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US-Africa Summit: Why Buhari spoke on Climate Adaptation, Just Energy Transition – Aide

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By Azeez Mojeed Olusola

Facts have emerged on why Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, spoke on Climate adaptation and Energy Transition on the first day of the 2022 US-Africa Summit in Washington.

Senior Special Assistant to the president on media, Garba Shehu told journalists that Buhari’s administration top priority was completely eliminate the use of petrol/diesel generators in the country by 2060 hence the qneed to deploy renewables, particularly solar, at an unprecedented scale.

Mr Shehu added that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the plan earlier this year and adopted it as a national policy.

President Muhammadu Buhari restated the Nigerian government’s target of generating 30 gigawatts of electricity by 2030. Buhari said this during a discussion panel on “Just Energy Transition” at the on-going US-Africa Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC.

He outlined the comprehensive energy transition plan of his administration, in response to issues associated with climate change.

President Muhammadu Buhari was accompanied to Washington DC to attend the United States-Africa Leaders Summit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr Mrs Uzoma Emenike and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.

Buhari was also accompanied by Bala Mohammed and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governors of Bauchi and Kwara, respectively, as well as some ministers and other top government officials.

Other Nigerian diplomats on the ground to welcome the president were the Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija and his counterpart in Atlanta, Amb. Amina Smaila.

President Buhari will joined other African leaders at the High-Level Meeting held between Tuesday, Dec. 13 and Thursday, Dec. 15 at the instance of the United States President, Joe Biden.

“African governments, civil society, diaspora communities across the United States, and the private sector to continue strengthening our shared vision for the future of U.S.-Africa relations,” Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, said in a statement.

The forum was hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce which focuses on increased trade and investment between the United States and African nations.

On the sidelines of the summit, the Corporate Council of Africa hosted the Nigerian delegation to a U.S.-Nigeria Business and Investment Forum Business Roundtable.

According to him, during the meeting, Nigerian organisations and businesses are expected to sign agreements with their American counterparts.

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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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Environment

Borno Flood Disaster: Prisoners Escape, Schools Shut, Thousands Displaced

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Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, has been faced with Severe flooding that has submetged Major roads, houses, and shops in the metropolis, and parts of the Jere Local Government Area displacing thousands and damaging critical infrastructure.
The immediate cause of the disaster has been attributed to Heavy rainfall and the overflow of the Alo Dam, which draws water from River Ngadda and Lake Chad
The effect has led to widespread devastation, affecting homes, major roads, markets, and public institutions.
The humanitarian crisis has been unfolding as the State contends with one of its worst flood disasters in recent history.
The University of Maiduguri, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Shehu’s Palace were all submerged.
The flood also broke through a prison wall in the Custom area, resulting in some inmates allegedly drowning, while others escaped. Sanda Kyarimi Zoo Park, a popular landmark, reported the loss of 80% of its animals, with the remainder escaping into the city.

Thousands of residents, predominantly women and children, have been displaced from flood-prone areas, many seeking shelter under trees along major roads.
The flood has also led to the shutdown of the University of Maiduguri and Borno State University, while local businesses and markets, including the Monday Market and Cattle Market, were severely impacted.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate relief and evacuation for victims. He expressed deep concern and assured the state government of the Federal Government’s readiness to support the displaced and mitigate the damage caused by the flood.

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Environment

Jigawa Flood Disaster: Governor Namadi reports over 40,000 affected, 28 Dead

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From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

During a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Ecological Fund at the Government House in Dutse, Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi disclosed that the recent flood disaster has affected over 40,000 people and claimed 28 lives.
The Governor informed his visitors that the flood has devastated 14 local government areas, displacing 8,000 people who are currently in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps. Additionally, he indicated that the disaster resulted in the collapse of over 7,500 houses and the destruction of 6,500 farmlands.

One of the IDP camps


Governor Namadi expressed concern over the early onset of flooding, attributing it to the silting of dams and the release of water from dams. He urged the federal government to conduct environmental impact assessments for road constructions and other projects to prevent artificial environmental problems.

Citing the example of the Shuwari-Maiduguri federal highway construction, Governor Namadi noted that it has caused flooding in previously unaffected areas. He appealed to the committee to assess the damage and provide special assistance to the state.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Ecological Fund, Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, stated that the committee is in Jigawa to identify areas requiring special intervention to address ecological challenges. He explained that Jigawa was selected among a few states to benefit from the committee’s tour due to its significant ecological challenges.

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