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Tag: Climate Change

  • Climate change: IFAD-VCDP approves $3.5m grant for FG

    Climate change: IFAD-VCDP approves $3.5m grant for FG

    The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Value Chain Development Programme(VCDP),  has approved $3.5 million grant for the Federal Government to mitigate the effects of climate change in Niger and Kogi.

    Dr Fatima Aliyu, National Programme Coordinator, FG/IFAD-VCDP, Abuja stated  this on Wednesday in Minna, at the inauguration of the 2023 wet season inputs distribution to VCDP farmers in the state.

    There was also the distribution of motorcycles to extension agents by the state governor, Alhaji Umaru Bago during the inauguration.

    “I am pleased to inform you that IFAD-VCDP has approved Adaptation for Smallholders Agricultural Programme (ASAP) of $3.5 million grant to the Nigerian government.

    “This is to assist farmers in Niger and Kogi  to enhance their resilience to climate shocks,“she said.

    Aliyu said that IFAD-VCDP would not give cash to farmers or groups, but would build capacities of farmers and infrastructures to mitigate the effects of flooding.

    “We are not giving free money to people, we are going to build capacities of farmers and infrastructures to mitigate the effects of flooding,” she said.

    She explained that the programme which would soon be implemented in Niger and Kogi, would be done under the IFAD-VCDP Additional Financing (AF).

    The coordinator said that VCDP would support 355 rice and cassava farmers with inputs and implements this year.

    She said the support would be extended to 10 extension agents with motorcycles, 10 youths with Point Of Sale (POS) machines and 10 farmers with solar sprayers.

    The inputs included improved rice seedlings, herbicides, cassava stems, NPK and Urea fertilisers, while the implements are water pumping machines, intra-planters and power tillers.

    She said that the project spent over ₦80 million to procure the inputs and implements.

    Aliyu said that the farmers would be contributing 50 per cent of the cost of the inputs and implements through matching grant arrangement, while the project would pay the balance of 50 per cent.

    She urged the beneficiaries to utilise the inputs and implements, to enhance their productivity which would increase their incomes and improve their living standards.

    The coordinator said that the VCDP was supporting over 32,000 farmers in the state in the areas of rice and cassava value chains, which includes production, processing and marketing.

    “The capacity of these farmers had been built by the project in the state which has led to increase in yield, value addition to agricultural commodity among others,” she said.

    She appealed for support in the payment of the state counterpart fund, saying that part of it was used to pay staff salaries and other allowances.

    Inaugurating the exercise, Bago assured that government would pay its counterpart fund soon to enable farmers in the state benefit more from the programme.

    Bago was represented by the state deputy governor, Alhaji Yakubu Garba.

    He said that the state was committed to utilising the abundant arable land and water bodies, for Agricultural development for the production of rice, cassava, sugarcane, yam, maize aquaculture and livestock.

    The governor said that the measure would ensure self-sufficiency in food production and employment generation for the people.

    “So far, our partnership with IFAD- VCDP has been attested to generate positive outcome as more beneficiaries continue to have access to improved incomes and meaningfully contributing to the state`s economy.

    “We are determined to expand the partnership with FG/IFAD VCDP to support rural smallholder farmers annually with agro-inputs, agro-processing equipment and simple farm implements across the local government areas in the state to increase their yield.

    “Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased that already Niger state is being rated as first by the IFAD +AF.

    “We hope that the next phase of the Additional financing phase will centre on addressing issues of environment and climate change

    “Others are nutrition, financial inclusion, gender, and youth inclusion to consolidate on the gains recorded,” he said.

    He said that the programme will no doubt have meaningful impact on the production and marketing of farm produce in the state.

    Also speaking, the State Programme Coordinator, Dr Mathew Ahmed, said that each farmer would get four bags of NPK fertilisers, two bags of urea fertilisers and two litres of herbicides; one selective and one non-elective.

    Ahmed said that rice farmers would get 25kg of rice seeds each, while the cassava farmers get 50 bundles of cassava stems each.

    He added that farm implements such as the transplanters, power tillers and water pumping machines are meant for youth engagement to reduce drudgery in the field.

    Hajiya Fatima Adamu, a beneficiary of POS machine promised to use it to start a business to uplift the living standard of her household.

    Adamu thanked the federal government, the state and IFAD-VCDP for the gesture.

    The VCDP is a project of the federal government and funded by IFAD and domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

    The project aims to improve the incomes and food security of poor rural households, engaged in production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava on sustainable basis.

    In addition, the VCDP is addressing the issues of financial inclusion, environment and climate change, nutrition, gender and youth inclusion.

    The project is being implemented in the nine states of Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Niger, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ogun and Taraba.

    In Niger, it is being implemented in eight Local Government Areas of Bida, Borogu, Edati, Katcha, Kontagora, Mokwa, Shiroro and Wushishi.

    NAN

  • Tony Elumelu meets King Charles, President Biden as world leaders convene for climate finance forum

    Tony Elumelu meets King Charles, President Biden as world leaders convene for climate finance forum

    Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu on Monday joined King Charles III and U.S. President Joe Biden at the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum in London to help attract a new generation of capital to combat climate change.

    Achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement requires unlocking private investment at unprecedented speed and scale, Elumelu said.

    Mr. Elumelu is one of Africa’s most prominent advocates for equitable climate finance and is a leading funder of young African entrepreneurs – through the Tony Elumelu Foundation – working to create sustainable climate solutions.

    “Africa needs a just, fair, equal and a realistic strategy to address the inequalities that exist between Africa and the rest of the world,” Elumelu said.

    Africa has a significant energy deficit and must prioritize the provision of a mix of both traditional and renewable energy. Emerging economies, particularly in Africa, will require an additional $1 trillion of investment per annum by 2030 to support a fair transition. To mobilise this scale of capital, the world needs bold actions and innovative new partnerships between public, private, and philanthropic actors.

    Recent trends show a decrease in renewable energy investment to emerging and developing economies. Africa’s green revolution requires urgent, immediate and significant funding – funding that is larger than the resources available to African governments, and private sector. As Elumelu repeatedly champions, Africa has contributed the least to today’s climate crisis, but continues to suffer an outsized impact of climate change.

    Elumelu, who will be representing the African private sector, was invited to the forum by Grant Sharps, UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, and John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy on Climate. The invitation came at the request of King Charles III and US President Joe Biden.

    “A Net Zero conversation that ignores, dismisses, or underestimates the continent’s current reality does us all more harm than good,” Elumelu said. “Climate finance investment should deploy capital to a mix of on and off-grid solutions that are required to deliver affordable, reliable, and accessible power in Africa.”

    According to Elumelu, “Africans bear the harshest effects of the climate crisis and are the least responsible for creating this crisis in the first place.”

    This meeting follows the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, which Elumelu participated in Paris, hosted by H.E. Emmanuel Macron, the President of France.

    The Summit laid the groundwork for a new financial system suited to the challenges of the 21st century: a system that will boost investments in green infrastructure and create innovative solutions to climate vulnerability.

  • 10th NASS to prioritise climate change issues ‐ Deputy Speaker

    10th NASS to prioritise climate change issues ‐ Deputy Speaker

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Benjamin Kalu, has assured that the 10th National Assembly would strive to positively address issues on climate change.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the deputy speaker and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.

    The statement is in commemoration of the 2023 International Day of the Parliament.

    Kalu said that the event was a global issue introduced in 2018 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution.

    According to him, the Day affords the parliaments across the globe to review the progress they have made in achieving their outlined goals in their areas of responsibility.

    He added that it also allow the parliaments to carry out self assessments on the implementation of their goals such as inclusion of more women and youths as members of parliament and adapting to new technological innovations.

    The lawmaker said that the 2023 occasion, themed: ‘Parliaments for the Planet’, was to mobilise and make parliaments more responsible and responsive to the climate change issues and other related emergencies.

    The deputy speaker explained that climate change was negatively affecting lives by destroying lives and property development, peace and security all over the world.

    “Climate action begins at home. Parliaments and those who work in them can take concrete steps towards reducing their carbon footprint, both as institutions and individuals.

    “By adopting greener policies and embracing a culture of sustainability, parliaments can help in addressing the crisis caused by the climate change.

    “As a newly inaugurated National Assembly member, I want to assure Nigerians and the key stakeholders on climate change issues that as the parliament settle down we would prioritise climate change issues.

    “The 10th Parliament would lead by example. We shall prioritise the greening of our parliament, greening the way we work, and we will lead and foster a culture of sustainable change,” he said. 

  • Africa needs $2.7trn to finance climate change – Adesina

    Africa needs $2.7trn to finance climate change – Adesina

    African Development Bank (AfDB) Group President, Akinwumi Adesina, said Africa will need about 2.7 trillion dollars by 2030 to finance climate change.

    Adesina said this at the on-going 2023 AfDB Annual Meetings in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on Monday.

    The theme of the meetings is Mobilising Private Sector Financing for Climate and Green Growth in Africa.

    According to the bank president, climate change is causing tremendous havoc in many parts of the continent.

    He said in the Sahel, hotter temperatures are drying up limited water, causing water stress for crops and livestock and worsening food insecurity.

    He explained that in vast areas of Eastern Southern Africa and in the Horn of Africa in particular, there was a combination of drought and floods that are causing massive losses.

    Adesina said : “ We have loss of people, loss or destruction of infrastructure, and of course, leading to rising numbers of what I call climate induced refugees.

    “Africa loses seven to 15 billion dollars a year from climate change that is estimated to rise to 50 billion dollar by 2040 at the current trend.

    “But Africa, which accounts for just three per cent of the total cumulative emissions in the world, is now suffering disproportionately the negative consequences of that.

    “Just to be clear, Africa is being shortchanged by climate finance. Africa will need 2.7 trillion dollars by 2030 to finance climate change needs as per the nationally determined contributions of Africa’’.

    According to him, Africa gets a very paltry 30 billion dollars in climate finance, and clearly, needs major support to be able to adapt to climate change which it did not cause.

    On adaptation, Adesina said it would cost about 250 billion dollars and 407 billion dollars by 2030 in terms of the needs of Africa to be able to adapt to climate change.

    He reiterated that finance was key to adapting climate change on the continent, adding that a lot more was required to support countries on the continent.

    “And that is why at the AfDB, in fulfilling our leadership role, launched together with the Global Center on adaptation, what is called the African adaptation acceleration program.

    “The programme is to mobilise 25 billion dollars of support for climate adaptation in Africa.

    “We are also putting our money as we are about as a bank today. We devote roughly 67per cent of our climate finance to adaptation.

    “We made a commitment to provide 40 per cent of our total financing for climate finance, we have exceeded that today, we had 45 per cent of our total financing, go into climate,’’ he said.

    According to the AfDB boss, the bank is the institution with the highest level of diversion of resources to adaptation of any multilateral development bank globally.

    He said Africa’s finance for climate for the private sector would have to grow by 36 per cent annually, adding that about 213 billion dollars private sector financing was needed yearly.

    “Therefore you can understand that there is so much gap to be filled in terms of private sector financing, and that is why this AfDB annual meetings is focusing on its theme.

    “Let me say to you that the opportunities of financing climate and also financing green growth event is in Africa,’’ Adesina said.

    While stating some projects achieved by the bank, Adesina restated the need to mobilise private financing for green infrastructure.

    “It’s not just infrastructure, quality infrastructure, but green infrastructure. And that’s why we have launched the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa.

    “We need to prepare the bankable projects for private sector to invest in and that’s why under the alliance for green infrastructure.

    The bank president while stating some of its projects on different countries, urged governments on the continent to manage its natural capital stock, as it determined a country’s wealth.

    Adesina highlighted some knowledge events that would be done at the meeting among which is the inauguration of the African economic outlook.

    While commending the media, the AfDB scribe called for more of media collaboration in disseminating the right information.

    The 58th Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank and the 49th Meetings of the Board of Governors of the African Development Fund will end on May 26.

    The theme of the 2023 Annual Meetings is Mobilizing Private Sector Financing for Climate and Green Growth in Africa. It provides a framework for Bank Group Governors to share their experiences with galvanizing private financing domestically and internationally and harnessing natural capital to bridge the climate financing gap and promote the transition to green growth in Africa.

    Particularly, the theme offers an opportunity for the Governors to discuss Africa’s challenges in attracting private sector financing in low-carbon investments and practical policies that governments can deploy to address these bottlenecks.

    The meeting comprises of statutory meetings of its Governors (finance ministers or central bank governors representing the 81 member countries – and knowledge events. Attendees will include representatives of bilateral and multilateral development agencies, leading academics and non-governmental organizations, civil society, and the private sector.

    The meetings are the Bank Group’s most important event annually, attracting around 3,000 participants.

  • New report highlights rising greenhouse emissions, need to scale-up climate action

    New report highlights rising greenhouse emissions, need to scale-up climate action

    Climate change brought more drought, flooding and heatwaves to communities on every continent, costing many billions of dollars in losses, new report has shown.

    The newly released 2022 World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) annual report titled: “The State of the Global Climate 2022”, highlighted the relentless advance of climate change and the compounding threats to lives and livelihoods.

    According to the report, while greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and the climate continues to change, populations worldwide continue to be gravely impacted by extreme weather and climate events.

    For example, in 2022, it noted that continuous drought in East Africa, record-breaking rainfall in Pakistan and heatwaves in China and Europe affected tens of millions, drove food insecurity, boosted mass migration, and cost billions of dollars in loss and damage.

    Throughout the year, hazardous climate and weather-related events drove new population displacement and worsened conditions for many of the 95 million people already living in displacement at the beginning of the year, according to the report.

    In addition, rising undernourishment has been exacerbated by the compounded effects of hydrometeorological hazards and COVID-19, as well as of protracted conflicts and violence.

    “The UN Early Warnings for All Initiative aims to fill the existing capacity gap to ensure that every person on earth is covered by early warning services. At the moment about 100 countries do not have adequate weather services in place,” said WMO Secretary-General, Petteri Taalas.

    He added: “Achieving this ambitious task requires improvement of observation networks, investments in early warning, hydrological and climate service capacities”.
    Taalas also said that collaboration amongst UN agencies had proven to be very effective in addressing humanitarian impacts induced by extreme weather and climate events, especially in reducing associated mortality and economic losses.

    Key findings of the report echoes the message of UN Secretary-General António Guterres for Earth Day 2023, where he called for scaled-up investments in adaptation and resilience, particularly for the most vulnerable countries and communities who have done the least to cause the climate change crisis.

    “We have the tools, the knowledge, and the solutions. But we must pick up the pace. We need accelerated climate action with deeper, faster emissions cuts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius,” Guterres said.

  • COP 27: The real deal at the Red Sea – By Dakuku Peterside

    COP 27: The real deal at the Red Sea – By Dakuku Peterside

    In the Holy books of the Abrahamic religions of Christianity and Islam, the Red Sea is symbolic as a place of significant events and the beginning of liberation from oppression. Will the Red Sea town of Sharm El Sheik be recorded in history as a place of significance in the quest of humanity to save our planet from self-destruction and climate justice? Time is perhaps the only answer.

    The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP27, ended on a high note on African soil, with some leaders from developing nations giving each other a high fives. But what was the deal in the Red Sea town of Sharm El Sheik, Egypt?

    Did God path the Red Sea for developing nations to pass through to the promised land? Is it yet Uhuru for developing countries who have been crying for climate change justice given that their contribution to the carbon emission is insignificant, yet they bear the brunt of the devastating effect of climate change? Are the rich industrial countries ready to commit to reducing carbon emissions and work towards the 1.5c temperature limits agreed upon globally as the point that will create a sustainable climate environment for our earth?

    One significant decision made at the Red Sea town was a vague agreement that rich countries should pay poor ones for climate-related “loss and damage”. This happened after nearly 30 years of back-and-forth and sustained pressure by the global south for climate justice .

    Still there are many unresolved issues, which may be beset or shaped by politics, diplomacy , science and of course economics .

    Take , for example , the loss and damage fund, which is the big takeaway of sub–Saharan Africa and other vulnerable countries from the Red Sea, the concerns are when will the transition committee thrash out the finer details ? What framework will be put in place for the generation and management of the fund? And who should pay for damages and on what basis since science has different empirical ways of reaching a decision? Who will benefit from the fund, and on what basis? Will the fund serve as a disincentive or incentive for rich countries to emit more gases?

    The historical trend points to the fact that these unseen unresolved contentious issues are the basis for why the fund may not see the light of the day nor deliver its desired outcomes, and therefore emerging countries should not celebrate too early, for they are not out of the Red Sea with any substance yet.

    Developing nations, particularly sub-Saharan African countries, left the Red Sea without asking these pertinent questions. At the Copenhagen summit in 2009, rich countries promised to supply annual climate financing of $100bn to developing countries by 2020 to help them slow climate change and resist its effects. What happened to that pledge? Did developing nations access the funds? The money that has been pledged is paltry: about $260m. And countries have yet to agree on who should pay and receive the cash. Under the bizarre terms of the UN’s climate convention, China—after America, the second-largest total emitter in history—would count as a “developing country” and be a suitable recipient.

    Another Pyrrhic victory at the Red Sea for African countries is the failure of COP27 to end fossil fuel use, a perceived victory for poor oil-producing nations. Incidentally, it was Russia and Saudi Arabia that mounted a vigorous campaign against ending the use of fossil fuels. Considering that rich western countries had, in the past two centuries, used more than their fair share of fossil energy for industrial power development, which is at the root of the current climate crisis, the pendulum of justice is in favour of poor oil-producing countries. The challenge for Africa is multiple. Our governments are yet to find enough fossil fuels for essential industrialisation. Developing alternative energy sources requires resources that most countries do not have. Yet they now must protect their populations from the adversities of climate change: flooding, excessive heat, deforestation, and higher energy costs.

    A keen observer would have expected that oil-producing developing countries of Africa that need revenue from oil and gas to transit would have been at the vanguard. What is the implication of the backing for oil and gas production for countries like Nigeria? Is it sustainable in the medium to long term? How can Nigeria and other oil-producing countries that are poor use this period of grace before the inevitable cuts on carbon fuel consumption to transition from reliance on fossil fuel products to a diversified product range for export to the rest of the world? Our transitional dependence on fossil fuel is further justified by the fact that fifty per cent of our people do not have access to power, so the base power is not even there. This is not to discountenance the fact that the days of fossil fuel usage are numbered.

    Developing nations and African countries need concessions on existing debts, benefits on imports of technologies for clean energy innovations and credits on funding for clean-energy research and infrastructure such as solar and wind energy fields.

    Climate change hits Africa more than other parts of the world, apart from small island developing states of the Caribbean. Sub-Saharan Africa emits negligible greenhouse emissions, yet we suffer the most from its impact. It affects almost all aspects of our lives, from agricultural productivity, heatwaves, humanitarian crisis, political crisis, and migration issues to population crises. Yet the worst polluting nations are not in a hurry to mitigate its impact on Africans. The multiplier effect of this climate change-induced problem is enormous, given the poor economic conditions of the people affected. With an already poor quality of living in most of sub-Saharan Africa, disaster has multiple impacts and often is damaging to a vast proportion. When faced with similar disasters, rich countries cope better and have the resources to bounce back to normalcy quickly. In developing countries, the impact of such crises lingers for decades, and the human cost remains a constant trauma in the collective minds of those who managed to survive.

    A few weeks ago, almost a quarter of Nigeria was flooded. This led to a loss of lives and property. Most communities lost all their livelihood, making life miserable for people already poor and struggling even in good times. There is fear that the recent flooding has threatened our food security and led to increased food prices, making an already bad inflationary situation worse. Unfortunately, but true, Nigeria did not access any of the existing climate change funds, whether for mitigation or adaptation, to the best of my knowledge. Part of the reasons is procedural complexities and limited technical knowledge. Building capacity in scientific knowledge, technology and politics of climate change is now urgent.

    All said ,the best scenario for sub-Saharan Africa is for the rich countries to reduce their carbon emission and make the world a better home for all. In addition, multilateral financial agencies like the IMF and World Bank should grant concessions to global south countries seeking assistance for investment in clean energy infrastructure. Africa’s response to the challenges of global climate change should be a combination of realism and clear-headed diplomatic engagement. Expecting humanitarian handouts and concessions is a regress to old begging bowl habits.

    It is time now to look closer at the finer details of the “loss and damage” agreement and start the process of passing through the red sea. The devil is often in the details. Beyond the soundbites and euphoria of agreeing on” loss and damage funds” lies the reality of mitigating the devastating impact of climate change-induced crisis.

    Whilst interrogating this reality, developing countries should also ruminate on their energy needs and to what extent they are willing to rely on clean energy, given that, as an emerging country, they need cheap energy to fuel their industrialisation. Emerging countries must not entertain any deal that will hamper this reality. We should remember that the energy consumption of the state of California is more significant than that of sub-Saharan Africa put together. In 2020 California consumed 6,923 trillion Btu whilst sub-Saharan nations consumed about 1570 trillion Btu. We need more energy for production and to improve the quality of life of the people. We must not mortgage the future of our unborn generation for any funds that want to limit our access to cheap energy.

    These convinced me that we are still at the tip of the red sea, waiting for God to part the sea for us to pass through. We have no choice but to force the hands of God as did Moses or Musa and hope He will part the Red Sea for his people to go. It is not yet Uhuru!

  • Africa and Climate Change – A Conversation with US Senator John Kerry towards COP27

    Africa and Climate Change – A Conversation with US Senator John Kerry towards COP27

    By Tony O. Elumelu

    As the world continues to experience the daily impact of global warming, whether the tragic recent flooding in Pakistan, or the less covered, but equally harmful, persistent environmental degradation of Africa’s Sahel region, leaders need to act, not just talk.

    Equally, Africa should not just be in the conversation, but actively set the agenda.

    While Africa’s 3.8% contribution to global emissions is immaterial compared to others, we are the most vulnerable region to the effect of climate change. Africa’s rain-fed agriculture focus, and a large share of agriculture in Africa’s GDP, add to the continent’s vulnerability. It is clear that climate change is not just a threat to the future, it is also a threat to the present.

    Global conversations around climate change are geared towards a focus on green and renewable energy. However, Africa’s focus is and should remain, providing energy from both traditional and green sources for its citizens – this was the focus of my discussion with Senator John Kerry, Former Secretary of State and Current United States of America’s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, along with the CEO of Heirs Oil and Gas (HHOG), Osa Igiehon, at Transcorp Hilton Abuja, yesterday.

    We must be realistic about the inequalities that exist between Africa and the rest of the world. Africa has a significant energy deficit, with a substantial amount of its population living with minimal or no electricity. Africa transiting fully to green and renewable energy sources will require considerable investment, and this cannot be at the expense of the drive to urgently address the current energy deficit. Green energy transition must allow room for Africa to power its development and sustain its economic growth. Anything else will be potentially detrimental to us all.

    There must be an equitable transition – that is why I welcome the US’s recent recognition of this concept in its much-awaited Africa strategy announced earlier this month.

    Africa’s green revolution requires immediate and significant funding – funding that is larger than the resources available to African governments, that have so many competing priorities such as poverty, economy, education, healthcare, security, and more – all of which have a direct impact on the livelihood of Africans, especially the youth.

    With this dilemma, the world must step up! Africa will require far more external support and the same policy flexibility that rich nations claim for themselves in the energy transition.

    As the world gathers in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt for COP27, African nations must engage with the rest of the world, with one voice about the massive support required for this transition – one that is frankly in everyone’s interest. The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s work with the UNDP in the Sahel seeks to address the toxic cocktail of the lack of opportunity and extremism, and the frightening impact of environmental change has only made this task more difficult.

    Africa must do what it can in the present – African governments must provide the enabling environment to promote climate change and incentivise the private sector to own these initiatives and begin implementation in their various organisations. At Heirs Holdings Group, with our integrated energy strategy, we are working to address Africa’s energy needs. Our energy strategy comprises three pathways –

    i. an oil and gas pathway (with HHOG already providing up to 12million standard cubic feet of gas per day into the Eastern Nigeria Domestic gas hub);

    ii. a gas-fired electricity generation pathway (with Transcorp Group operating an aggregate of approximately 2000 megawatts, some 15% of Nigeria’s total installed electricity generating capacity); and

    iii. a renewables/green energy pathway currently being developed.

    We cannot afford to ignore traditional energy sources, to power basic needs, but equally we cannot ignore our responsibility to future generations in developing alternatives.

    We are great supporters of young entrepreneurs – and we are ensuring that we infuse green climate awareness in young African entrepreneurs, through the work of The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF). We believe that the current energy transition and future lies in the hands of our private sector, who through their actions or inactions can either perpetuate current ills or catalyse change. Our over 1.2m TEF entrepreneurship seed capital/knowledge beneficiaries are being encouraged to create businesses that incorporate sustainability into their practices.

    My conversation with Senator Kerry ended with a broad based discourse about opportunities for Africa in the renewables space, and technology-focused initiatives that will aid in addressing and improving access to energy in Africa.

    I applaud the United States of America, for this inclusive approach to addressing the climate issues. It is through such direct engagements that a comprehensive agenda will be developed for faithful implementation across Africa and the wider world.

    Collectively, we can do better. We must do better. We have a dwindling window to address, probably the most significant challenge of our time. Our children deserve and expect better.

  • Africa and Climate Change: A Conversation with US Senator John Kerry towards COP27 – By Tony Elumelu

    Africa and Climate Change: A Conversation with US Senator John Kerry towards COP27 – By Tony Elumelu

    By Tony Elumelu

     

    As the world continues to experience the daily impact of global warming, whether the tragic recent flooding in Pakistan, or the less covered, but equally harmful, persistent environmental degradation of Africa’s Sahel region, leaders need to act, not just talk.

    Equally, Africa should not just be in the conversation, but actively set the agenda.

    While Africa’s 3.8% contribution to global emissions is immaterial compared to others, we are the most vulnerable region to the effect of climate change. Africa’s rain-fed agriculture focus, and a large share of agriculture in Africa’s GDP, add to the continent’s vulnerability. It is clear that climate change is not just a threat to the future, it is also a threat to the present.

    Global conversations around climate change are geared towards a focus on green and renewable energy. However, Africa’s focus is and should remain, providing energy from both traditional and green sources for its citizens – this was the focus of my discussion with Senator John Kerry, Former Secretary of State and Current United States of America’s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, along with the CEO of Heirs Oil and Gas (HHOG), Osa Igiehon, at Transcorp Hilton Abuja, yesterday.

    We must be realistic about the inequalities that exist between Africa and the rest of the world. Africa has a significant energy deficit, with a substantial amount of its population living with minimal or no electricity. Africa transiting fully to green and renewable energy sources will require considerable investment, and this cannot be at the expense of the drive to urgently address the current energy deficit. Green energy transition must allow room for Africa to power its development and sustain its economic growth. Anything else will be potentially detrimental to us all.

    There must be an equitable transition – that is why I welcome the US’s recent recognition of this concept in its much-awaited Africa strategy announced earlier this month.

    Africa’s green revolution requires immediate and significant funding – funding that is larger than the resources available to African governments, that have so many competing priorities such as poverty, economy, education, healthcare, security, and more – all of which have a direct impact on the livelihood of Africans, especially the youth.

    With this dilemma, the world must step up! Africa will require far more external support and the same policy flexibility that rich nations claim for themselves in the energy transition.

    As the world gathers in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt for COP27, African nations must engage with the rest of the world, with one voice about the massive support required for this transition – one that is frankly in everyone’s interest. The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s work with the UNDP in the Sahel seeks to address the toxic cocktail of the lack of opportunity and extremism, and the frightening impact of environmental change has only made this task more difficult.

    Africa must do what it can in the present – African governments must provide the enabling environment to promote climate change and incentivise the private sector to own these initiatives and begin implementation in their various organisations. At Heirs Holdings Group, with our integrated energy strategy, we are working to address Africa’s energy needs. Our energy strategy comprises three pathways –

    i. an oil and gas pathway (with HHOG already providing up to 12million standard cubic feet of gas per day into the Eastern Nigeria Domestic gas hub);

    ii. a gas-fired electricity generation pathway (with Transcorp Group operating an aggregate of approximately 2000 megawatts, some 15% of Nigeria’s total installed electricity generating capacity); and

    iii. a renewables/green energy pathway currently being developed.

    We cannot afford to ignore traditional energy sources, to power basic needs, but equally we cannot ignore our responsibility to future generations in developing alternatives.

    We are great supporters of young entrepreneurs – and we are ensuring that we infuse green climate awareness in young African entrepreneurs, through the work of The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF). We believe that the current energy transition and future lies in the hands of our private sector, who through their actions or inactions can either perpetuate current ills or catalyse change. Our over 1.2m TEF entrepreneurship seed capital/knowledge beneficiaries are being encouraged to create businesses that incorporate sustainability into their practices.

    My conversation with Senator Kerry ended with a broad based discourse about opportunities for Africa in the renewables space, and technology-focused initiatives that will aid in addressing and improving access to energy in Africa.

    I applaud the United States of America, for this inclusive approach to addressing the climate issues. It is through such direct engagements that a comprehensive agenda will be developed for faithful implementation across Africa and the wider world.

    Collectively, we can do better. We must do better. We have a dwindling window to address, probably the most significant challenge of our time. Our children deserve and expect better.

  • Osinbajo discusses climate change, coups d’etat, others in Tanzania

    Osinbajo discusses climate change, coups d’etat, others in Tanzania

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his Tanzanian counterpart, Philip Mpango, on Sunday, in Arusha, Tanzania, held bilateral talks.

    The two spoke on issues ranging from climate change and technology to deterring unconstitutional changes of government in Africa.

    Osinbajo is in Tanzania to speak at inaugural session of the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights for the year 2022 scheduled for Feb. 28.

    They also discussed issues of interest to both Nigeria and Tanzania, including infrastructure development, trade and investment, technology, climate change and democracy.

    According to Osinbajo, ECOWAS has experienced in just under a year, four coups d’etat including attempts.

    He said that it was disturbing because such things ought to have been put behind the region.

    “It is something that we think has to do with more cooperation. AU has been very forthcoming (in condemnation) in saying that we cannot tolerate unconstitutional seizures of power.

    “But sanctioning these coupists without any proper “teeth” has not been particularly effective.

    “There might be a need for us to reach out to some of the regional bodies, development financial institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, and the EU.

    ” The EU has been quite responsive but we think that we can do a lot more just in terms of cooperation, so there is an effective deterrent if everyone agrees that undemocratic change of government is unacceptable.”

    On climate change and the attendant goal of net-zero emissions, Osinbajo said the major challenge was that the wealthier countries were abandoning fossil fuels and gas and some of them were already defunding gas projects.

    He said it was important to keep focus on the transition to net-zero emissions, but also important for the world to know that Africa had two challenges – Climate Change and development.

    “We in Africa will run into trouble because gas projects are important even for the transition.

    “It is important for us to come together to oppose any situation where the wealthier countries insist that on account of going towards net-zero emissions in 2050, we should then abandon gas which is one of the major sources of energy for industry and clean cooking.

    ” We think that the wealthier countries are asking us to do what they didn’t do – use renewable energy for industry.

    “While we are interested in ensuring that we meet net-zero emissions target, we are also interested in ensuring that we develop.”

    On the place of technology in economic growth, Osinbajo said that growth would be technology-led, adding that from 2016, six Nigerian companies had become UNICORNS – companies worth over a billion dollars.

    “All these companies started in 2016, including Flutterwave which was recently valued at over 3billion dollars.

    “Technology is very important to us and we have investments in broadband infrastructure across the country and consider it to be fundamental to our economic growth.

    “Even with what we have done, it is incredible how many new businesses in technology have come up, startups springing up every day.

    ” It is an exciting time for us, especially for those investing in technology startups across all sectors – education, health, and FinTech.

    “There is also financial inclusion because there were many parts of the country that banks didn’t bother to go to, but with technology, we are able to reach all of those places,” he said.

    On his part, Mpango commended West African leaders for their efforts to halt the menace of coups d’etat in the sub-region and also agreed that Africa can achieve more working in unison.

    He said that climate change was an example of one area leaders on the continent needed to work together to address.

    “The apparent wish by developed countries to abandon fossil fuel is worrisome because we are still struggling to provide the basics.

    ” Our forests are disappearing because our people are still forced to use firewood for cooking, if we abandon gas energy, where do we go to?”

    The Tanzanian vice president thanked Osinbajo for accepting the invitation of the African Court to be the guest speaker at the formal opening of the Court’s 2022 Judicial Year.

    Both leaders also agreed that the relationship between their countries had been notable over the years, adding however, that there was room for more improvement.

    The two leaders agreed that arrangements for the Joint Commission between both countries should proceed.

    Mpango recalled Nigeria’s role in the fight to end apartheid in Southern Africa.

    “Nigeria never abandoned her brothers and sisters in South Africa.

    He added that both countries have been working together and supporting each other internationally since 1962 including at the United Nations and in Africa.

  • Osinbajo hails Duke of Edinburgh Nigerian youths awardees

    Osinbajo hails Duke of Edinburgh Nigerian youths awardees

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has commended the recipients of the International Award for Young People for their involvement in promoting awareness on climate change, mental health and advocacy against drug abuse.

    Osinbajo gave this commendation on Thursday in his address at the 2021 National Gold Award Presentation Ceremony at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

    The International Award for Young People in Nigeria is the Nigerian version of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

    The vice president said that in the last 60 years the award had impacted on more than one million young people.

    He said that the award had also galvanised more than 180, 000 adult volunteers all over the world, including moblising young people to respond to the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe.

    “The award is a long running initiative of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh of Blessed Memory; His highness has been described as one lived a life of service to his nation; to the Commonwealth and to the world at large.

    “His personal values of service above self shine through the conception and execution of this programme and we, in Nigeria remember with great fondness, his sense of humour, his kindness, common touch and his keenness to learn about other peoples and cultures remain evergreen in our memories of him.

    “The duke visited Nigeria four times clearly demonstrating how important Nigeria has been or was to him and to his several programmes and several programmes even in the area of conservation.

    “Tonight’s ceremony is an occasion for recognising the achievement of young people who have completed the Gold Standard of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.’’

    Osinbajo said that the event provided an opportunity of not only to showcase the resourcefulness of young Nigerians but also honour the values that the duke represented in his life time.

    According to him, the achievements that are being celebrated are of young people, who despite challenges have also challenged themselves to make a big difference to themselves and to their communities.

    “The recipients have learnt how to be responsible to themselves and their communities by participating in various voluntary activities, including community environmental sanitation, promoting awareness on climate change, advocacy on mental health and drug abuse issues.

    “Let me again commend the awardees for their outstanding achievement and the leaders, volunteers, instructors for their selfless commitment to the success of the young people,’’ he said.

    The vice president afterwards conferred the Gold Awards on the 44 young recipients.

    Mr Wale Edun, the Board Chair, International Award for Young People in Nigeria, told State House correspondents that the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award was conferred on 44 youngsters who were outstanding.

    He said that the awardees went through the programme which was of co-curricular, non-formal and out of the classroom education.

    “It is a worldwide platform and brand and it just empowers youngsters alongside their formal education; it gives them the skills, the confidence to go into the world and to increase their employability and their chances of success in the world.

    “So, it is very gratifying and very encouraging for the youngsters that no less a personality than the vice president was there to recognise their achievements and confer upon them, the awards,’’ he said.