Environment
Conserving Biodiversity In Niger Delta
Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States are the four states in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria that are currently benefiting from the Niger Delta Biodiversity Conservation programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The Niger Delta Biodiversity Conservation programme was launched by the UNDP in 2014 to protect the region’s flora and fauna from extinction.
The first phase of the programme, according to the organization will end in 2019. Information made available by the organisation listed key aspects of the programme as the protection of some sacred forests in the region, through a reforestation programme, protection of some wildlife in the region and protection of sacred grooves in the region, among others.
It would be noted that the UNDP is seriously concerned about the continuous destruction of the mangroves at Mogho in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State. The sacred Onura forest in Alesa-Eleme is being reafforested with the planting of trees and the Oko-ohia Afara forest in Afara community in Etche, all in Rivers State.
In Akwa-Ibom State, the organization is working hard to protect the Etem Okuku forest and its sacred monkeys in Eket, Akai Ikwolt forest and its sacred monkeys and grasscutters in Ikot Uso Akpan in Itu local government, and the Odoro Enan Eket forest which is alleged to be rich in biodiversity.
In Delta State, the UNDP is in the process of declaring the West African Dwarf crocodiles in Emu community, Ndokwa West Local Government Area as an endangered specie.
The crocodile which is known in the native language of the people as “Onye Emu” or “Nne Emu” is sacred to the Emu ethnic nationality. Moreover, the Onuku Shrine located at the source of the River Ethiope in Umuaja Akoku Kingdom in Ukwuani, Local Government Area, all in Delta, is being revered by the organization.
Conducting newsmen round the sites, the National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Biodiversity Conservation programme, Dr Mathew Dore, said that the UNDP is deeply concerned about the continuous destruction of the Niger Delta biodiversity resources by oil pollution.
Dr Dore said that the focus of the UNDP is for the preservation of these resources for future conerations of the respective communities, adding that the organization was taking journalists round the various states to showcase to the world, the rich biodiversity resources of the Niger Delta.
According to him, the effort was also meant to compel both national and state governments to invest in these areas with the view to turning them into world tourism sites.
The National Coordinator also said that the organization had already sensitized local communities on both the cultural and economic importance of these resources.
At the Etcem Okuku forest in Eket, Akwa-Ibom State, the people told journalists that they regard the sacred monkeys in the forest as their mothers and therefore are not hunted for either food or commercial purposes.
They, however, complained that the activities of multinational oil companies are now driving the monkeys to extinction and called for government intervention to save the animals.
Similarly, at Alesa community in the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, the Paramour Ruler, HRH Emperor J.D. Nkpe told newsmen that despite the on-going reafforestation programme, the activities of property developers are affecting the forest.
Emperor Nkpe who told newsmen that the forest which is over 50 hectares is already being encroached upon by the people said that his palace is already lobbying some members of the state legislature to enact relevant laws to preserve the forest.
At the Oko-ohia Afara in Etche Local government Area, the community said that the forest is sacred as it is the abode of a goddess which protects it.
According to the Eze Ala Afara, Cyril Nwankwo, Oko-ohia-Afara is a deity that protects the community from time immemorial from evil attacks.
At Emu community in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, the people said that “Nne Emu” which is a specie of the West African dwarf crocodile is sacred to the community.
Chief Anthony Enyabego, a member of the Emu Kingdom Council of Chiefs, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, the crocodile has a historical linkage with the foundation of the kingdom.
He said that because of the crucial role played by the animal in ancient inter-tribal wars, no Emu man dares the animal either at home or abroad.
At the Onuku groove in Muaja Ukwuani Local Government Area, Delta State, Chief Odise Menogor, the Onochieze of Akoku Kingdom urged for the declaration of the shrine as a world heritage site.
The significance of the programme is that apart from its crude oil resources which is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, the Niger Delta region can also boast of other natural resources that can surpass oil in revenue generation.
It is against this background that stakeholders across the region are urging the government to key into the UNDP conservation programme through funding and legislations.
The Ministry of Environment on Thursday in Abuja, advanced its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, validating a comprehensive plan aimed at tackling climate-related challenges in the country.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Mahmud Kambari, said this at the Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on the Development of the concept notes to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for NAP in Nigeria.
Kambari, who was represented by Mrs Victoria Pwol, the Deputy Director in the Department of Climate Change (DCC) in the ministry, said that the workshop is a collective resolve to confront the realities of climate change with purpose, strategy, and coordinated action.
“Over the past years, the Federal Government of Nigeria, with crucial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has made significant progress in advancing the NAP process.
“As a nation, we stand at a critical juncture where climate risks ranging from extreme weather events to environmental degradation continues to threaten our socio-economic stability, food systems, public health, infrastructure, and national development aspirations.
“Through extensive technical work, we have completed a Climate Risk Assessment across all geopolitical and agro-ecological zones, developed an Economic Appraisal, an Adaptation Finance Strategy, and a robust Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.”
Kambari said that these foundational elements now guide Nigeria to identify priority adaptation needs and investment opportunities.
“Let me mention that we are at the tail end of this NAP Formulation Process and looking forward to the implementation phase.
“This workshop therefore serves as a strategic purpose to harmonise perspectives across key MDAs; refine project ideas into strong, evidence-based concept notes.
“It will ensure that proposed interventions align with national priorities and the investment criteria of the GCF and position Nigeria to competitively access the resources required to strengthen resilience across vulnerable sectors,” he said.
Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, the Director DCC in the Ministry said that the engagement would enhance achievements by collaboratively developing bankable, climate-resilient concept notes that align with national priorities and meet the GCF’s investment requirements.
Abiola-Awe who was represented by Dr Jonah Barde in the Ministry said that the workshop represented an important step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen climate resilience.
She added that the workshop would advance sustainable development, and mobilise the climate finance needed to safeguard Nigeria’s communities, ecosystems, and economy from the growing impacts of climate change.
Effective communication, transparency, and science-based risk assessments are the cornerstones of Nigeria’s approach to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Mr Bello Bwari, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), gave the assurance during a media interaction in Abuja on Friday.
“Where there is communication, you reduce conflict. Effective communication is key, effective engagement with stakeholders is paramount and key to making Nigeria better.
Bwari said anti GMO’s critics keep participants and practitioners on their toes.
“We value them and we expect that their criticisms, suggestions and recommendations will make our operations in the entire spectrum better.
“Where we are not doing so well, we will hear from them, where we can advance explanations, we will advance explanations. Where they are not doing well, we will tell them. We will not run away from doing that.
“But I want to assure you that we are bold enough to face anybody who is not fact-based,” he said.
He reassured that sometime before the end of the second quarter of 2026 there would be a retreat where all stakeholders would be invited.
“And also, the impact we are bringing is going to be measurable by the end of 2026. And going forward, what we do by the end of 2026 will form the basis of our five-year plan.
“There’s a five-year plan which will start at the end of 2026. So, I enjoin the media to please report what you know as a matter of fact, not as a matter of opinion.
“We all have different opinions, but some of our opinions are not facts. From the quality of what I see on papers, reportage, I think largely I’m impressed with what the press is doing in Nigeria so far,” he said.
Bwari stated that Nigerians deserved to understand what NBMA regulates, why they regulate it, and how decisions were made.
“Part of my focus going forward will be strengthening engagement with the media, researchers, policymakers, and the public because regulation works best when it is understood.
“We are not promoters of any technology, and we are not opponents of innovation. We are regulators.
“But at its core, biosafety is about prevention, caution, and preparedness. It is about ensuring that innovation does not outpace safety, and that national development never compromises public health or environmental integrity,” he said.
He promised to uphold the law without fear or favour, communicate more clearly with the public and ensure that every regulatory decision was transparent, evidence-based, and accountable
“NBMA is not an advocacy agency. Our duty is to assess risks, enforce safeguards, and ensure compliance with national and international biosafety standards.I also want to emphasise that public trust matters.
He further urged the media to help Nigerians understand biosafety and biosecurity in a better way.
-
Sports3 days agoArsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility
-
Sports3 days agoU-20 WWC: Falconets claim qualifier win
-
Sports3 days agoInsurance Deepen Enyimba’s Trouble
-
Sports3 days agoYouth Olympics preparation Gears up
-
Sports3 days agoCologne Youth Team Set Crowd Record
-
Sports3 days agoTornadoes Set For NPFL exit over Stadium Ban
-
Sports3 days agoPalmer Stars As Chelsea Compound Wolves Woes
-
Sports3 days agoBarca Pull Out Of Super League Project