Environment
Illegal refinery explosion: FG moves to commence disaster risk awareness campaign
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The Federal government says it will start a disaster risk information awareness to inform the public on the consequences of illegal oil bunkering.
This is coming agsinst the backdrop of 110 Nigerians who were burnt beyond recognition at illegal refinery in Imo State recently
According to a statement by special adviser on media the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq made the disclosure when a Federal government delegation visited Imo state to commiserate with the government on the explosion which occurred at Abaezi forest, Ohaji Egbema LGA which occurred on Saturday, 23rd April 2022.
The Minister who was represented by the Director Reliefs and Rehabilitation in the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA Mr Alhassan Nuhu said that government will implement risk strategies to create awareness on the consequences of illegal crude oil refining amongst the locals.
The minister called on traditional rulers, religious heads and community leaders to advocate against illicit bunkering of oil in their domains.
“Our visit today is to condole with the good people of Imo State and also access the extent of the disaster to ascertain the volume of relief to be provided for the victims for the purpose of assisting them to build back better.
“We shall provide the necessary disaster risk information and assessments as well as implement risk strategies to create awareness on the consequences of illegal crude oil refining to the local communities.
“I implore community leaders, traditional and religious leaders, women and youth groups to join hands with NEMA to serve as watchdogs and continuously advocate the safe use of refinery facilities in their communities, in order to protect lives, property and the environment. It is obvious that disaster risk management is first, a local and collective endeavor before it becomes national.
“We also call on security agencies to collaborate with the regulatory bodies in the oil and gas sector to nip this ugly trend in the bud.
“Based on your respective expertise, we call for collaboration with NEMA as you crack down on illegal refineries and oil bunkering activities, and conduct day-to-day compliance checks for companies operating in the oil sector. This is to ensure that they meet the industry’s health, safety and environment compliance standards”.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Dr Princess Rabbi Ibrahim MON thanked the Federal government for sending a delegation to visit the explosion site where scores of lives were lost.
“Most of the people who lost their lives in the explosion were farmers and hunters who were going about their normal businesses. It will be wrong to assume that all who died were illegal oil miners. However, NEMA has done their assessment of the incident and the visit by the Federal government delegation gives the people of Imo state a sense of belonging”.
Others members of the Federal government’s delegation include the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Edward Kolawole Adedokun, the Deputy Director Humanitarian Affairs in the Ministry Dr Abubakar Suleiman, officials of NEMA and the Ministry.
Environment
Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim Champions Gender-Responsive Climate Action at NCCF 2025
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At the Nigeria Climate Change Forum (NCCF) 2025 held on January 29, Honorable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, took center stage, delivering a powerful call for a gender-responsive approach to climate action.
The event, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, gathered top government officials, climate experts, and private sector leaders, all committed to advancing Nigeria’s sustainability goals under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
In her opening speech, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized the crucial role of women in climate resilience, highlighting that women make up 70% of smallholder farmers in Nigeria and are pivotal to sectors such as agriculture, water management, and energy.
She stressed that climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, particularly women and children in developing nations like Nigeria.
The minister’s speech centered on the need for inclusive, sustainable policies that ensure women and children are not only seen as victims but as active agents of change in the fight against climate change. She stated,
“It is my duty to ensure that the voices of women and children are heard, and their unique needs addressed in climate action and policy development, enabling a more inclusive, sustainable, and just transition.”
Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim also highlighted the Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which seeks to establish a green economy and integrate gender into climate response efforts.
She called for increased collaboration between international partners, development agencies, and the private sector to support women-led climate initiatives, which she believes will empower communities and accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a green economy.
The minister’s remarks underscored Nigeria’s determination to implement concrete climate solutions, stressing the importance of developing policies that marry environmental sustainability with social equity. She concluded with a call for stronger public-private partnerships, urging corporate leaders and stakeholders to take bolder steps toward climate resilience and economic inclusion.
With Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim at the helm, Nigeria’s commitment to a gender-inclusive climate strategy has gained international recognition.
Her leadership at the forum set a tone for future climate action, emphasizing the importance of integrating gender equity into climate policies to ensure that all citizens, especially the most vulnerable, benefit from the country’s green transition.
The NCCF 2025 was not just a forum, it was a platform for bold commitments and transformative actions, with Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim leading the charge for a sustainable and equitable future for Nigeria and Africa at large.
Environment
From Deforestation to Restoration: Ugbor Champions Green Revolution to Secure Nigeria’s Future
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As climate change accelerates environmental and food security crises, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, is leading the charge for a “Green Revolution” in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Nigerian Climate Change Forum in Abuja, Ugbor called for massive reforestation and climate-smart agriculture to counter deforestation, desertification, and erratic weather patterns threatening livelihoods across the country.
Once home to flourishing Rosewood forests, Ugbor’s constituency has seen its natural wealth disappear due to unchecked logging and environmental neglect.
“Our lands, once rich and fertile, are now barren,” he lamented. “This deforestation has not only stripped us of economic opportunities but has worsened climate-related disasters.”
Ugbor revealed that lawmakers are pushing for an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Act, which will evaluate how industries and policies affect both the ecosystem and local communities.
“It’s not just about the trees; it’s about people’s lives, their farms, their water sources, and their future,” he emphasized.
With the forum bringing together policymakers, climate experts, financial institutions, and industry leaders, Ugbor stressed that Nigeria’s response to climate change must go beyond policy discussions.
“We must act now through afforestation programs, regenerative farming, and sustainable land management,” he urged.
As Nigeria faces increasing environmental threats, Ugbor’s push for reforestation and smart agriculture is not just an environmental plea but an economic and social imperative. His vision: turn Nigeria’s deforested lands into green, thriving ecosystems that will sustain future generations.
Environment
Maiduguri flood: Ndume asks FG, international community to urgently intervene
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Former leader of the Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has expressed sympathy with the people and Government of Borno State, after a devastating flood submerged many homes and parts of the state capital, Maiduguri.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, Ndume who represents Borno South, called on the Federal Government to immediately intervene by giving support to the State Government to the aid of affected residents
The State Government, had raised the alarm aver severe flood that submerged many homes following the alleged breakdown of Alau Dam that has been filled to capacity for the past one week.
“Due to the unusually high volume of water this year, we urge all the residents living along the river bank to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties.
“The Alau Dam water has broken down another channel that is currently destroying farms, and the water is heading toward the river bank,” a statement by the State Government had revealed.
Senator Ndume, who just returned from Borno, where he reached out to families affected by insurgenc in the Southern Senatorial District of the State, said he is devastated by the news report about the ravaging flood.
The former Senate Chief Whip said all hands must be on deck, including development partners and other agencies of government, to immediately mobilise and come to the aid of affected residents and homes in Maiduguri.
He said the State Government, being very proactive, has already activated all mechanisms to salvage the situation by evaluating people from affected areas and providing the needed support.
He, however, lamented that the gravity of the damage by the flooding is beyond the State Government, hence the need for the Federal Government to immediately step in and assist the residents in getting the needed support.
Already, some institutions and government agencies have shut down. University of Maiduguri has been closed until further notice
The university management announced the temporary closure in a statement on Tuesday by its registrar, Ahmad A. Lawan, the institution, sympathised with staff members and students affected by the disaster.
Ndume said: “What has happened in my dear State capital, Maiduguri is unfortunate. The level of damage is very bad. I’ve been briefed, and what I’ve heard isn’t something we should take likely.
“Homes, institutions, government agencies, and other businesses have been submerged in the flood. Many people are trapped and are trying to evacuate. I’m worried that the situation may get worse unless the federal government immediately steps in to assist the state government in salvaging the situation.
“I’m also calling on various international partners, development agencies, and men of goodwill to do something urgent before we’ll witness the kind of human disaster in Maiduguri that will be unimaginable.
“I’m in touch with my colleagues, the State Government, its officials, and other stakeholders on what we can do to solve the situation. I hope that in the future, we’ll be able to guide against this occurrence. This is a serious disaster, and we need the prayers and support of every Nigerian.”
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