Guterres: End of Fossil Fuel Has Come

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has said the end of fossil fuel has come, stating that the world has started embracing clean energy.

Guterres in a televised broadcast: “A Moment of Opportunity: Supercharging the Clean Energy Age,”said: “The headlines are dominated by a world in trouble. By conflict and climate chaos.
By rising human suffering. By growing geo-political divides. But amidst the turmoil, another story is being written.

“And its implications will be profound.
Throughout history, energy has shaped the destiny of humankind – from mastering
fire, to harnessing steam, to splitting the atom. Now, we are on the cusp of a new era.
Fossil fuels are running out of road. The sun is rising on a clean energy age.

“Just follow the money $2 trillion went into clean energy last year – that’s $800 billion more than fossil fuels, and up almost 70% in ten years.

“And new data released today from the International Renewable Energy Agency
shows that solar – not so long ago four times the cost of fossil fuels – is now 41%
cheaper. Offshore wind – 53%. And over 90% of new renewables worldwide produced electricity for less than the
cheapest new fossil fuel alternative.

“This is not just a shift in power. It is a shift in possibility. Yes, in repairing our relationship with the climate. Already, the carbon emissions saved by solar and wind globally are almost equivalent to what the whole European Union produces in a year.
But this transformation is fundamentally about energy security and people’s
security.

“It’s about smart economics. Decent jobs, public health, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. And delivering clean and affordable energy to everyone, everywhere.

“Today, we are releasing a special report with the support of UN agencies and
partners — the International Energy Agency, the IMF, IRENA, the OECD and the
World Bank. The report shows how far we have come in the decade since the Paris Agreement sparked a clean energy revolution. And it highlights the vast benefits – and actions needed – to accelerate a just transition globally. Renewables already nearly match fossil fuels in global installed power capacity. And that’s just the beginning.

“Last year, almost all the new power capacity built came from renewables.
Every continent on Earth added more renewables capacity than fossil fuels.
And renewables generated almost a third of global electricity. The clean energy future is no longer a promise. It’s a fact. No government. No industry. No special interest can stop it.”

Gutteres said: “Of course, the fossil fuel lobby will try – and we know the lengths to which they will go. But I have never been more confident that they will fail – because we have passed the point of no return.”

He explained that there are three powerful reasons; which are market economics as number one, stating that: “For decades, emissions and economic growth rose together,” but: “No more in many advanced economies, emissions have peaked, but growth continues.

“In 2023 alone, clean energy sectors drove 10% of global GDP growth. In India, 5%. The United States, 6%. China – a leader in the energy transition – 20%. And in the European Union, nearly 33%. And clean energy sector jobs now outnumber fossil fuel jobs – employing almost 35 million people worldwide. Even Texas – the heart of the American fossil fuel industry – now leads the US in renewables.”

He noted that “it makes economic sense.
And yet fossil fuels still enjoy a 9 to 1 advantage in consumption subsidies
globally – a clear market distortion.
Add to that the unaccounted costs of climate damages on people and planet – and the distortion is even greater,” decrying that: “Countries that cling to fossil fuels are not protecting their economies – they are
sabotaging them; Driving up costs;
Undermining competitiveness; Locking-in stranded assets; And missing the greatest economic opportunity of the 21st century.”

He said secondly, renewables are here to stay because they are the foundation of
energy security and sovereignty.

Guterres said: “Let’s be clear: The greatest threat to energy security today is fossil fuels. They leave economies and people at the mercy of price shocks, supply disruptions, and geopolitical turmoil.
Just look at Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A war in Europe led to a global energy crisis.
Oil and gas prices soared. Electricity and food bills followed.

“In 2022 average households around the world saw energy costs jump 20%.
Modern and competitive economies need stable, affordable energy. Renewables
offer both. There are no price spikes for sunlight. No embargoes on wind. Renewables can put power – literally and figuratively – in the hands of people and
governments.

“And almost every nation has enough sun, wind, or water to become energy self-
sufficient. Renewables mean real energy security. Real energy sovereignty. And real freedom from fossil-fuel volatility.”

He said the third and final reason why there is no going back on renewables is because of easy access.

The UN Secretary General said: “You can’t build a coal plant in someone’s backyard.
But you can deliver solar panels to the most remote village on earth. Solar and wind can be deployed faster, cheaper and more flexibly than fossil fuels ever could.

“And while nuclear will be part of the global energy mix, it can never fill the access
gaps. All of this is a game-changer for the hundreds of millions of people still living
without electricity – most of them in Africa, a continent bursting with renewable
potential.”

He noted that by 2040, Africa could generate 10 times more electricity than it needs – entirely from renewables.

Guterres: End of Fossil Fuel Has Come

Zulum Condoles Ogun State over Passing of Awujale of Ijebuland

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has led a high powered delegation to condole with the government and people of Ogun State on the passing of Awujale of Ijebuland and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland,
Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

The monarch passed away at the age of 91 after reigning for 65 years.

Governor Zulum was received at the Ogun State Governor’s Office in Abeokuta by Governor Dapo Abiodun alongside the late monarch’s first son, Prince Adedire Adetona, and Prince Adejuwon Adetona.

Speaking during the visit, Governor Zulum described the late Oba as a person of proven integrity with unquestionable character.

“We are here to commiserate with the government and people of Ogun State, and in particular the family of the late paramount ruler, HRM Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON. The late Oba contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria and Ogun State”, Zulum stated.

The governor further noted that the relationship between the people of Borno and the Southwest is deeply rooted, with shared similarities in culture, religion and values which compelled him to personally pay his respects.

He prayed Almighty Allah to give the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, appreciated governor Zulum for the visit, stating that he is the first governor from Northern Nigeria to visit and commiserate with the state, “His Excellency, Governor Babagana Zulum, is the first to call on the people of Ogun State over the passing of our paramount ruler. We deeply appreciate this gesture”, Abiodun stressed.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Prince Adedire Adetona, expressed appreciation to the government and people of Borno State for the visit, noting that it demonstrated true solidarity.

Governor Zulum was accompanied on the visit by the Acting APC National Chairman, Hon. Ali Dalori; Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan; Hon. Bukar Talba; Hon. Abudulkadir Rahis and the Special Assistant on Political Affairs.

Zulum Condoles Ogun State over Passing of Awujale of Ijebuland

Indian expatriates’ driver drowns at Tarkwa-Bay beach in Lagos

By: Zagazola Makama

A Nigerian driver identified simply as Kingsley has been declared missing after drowning in the sea at Tarkwa-Bay beach, Lagos, during a leisure trip with two Indian nationals on Monday.

Police sources told Zagazola Makama that two Indian expatriates, attached to the Dangote Company in Lekki, reported the incident at the Tarkwa-Bay Police Division.

They stated that the incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. on Sunday when their driver, who conveyed them to the beach for relaxation, entered the water and got swept away by strong currents.

“All efforts to recover his body proved abortive,” a police source said.

Police detectives from the division later visited the scene, and efforts were ongoing to locate and retrieve the body of the deceased driver.

The identity of the victim was yet to be fully established as only his first name was known at the time of the report.

Indian expatriates’ driver drowns at Tarkwa-Bay beach in Lagos