Environment

Conserving Biodiversity In Niger Delta

Published

9 years ago

January 9, 2017

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.

Environment

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

Published

1 week 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 week 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 week 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.