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Climate Change Confab 2015: Respite For Mother Earth

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Representative of the Director-General, National Environmental  Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mr Victor Ojogbo, Director, Inspection and Enforcement, Mrs Miranda Amachree and Director, Partnership Education, Mr Aniefo Akpabio, at the NESREA National Regulatory Dialogue on the Implementation of National Environmental Reulations in Nigeria, in Abuja recently.

Representative of the Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mr Victor Ojogbo, Director, Inspection and Enforcement, Mrs Miranda Amachree and Director, Partnership Education, Mr Aniefo Akpabio, at the NESREA National Regulatory Dialogue on the Implementation of National Environmental Reulations in Nigeria, in Abuja recently.

The just concluded cli
mate change conference in Paris, France has demonstrated the commitment of the world towards tackling the incidence of global warming.
The conference which ended with landmark decisions also raised the hope of some countries, especially developing countries, of an end to climate change.
However, Environmentalists and other key stakeholders across the world believed that the key decisions reached at the conference will succeed, if there is enough political will by global leaders, especially major industrialized countries to implement them.
Tugged COP 21 the conference brought together Ministers of Environment from over 190 countries to discuss and find ways of addressing the issue  of climate change which is threatening the continued existence of mother earth.
Key decisions or goals reached include; reduction in green house emission by countries across the world “specially, countries agreed to keep global temperature below two degree Celsius.
“It also agreed to spend the sum of one hundred billion dollars yearly, starting from 2020 to help developing countries”.
French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabious, who chaired the session, described the deal as a historic turning point.
On her part, South African Minister of Environment, Edna Molewa also described the deal as a major breakthrough for both developing and developed countries.
Molewa who spoke along with the Maltese Minister of Environment, said that  both developing and developed countries made commitment to save the earth from destruction.
She also described the deal as the  first ever approves climate change agreement as well as “a last chance to avet climate change”.
Meanwhile, Environmentalists say, the deal will work, if developed countries stop seeing pollution as an instrument that has commercial value.
A cross section of Environmental Right Activists who reacted to the conference decisions in an interview with The Tide, said that, the buck lies on the tables of developed countries to prove their commitment towards the survival of the earth.
According to them, the Paris conference will succeed, if developed countries stopped aiding and abetting industrial pollution, adding that previous conferences did not achieved results because of the narrow interest of some developed countries.
Dr Fidelis Allen, a lecturer in the Department of Political and Administrative Studies, University of Port Harcourt, who reacted on the outcome of the conference in an interview with The Tide, said that as long as developed countries see pollution as an instrument of commercial value,  the deal will not work.
According to him, “There are fears that developed countries have decided on market instrument on mode of addressing climate change.
“When you make pollution a commodity to be traded in the market, you will not want to cut pollution”, he said.
He said that until countries such as the United States of America, Britain, China and India, which are worst Green House emission countries are ready to cut pollution, the situation will continue.
According to him, “when you make money from pollution, every channels towards its reduction will be blocked”, adding that the concept of climate change is helping few.
capitalist countries who speculate over profit.         The University don however described the deal as a welcome development, especially the decision to keep global temperature below 2 degree Celsius in view of the danger that awaits humanity, if the temperature exceeded 2 degree Celsius.
He also commended the decision to set aside one hundred billion dollars to funding developing countries.
Dr Allen particularly urged Nigerian government to toe the line of COP 21 conference by stopping gas flaring in the country, stressing that this would go a long way to check the impact of pollution in the oil and gas sector producing areas of the country.
According to him, the activities of the fossil fuel industry is destroying the environment, adding that these can be seen in the areas of rising sea level which is threatening the existence  of coastal communities in the Niger Delta.
Another Environmental Right Activist, Mr John Akinnuba described the key goals reached at the conference as a welcome development but urged for its effective implementation.
Mr Akinnuba said that, the world has reached a stage where it can no longer run away from climate change, stressing that decisions reached must be effectively implemented to save Mother  Earth from destruction.
“I welcomed the decisions reached.  It will help the Earth, if key actors in the agreement are committed to its implementation”.
On his part, Mr Steve Obodoekwe who works with the Centre for Environment Human Right And Development (CEHRD) also expressed doubt on the willingness of developed countries to effectively implement decisions reached at COP 21 conference as previous conferences have failed to achieve results.
Mr Obodoekwe however said that, he welcomed the commitments and called on countries across the world to abide by it.
Others also spoke on the same vein.
However, following the French foreign minister’s description of the deals as “Historic Turning Point”, it is now left for countries across the world to be wholly committed and total in its implementation as it is only by so doing that we can save Mother Earth from the impending calamity.

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NSE Inauguates 18 Units Residential Terrace In Lagos

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President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.

The project, located on Nurudeen Olowopopo Drive, is a partnership between the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), Messrs Locke Homes Ltd and NSE Ventures Ltd (NSEVL).
NSEVL is the business arm of the Society.
Oguntala said the turning the sod ceremony of the joint development of the NSEVL- LSDPC-LOCKE HOMES JV Construction Project marked a milestone for the Society.
She added that it also showed NSE’s collective commitment to sustainable infrastructure and housing development in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
She said the project was part of the deliberate efforts of NSE to contribute meaningfully to addressing the perennial challenge of housing deficit in Nigeria.
“We recognise that housing is a critical component of national development, economic growth, and social stability.
“This development is only the beginning of plans by the Nigerian Society of Engineers in the housing and real estate sector,” she said.
The president called on government at all levels, private sector stakeholders, and development partners to continue to support housing initiatives towards collectively achieving sustainable urban development.
Oguntala thanked the Lagos State Government for the opportunity to be part of the ongoing infrastructure revolution in the state.
“We are particularly grateful for the allocation of this plot, which has made this project possible.
“This gesture underscores the confidence reposed in the engineering profession and our capacity to deliver projects of enduring value,” she said.
She also commended the board and management of NSE Ventures Ltd, LSDPC and Locke Homes, for their dedication, professionalism and tireless efforts in bringing the vision to reality.
According to her, the groundbreaking ceremony is the result of strategic collaboration, perseverance and shared commitment to excellence.
She urged the development company and all professionals involved in the project to ensure compliance to highest standards at every stage of the project, from design and construction through to completion.
“Quality, safety, sustainability and adherence to best engineering practices must remain our guiding principles,” she said.
Mr Olufemi Dosumu, Chairman NSE Ventures Ltd. thanked the NSE President for her unwavering support, especially during the difficult period of resolving the land title document.
Dosumu also commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who continues to drive the reforms that position Lagos as a peaceful Centre of Excellence.
“Business can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and stability.
“We appeal to governments at all levels to ensure that safety of lives and property is guaranteed for all citizens,” he said.
He also thanked their partners and commended foresight of past leaders of NSEVL who acquired the land about 30 years ago.
He said the NSEVL was established in 1989 as an investment arm of the NSE to identify and promote business opportunities for the benefit of the Society.
He said the project would break barriers, create jobs, foster skills, and inspire young minds to aim for the best, ultimately contributing to the growth of the nation.
Gboyega Fatimiehin, Chief executive Officer, Locke Homes Ltd., the developers giving a scope of the project, said it is a terrace of 18 units of totally residential accommodation with a 30-month completion period.
Fatimiehin added that the facility would have a swimming pool, a gym, parking space, CCTV, steady power and water supply, among others.
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FG Launched 1 GOV Digital Content System In Nigeria 

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Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has launched the 1GOV Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) to enhance digital governance and improve service delivery.

The launch, held on Thursday in Abuja, marks the ministry’s transition from paper-based operations to a smart, integrated and technology-driven work environment.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said the deployment aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Utsev said the system would improve data management, streamline workflows and strengthen transparency and accountability across the ministry.

According to him, the ECMS will enhance productivity, preserve institutional memory and reduce operational costs in the ministry.

Launching the platform, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, said the initiative is a major step in public sector reform.

She said the ministry’s mandate affects Nigerians through water supply, sanitation, irrigation, river basin development and climate resilience programmes.

Walson-Jack said the 1GOV ECMS enables secure digital records management, automated workflows, electronic approvals and real-time collaboration across MDAs.

She added that the deployment aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 and the directive for full digitalisation by December 2025.

“Effective governance cannot afford delays caused by manual bottlenecks or avoidable inefficiencies,” she said.

She directed that all official correspondence in the ministry must henceforth be processed through approved digital registry channels.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Emanso Umobong, said the system would eliminate workflow inefficiencies and improve service delivery.

She urged staff to fully adopt the platform and engage in continuous capacity building.

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 Usamali Builds Oil Communities’ Resilience against Environmental Degradation

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The impact of oil exploration activities and climate change have continued to devastate the Niger Delta of Nigeria, with oil bearing communities in parts of the region, such as the Orashi area in Rivers State, suffering the harsh impact of these activities.

Research shows that local communities and citizens living at the grassroots, particularly women, are directly impacted by the environmental degradation, flooding and others that result from these manifestations.

In the light of this, non-governmental organisation, Ese Usamali Foundation For Rural Development (EUFORDe), has held a forum for women and other members of oil impacted communities, tagged: ‘Voices from the Grassroots,’ and aimed at building their resilience and mitigation efforts against climate change and environmental degradation

The forum, with the theme: ‘Building Resilience for Oil Spill Impacted Ahoada Communities,’ organised with support from Global Green Grants, was held in Ahoada Community, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, on December 5, 2025.

Executive Director of Ese Usamali Foundation For Rural Development, Mercy Elemchukwu-James, said women are at the forefront of efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change and environmental degradation.

The event, therefore, was “designed for community women impacted by oil spills, flooding and other environmental degradation,” she said.

Community women were enlightened by resource persons on new opportunities for sustainable agricultural practices and water management techniques that cushion the impact of oil spills.

Lectures were also delivered on Self-care and Trauma-care, with focus on physical and mental health of the population, and increasing access to health-related resources and services; as well as on Food security and women’s critical role in decision making in oil spill and flood situations in communities

Elemchukwu-James pointed out that the event created a forum for stakeholders, civil society actors and others to dialogue on measures at advancing inclusive and sustainable livelihoods of community women.

She stressed the need for collaborative efforts towards achieving mitigation efforts, while underscoring EUFORDe’s commitment to “fostering partnerships as a critical driver for achieving a healthy community and sustainable development.”

Elemchukwu-James described participants’ design of ‘Community Resilience Plan,’ to manage and combat environmental degradation and crises, as part of achievements recorded at the event.

The forum also witnessed the launching of EUFORDs’ Center For Resilience and Rights.

“This center is established to build resilience as Trauma-Care for victims of environmental degradation, support for survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and a platform where victims of environmental injustice and other GBV cases can seek redress,” Elemchukwu-James said.

Participants celebrated the milestones achieved and charted a path toward greater impact in the coming years. They also described the event as “an inspiring and transformative experience.”

Elemchukwu-James said the awareness creation workshop “reaffirms EUFORDe’s mission to create an equitable society in which the rights and capacities of women, youth, children and underprivileged are integrated in the socio-economic planning and development of communities, for the attainment of equity and peace.

 

 

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