Month: June 2024

The NNPC Foundation Ltd. is partnering with the Ministry of Environment to promote climate resilient environment for citizens.

Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, the Managing Director of the foundation said this at an event to mark the 2024 World Environment Day (WED) on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2024 WED is’ Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience’.

The WED is celebrated globally every June 5.

Arukwe, represented by the foundation’s Executive Director, Programme Development, Dr Bala David, said the aim of the foundation was to support environmental sustainability.

According to her, one of the ways of doing this is by planting of trees which is the reason for the gathering at the Government Secondary School (GSS) Kuje.

She said: ‘today being the World Environment Day, we are running this type of programme together with three planting in Bauchi, Enugu, Benin, Lagos and three schools in FCT.

The theme of this year’s event calls for the need to
restore our environment and the importance of tree planting was to regulate climate, biodiversity support and soil protection among others.

Representing the Ministry of Environment and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Mr Sampraise Itomo, urged Nigerians and the World at large to treat the environment as its neighbour.

‘Environment is everything around us inclusive of living and non-living things. As humans, we need to know and interact with our environment.

‘And the environment around us is our neighbour and they contribute to our longevity, happiness, and joy so we should have regard for it and try to preserve it,” he said.

Tree planting at GSS Kuje by NNPC Foundation Ltd.

Tree planting at GSS Kuje by NNPC Foundation Ltd.

While reiterating the advantages of tree planting in our environment, Itomo said it was our responsibility to restore the environment for our safety and that of our future generation.

Also speaking, Mr Sani Adamu, the Manager Education of the foundation, restated that the e
nvironment was ours and there was the need for us to take care of it.

‘There are various ways of taking care of our environment and one of such ways is tree planting and that is the essence of why we are here today.

‘As the vice principal has rightly said, when you cut down a tree you should plant two more as a replacement

‘We must take our environment very seriously so that the eco climate can be achieved and by so doing, we will live longer,” he said.

Similarly, the Vice-Principal Administration, Government Secondary School, Kuje, Muhammad Muhammed expressed the commitment of the school to safe guard the trees planted.

‘We have gone ahead to make a protector around the plant to ensure it is protected from being eaten by animals or being destroyed

‘We will make sure that morning and evening, we water them so that we can see them grow well and serve its purpose.

‘Also, where ever we see encroachment or desertification, we should try as much as possible to grow trees in such areas, deforestation should
be afforestation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the students of the school commended the foundation for including them in the WED celebration and thanked them for the knowledge impacted on them.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru Foundation (GIAF), on Thursday in Abuja, inaugurated an education scholarship scheme to sponsor 50 students annually in any Federal University in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scholarship scheme is an initiative of the family of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.

Attahiru had died in a plane crash on May 21, 2021.

The scheme is to assist children of serving and veterans of the Nigerian Army in their quest for education.

Already, 50 students drawn from the Command Secondary Schools across the six geopolitical zones have been offered scholarship, at the inauguration of the foundation on Thursday in Abuja.

In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said the scholarship would be ran in partnership with the Nigerian Army.

Lagbaja said the inauguration of the GIAF Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme, was another commendable initiative that would benefit the army community, which was the late Gener
al’s primary constituency.

He said that this was in spite of the army having an established scholarship scheme for the children of its deceased personnel.

According to him, collaborating with the foundation is considered a viable option to complements the existing efforts of the army by covering a gap in its scholarship and welfare schemes.

‘Our existing scholarship scheme focuses on children of deceased personnel only and not those of serving and retired personnel, as is the case with the Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru Foundation’s scheme being inaugurated today.

‘While the Army Headquarters is aware that funding is not a challenge for the foundation, we have chosen to help with the funding of this inaugural scholarship scheme for 50 carefully selected beneficiaries as a mark of respect for the late General.

‘We believe that this gesture will assist the foundation in properly taking off for subsequent scholarship awards.

‘As part of our commitment, the Army Headquarters Department of Army Administration and the
Nigerian Army Education Corps will continue to assist the Foundation in identifying and screening suitably qualified candidates to benefit from this noble gesture,’ he said.

Lagbaja, however, charged the beneficiaries of the maiden scholarship to reciprocate the noble gesture by focusing on their studies and shying away from societal ills.

He noted that the tertiary institution environment was filled with vices that could derail them and truncate their life aspirations.

He, therefore, challenged them to take the gesture as a challenge to becoming the best in whatever career path they chose to follow and ultimately give back to the foundation and the larger Nigerian society in the future.

The army chief also said that the late COAS implemented significant policies that had a profound and lasting impact on army’s counter-terrorism operations; particularly in the North East within the short time he held sway.

He thanked Mrs Fati Attahiru, wife of the late COAS for her wisdom, courage, and doggedness to pull
resources together to celebrate the late General’s life, bravery, energy, and most importantly, his identity as a detribalised Nigerian.

According to him, this aspect of his character is a testament to his belief in the unity and inclusivity of our great nation.

‘I once again most sincerely, thank Mrs Attahiru and the Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru Foundation, for this scholarship initiative and for keeping the name and legacy alive and shining brighter and brighter,’ he said.

The founder of the GIAF and wife of the late COAS, Mrs Attahiru, said her late husband’s background propelled him to work hard and had big dreams.

Attahiru disclosed that her husband shared with her his dream to become the army chief when he was a Lieutenant Colonel, urging the beneficiaries never to stop dreaming and look beyond the challenges they would face in life.

She urged them to develop the will power to respond to the happenings around them so as to be able to control what happened in life.

According to her, there are challenges w
e face, the trials, the tragedies and so on, but what we can control is how we react.

‘Only you have the power to choose to be a victim or to rise above the tides, to maintain your composure, and to keep moving forward with unwavering commitments and determination.

‘Telling you a bit about my late husband and his background, is to challenge you to choose not to be a victim of your circumstances, but to build the strength and resilience to overcome any challenge that comes your way,’she said.

She added that the scholarship programme would not only sponsor their education, but would also provide mentorship and roommate scholars to think big, overcome their challenges, and hopefully make a difference in the world.

She expressed happiness that the foundation started with the Nigerian Army through the command secondary schools.

‘It is also great that the scholars will be drawn from six geopolitical zones, making sure people benefit strictly on merit, irrespective of gender, ethnicity or creed.

‘It is great t
hat there will be an alumni association. So we will hopefully see future doctors, engineers, pilots, tech gurus as alumni of the foundation’s scholarship programme’ she added.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, the Project Coordinator, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), has called for intensified campaign against pipeline vandalism oil theft in the country.

Zabbey made the call in Port Harcourt on Wednesday while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in commemoration of the 2024 World Environment Day.

He said that oil theft, pipeline vandalism and artisanal refining had become hydra-headed monsters staring the nation’s oil industry in the face.

Zabbey said that the world environment day was a wake up call on HYPREP’s mission and the ongoing clean up efforts in Ogoni land.

‘The day provides us an opportunity to reflect, design and facilitate approaches to protect our land and commonwealth.

‘It is an opportunity to restore degraded areas and discourage human activities that compromise the integrity of the environment and biodiversity,’ he said.

He said that all hands should be on deck to tackle the challenge of oil pollution occasioned by oil theft, pipeline vanda
lism, and artisanal refining.

‘We need to all stand up to protect our environment by not polluting it and taking deliberate steps to make it safe,’ he said.

The project coordinator reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment towards the remediation and restoration of oil impacted areas in Ogoni.

‘The future of the Ogoni people and the Niger Delta region at large is hugely dependent on their land.

‘HYPREP is equipped to lead the process of protecting the land and environment. So, a holistic approach is required to address the endemic trends that negatively impact our land.

‘We are remediating degraded lands and shorelines, restoring mangroves, providing potable water and strengthening public health systems,’ he said.

Zabbey said that HYPREP’s approach to community engagement was inclusive, consultative and participatory.

‘This is because true restoration goes beyond environmental clean-up. We are actively involving local communities in our projects,’ he said.

NAN reports that the theme for this year’s World Enviro
nment Day celebration is : ‘Our land, Our future: Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience’.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu says his administration is committed to creating a robust and efficient transportation network across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and beyond.

Tinubu stated this while inaugurating the completed B6 (Constitution Avenue), B12 (Independence Avenue) and Circle Roads in the Central Area of the territory on Thursday.

The President, who was represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said that the delivery of roads and other infrastructural projects was in line with his administration’s renewed hope agenda.

He said: ‘We recognise that an efficient transport network remains vital for economic growth, social integration, and overall national development.

‘As we commission these strategic roads, we are not just opening pathways of asphalt and concrete but also paving the way to enhance economic activities, improve accessibility, and a higher quality of life for our citizens.

‘We remain committed to continuing this journey of building more roads, bridges, and essential infrastruc
ture that will connect our people and drive our economy.

‘This event stands as testament to this administration’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural development and urban renewal, a cornerstone of our vision for a more prosperous and much more connected Nigeria,’ he said.

He recalled that on assumption into office a year ago, his administration set forth an ambitious agenda to transform the nation’s infrastructural landscape.

‘The completion of these roads remains a demonstration of what we can achieve through dedicated planning, unwavering commitment and elaborate collaborative efforts.

‘These roads are designed to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and provide a more seamless connection between key areas within our Capital City,’ Tinubu said.

The President commended Wike, FCTA and all the stakeholders involved in execution of all the projects he had been inaugurating for the past seven days.

Speaking in his capacity as the Senate President, Akpabio congratulated Wike for the feat,
saying ‘you have not disappointed Nigerians.

‘As the Chairman of the National Assembly, we will continue to give the FCT Administration all the needed support for Wike to succeed in turning things around for the better.

‘Just before we left the chambers on Mr President’s directive, we passed for second reading of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill of the FCT, to enable you to do more for the people.

‘By next week we will pass the budget and I believe Mr. President will sign it and it will become an Act of parliament.

‘We will continue to support you in every way possible.’

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte has planted 500 trees across the country through environmental clubs in public secondary schools, to tackle desertification and environmental degradation.

The Foundation also said that based on criticality and needs assessment, it had also commenced engagements with the Katsina State Government to plant one million trees in the state.

‘We will be embarking on the first phase of the one million tree planting in July this year,’ said Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, Managing Director, NNPC Foundation Ltd.

Arukwe made this known on Wednesday at a Ceremonial Tree Planting at the Government Day Secondary School, Wuse 2, Abuja, to mark the 2024 World Environment Day (WED).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Environment Day is celebrated globally every June 5, and the 2024 edition has its theme as ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience’.

NAN also reports that the NNPC Foundation Ltd. is the social arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (
NNPC Ltd.) and one of the key areas of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) intervention programmes is in the environment.

Its school tree planting campaign to mark the World Environment Day involved over 500 school children in selected parts of the country, who are provided with tree seedlings for planting, which was carried out simultaneously.

Arukwe, while speaking, said one of the menaces of the environment and ecosystem was desertification, hence planting trees and restoration of degraded land were necessary.

‘Today is World Environment Day, we are so excited about doing this, which is being done simultaneously across other states including Enugu, Bauchi, Lagos and Edo; we are in the forefront of advocating for this to be done.

‘The young people still have a long future ahead, and because of that it is important they get enlightened and educated on the importance of planting trees.

‘We are here in this school to plant trees; apart from its beautification and economic impact, it also reduces car
bon dioxide and balances the ecosystem.

‘We and the environment are symbiotic; whatever we do, affects us ultimately. We need to desist from cutting down trees and usage of biomass for cooking.

‘We want to ensure that we are not only encouraging the children to plant, but to set up a mechanism for monitoring the planted trees for maximum impact and sustainability in the long run,’ she said.

Arukwe further said that the Foundation would organise a prize giving event for the schools and students, for the best cared or nurtured tree in 2025.

She listed addressing land erosion, desertification and drought, climate regulation, oxygen production, wildlife preservation, air purification, noise reduction, social and economic benefits as some of the benefits of tree planting.

In a presentation, Mrs Lolade Oduwole, Manager, Fund Raising, NNPC Foundation, sensitised the pupils on global warming, adding that the increase in temperature worldwide had become alarming as human activities had affected the ecosystem.

Od
uwole called for generation restoration by planting trees to restore desert, prevent global warming, maintain healthy environment, provide shed and climate regulation as well as promote oxygen production, essential for human lives.

In her remarks, the Principal of the school, Hajiya Jammaylah Yakubu, while emphasising the need to take care of the environment, promised to sustain the campaign by nurturing the trees.

Yakubu also commended the NNPC Foundation for setting up a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Mini Science Library in various schools across the country, including the Government Day Secondary School.

The pupils, who were also allowed to plant trees by themselves, were full of excitement for participating in the environmental preservation.

They vowed to intensify the campaign against environmental degradation.

The Foundation also planted trees in some schools in Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils of the FCT and other states.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), has pledged to support tiers of government in holding political leaders accountable for improving access to potable water and sanitation services.

The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Benson Attah, said this at the opening of the sub-national stakeholders’ webinar on ‘Vote 4WASH Campaign’ advocacy efforts and progress on Thursday in Abuja.

According to him, the meeting is aimed at tracking political stakeholders’ commitment towards improving access to potable water and sanitation in the country.

He said the WASH Charter of Demand highlighted the need for budgetary allocations, institutional strengthening and political will in the sector.

Attah said there was a need for prioritising WASH in the political agenda at all levels and to make WASH everyone’s business.

‘Today’s meeting is to enable us review the vote for WASH campaign to see how we’ve been able to engage political stakeholders to support WASH implementation in the country.

‘We cannot overempha
sise the role of access to potable water and sanitation in the country, undermining WASH services in the country affects human development outcomes,’he said.

Attah urged selected states and their coordinators to continue to work with key stakeholders through advocacy efforts to ensure WASH prioritisation.

Ms. Bibian Ama from the NEWSAN secretariat, urged states to improve on their efforts as the Programme had a timeline that was running out and the need for progress to be made.

Mr Musa Buba, Managing Director of Taraba Water Agency and Sewerage Corporation (TAWASCO), commended the efforts of NEWSAN in promoting advocacy for sustainable water and sanitation services in the country.

He said access to WASH cannot be overemphasised by anyone as it is central to sustainable development at all times.

Buba said the agency would continue to support the CSOs in the state for a cleaner and healthier environment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five states of Osun, Gombe, Taraba, Plateau and Jigawa h
ad representatives who spoke about advocacy efforts with commitment to do more in the coming days.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria