

“His historic 2022 apology for the Church’s role in colonial injustices, including the suffering of Indigenous peoples, indeed set a powerful example of reconciliation. Also worthy of commendation is his advocacy for peace in Africa, and other conflict areas in the world, reflecting his universal pastoral mission.”

The statement further read that: “In this moment of grief, therefore, Nigeria extends heartfelt condolences to the Vatican, the Catholic Church, and the Argentine people, who gifted the world this extraordinary pontiff.

“We pray for the repose of his soul and trust that his legacy of mercy, dialogue, and care for our common home will endure.”

Nigeria Commiserates with Catholic Church Over Demise of Pope Francis

International

Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom

Published

1 week ago

April 19, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom

By: Zagazola Makama

A suspected abduction occurred on April 18, 2025, when Mr. Yangi Ming, a Chinese national working at Panda Supermarket in Jabi, was reportedly abducted by unknown individuals.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that Mr Yangi Ming left his residence at Stargate Apartment in Durumi around 1700hrs and was last seen wearing brown shorts and a black polo shirt.

His sister, Aisha Pan, residing in Sharanda, Kano State, later received a ransom demand of ₦300 million, made from Yangi Ming’s mobile phone number.

Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom

International

India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport

Published

3 weeks ago

April 7, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two siblings at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos during a planned travel to India with 5 kilogrammes of cocaine.

The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday said: “Operatives of a Special Operations Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested two brothers: John Abugu, 43, and Kenneth Abugu, 31, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja, Lagos with 5 kilogrammes cocaine concealed in walls of their suitcases while attempting to board a flight to India.”

He said the two brothers were arrested at the Lagos airport last Thursday following proactive processing of credible intelligence. He said they claimed they were travelling to India for medical treatment but when their suitcases were thoroughly searched by NDLEA officers, whitish powdery substances later confirmed to be cocaine were discovered on the walls of their bags.

Babafemi said in a similar development, NDLEA officers of the MMIA Strategic Command same day, Thursday intercepted a 20-year-old Ghanaian – British man, Parker Osei with 36 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 19.4 kilogrammes packed in a giant travelling bag. The suspect who claims he is a student of Computer Science at East London University, UK, was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand, at the E-arrival hall of the Lagos airport.

In his statement, the techie claims he lives with his parents in the UK but left London about a week ago for Bangkok where he picked up the illicit drug consignment to deliver in Nigeria.

NDLEA operatives in Kogi state have arrested a 33-year-old woman, Ngozi Ogili while moving 3 kilogrammes of methamphetamine from Lagos to Abuja. She was nabbed in a commercial transport bus along Okene-Lokoja highway last Monday. Babafemi said a follow up operation at her point of delivery in Apo mechanic area of Abuja led to the seizure of quantities of Loud and Colorado, both synthetic strains of cannabis.

In Abia state, NDLEA officers on Saturday arrested a 75-year-old grandpa, Nnanna Felix with 1.6 kilogrammes skunk, a strain of cannabis during a raid at Umunteke Asa, Ukwa West local government area, while another suspect David Chinemerem, 21, was nabbed with 2,050 ampoules of pentazocine at 7 Nnajiego Lane, Umuode road, Aba last Tuesday.

No fewer than 381 bottles of codeine syrup and 108 tablets of tramadol were seized from a suspect, Abdullahi Adamu along Potiskum-Damaturu road, Yobe state by NDLEA operatives on Saturday, just as raid operations at Osogbo motor park, Onitsha and a house at Oba in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra state led to the arrest of Obinna Sunday and the seizure of 195,000 pills of tramadol. Also arrested during the raid at the motor park was Ugochukwu Ojalanonye with 4.2 kilogrammes codeine syrup and 5.4kg pentazocine.

In the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, NDLEA operatives last Thursday arrested 51-year-old Sunday Ayogu with 25 kilogrammes skunk and 90.4 grammes of methamphetamine during a raid operation at Wuse market Abuja, while two women: Faith Etim, 64, and Victoria Etim, 40, were nabbed lasr Friday when NDLEA operatives supported by men of the Nigerian Army raided cannabis plantations in Esuk-Odot community, Odukpani local government area of Cross River State where 250,000 kilogrammes of the psychoactive plant were destroyed on over 100 hectares of farm land.

Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of MMIA, SOU, Yobe, Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Cross River and FCT commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport