News
Climate Change: A Wake Up Call
The current change in weather condition in various parts of Nigerian, once more, reminds us of Nigerian leaders non-chalance and lackaidaisical disposition towards climate change.
Infact, the different positions and views by relevant authorities on the sudden return of harmattan haze quickly points to the fact that the authorities are indifferent to realities of global climate changes.
The sudden return of harmattan weather condition is a clear pointer that our leaders are just groping in the dark, not knowing precisely what to do in such natural occurrences.
In advanced societies, the citizens should have been alerted long ago on the impending change and how it will affect their lives, rightly or wrongly. But here in Nigeria, different bodies and people, hold varied opinions, just because of the indifference by relevant government bodies.
The departure from the usual climatic and weather conditions as evidently manifested in the last one week or more should have been predicted long ago and the citizens sensitised on the implications, rather than the panic and confusion currently exhibited by all.
The curiosity occasioned by the massive dust haze over the country’s skyline, no doubt, has its implications on the social and economic activities of the citizens. Perhaps, we need to quantify the loss to really appreciate and place its impact on Nigerian economy.
The losses can be seen in the aviation sector which recorded several cancellation of flights and virtually paralysed other activities at the nation’s airports due to poor visibility. Similarly, petty traders and businessmen and women who scampered for safety abandoned their businesses, just to avoid the ‘acid rain’ resulting from the weather change.
Nigeria, to say the least, recorded huge financial losses as a result of the prevailing development. Simply, the explanation is that our leaders and authorities did not anticipate the change on time and therefore never prepared for it.
And this brings us to the question: what should be done in the circumstance?.
Other developed countries such as United States of America, Britain, France and other European countries had experienced extreme weather conditions and other natural phenomena like heavy snowfall during winter seasons. Such countries usually devise ways and means of reducing, to the barest minimum, the impact and losses on their citizenry. But in Nigeria, the story is different.
Nigerians are left at the mercy of nature and to their fate whenever we have extreme cases of rainfall or dryness. It should not be ! Our problem, indeed, is that of dearth of information and reliable records on weather conditions.
In civilised societies, there is no basis for the different views on the “purported acid rain”, now making the rounds, if we have our acts right. This is largely because there is no scientific proof to that effect..
In other societies, information on weather is tracked and passed on promptly to enable people prepare ahead. Obviously, the authorities response to natural phenomena is not encouraging at all.
Our leaders must therefore take the issue of climate change more seriously if our environment must be protected from the vagaries of the climate.
Nigeria must squarely address the challenge posed by climate change. Our leaders must provide the framework and enabling environment for pro-active action in this direction.
Resolutions from the UN’s climate change conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark must be taken seriously if we must move to the next level. Humanity’s survival will largely depend on our ability to collectively protect our environment from change phenomena.
Climate change poses clear and present danger to mankind and a road map towards addressing the challenge becomes inevitable.
Goodluck Ukwe
The Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBE) has trained 1,000 newly recruited teachers with a view to raising standards in public primary and junior secondary schools in the state.
The two-day orientation and capacity building programme held in Port Harcourt introduced the teachers to civil service rules, classroom management practices, and professional conduct expected of educators in the state.
The State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, told the newly recruited teachers that teaching demands more than academic qualifications, and called for discipline, diligence, and a strong commitment to service.
He described teaching as a noble profession that is central to the development of the state.
The recruitment, he said, reflects the government’s investment in children and long-term development.
“Education is the foundation of societal progress, and basic education is where that foundation is laid,” Nwagor stated.
He urged the teachers to shape the values and character of pupils during their most formative years.
He pledged continued support from the Ministry of Education through training, resources, and an environment that allows teachers to perform effectively.
Nwagor directed RSUBEB to reject transfer requests from rural to urban schools, saying the newly employed teachers have an obligation to serve where they are posted and help strengthen education in those communities.
In his opening remarks, the RSUBEB Chairman, Hon. Sam Oge, explained that the recruitment process began in 2023 under the previous board, adding that after assuming office, he consulted widely and secured Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s approval to complete the exercise.
Oge said the selection was competitive, with 1,000 candidates chosen from more than 5,000 applicants, and urged the teachers to treat the opportunity seriously and avoid lobbying for reposting.
He directed the teachers to resume at their assigned schools immediately, saying request for reposting will not be entertained.
The former RSUBEB Chairman, Ven. Dr. Fyneface Akah, who delivered the keynote address, described the orientation as the teachers’ formal entry into the civil service.
He urged them to be creative, purposeful, and open to learning on the job.
Akah stressed that teachers have a role in restoring values lost to moral decline, and urged them to model national values and see their work as a calling with lasting impact on the society.
He thanked the State Government for approving the recruitment, noting that the exercise will improve access to quality basic education across the State.
Akujobi Amadi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that no fewer than 1.4 million members of the National Youth Service Corps will be deployed for the 2027 general elections.
The Chairman of the commission, Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN), made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig Gen Olakunle Nafiu, at the Yakubu Gowon House, headquarters of the scheme, in Abuja.
Amupitan, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, described the meeting with the NYSC senior management team as more than a formal courtesy visit, saying it was also a mission of gratitude.
According to him, the NYSC remains a critical pillar in Nigeria’s democratic process.
He noted that corps members had participated in virtually every election cycle since 1999, stressing that, “INEC cannot conduct elections in Nigeria without the NYSC.
“As the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, I am honoured to discuss our collaborative efforts toward ensuring seamless and credible elections in Nigeria.
“You provide the heartbeat of our field operations. When we speak of election manpower, we are essentially speaking of corps members.
“They are the most dedicated, educated and patriotic election duty staff we have, and their presence at polling units brings a level of neutrality and public confidence that is irreplaceable.
“They form the backbone of our election processes, especially as ad hoc staff, whose dedication, discipline and patriotism are critical to the success of our elections,” he added.
Amupitan said institutional data from the 2023 general election showed the importance of the partnership between INEC and the NYSC.
He explained that INEC deployed about 1.2 million ad hoc staff for the 2023 elections, with over 70 per cent, nearly 850,000 personnel drawn from corps members and student volunteers.
Speaking on preparations for the 2027 elections, the INEC chairman said more than 1.4 million ad hoc staff would be engaged, with corps members making up the majority.
“For the 2027 general election, we will require 707,384 ad hoc staff for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
“The same number will be needed for the governorship and Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027, making a total of 1,414,768,” he said.
He added that INEC would also require 52,446 corps members for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as by-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states.
Amupitan said corps members accounted for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers in many states during previous elections.
“These young Nigerians did not just facilitate voting; they protected the sanctity of the ballot in 176,846 polling units across some of the most difficult terrains in the country,” he said.
He further praised the corps members for their role in off-cycle elections, particularly the Anambra governorship election and the FCT Area Council polls.
According to him, their digital proficiency contributed significantly to the seamless operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
“In those exercises, it was the digital proficiency of corps members that ensured the seamless performance of our BVAS, proving they are the tech-savvy backbone of our modern democracy,” he added.
Amupitan acknowledged the sacrifices made by corps members during elections and assured that INEC would continue to work with the NYSC and security agencies to strengthen safety measures and welfare packages for them.
As the 2027 general election approaches, we are committed to ensuring adequate mobilisation and preparedness of NYSC members for this important national assignment,” he said.
He also noted that the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, scheduled for June 20 and August 15, respectively, alongside several by-elections, would serve as tests for innovations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Responding, Brig. Gen. Nafiu thanked INEC for its continued collaboration with the scheme.
He recalled that the Memorandum of Understanding between both organisations was signed in 2011 and had been periodically renewed.
Nafiu described corps members as credible, reliable and easily trainable manpower.
“The last batch of millennials will soon exit the scheme, leaving behind Gen Z corps members known for their digital savviness, which will benefit INEC,” he said.
He assured the commission of the NYSC’s continued support in both the 2027 general elections and upcoming off-cycle elections.
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