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Tag: United Nations

  • UN, stakeholders call for responsible actions on tourism

    UN, stakeholders call for responsible actions on tourism

    • From Janefrances Chibuzor

    As the world marked World Tourism Day 2025 last Saturday, the United Nations and key tourism stakeholders across Nigeria have called for a renewed commitment to make tourism a tool for sustainable transformation. The global celebration, held in Melaka, Malaysia, centred on the theme Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.

    The UN Tourism Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, urged nations and operators to reflect deeply on how tourism impacts societies and the planet. According to him, the sector’s future lies not only in visitor numbers but in how its growth contributes to people’s empowerment, cultural preservation, and environmental protection.

    “We must look beyond numbers and reflect on how our sector impacts societies and our planet,” Pololikashvili said. “Sustainable transformation through tourism is only possible if we embrace new ideas and listen to new voices. That means reshaping business practices, investing in the right values, and focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship. It also means investing in education, jobs, and the training of young talents.”

    He noted that World Tourism Day in Melaka has once again demonstrated that tourism can serve as a force for good when guided by sustainability and inclusivity. “By working together, we can transform tourism into a tool for empowerment, cultural preservation, and environmental protection,” he added.

    In a similar message, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described tourism as “a powerful driver of transformation,” noting that it builds bridges across cultures and fuels development. He, however, cautioned that its expansion must be managed responsibly to safeguard the very communities it celebrates.

    “Tourism creates jobs, fuels local economies, and strengthens bonds between people and places,” Guterres said. “It builds bridges across cultures, preserves traditions, and restores cultural heritage. Yet tourism can also damage the very places it celebrates. As the world faces climate breakdown and rising inequalities, we need bold, sustainable action that puts people and the planet first.”

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    He urged countries to harness tourism as a force for resilience, sustainability, and shared progress.

    Across the world, governments, operators, and civil society groups marked the day with events promoting inclusive tourism and sustainable development. In Nigeria, activities were held across several cities, including Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu, with the private sector playing a key role in mobilising awareness.

    In Lagos, the State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, partnered the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and other private operators to commemorate the day at Tarkwa Bay. The event brought together professionals, destination managers, and cultural promoters to discuss the future of sustainable tourism in the country.

    Speaking on the significance of the celebration, Mr. Uche Wilson Ugwu, Vice President (South East) of FTAN, said the theme aligns with Nigeria’s need to reposition tourism as a development tool. He explained that true transformation begins when the industry is built on sustainability, cultural identity, and local participation.

    “Beyond celebrating the day, stakeholders must commit to practical actions that will make the South East a model for responsible tourism,” Ugwu said. “Infrastructure development, security, and access roads remain critical to unlocking our region’s full potential. Without good roads and reliable utilities, even our best attractions remain hidden.”

    He stressed the importance of capacity building and innovation, calling for continuous training of youth entrepreneurs and tour operators.

    Ugwu maintained that sustainability depends on knowledge-sharing and the integration of modern technology into tourism promotion.

    “The South East must tell its story differently,” he added. “We have history, cuisine, and craftsmanship that can compete globally. But this requires unity of purpose. Every operator, artisan, and policymaker must see themselves as part of the transformation process.”

    Also speaking, Mr. Awomoyi Ayodeji, Principal Executive of Flyzone Tourism, said tourism remains a strategic tool for fostering peace, mutual understanding, and economic development among nations. According to him, sustainable transformation cannot be achieved without deliberate collaboration between governments, local communities, and the private sector.

    “Tourism contributes significantly to peace and development when it promotes cultural exchange, supports local economies, and encourages global citizenship,” Awomoyi said. He identified inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, inconsistent government policies, and poor funding as some of the biggest challenges facing tourism in Nigeria.

    Awomoyi stressed that capacity development and partnership are key. “Governments, private sector, and communities must work together to build skills, improve access, and foster partnerships. Only then can tourism reach its full potential as a tool for inclusion and sustainable change,” he noted.

  • Coalition rejects UN’s plan to scrap UNAIDS by 2026

    Coalition rejects UN’s plan to scrap UNAIDS by 2026

    Civil society groups in Nigeria have condemned a proposal under the United Nations‘ UN80 Initiative recommending the closure of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) by 2026.

    The Coalition of Community Networks and Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria described the plan as “ill-timed” and a grave setback that would undermine global efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat.

    The coalition, comprising the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Nigeria Key Population Health and Rights Network (NKPHRN), International Community of Women Living with HIV – West Africa (ICW-WA), Association of Women Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN), Association of Positive Youth Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (APYIN), and the Civil Society Network for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN) warned in a statement on Sunday that dismantling UNAIDS would be dangerously shortsighted and a betrayal of communities living with and affected by HIV.

    Explaining why the proposal should be instantly rejected, the CSOs stressed that closing the agency would “Betray the very people it was created to serve, especially women and young people living with HIV and key populations who rely on its leadership, advocacy, and convening power.”

    “Removing this essential pillar of the global AIDS response will also cost lives, undermine the coherence of the HIV response, and the partnerships that work with civil society, communities, government and partners which have been central to UNAIDS,” the groups warned.

    They further raised concerns that the proposal leaves critical questions unanswered, pointing out, “Who will assume the leadership role in coordinating the global HIV response?

    “Has the UN abandoned its commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030? Won’t the proposal undermine the 2030 target, leaving communities questioning the UN’s commitment?”

    Expressing profound alarm at the recommendation contained in the UN80 Initiative to “sunset UNAIDS by the end of 2026” as part of a broader restructuring of the United Nations system, the coalition declared, “We view the attempt to dismantle the UN agency dedicated to the global HIV/AIDS response as ill-timed, and a setback that signals a profound departure from the UN’s commitment to millions of lives worldwide.”

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    They noted that while progress has been made in reducing new infections and AIDS-related deaths, “AIDS is not over and the global AIDS response has been upset in recent times that it requires deliberate and concerted efforts to achieve the SDG target of ending AIDS by 2030.”

    According to them, UNAIDS has been advancing health transition plans that prioritize inclusive, multisectoral, and sustainable national HIV responses, led by governments and communities, and funded largely by domestic resources.

    The groups stressed that any move to eliminate the agency risks “reversing hard-won gains, undermining donor confidence (including from key external partners such as PEPFAR and the Global Fund), and sending a chilling message to communities still grappling with the epidemic.”

    They emphasized UNAIDS’ unique role as the only UN agency that places communities and civil society at the heart of its mandate and governance.

    The coalition called on the UN Secretary-General and member States to “Reject the proposal to sunset UNAIDS, strengthen UNAIDS’ mandate and core functions, and protect the integrity of the UN80 reform process without undermining the HIV response.”

    While acknowledging the importance of reforming and modernizing the UN system, the groups insisted, “We reject any attempt to use the UN80 process as a vehicle to disrupt or dismantle progress in the global HIV response.”

    They also urged the Secretary General to intervene decisively to halt the confusion and uncertainty the proposal has caused among stakeholders, especially communities, civil society, and donors.

    “The path forward must reaffirm UNAIDS’ role and accelerate efforts to achieve the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

    “We stand ready to engage with the UN and Member States to co-create solutions that preserve UNAIDS’ legacy and ensure no one is left behind,” the coalition declared.

  • UNGA: Ruto spoke for all Africa

    UNGA: Ruto spoke for all Africa

    • By Ikenna Emewu

    At the world press conference for the G20 Summit 2016 in Hangzhou, China, I raised my hand to ask Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon the question of when the United Nations would deem it fit to give Africa at least a permanent seat at the Security Council, 71 years into its existence then. At a point, I brought down my hand before being recognised. I felt I would not be wise to pose that question to the current UN head from South Korea when he actually succeeded an African, Kofi Annan, who also succeeded another African, Boutros Boutros Ghali. I asked myself why I should worry someone else over what these Africans refused to do for Africa.

    Yet, if there is something that galls me about the UN, it is the non-inclusion of Africa in the top decision-making body of the world platform. Per bloc and judging from the one-member-one-vote position, Africa, with 54 member states, is the continent with the largest membership at the UN.

    At the UN, numbers don’t count. Even when the leaders and owners of the UN claim that democracy is a game of numbers where the majority have their way, the UN General Assembly (UNGA), made up of 193 members is irrelevant. It is five countries that make decisions for the rest.

    In international law, resolutions of the UNGA are not declaratory of international law, but those of the five members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) are automatically law and operable. Therefore, any voting by the UNGA ends as a resolution, most of which are not implementable, and when not implemented, there is nothing anybody can do about that.

    With the composition of the UNSC, the Global South bloc is completely excluded from the decision-making of the UN. You can conclude that the UN is not a democratic body, and its claims of being champions of democracy are false and deceptive.

    I spoke in Beijing last year, July at the China Centre for Contemporary World Studies (CCCWS) Summit, and my topic was – Why China and the rest of the Global South should align and support Africa to have at least a single UNSC permanent seat slot.

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    At the Lagos Forum in April this year, I was presented another opportunity at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) during an event co-hosted by the Chinese Consulate, Africa China Economy Magazine, NIIA, and the Institute of African Studies of Zhejiang Normal University, China.  There, I raised the same issue of the equitable remedy that would be if Africa gets at least a single UNSC permanent seat, and by extension, slots for the Global South countries.

    I was therefore, elated to listen to President William Ruto of Kenya, pointedly tell the UNGA at the ongoing assembly for the 80th anniversary of the world body how unfair it is to ignore Africa at the UNSC. Ruto challenged the UN to have a prick of the conscience and do the needful.

    He slammed: “Excellences, as we mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Africa also marks 20 years since the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, the two historic milestones that established the Common African Position on UN Security Council reform. For two decades, Africa has spoken in one voice, demanding justice, equity, and representation in the highest organ of global governance.

    “This demand, however, continues to be ignored, deferred, or endlessly debated to the detriment of both Africa and the legitimacy of the United Nations itself. You cannot claim to be the United Nations while disregarding the voice of 54 African countries, which are no longer willing to wait on the margins of global governance, while decisions about peace, security, and development are made without our understanding, perspectives, and voice. Africa’s exclusion is not only unacceptable, unfair, and grossly unjust; it also undermines the very credibility of the United Nations.

    “Africa dominates most of the Security Council’s agenda, provides some of the largest contingents to UN peacekeeping, and bears the heaviest costs. Yet we remain the only continent without a permanent seat at the table, where decisions about our destiny are made. Africa deserves two permanent seats with full rights, including the veto, and two additional non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council.

    “The world must understand that reforming the Security Council is not a favour to Africa; it is a necessity for the UN’s own survival. If the UN is to remain relevant in this Century, it must reflect today’s realities, not the post-war power arrangements of 1945.

    “Madam President, despite the stated and evident weaknesses of the United Nations, it remains humanity’s best chance at global governance. No other institution has the universal legitimacy or convening power of the UN”, he said.

    Unlike Cyril Ramaphoza of South Africa, who ignored all the nagging pains of Africa and made nonsense of Africa’s plight and preferred to discuss Palestine, Gaza, and Israel, William Ruto spoke for me and the entire continent. He demonstrated staunch boldness and the courage to confront a challenge that the UN has deliberately acted like it doesn’t exist, because to the body, Africa is just a number, an inconsequential space filler, and a cipher worth nothing. African leaders should just attend UN events, sign the dotted lines for attendance, clap for the powers that use them to feather their egos’ nest, and walk back to Africa, wringing their cold hands helplessly over their heavy burden of neglect.

    With the achievements of the UN, the global body can’t boast of the particular support or regard it has given to Africa. The owners of the body watched without a whimper when their ilk deprecated Africa and the world with colonisation without seeing anything bad in the atrocious inhumanity Europe wrought in Africa, Asia, Oceania, etc. But they discussed Israel and the Middle East. After Nikita Khrushchev of the then USSR started blackmailing them to speak up against colonization in Africa, it grudgingly issued the UNGA Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (UNGA Resolution 1514, December 14, 1960). This window dressing resolution without enforcement effect came after 17 African countries had fought in the same year for their freedom without UN assistance. Confirming that it was mere talk, some African countries still didn’t get any freedom from colonization until 1990 when Namibia gained independence from apartheid South Africa.

    While the UNGA Resolution lacks enforcement, the UNSC, which has the power to enforce rules, watched askance. It was not their business how Africa fared.

    William Ruto may not understand the ripples his boldness in standing before the world and speaking up against the injustices in Africa would create. Africa’s predicament has been partly due to the lax and timid nature of its diplomatic engagement. Ruto endeared himself to the true Africans, the bold Africans, and the real African, not those that ignore the blood fest going on in Somalia, the endless emasculation of Sahel West Africa by Emanuel Macron’s France, the hunger at the Horn of Africa, the genocide of the Tigray people of Ethiopia, the carnage in Sudan and South Sudan and the terrorism all over Africa to seek inchoate populism and discuss the inane.

    Ruto’s speech addressed nearly all the challenges facing Africa and the UN’s shortcomings, despite Africa’s active role in supporting the UN in various ways, often without commensurate compensation.

    Thank you, Ruto, for speaking for me and for Africa when it matters most.

    •Emewu is editor-in-chief of Africa China Economy magazine, and Research Director (Africa) at Zhejiang Normal University, China.

  • Association joins United Nations in global call for peace

    Association joins United Nations in global call for peace

    Aviary Association Worldwide has joined United Nations to mark this year’s International Day of Peace, appealing for an end to conflicts and a renewed commitment to global harmony.

    It said “our warring world is crying out for peace,” urging citizens to embrace non-violence and coexistence.

    Noting conflict, Global President, Seyi Olusa, said wars shatter lives, displace millions and erode dignity.

    “International law is being flouted and people are fleeing homes. All they want is peace,” Olusa noted in a statement.

    Olusa hinted on peace-building programmes and volunteer opportunities with private bodies and government.

    “Where we have peace, we  hope. Families unite, community rebuilds, children learn and play. Peace cannot wait, our work is now,” he said.

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    Former Global President, Tobi Parker, said peace is “a state of tranquility devoid of conflicts and violence.”

    The association also showcased its community-driven initiatives aimed at building peace at the grassroots. Jonathan Eyitemi, Lagos Branch President, cited donations of school supplies, visits to orphanages and support for motherless babies’ homes.

    “It is the duty of every one of us to promote peace, starting from our households, our neighbours and our entire communities,” he said.

    Michael Ekundayo, Vice President (Southwest), underscored the history of the UN-recognized day, established in 1981 and officially fixed in 2001.

    He stressed that this year’s theme calls for collective responsibility. “Promoting peace is not the responsibility of government alone but of everyone in society,” he said.

    Aviary Association Worldwide, a socio-cultural and humanitarian non-governmental organisation, has long championed peace-building and charitable causes.

    The group partners with international bodies including the United Nations, Prostate Cancer UK and the Sickle Cell Foundations to support orphans, displaced persons and correctional centres.

  • IAEA returns to Iran despite no deal on inspections

    IAEA returns to Iran despite no deal on inspections

    United Nations nuclear inspectors have returned to Iran for the first time since it suspended cooperation with them in the wake of Israel’s attacks on its nuclear sites, Iranian state media reported.

    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told lawmakers Tehran had still not reached an agreement on how it would resume full work with the UN’s IAEA watchdog, parliament news agency ICANA reported on Wednesday.

    But he said the inspectors would supervise the changing of fuel at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, according to the report.

    Araghchi’s comments come a day after Iran met with France, Britain and Germany to try to revive negotiations over its nuclear programme, which Western powers say is aimed at developing a bomb, but it says is focused on civilian projects.

    Iran has said it needs a new cooperation agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency after the 12-day air war in June with Israel that was shortly joined by the United States.

    The Iranian parliament passed legislation in June suspending cooperation with the IAEA and stipulating that any future inspections will need a green light from Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council.

    That council had approved the visit by the inspectors, but “no draft for a new cooperation modality with the IAEA has been finalised or approved,” Araghchi said, according to ICANA.

    “The changing of the fuel of Bushehr nuclear reactor has to be done under the supervision of inspectors of the international agency,” he added.

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    IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told Fox News on Tuesday that “the first team of IAEA inspectors is back in Iran,” but that the agency was still discussing how to resume inspections.

    After the June attacks, Iran argued the sites were no longer safe for inspectors.

    Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Tuesday Tehran warned Europe’s top three powers in Geneva that reviving the UN “snapback” sanctions would have consequences, arguing they lack the right to trigger the mechanism.

    The E3 — France, Britain and Germany — have threatened to reimpose sanctions by October unless Iran restores inspections and makes concessions, with a decision expected by the end of August.

    Talks remain tense as Iran, angered by U.S. and Israeli bombings of its nuclear sites in June, insists discussions will continue in the coming days.

  • Stranded Nigerians in Libyan deportation camp cry out for help

    Stranded Nigerians in Libyan deportation camp cry out for help

    Nigerians held in a deportation camp in Libya have raised the alarm over inhumane conditions, calling on the Nigerian government and private organisations for urgent intervention.

    In a viral video, a middle-aged man narrated the ordeal of several Nigerians crammed into a holding facility reportedly run by a United Nations agency. He revealed that they have been confined in the camp for over seven months while awaiting deportation.

    According to him, the number of detainees has dropped from about 700 to 400, with many allegedly dying due to maltreatment and poor living conditions. “People are dying almost every day,” he lamented.

    The distressed detainees are pleading for swift rescue, describing the camp’s condition as unbearable and life-threatening.

    He said, “These are Nigerians as you are watching this video, it is a clear picture of what we are passing through in Libya, today being the 5th of August.  For over 7 months that we have been in this so-called deportation camp, dying in numbers, both children, adults and teenagers and women.

    “When you take a close look at this video, it will explain the conditions that Nigerians are in, right here in Libya, in a place called Brakchat, 60 kilometres away from Sabhā. And as we are watching this video, it is at our own expense because we are restricted from the use of phones.

    “You can see how Nigerians have been lying here for over 7 months. And this is how we keep lying, and we keep counting dead souls daily. Even as of yesterday, we lost a child and a teenager here because of maltreatment and the punishments we are going through here.

    “Please, as you are watching this video, it is a wake-up call for Nigeria’s intervention over our situation right here. And the number of Nigerians here is approximately 400 in number, though we were up to 700 when we came here. But the death rate here has declined to about 400 in approximation.

    “Please, we have to do this video as proof to Nigeria over what we are passing through here. If you watch this video, you will see some of us are bandaged. Some of us cannot even bring our hands down because of the casualties and injuries that we have sustained.

    “Even the UN, which is in charge of this deportation process, has none of its officials here to oversee what Nigerians are passing through here. Since we came here, none of them have come here to monitor the welfare and the well-being of the people. Even to some extent, when they come, they don’t allow them to come and see what people are passing through.

    “These are Nigerians with skills and graduates in numbers, people with futures, fathers, youth, vibrant youth. But this is the situation we find ourselves in. Please, Nigerians, help us, corporate bodies, and individuals.

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    “When you watch these videos, you will see so many people’s conditions, how deteriorating it is without medication for over seven months. People who travel in sound health, but they cannot access life or a good life because of malnourishment and treatment daily, including our women. Wherever you are, individuals, organisations and agencies, please, as you watch this video, under the risks.

    “It is for an intervention to come and take us back to our country. We came here to serve them, to work for them. We did not come here to steal or kill.

    “But on the contrary, they are treating us as if we have committed an offence. And on our day of arrival, they collected all our valuables, our international passports, our phones, our money and other valuables such that we cannot reach out to our people. But we cannot die here like this.

    “Even if we die here, let our country know what is going on here and the war at large. That is why we are taking these risks to do this video. It will be on the 5th of August, 2025.”

  • United Nations should stop genocide in Gaza’

    United Nations should stop genocide in Gaza’

    The Muslim Congress (TMC) has called on the United Nations to immediately stop the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing the situation as catastrophic and urging the global community to act swiftly.

    Amir of the Congress, Alhaji AbdulWasi’i Bangbala, also decried the relentless bombardment, starvation, and destruction of Gaza, which he said had resulted in over 59,100 deaths, the majority of whom are women and children.

    “This is not war; this is extermination, a devastating genocide,” Alhaji Bangbala said, while condemning the systematic targeting of civilians, the destruction of hospitals and schools, and the blockade that has cut off access to food, water, and medicine.

    TMC said the world is watching in “stunned silence” as an entire population faces annihilation. We marched, not in anger, but in sorrow, carrying the weight of a people’s suffering on our hearts,” the group said, urging the world to break its silence and take decisive action.

    The congress demanded an immediate and permanent ceasefire, opening of borders for humanitarian aid, and accountability for war crimes.

    The group challenged the United Nations and the international community to act, stating, “how many more children must die before you say, ‘no more’?”

    Members of the congress in collaboration with the Muslim community in Agege area of Lagos held a peaceful protest on Sunday, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.

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    Demonstrators carried placards bearing messages as “Free Free Palestine”, “Free Free Gaza”, “From the River to the Sea”, and “Palestine Will Be Free”, as they marched through the streets and local markets.

    Leading the procession was the Grand Mufti of the Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’I and Ustadh Davies Abdullah.

    Sheikh Shafi’i condemned what he described as the “21-month Gaza genocide” and the failure of both Western and Arab nations to halt the ongoing massacre.

    He condemned the blockade of aid to Gaza, including the complicity of neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Jordan, and condemned the indifference of Muslims around the world to the crisis.

    “Therefore, it is pertinent that all Muslims across the globe stand against this injustice. We must come together and speak in one voice to end this genocide,” he urged.

  • Disasters and our response to warnings

    Disasters and our response to warnings

    “It pays to invest in reducing risks before they lead to disasters”…United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

    Commendable leadership responses to the Mokwa flood

    The predicted flood that enveloped communities in Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State, Nigeria two weeks ago and the devastating consequences is a stark reminder of the clear and present dangers of global climate change.

     I commiserate with the people of Mokwa Local Government Area in particular, the entire people of Niger State and indeed the Government of Niger State over this calamity. May Almighty God Console and strengthen all those who are affected. Ameen. 

    I also commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his swift intervention by donating N2 billion for the immediate provision of relief materials and relocation of those affected and the 20 Trucks of assorted food items, which was undertaken on his behalf by Vice President, Kashim Shettima. 

    Furthermore, I also commend the Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Mohammed Umaru Bago, one of the most pragmatic Governors in Nigeria, for his swift response to managing the crisis, from Saudi Arabia where he was performing Hajj, as he coordinated through his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba who was immediately on ground as a first responder providing support, while the governor quickly returned to Minna. Governor Bago has demonstrated the trademark of excellent leadership when he visited Mokwa immediately upon his return, where he announced the donation of N1 billion to the victims, pending when resettlement begins. He also announced that the roads and bridges connecting Raba and other communities with Mokwa will be reconstructed at the cost of N7 billion, and his government will also provide 50 Trucks of grains (rice, beans, maize, and sorghum), inclusive of donations from other states.

     I also commend the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, who I consider one of the most consistently proactive Governors in the current dispensation in Nigeria, and all other Governors that made donations to the good people of Mokwa in this time of crisis. Indeed, this is a reciprocity of the support given to Governor Babagana Zulum and the good people of Borno State during the aftermath of the Alao Dam disaster that occurred last year, which is still fresh in our memory.

     Mitigation Imperatives

     “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”. This quote by the late Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, resonates with me and reflects on how we govern and conduct our affairs in Nigeria and most parts of Africa.

     According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), “every $1 invested in making infrastructure disaster-resilient in developing countries saves $4 in reduced disruptions and economic impacts.”

     Therefore, having stated the above well-deserved accolades. I wish to, with profound respect, remind the governments (at federal and state levels), citizens, and residents of the importance of our individual and collective preparedness to effectively respond to crises and disaster warnings. This is so that we can efficiently and effectively mitigate the impact of such force majeures, which aligns with Pillar 4 (“Preparedness to respond to warnings) of the UNDRR’s Action Plan, on the early warning chain on disasters.

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     I worry about the state of our national and subnational preparedness to respond to warnings in mitigating the impacts of the ensuing crises/disasters. By this, I am not referring only to the current administration at the Federal and State levels, but I am referring to a national societal culture of “reactions”, rather than “proactiveness”, by both the governments and the citizens. Truly, as a people and governments, our preparedness to respond to warnings is mostly reactive, rather than proactive. We mostly wait until things happen before we react, even when the warnings are early and clear enough. Hence, there is no effective mitigation, and when crises or disasters occur, the impacts are overwhelming and multidimensional.

    On Friday, 20th September, 2024 (Last year), I wrote in this Column about the importance of proactive steps to mitigate disasters and crises with the title, “Lagdo Dam Alert- Are Warnings Good Enough?”. In addition, from 6th October 2023 to 28th June 2024, I wrote six episodes in this weekly column under the topics “Agriculture, Food Insecurity”, “Climate Change, and Cost of Living Crisis” topics; wherein I was calling the attention of governments at federal and state levels to the projected floods in 2024, other climate change variables, and the looming socio-economic impacts, especially on food insecurity, health, cost of living, etc. However, I did not see a concrete action plan to mitigate the impending threats as they were, until the disastrous bursting of Alao Dam in Borno State, which had shown signs of deterioration for decades (without interventions), and other floods across states in Nigeria. 

    In those writeups, I spoke about the importance of planning, having a strategy, and importantly taking proactive actions to forestall, effectively contain, and significantly reduce the impacts of the onslaught of floods on one hand, and also the need to improve risk assessment, disaster mitigation and management practices on the other hand. We never seem to learn from past experiences.

     There should be a template with clear pathways for individuals and families to prepare for and manage such situations, with Dos and Don’ts guidelines to guide people. Such communications should continually be coordinated at the federal and state levels from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Environment, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Orientation Agency (NAO), and other relevant government agencies.

     Way Forward – Recommendations

    The Lagos State Example

    Over the years, Lagos State has consistently been proactive in mitigating threats and risks such as flood; in terms of enforcement of regulations on building plans, construction of drainages, culverts, and other waterways, sensitization of citizens and residents, etc. Other States and Local Governments also need to be proactive in this regard.

     Governor Bago’s Example on Resettlement in Niger State

    Moreover, I align with Governor Umaru Bago’s position that IDP (Internally Displaced People) Camps are not a proper relocation, rehabilitation, and re-integration strategy. Certainly, the dehumanizing condition of IDP camps and the way we abandon our people there as if they are accursed raises the question of how we are really our “brothers’ and sisters’ keepers” in Nigeria.

     Accordingly, I applaud the decision by Governor Bago, that the N1billion Naira he donated on behalf of Niger State Government will be given to the Mokwa flood victims so that they can get temporary shelter, while an alternative location will be given to them so that they can relocate from the waterway (where applicable).

     Also, Governor Bago, has already given instructions to the Niger State Ministry of Lands and Survey to issue for certificates of Occupancy (C of O) to the Federal Government to facilitate the immediate construction of the resettlement homes for the flood victims.

     Additionally, he intends to work with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement of relief materials, money, and the rehabilitation process.

     The above-mentioned examples set by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago demonstrate his pragmatism and other excellent leadership qualities. I therefore urge other Governors to emulate such sterling leadership style, as those also consistently exemplified by Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State.

    Key recommendations/ points to note on Action Planning

    •Leaving citizens and residents to the elements and just telling them to do their parts is not good enough! The cost of living crisis and insecurity also give fewer options for citizens and residents who could barely feed, talkless of have money for relocation and logistics. Therefore, support for logistics should be provided early (before the disaster) to the vulnerable citizens to enable them to move in time to mitigate impacts.

    •I urge citizens and residents of Nigeria to align and support all government initiatives that have to do with disaster management, especially the early warning and mitigation action plans at the federal, state, and local government levels.

    •Inter-States collaboration amongst the States that are along the flood pathway to ensure synergy in managing the crises/disasters is crucial. Because this issue has to do with the security, safety, and economy of these States. The floods have the capacity to ground the supply chain and economy of the entire Country.

    •Erosion control and valley settlements management.

    •Protection of green belts and creating new ones by the ministries at the state and federal levels.

    •Interagency collaboration, policy coordination, infrastructure protection strategies, data management, security coordination, risk advisory, and strategic alliances in the management of disasters are critical.

    •Creation of “Buffer Dams” can take overflowing water from major dams, which can also create irrigation platforms for all-year-round farming, dam-silting dams clearing tributaries

    •Continuous environmental impact assessments and acting on issues that are flagged.

    •Transparency and accountability for sharing palliatives and interventions.

     The crux of my intervention in this memorandum is that without a robust, actionable, scalable, and measurable mitigation action plan, processes, and system, the perennial climate-driven disasters and other crises will continue to overwhelm us with increasingly brutal and devastating socio-economic consequences, especially on children, women, and the youth.

  • The plastic problem: Moving from pollution to progress

    The plastic problem: Moving from pollution to progress

    Sir: For more than half a century, June 5th has marked World Environment Day (WED). This initiative by the United Nations, in collaboration with key stakeholders, aims at spotlighting critical environmental challenges across the globe. From desertification in Africa to melting ice in the Arctic, each year’s observance draws attention to a pressing issue that affects our existence and interaction with the environment, and the planet at large.

    In recent years, one of the most persistent threats to the environment has been plastic pollution. The 2025 theme titled, ‘Putting an End to Plastic Pollution,’ furthers the conversation to the 2023 edition that focused squarely on this crisis, under the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution,’ calling for a global end to plastic waste by 2040—a target as ambitious as it is urgent. The emphasis on this plastic issue, therefore, underscores the importance.

    According to Our World in Data, global plastic production has surged from just 2 million tonnes in the 1950s to over 450 million tonnes by 2019—more than doubling in the last two decades alone. These figures are alarming, not just for their magnitude, but because of what plastic waste does after we discard it. Non-biodegradable by nature, plastic waste infiltrates our oceans, clogs our drains, poisons our soil, and harms both human and animal health.

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    For countries like Nigeria, where waste management remains largely aspirational, the challenge is even more acute. The World Bank estimates that Nigeria generates about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with up to 70% of it mismanaged. This places us among Africa’s top plastic polluters.

    In 2024, the Lagos State government, Nigeria’s commercial capital, announced a phased ban on single-use plastics, with full implementation slated for July 1, 2025. The ban excludes PET bottles, water sachets, and plastic bags thicker than 40 microns. While this is a commendable step, it raises an uncomfortable question: Can we truly beat plastic pollution with bans alone?

    Skeptics are right to worry. Nigeria has a chequered history with policy enforcement. Past attempts at banning certain materials or behaviours have often faltered due to poor planning, weak public engagement, lack of viable alternatives, and inconsistent enforcement. The truth is, a well-meaning ban without an ecosystem to support it will not work. Real change demands more: widespread public education, investment in recycling infrastructure, partnerships with private waste collectors, and stronger civic engagement.

    Take, for instance, the recent viral controversy about Lagos “smelling.” Instead of engaging in blame games, both the government and citizens should have used that moment for serious self- reflection. If our environment reeks, it’s because our systems are broken—and fixing them requires all hands on deck.

    As we mark the 53rd World Environment Day, we must remember that the burden of environmental responsibility does not rest with the government alone. It rests with all of us. If we truly wish to see clean cities, healthy oceans, and sustainable communities, we must act in concert—citizens, corporations, and country.

    Only then can Nigeria move from pollution to progress.

    •Oluwatosin Oshagbemi tosinoshagbemi@gmail.com

  • Obasanjo, Jonathan, Alban, others for CGIAR science week

    Obasanjo, Jonathan, Alban, others for CGIAR science week

    The United Nations and CGIAR have held a significant conference at the UN headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, themed “Science Week” from April 8 to 12, 2025. 

    This event brought together leading scientists, decision-makers, and prominent figures from around the globe, including the former president of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. 

    The conference aimed to address urgent global challenges in agriculture, climate, and health, fostering collaboration and innovation to secure sustainable food systems.

    The gathering was particularly timely, as the world faces unprecedented challenges in food security and environmental sustainability. With the global population projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, the demand for food is expected to increase significantly. 

    The Science Week conference serves as a platform for experts to share research findings, best practices, and technological advancements that can lead to more efficient food production systems.

    Among the distinguished attendees was Dr. Emem Alban, a renowned crop scientist and agribusiness entrepreneur. She has consistently demonstrated her commitment to advancing agricultural practices and enhancing food security through innovative research and sustainable methods. 

    Dr. Alban has been involved in various projects that focus on developing resilient crop varieties, improving soil health, and promoting sustainable farming practices that empower local communities.

    Her participation in the Science Week provided her with a unique opportunity to connect with other experts and organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the World Food Programme, facilitating valuable exchanges of ideas and potential partnerships. These interactions are crucial for fostering collaborative research efforts and mobilizing resources to tackle pressing agricultural challenges.

    Participants at the conference explored innovative financing models, public-private partnerships, and policy frameworks that can support the transition to sustainable agriculture. The dialogue also focused on the role of technology, such as precision agriculture and biotechnology, in increasing crop yields and reducing waste.

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    Dr. Alban’s involvement in these discussions not only reflects her expertise but also her dedication to making a lasting impact in the agribusiness sector. 

    She actively engaged in panels and workshops, sharing insights from her own research and experiences. As a delegate, she is poised to leverage the insights gained from this event to further her initiatives, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.

    In conclusion, the Science Week conference at the UN headquarters in Nairobi represented a significant step forward in addressing global challenges in agriculture, climate, and health. 

    The collaboration between the United Nations, CGIAR, and various stakeholders highlights the importance of science and innovation in creating sustainable food systems. As leaders like Dr. Alban continue to champion these efforts, the potential for transformative change in the agribusiness sector remains strong, paving the way for a more food-secure and environmentally sustainable future.