Leadership tussle: North East CAN backs Rev. Hayab

By: Inusa Ndahi

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the North East, Bishop Mohammed Naga has said that the entire members of the association in the region and by extension, North Central and North West are fully aligned with the leadership of Reverend, Dr. Joseph Hayab who was constituonally elected as Chairman of the 19 Northern States CAN and the FCT in February 2025.

He cautioned the so-called Sunday Oibe who is parading himself as Secretary alongside Rev. Yakubu Pam as Chairman to desist forthwith.

Bishop Naga who is also the General Secretary of the 19 Northern states CAN and the FCT disclosed this in a statement to newsmen on Saturday in Maiduguri, Borno state capital.

Bishop Naga who is the General Overseer of the Biblical Christian Church (BCC).in Nigeria, said, it has become imperative for him to speak out over the recent media hype sponsored by Oibe that, the recent federal high court ruling did not in any way affirm or legitimise Rev. Joseph Hayab’s claim to the chairmanship of the association.

His words: “On behalf of North East Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I am the Chairman of North East Can and also the Secretary General of 19 Northern states and FCT CAN which we were duly elected in February 2025.

“The so-called Sunday Oibe who is parading himself as the Secretary has never been elected to such an exalted position, rather, he was asked to finish the tenure of Barrister Danladi who God called to Glory. Even the office of the Northern CAN that is going on, the election was conducted in 2016, so if you calculated it to 2025, you would know the number of years spent which has automatically shown that their tenure has elapsed since then.

“Therefore, Oibe’s office has expired, and all the Chairmen of Northern CAN gathered in Abuja and resolved constitutionally, conducted an election which hitherto brought into Leadership of Reverend Dr. Joseph Hayab as the current Chairman of Northern CAN, and we in the North East, we don’t recognize Oibe as our leader and they are no longer our leader. They should desist from parading themselves.

“Whether there was a Court Rule or No Court Rule, it is true that there is no constitutional backing for whatsoever to warrant them claim they are our leaders.

“This Northern CAN as far as we are concern is our legacy and heritage. Our forefathers left it for us on behalf of the entire Christedom in Northern Nigeria, and we have to protect it”. Naga stated.

He pointed out that, the whole thing was that, there was an advancement of crushing Christianity, but their forefathers struggled, fought for them and developed a resistant force where each one is expected to face his/her own religion.

Continuing: “This fight like the man Oibe taking people to Court when there was no legal backing is uncalled for. The Court has ruled on the matter, why should he be making noise, let him be assured that there are no people with him, we in the North East are not with him, even in the North Central, the Vice Chairman of Northern CAN, is the Chairman of North West zonal CAN, which is constitutionally constituted, and my humble self as the Chairman of North East. So if you look at it, all the Chairmen of North Central, North West and North East are all in this Northern CAN matter. In fact, the whole matter behind it is that, the acclaimed leadership of Oibe are no longer relevant, they dont carry everybody along, there is no tangible or viable evidence of what they have done for the North”. Naga further explained.

He noted that they have gathered several times as Chairmen of CAN in the Northern part and held fruitful deliberations on how to forge ahead peacefully.

” let Oibe be assured that his office has expired and he should not arraign himself as a leader again. I am speaking on behalf of Northern CAN Chairmen, that we are together, we are solidified, we are strong, vibrant and we are up to the task.

” Let me also call on our members across the Northern States to remain calm, focused, prayerful, and to disregard the ongoing media distortions mainly sponsored by Oibe”. He concluded.

Leadership tussle: North East CAN backs Rev. Hayab

FG Launches Biodiversity Finance Initiative to Safeguard Nation’s Ecosystem

By: Michael Mike

In a landmark move towards safeguarding the nation’s forests, ecosystems, and biodiversity that underpin livelihoods across the country, the federal government has launched the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN).

It is an important step towards bridging financial gap for biodiversity conservation while strengthening partnerships among government institutions, the private sector, civil society, and local communities.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative in Abuja, the Director of Forestry at the Ministry of Environment, Mrs Halima Bawa-Bwari, said BIOFIN will support sustainable forestry practices that balance ecological integrity with economic growth, while empowering communities as custodians of biodiversity.

She said: “The urgency to act has never been greater. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) provides us with a clear roadmap to conserve, sustainably use, and equitably share the benefits of biodiversity.”

She noted that: “BIOFIN complements this vision by mobilising innovative financing solutions, ensuring that our commitments are not only aspirational but achievable.”

She said Nigeria has consistently demonstrated its commitment to biodiversity conservation, while explaining that through the NBSAP, “the country has pledged to integrate biodiversity financing into national development planning, strengthen institutional frameworks, and mobilise both domestic and international resources.”

She said that this commitment was already reflected: Increased budgetary allocations to forestry and conservation programme; Partnerships with development organisations to unlock innovative financing mechanisms; Mainstreaming biodiversity into key sectors such as agriculture, energy, and infrastructure; and community -driven initiatives that ensure local communities benefit directly from conservation efforts

She however called on all stakeholders to collaborate in strengthening Nigeria’s biodiversity agenda.

She said: “Let us commit to innovative thinking, collaborative action, and unwavering dedication to safeguarding our forests and biodiversity for generations to come.

“Together, we can ensure that the Biodiversity Finance Initiative becomes a beacon of hope and a model of sustainability, aligned with Nigeria’s commitments under the NBSAP and our broader national development and Renewed Hope agenda.”

While revealing that the organisation’s mission is to activate and accelerate the transition towards a nature-positive global economy, said: “Businesses in Nigeria are increasingly paying attention to nature as part of their broader work on sustainability, but they are not yet all aware of how their work contributes to national plans to protect, restore and sustainably use nature.”

She insisted that collaboration will help accelerate progress for nature in Nigeria by connecting private sector leadership with national biodiversity and climate priorities—turning global goals into national action.

She disclosed that: “In 2022, 196 countries made a historic commitment through the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), a global plan to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030,” stating that the government cannot achieve this alone.

She noted that: “Businesses and financial institutions must play a central role in delivering the transition toward a nature-positive future. Through this partnership, the organisations will convene leading Nigerian companies and government representatives through a Business Advisory Group (BAG).”

On her part, the representatives of Natural Eco Capital, Rantiola Babatimehin, stated that the organisation remains commitment to strengthening sustainability by helping public and private bodies build resilient, eco-conscious businesses and economies.

She said: @As a member of the Capitals Coalition, we collaborate with governments, financial institutions, and investors to tackle issues around natural capital, climate change, low-carbon development, sustainable finance, and circular economy.”

The Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr Joseph Onoja, insisted that conservation of biodiversity is everybody’s business.

He said: “Every organisation and every individual involved in business should also play a role in safeguarding biodiversity. That is why we established the Business Advisory Group—so that together, we can develop a Business Action Plan for Biodiversity and identify practical steps to strengthen biodiversity conservation in Nigeria.”

The Ministry’s Biodiversity Desk Officer, Sikeade Egbuwalo, explained that BIOFIN and Nigeria’s NBSAP can be adequately financed by mobilising more public and private sector investments, unlocking new revenue streams, and aligning economic incentives with conservation.

FG Launches Biodiversity Finance Initiative to Safeguard Nation’s Ecosystem

Retired Delta High Court Judge found murdered in Asaba Delta

By: Zagazola Makama

A retired Delta State High Court judge, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, was found murdered at her residence in Asaba on Monday morning.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the victim, was discovered lifeless in her sitting room at No. 8 Tom Halen Street, behind IBTC Bank, with her hands and legs tied and her mouth covered with a wrapper.

Her brother, Emeka Okogwu, reported the incident to the Police at about 8:00 a.m. while visiting her home. Following the report, patrol teams were deployed to the scene.

The on-duty security guard, Lucky Matthew, was arrested for questioning, while another guard, Godwin Vanen, was reported missing and is being sought.

The police said the body of Justice Okogwu was evacuated and deposited at Maduemeie Hospital Mortuary, Asaba. Investigation into the motive and identification of the assailants is ongoing.

The case has been transferred to SCID Asaba for discreet investigation.

Retired Delta High Court Judge found murdered in Asaba Delta