France Hands Over Operational Equipment for Nigeria’s Anti-Narcotics War

By: Michael Mike

The French government has handed over some operational equipment to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to aid the ongoing war against drug trafficking.

The donation was made on Thursday by the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, who commended the operational successes of the anti-narcotics agency, especially in areas of illicit drug control and high rate of prosecution and conviction of offenders.

The envoy who handed over some operational equipment donated by the French government to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja, noted that the agency had done very well in the fight against illicit drugs and narcotics with over 57,792 arrests; 9.9 million kilogrammes of seizures and 10,572 convictions within a space of four years.

He added that Nigeria’s records of achievements in the fight against illicit drugs places the country in a good position for great partnership and collaboration with France.

The envoy said: “You’re one of the best in the world in terms of fight against illicit drugs and narcotics because of your operational successes, which give NDLEA an edge in terms of arrests, seizures, high rate of convictions and as such we can learn some lessons from you while you learn from us as well.”

In his remark, Marwa expressed appreciation for the donation of the equipment to NDLEA, noting that: “Nigeria and France have been good partners especially following the recent state visit by President Bola Tinubu to France.”

He stated that “the equipment are very important operational tools that will go a long way to enhance our work.”

He appealed for special training on investigation and cyber transactions as well as support for the Alternative Development Project initiative of the agency aimed at encouraging cannabis growers to embrace alternative crops.

France Hands Over Operational Equipment for Nigeria’s Anti-Narcotics War

NCCCS: Nigeria Needs Guideline to Shape Climate Action, Economic Transformation, Social Equity

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria needs a Just Transition Guideline that will serve as a model for inclusive climate action, economic transformation, and social equity in the country, the Director General, National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, NCCCS, and Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe has said.

The DG, who made the declaration in Abuja at a workshop on developing a Just Transition Roadmap for Nigeria organised in collaboration with international Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), asked stakeholders in the environmental sector to work together to develop this.

Maduekwe who was represented by the Director of the Council Secretariat, Mrs Halima Bawa-Bwari, explained that the workshop marks a significant step in shaping a comprehensive Just Transition Guideline that reflects Nigeria’s realities and aspirations.

She said: “We recognize that a Just Transition is not solely an environmental or economic issue it is a social imperative, It requires the active collaboration of government, private sector stakeholders, civil society, and development partners to design policies that mitigate potential disruptions while maximizing new opportunities.”

“The Just Transition Guideline we are developing will be instrumental in achieving these targets through socially responsible and economically viable strategies.”

She noted that Climate related policy framework like the Nigeria’s National Development Plan, Energy Transition Plan, National Bioeconomy Strategic Framework and the Climate Change Act, will provides a blueprint for inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.

Maduekwe said: “A Just Transition framework will ensure that the shift to renewable energy and a low-carbon future aligns with this vision by integrating policies that safeguard workers and communities, particularly those dependent on fossil fuel-based industries, anchored on sustainability, economic inclusion and resilience.”

She stated that “the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to sustainable development is clearly reflected in the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic prosperity, job creation, and social inclusion.”

She said: “As we implement our climate policies and transition to a green economy, it is imperative that we do so in a way that secures livelihoods, supports vulnerable communities, and fosters shared economic growth—leaving no one behind.”

In a joint address, the ILO, UNDP and UNIDO, said the development of a Just Transition Action Plan or a Roadmap as a National guideline for all sectors is crucial to addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon economy.

Delivering the speech for the three UN agencies, Mr Stephen Agugua, said Nigeria is committed to its international obligations including the Paris Agreement and the sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, as it aims to address climate change and promote sustainable development in the country.

Agugua noted that the Just Transition Roadmap will build upon and align with the existing policy frameworks, providing a coherent and strategic approach to the transition of Nigeria to a low-carbon economy.

He said: “The Nigerian government has already taken significant steps towards sustainable development and climate action. Such as the ongoing revision of the National Determined Contributions NDCs, National Development Plan, NDP, and the establishment of a National Council on Climate Change NCCC, demonstrate the commitment to climate change and promote sustainable economic growth.”

He noted that the alignment of the Just Transition Roadmap with the strategic objectives of the United Nations values emphasized the strategic partnership between the government of Nigeria and the UN system, with the goal to promote inclusive and sustainable economic development to sustain the country drive to low-carbon economy.

He said the International labour Organisation, ILO, advocates for a just transition, fostering environmentally sustainable economies inclusively with a commitment to creating decent work and reducing poverty.

He said the guidelines from the ILO provide an internationally established policy framework that defines the concept of a Just Transition, stressing that: “Under the Climate Promise Initiative UNDP is now supporting 34 countries and territories around the world to strengthen Just Transition principles and processes, since 2010 UNIDO has supported the creation of regional sustainable energy centres across the Global South to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.”

He added that the overall aim of developing a Just Transition Action Plan as a National Guideline is to provide a clear framework and actionable strategies to guide all sectors in the country towards a sustainable and equitable future that emphasizes “Leave no one behind .“

NCCCS: Nigeria Needs Guideline to Shape Climate Action, Economic Transformation, Social Equity

AAN Condemns Supreme Court for Upholding Sunday Jackson’s Death Sentence

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has condemned what it termed travesty of justice in the case of Sunday Jackson, a young farmer and student sentenced to death for defending himself against a violent attacker.

In a statement signed by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu on Thursday,
ActionAid Nigeria said the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the sentence is a miscarriage of justice.

In 2015, Sunday Jackson, then a 20-year-old student and farmer from Dong community in Demsa Local Government Area, Adamawa State, was attacked on his farm in Kodomti community, Numan Local Government Area.

Buba Ardo Bawuro, a herder, deliberately led his cattle to graze on Jackson’s crops. When confronted, Bawuro violently attacked Jackson with a knife, stabbing him in the leg. Despite his injuries, Jackson managed to overpower his assailant and seized the weapon. In the ensuing struggle, Bawuro lost his life. Rather than being recognised as a victim of an unprovoked attack who defended himself, Jackson was arrested and charged with culpable homicide.

What followed was a complete breakdown of justice. Jackson spent seven years in detention, which AAN described as a blatant violation of his rights, before being convicted and sentenced to death in 2021 by the Yola High Court.

AAN said “the judge outrageously ruled that Jackson should have fled after disarming his attacker—an absurd expectation under such dire circumstances. The Supreme Court, which should have corrected this injustice, instead upheld the death sentence on March 7, 2025, further eroding the public’s confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system.”

Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria noted that “This ruling sets a dangerous precedent and reinforces systemic injustice against the most vulnerable Nigerians. Sunday Jackson was a young farmer defending himself against an unprovoked attack, yet instead of justice, he has been subjected to a decade of wrongful imprisonment and now faces execution. This is not just an individual tragedy; it is an indictment of our justice system and a stark reminder of the inequalities that persist in Nigeria.”

Mamedu noted that self-defense is not a crime. It is a fundamental right recognised under Nigerian and international law. By condemning Jackson to death for protecting himself, the Supreme Court has sent a chilling message to all citizens—that their right to life is secondary to legal technicalities and systemic failures.

Mamedu also noted that ‘‘the prolonged trial period, detention and delayed judgment, blatantly violated Jackson’s right to a fair and speedy trial as provided for under Section 36(6)(b) of the Constitution.

ActionAid Nigeria however called for the intervention of the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, to grant executive clemency and stop this “wrongful execution,” adding that: “We call on Nigerians and Civil Society Organisations to condemn this ruling and pressure Governor Fintiri to overturn this injustice.’’

ActionAid Nigeria reiterated that the Nigerian judiciary must cease being a tool of oppression against the poor, stating that: “This case should serve as a wake-up call that justice cannot be selective—Sunday Jackson must not be executed for daring to survive an attack. We will not stand by while an innocent man is being executed for having defended himself.

“Justice for Sunday Jackson is justice for all Nigerians.”

AAN Condemns Supreme Court for Upholding Sunday Jackson’s Death Sentence