From INIOBONG SUNDAY, Uyo, 

Towards a safer Niger Delta, a civil society organisation committed to poverty and environmental risk reduction has expressed concerns over the widespread gas flaring, methane emissions, environmental degradation and carbon pollution in the Niger Delta.

Towards this end, the Network Advancement Programme for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction, NAPPDRR, has rallied global agencies, including Global Greengrants Fund, GGF, and Oilwatch Africa, OA, in a multi-million dollar energy innovations project in Akwa Ibom State oil communities.

Launching the scheme during a town hall meeting on community-led energy innovation in Esit Eket Local Government Area  at the weekend,  the Executive Director, NAPPDRR, Emem Edoho explained that the intervention became necessary to mitigate the negative multiplier effects of fossil fuels on humans and the environment.

“Nigeria’s energy landscape is complex, with significant reliance on fossil fuels. However, with the launch of the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan, NETP, in 2022, our country has committed to achieving net – zero emissions by 2060. This plan aims to tackle energy poverty and the climate crisis simultaneously, promoting renewal energy, improving energy access and enhancing energy efficiency.

“Here in Akwa Ibom State, we are committed to alligning our efforts with the state climate action plan.  NAPPDRR is proud to contribute to this effort through our innovative climate action project, Green The Future, GTF. This project was made possible with the generous support of Global Greengrants Fund and Oilwatch Africa. It focuses on mitigating the impact of methane emissions and other greenhouse emissions in oil and gas host communities.

“The GTF project is a community-led initiative that empowers local communities to take ownership of their energy future. By promoting sustainable energy solutions, improving energy efficiency and supporting climate – resilient development, we can reduce the environmental and heath impact of fossil fuel extraction and promote more sustainable future for all,” he said.

In the same vein, the Programme Officer of NAPPDRR, Lady Helen Eyo, who spoke on ‘Green the Future: Accelerating Decarbonisation and Community Resilience in the Hostcom Project,’ said the initiative focused on  oil and gas host communities in the state.

The Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Nsikak Ekong, represented by the Director of Petroleum Resources Directorate, Engr Anietie Emah, and the Head of Government and Community Relations at Frontier Oil Ltd, Mr Samuel Atara, among other participants, commended  NAPPDRR for the initiative and expressed their support for the project, even as they stressed the need for such initiative to be launched across all the affected communities.

The Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Area, Uduak  Ikot, who was represented by the Supervisor for Environment, Ime Jonah, lauded the commitment of non-state actors in the promotion of energy innovations to free the environment of pollution and other irritants with attendant maternal and infant mortalities in the oil communities.

Papers from resources persons drawn from other NGOs, including  the Executive Director, Centre for Advocacy, Good Governance and Ecological Response, Mfon Gabriel and Edidiong Dickson of Policy Alert, PA, and others painted a gloomy picture of oil communities devastated by gas pollution, methane emissions and oil spill in the Niger Delta region, and called for a holistic action plan to mitigate the scourge.

By Uche Onyeali 

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has approved the appointment of Dr Bolaji Akinola as his Adviser on Media and Communications.

Akinola, a maritime and corporate communications expert, brings over 25 years of extensive experience and deep industry knowledge to his new role.

Throughout his distinguished career, Akinola has built a strong reputation for his insightful analysis of the maritime sector and his expertise in strategic communications. 

The chief executive officer of leading maritime media and public relations organisation, Ships & Ports Communication Company is widely recognised for his contributions to the discourse on port reforms, maritime security, shipping development and the broader Blue Economy in Nigeria.

The new media aide holds a doctorate degree in Media and Communications from the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos. He also has two Masters degrees – MBA (Lagos Business School) and Master of Transport Management (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho). 

He is a member of many professional bodies including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations NIPR, Chartered Institute of Arbitration, UK and the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria MAAN. 

He served as the executive secretary of  Nigeria Maritime Conference and Exhibition, NIMAREX, from 2011 to 2014, and is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping FNIS, and the Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria, FCISN, among others. 

In his new position, Akinola will be responsible for shaping and managing media relations, guiding communication strategies and ensuring effective dissemination of information regarding the ministry’s policies, programmes and initiatives aimed at harnessing the potentials of Nigeria’s vast marine resources. 

His wealth of experience is expected to significantly enhance the ministry’s engagement with stakeholders, the media and the general public.

Speaking on his appointment, Akinola noted that Marine and Blue Economy is a vital frontier for Nigeria’s economic diversification and growth.

He pledged his commitment to deploy his expertise to effectively communicate the minister’s vision and the ministry’s strategic initiatives to all stakeholders and the Nigerian people.

By Uche Onyeali 

Some constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have dragged Senate President Godswil Akpabio and the Senate before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the suspension of their elected representative, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from the National Assembly.

The appellants, including Ovavu Iliyasu, Isah Otini, Onivehu Amoto, Isah Mediant, Ogunmola Samuel, Umar Oyiza, Megida Sadiq, Siyaka Akinlade, Michael Ademola and Ananyi Omeiza, in the suit filed on their behalf by the law firm of Femi Falana & Co, are seeking, among other declarations, that their right to political participation under Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights had been violated.

The appellants argued that the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months unlawfully denies them representation in the National Assembly.

The litigants maintained that only the electorate has the authority to determine their representative’s tenure and that the respondents, which include Senate authorities, acted beyond their powers in suspending her.

They  asked the court to set aside the suspension and compel the Senate to immediately restore all of  Akpoti-Uduaghan ‘s rights and privileges.

They are requesting an injunction restraining the respondents from taking  further actions that may infringe on their constitutional right to representation.

Part of their prayers include “an injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, their servants, agents, officers or otherwise howsoever from carrying out  acts or omissions which may result in the contravention or likely contravention of the fundamental rights of the applicants.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.