Environment

Implementing Climate Change Agreement

Published

10 years ago

May 2, 2016

Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed

Does Nigeria and the
rest of the international community have the political will to implement the Paris agreement on climate change?
The question was raised by a cross section of participants at recent climate change conference in Port Harcourt.
The conference was organised by Alliance Françoise, Port Harcourt, to create awareness on the impact of climate change on the society.
It would be recalled that over 171 world leaders had met in New York, United States of America, 22 April 2016 to sign the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Agency reports had it that France was the first to sign the Agreement.
It was formed by Marshall Islands, Mauru, Palau, Somalia, State of Palestine, Barbados, Belize and Fiji.
Other signatories include Greenada, Saint Fitts and Nevis, Samoa, Tuualu Maldives, Saint Lucia, Maurtius, Peru, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bulvia Brazil, China, Canada and Italy.
Other countries are expected to sign the Agreement between now and October this year.
The Port Harcourt seminar was attended by cross section of dignitaries from both the public and private sectors.
Specifically at the event were representatives of the Institute of Pollution Studies, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt Centre for Conflict and Gender Studies, University of Port Harcourt, and the Centre for Development and Support Initiatives (CEDSI).
Also in attendance are the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Onimim Jacks representatives of the Ministries of Environment, Culture and Tourism, Information / Communication and Youth Development.
A documentary with The Theme: “No where to Run: Nigeria Climate And Environmental crisis” opened discussions at the conference.
The state commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Onimim Jacks said that climate change poses a serious challenge to the state especially in the area of Agriculture.She said that the delay in the coming of the rains this year led to the suspension of planting activities by farmers in the state.
The commissioner added that because of the adverse effects of climate change on the state, her ministry is now encouraging more tree programmes across the state.“We are losing our forest resources to desert encroachment. Agriculture is one of the major causes of climate change because we have to deforest.
“We have to find a midway on how best to grow our feed” she said.
Also speaking, the Director Centre for Conflict and Gender Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Dr Fidelis Allen, querried the rationale behind the refusal of the Federal Government to critically examine some aspects of the draft policy in climate change which is already before the Ministry of Environment.
The university don insisted that the government, the petroleum industry and those involved in local refining of fuel need to respect our existence by being able to respond to climate change.
According to him, since the petroleum industry contributes more than 70 percent to climate change, the low urban industry must be made attractive to investors.
On his part, Dr Tubonimi Ideriah of the Institute of Pollution Studies, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt said that coastal communities are gradually sinking owing to the rising level of sea water.
He said that even people in the North are also experiencing the increasing rate of desert encroachment, adding that the situation should serve as a wake up call to the relevant Authroites to the something.
The university don who described this year as the hottest in recent times, called for drastic measurers to check deforestation.
Dr Ideriah also called on the government to wakeup to its responsibilities of implementing all laws relating to conservation in the country.
“There are enough laws, but the will to implement them is the problem” he said.
The country Director of the Centre for Development and and Support Initiatives (CEDSI), Mrs Mina Ogbanga querried the rationale behind the non domestication of the agreement by Nigerian Government.
Mrs Ogbanga said that the aspect of the Agreement which talked about the reduction of global temperature below 1.5 per cent must be imbibed by all countries.
She said that the increasing level of heart being experienced these days shows that the temperature is getting out of hand.
She also called for measures to address coastal erosion and flooding.
Speaking to newsmen, a director in the state Ministry of Information Communication, Mr Paulinus Nsirim said that what is needed at the moment is action.
He said that the era of talkshop should be gone for good, stressing that both Governments and members of the civil society must begin to act now to protect the environment from destruction.
The Director Alliance Francaise, Port Harcourt, Mrs Helene Geneuu Okutue, said that the Port Harcourt office of Alliance Francaise is the second to organize the climate change conference in the country.
She said that the conference was to create the needed awareness on the impact of climate change with a view to funding solutions to it.
The conference which participants said was coming at the right time, however observed that so long as industrialized countries such as the United States of America, Great Britain, China, Canada, Australia, amongst others, continue to rely on the fossil fuel industry to power their industries, the political will to implement the agreement will be lacking.
In all, the impact of climate change is here and the government must act now.

Environment

WDC: Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Odu Call Inclusion Of Woman And Girls Decision Making

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Ngozi Nma Odu, has called for greater inclusion of women and girls in decision-making processes across all sectors, stressing that amplifying their voices is critical to national development.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. (Mrs.) Ngozi Nma Odu (Right), Launching the CIFAL Nigeria’s Voices of Experiences during the Mentoring the Next Generation and Joint Commemoration of UN International Women’s Day and World Water Day at the Rivers State University Complex,

She made the call during the launch of the “Voices of Experience” mentorship programme and the joint commemoration of the International Women’s Day and World Water Day at Rivers State University on Tuesday.

Odu underscored the burdens borne by women, particularly in rural communities, where they play central roles in water sourcing and food production. She reaffirmed support for initiatives that promote gender advocacy, noting that women’s lived realities must inform policies.

She also stressed the need to sustain the 30 per cent affirmative action for women’s inclusion, urging women to emulate pioneers such as Margaret Ekpo and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, who championed women’s rights in Nigeria’s past.

Drawing from local experience, Odu recounted how women in Egi community mobilised to demand change by peacefully protesting at an oil facility, demonstrating the power of collective action.

She further advocated partnerships with CIFAL Nigeria and UNITAR to deepen mentorship for young people, noting that such collaborations are essential for building inclusive governance and transferring values to future generations.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Isaac Zeb-Obipi, emphasised the need to recognise women’s contributions globally, particularly in water management. He called for increased investment in women’s education and empowerment to ensure access to clean water.

Zeb-Obipi also pledged to align the institution’s academic and research activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while commending CIFAL Nigeria for its innovative programmes.

In her keynote address titled Inclusive Leadership: Building Institutions that Reflect All Voices, former Commissioner for Information, Ibim Semenitari, lamented declining female political representation. She noted that women’s participation, which rose from 1.8 per cent in 1999 to about 8 per cent in 2007, has dropped to roughly 4 per cent.

According to her, the issue is not participation but systemic exclusion, describing it as “a justice problem.” She also decried barriers facing youths and persons with disabilities, including limited access to leadership opportunities and inclusive education systems.

Director of CIFAL Nigeria, Ihuoma Njemanze, said the centre aims to bridge generational gaps by engaging young people—particularly digital natives—in conversations on women’s empowerment and sustainable development.

She disclosed plans to create platforms for dialogue, global exchanges and capacity-building initiatives aligned with UN goals.

Also speaking, Herritta Ogan identified cultural and institutional barriers as persistent obstacles to women’s advancement, while highlighting weak mentorship among women as a critical gap.

The event featured mentorship sessions, panel discussions and award presentations, reinforcing calls for inclusive leadership and sustained advocacy for gender equality.

Environment

FG Alls For stronger Partnerships, Women Inclusion In Water Governance

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government has called for stronger collaborations and increased participation of women in water governance to ensure equitable access to water and sanitation nationwide.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, made the call at a news conference to commemorate the 2026 World Water Day.

He said the day, instituted by the United Nations, highlights the importance of freshwater and promotes sustainable management of water resources globally.

Utsev noted that the theme, “Water and Gender: Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” underscores the link between water access, sanitation and gender equality, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 and 6.

The minister stressed that inclusive governance and women’s participation are essential for sustainable development and national growth.

Utsev said the ministry had constructed and rehabilitated over 6,700 water schemes, providing safe drinking water to more than 32 million Nigerians.

“Rural interventions have benefited over two million people, while about 500 additional projects were implemented across Benue, Jigawa, Gombe, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Ogun, and Niger states.

According to the minister, the ministry has completed two National Water Quality Reference Laboratories in Asaba and Umuahia to enhance monitoring and protect public health.

“The Dadin Kowa irrigation scheme delivered 2,000 hectares of land to farmers, including women, while micro-irrigation projects were completed in Jigawa, Oyo, and Kwara, with additional schemes underway in Kebbi,” Utsev said.

“Other dams recording progress include Mangu, Adada, and Ogbesse, while Alau Dam in Borno is being strengthened to improve flood control and water supply to Maiduguri,” he added.

The minister said the National Water Resources Institute had trained over 1,500 youths in plumbing, drilling, and water technology, while 24 water-use licences were issued to ensure equitable allocation of resources.

He noted that River Basin Development Authorities had developed over 154,000 hectares of irrigable land, benefiting more than 1.6 million farmers.

Utsev reaffirmed government’s commitment to inclusive water access and dignified sanitation, urging all stakeholders to collaborate to ensure no one is left behind.

“Water must become a force for equality, empowerment, and sustainable development,” he said, commending development partners, state governments, civil society organisations, and traditional institutions for their support.

He stressed that sustained investment, stronger coordination across federal, state, and local levels, and political will are key priorities, with women’s meaningful participation in planning and decision-making central to success.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Emanso Umobong, said World Water Day highlights the critical link between water and gender, noting that access to safe water directly affects women’s health, education, and economic empowerment.

Umobong was represented by Dr Adebiyi Tajudeen, Director, Finance and Accounts Department in the ministry.

She said gender-responsive water systems are essential to equitable and inclusive societies, and thanked development partners, civil society, and the diplomatic community for their support.

Umobong added that advancing water and sanitation is a direct pathway to achieving SDG 6 and SDG 5, emphasising that gender-inclusive governance strengthens system sustainability and resilience.

She outlined strategies including gender-responsive planning, targeted financing for schools and health facilities, robust data systems, and partnerships promoting women’s leadership at all levels.

“World Water Day is not merely ceremonial; it is a global call to action,” she said, urging stakeholders to amplify the message: “When water flows, equality grows”.

She added that tangible projects demonstrate the impact of gender-responsive water governance, citing functioning schools, operational clinics, thriving markets, and resilient communities.

Highlights of the event included the presentation of the 2026 UN World Water Development Report, Water for All People: Equal Rights and Opportunities, by Dr Enang Momah from UNESCO.

The report said gender inequalities undermine global water security, disproportionately affecting women and girls, who, in spite of managing household water, remain underrepresented in governance and technical roles.

“Unequal access also affects health, education, livelihoods, and safety, currently, 2.1 billion people lack safely managed drinking water, with women and girls spending 250 million hours daily collecting it”.

The report warned that climate change, water scarcity, and disasters worsen these inequalities, calling for stronger action to ensure equal rights, participation, and opportunities in water management.

The Tide source reports that a sensitisation and awareness campaign was held at the Lugbe axis to promote safe water use, especially among vulnerable populations.

The event also featured the distribution of sanitary products to women and girls, as well as the presentation of trophies to winners of the hygiene video skit competition.

Environment

Environmentalists Raise Alarm As World Loses 10m

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, on Thursday raised concerns over accelerating global deforestation, revealing that an estimated 10 million hectares of forests are lost every year.

Ezemonye raised the concern during activities marking the International Day of Forests at the university in Edo.

According to him, the level of deforestation poses far-reaching environmental and socio-economic threats.

Ezemonye said that Nigeria was not insulated from the trend, citing data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation which ranked the country among those with the highest deforestation rates in Africa.

“The consequences of this loss are grave,” he said, pointing to rising cases of flooding, desertification, ecosystem collapse, displacement of communities and the worsening impacts of climate change.

Describing the annual observance as more than ceremonial, Ezemonye said it should serve as a rallying point for urgent action.

He added that universities must play a central role as “custodians of knowledge and incubators of solutions.”

The V-C reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to environmental sustainability, emphasising that it remained a core institutional value beyond academic discourse.

The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Victor Otamere, said “protecting the forests is protecting our lives.”

Adams said that the state government had taken steps to safeguard forest resources, including the establishment of the Edo Forestry Commission.

The Chairman of the Forestry Commission, Mr Valentine Asuen, represented by Area Forest Officer for Ovia North East, Mrs Joan Omosigho, acknowledged the mounting pressure on forest resources and urged Nigerians to take responsibility for its protection.

Nwangwu listed the activities to include agricultural expansion, urbanisation and illegal logging.

He urged participants to move beyond rhetoric and commit to practical actions that would reverse environmental degradation.

The Tide reports that event, themed “Forests and Economies”, drew attention to the critical role forests play in sustaining livelihoods and supporting global economic systems.