Nigeria Congratulates Germany on Election of New Chancellor

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has extended its warm congratulations to Germany on the successful election of Friedrich Merz as the new Chancellor. The Conservative Leader
won with 325 votes in the 630-Seat Bundestag on Tuesday, 6th May, 2025.

A statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa read: “Nigeria commends Germany’s strong democratic traditions and values, which have once again been demonstrated through a peaceful and transparent electoral process. We are confident that under Friedrich Merz’s leadership, Germany will continue to play a pivotal role in advancing global peace, stability, and prosperity.

“As longstanding partners, Nigeria looks forward to deepening bilateral relations with Germany in areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, security, and sustainable development. We also reaffirm our commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation within the framework of the United Nations and other international fora.

“The Nigerian government and people wish the new Chancellor a successful tenure and express our readiness to work closely with Germany for the benefit of both nations and the global community.”

Nigeria Congratulates Germany on Election of New Chancellor

Drama in court: Judge withdraws, returns Gombe land tussle case to CJ

A mild drama ensued on Wednesday at the Gombe State High Court when a judge, Justice Fatima Musa recused herself from presiding over a high-profile land encroachment case involving Emir General Integrated Limited and a construction company contracted to build the state’s proposed Mechanics Village, known as Grandscope Construction Limited.

Emir General Integrated Limited had earlier sued the construction firm, alleging trespass on its land. The Gombe State Government also recently filed an application to be joined in the suit as a co-defendant.

During the latest court sitting on Wednesday, Justice Fatima Musa shocked parties involved by announcing her withdrawal from the case, citing personal reasons. She stated that the case would be returned to the Chief Judge of the State for reassignment to another judge.

Reacting to the development, counsel to the first defendant, Grandscope Construction Limited, Barrister Daniel Tsaro, described the judge’s decision as not uncommon, adding that his clients had no objections.

On his part, counsel to Emir General Integrated Limited, Barrister Suleiman Abdulrahim, reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing the matter to its conclusion, regardless of which court it is reassigned to.

It would be recalled that during a previous sitting, the court had granted an interim order restraining Grandscope Construction Limited from further accessing or commencing construction on the disputed land, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.

Drama in court: Judge withdraws, returns Gombe land tussle case to CJ

FG Says Strategies are in Place to Tackle Unsustainable Agricultural Practices

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government said it has emplaced strategies to tackle unsustainable agricultural practices, excessive logging and infrastructure deficit significantly reducing the rate of deforestation, forest degradation and adverse climate conditions.

Addressing a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of Environment , Malam Balarabe Lawal while stating that forests play a crucial role in regulating the country’s climatic conditions for climate resilience, said: “The Ministry has put in place strategies to tackle unsustainable agricultural practices, excessive logging and infrastructure deficit significantly reducing the rate of deforestation, forest degradation and adverse climate conditions.

“Forests plays crucial role in biodiversity conservation, maintaining of water cycles and the provision of livelihoods for millions of people.

“It’s worthy of note that achievements have been recorded with regard to restoration of forest in Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.”

He explained that: “Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria established to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the Ogoni land oil spill.

“The Ministry initiated the world’s most extensive mangrove restoration in Ogoniland by HYPREP.

“The pilot phase of 560ha is 85 per cent completed, with over two million seedlings comprising red, black, and white mangrove species planted. This is the first mangrove restoration in Nigeria involving the planting of different species,” Lawal said.

He also revealed that the Ministry has signed an agreement with the Republic of Cameroon on Cooperation Framework Agreement on Trans-Boundary Ecosystem Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forestry and Wildlife Resources on April 19, 2024.

Lawal noted that: “This will foster collaborations between both countries in protecting shared ecosystems, including forests, wildlife and water bodies.

“It will ensure the coordinated management of trans-boundary protected areas, such as Cross River National Park (Nigeria) and Korup National Park (Cameroon), which are biodiversity hotspots in collaboration with major and strategic stakeholders.”

He noted that the goal is to improve the resilience of affected communities to climate change and climate variability in the dry lands of Nigeria.

He said one of the major achievements of the ministry include:raising of 3,850,000 Neem seedlings for the establishment of Plant Nurseries in the 11 National Agency of the Great Green Wall frontline states to provide medicinal raw materials.

“Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN): FRIN is the leading research institution in Nigeria which focuses on forestry, forest products and environmental development initiatives.

“Its major achievements include: the digitalisation of the forests zones in Nigeria;

“National Park Service (NPS) is responsible for managing and conserving national parks and wildlife reserves of protected areas across the nation,” he said.

Lawal noted that NPS is primarily responsible for enforcing environmental laws to prevent illegal activities such as poaching, deforestation and encroachment on protected lands.

“Achievements recorded under NPS include; the enhancement of forest security, through strengthened inter-agency collaboration especially with the Nigeria Military.

He said that the collaboration is gradually yielding positive results as shown in the recovery of forest areas occupied by bandits as well as, sustaining the fight against insurgency and terrorism in our forests

FG Says Strategies are in Place to Tackle Unsustainable Agricultural Practices