Environment

Nigeria’s National Park Service To Mitigate Effects Of Climate Change

Published

4 years ago

April 18, 2022

The Assistant Conservator – General of the National Park Service, Dr Agboola Okeyoyin, says the park is set to reduce the negative effects of climate change in the country.
Okeyoyin said this on Wednesday at Lafia during the sensitisation on the establishment of the 10 new national parks and inauguration of the 18 – man transition committee for the take – off of Marhai National Park.
He said the Federal Government was committed to resolve conservation activities and to increase the amount of forest cover under protective management.
“Government is also committed to improve internal security and ultimately reduce negative impacts of climate change in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and enhance socio-economic development of the nation.
“It is important to note that the essence of this Transition Technical Committee is to ensure the successful metamorphosis of the Marhai Forest Reserve into the Marhai National Park.
“This is in the bid to achieve the overall aims and objectives for which the national park is established.
“Before today, stakeholders of the 10 designated national parks have been engaging on how these parks can be transformed into world-class tourist attractions among other objectives,” Okeyoyin said.
He said that the National Park Service was fully aware of the devastating effects of unwholesome environmental practices and therefore was committed to checkmate them.
“To this end, the Service is fully committed to this transition process and believes that the committee being inaugurated today by Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State would do nothing but a very commendable job,” Okeyoyin said.
He commended the Nasarawa Commissioner for Environment, Mr Yakubu Kwanta whom he said had been very helpful in ensuring that the designated park transited smoothly.
Okeyoyin lauded media practitioners for the positive role they played in the attainment of the upgrading of Marhai Forest Reserve to Marhai National Park.
In his speech, Governor Sule urged the committee and stakeholders in the environment sector to make tourism a priority saying that it could generate more employment and be a source of revenue to the state.
He said that the upgrading of the Marhai Forest Reserve to National Marhai Park was a welcome development to the state.
Sule said that the newly inaugurated committee to oversee the affairs of the park was carefully selected due to their doggedness in delivering efficient services to the people of the state.
He urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by the state government by discharging their duties effectively.
Responding, the Chairman of the committee and commissioner, Kwanta commended the governor for inaugurating the 18-man committee to spur the state into tourism and economic development.
He said that in the history of the state, the event was a milestone.
“Out of the 10 newly acquired national parks in the country, Nasarawa State is taking the lead in a smooth transition of the handing over and taking over of the park,” Kwanta said.
He promised that the committee would do its best to preserve the legacy of the new park.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 18-man committee was drawn from Ministry of Environment, civil society groups, stakeholders in the environment sector and the media. (NAN)

Environment

LWC, Julius Berger seek stronger coordination on Lagos infrastructure

Published

2 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has commenced discussions with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to strengthen coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.

This is contained in a statement issued by the corporation.

The corporation said the engagement followed a courtesy and familiarisation visit led by its Managing Director, Mr Mukhtaar Tijani, to Julius Berger’s Ijora office.

It said the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional relations and creating opportunities for deeper collaboration between both organisations.

The corporation stressed the importance of cordial relationships with neighbouring organisations and strategic stakeholders to promote future collaboration.

The meeting focused on road construction, water pipeline protection, water infrastructure development and sustainable water supply across Lagos Island and its environs.

Both organisations highlighted the need for early communication and technical coordination to prevent conflicts between road projects and existing water infrastructure.

Julius Berger Regional Commercial Manager, Region West, Mr Alexander Bauer, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable engineering solutions rather than short-term fixes.

Bauer stressed the importance of early stakeholder engagement and proper coordination before construction activities begin.

The meeting also examined access to project drawings and technical information required to improve coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.

Julius Berger explained that releasing detailed project drawings remained subject to approval from the appropriate client.

Both organisations therefore agreed on the need to engage the Lagos State Government to secure necessary approvals and strengthen technical collaboration.

The discussions also focused on accurate pipeline information and its importance in planning future water infrastructure and urban development projects.

The LWC delegation raised concerns about uncoordinated borehole drilling and its potential effects on groundwater resources and the ecosystem.

Participants noted that stronger public water supply systems could reduce dependence on individual boreholes and help protect underground water resources.

Construction & Maintenance

They also agreed on the importance of sharing information on construction activities, road conditions, project schedules and potential disruptions.

Security and community considerations were also discussed, with Julius Berger highlighting its engagement with relevant authorities on security infrastructure within the area.

The meeting ended with a shared commitment to open communication, stronger technical coordination and exploring further opportunities for collaboration.

The engagement is expected to strengthen synergies between water and road infrastructure planning and support resilient and sustainable infrastructure development across Lagos.

Environment

IYD: Climate experts advocate investment in African youth

Published

2 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

Some Climate Experts across Africa have called for investment in African youth to enhance future security.

They made the call on Wednesday during a webinar organised by Planet, People and Peace Foundation (PPPF), a non-governmental organisation, to observe 2026 International Youth Day (IYD).

According to them, there is a need to invest, listen and create opportunities for young African people.

The Tide source reports that the 2026 theme of the IYD is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations’’.

Miss Bisi Kumuyi, the Secretary, Climate Beyond Border Caravan (CBBC), Nigeria, who canvassed for investment in youth, said the future of Africa would be determined by the opportunities the continent created for its young people today.

The CBBC, an initiative of PPPF, is a pan-African, youth-led campaign promoting climate action, cross-border cooperation and green economic transformation across the continent.

‘‘As Africa joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Youth Day on Aug. 12, 2026, we celebrate the energy, creativity, resilience and determination of young Africans who continue to shape the continent’s present and future.

‘‘This year’s theme reminds us that young people across Africa live in different social, economic and cultural circumstances.

‘‘They share common aspirations: access to quality education, decent employment, innovation, peace, inclusion, environmental sustainability and opportunities to fulfil their potential,’’ she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Nouran Farouk, an Egyptian Climate Activist, called for urgent investment in Africa’s youth.

According to her, Africa is the world’s youngest continent, and its youthful population represented one of its greatest assets.

Environment

PWDs: CCD Unveils Report On Climate Change Impacts, Urges Implementation

Published

2 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has unveiled a research report on impacts of climate change on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), calling for its implementation in the country.

The Acting Director CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, made the call at the public presentation of the report titled: “Disability-Inclusive Greenhouse Gas Emission and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Nigeria” on Wednesday in Lagos.

The event brought together government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, persons with disabilities and other key stakeholder to foster dialogue, collaboration and stronger commitment to disability-inclusive climate change adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria.

Unumeri urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and policy commitment toward building climate resilience and ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response.

He noted that valuable insights and recommendations from stakeholders at a validation workshop in February had been incorporated into the report.

According to him, effective implementation of the recommendations requires sustained collaboration, strong policy commitment, adequate resource mobilisation and coordinated action across sectors.

“By working together, we can translate these findings into practical interventions that strengthen climate resilience and ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response,” he said.

In her remarks, the General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, urged the stakeholders to ensure that the report would be translated into practical interventions to enhance full inclusion of PWDs particularly in climate change policies.