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Africa Climate Summit Built On False Solutions, Friends Of Earth Africa Alleges

Published

2 years ago

August 23, 2023

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Environmental activists mostly drawn from Africa have raised the alarm that the the forthcoming Africa Climate Submit/Week is nothing but an event built on false solutions rather than a real solution.

They further argued that the event, disguised to offer solutions to the many climate issues in Africa, is a false, and never a solution to climate issues such as mining, etc, which, according to them, are caused by “the greed of filthy lucre by both African governments and their former colonial masters.”

The environmental activists and civil society members who took this position via a Webinar on Tuesday, were drawn from South Africa, DRC Congo Zimbabwe, Nigeria etc.

Speaking, Ubrei-Joe Maimoni, Coordinator, Climate Justice and Energy Program Coordinator for Friends of the Earth Africa, described as sad that state of climate justice in Africa.

Maimoni, who doubles as Program Manager, Environmental Rights Action Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), lamented that even after 67 years of oil exploration in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, people in the region are still living in a polluted environment and complete darkness.

“Friends of the Earth Africa believes that a Just Recovery Renewable Energy Plan for Africa built on environmental, social, gender and economic justice is urgently needed to address all the impacts of the multiple interrelated crises across the continent, which are being compounded by the neo-liberal doctrine,” he added.

He noted that while the crisis created by the climate and COVID-19 still lingers, Africans have seen how the invasion of Ukraine by Russia is mounting pressure on the African continent to help bridge the gap of the energy cut from Russia to other parts of Africa.

While calling on the global North not to let Africa burn, Maimoni said it’s obvious that Africa has witnessed the worst cases of climate disasters – such as cyclone, flooding, drought and sesertification among others.

He emphasized the need for Africa to move away from harmful fossil fuels towards a transformed energy system that is clean, renewable, democratic and actually serves its people.

He further emphasised the need for African leaders to recognise socially owned and controlled renewable energy as a right, and also to ensure that it is prioritised in policy agenda and fiscal budgets, warning that energy should not be developed solely for profit but to ensure dignity.

He also called on African governments to work with all people and remove all obstacles that may retard progress and/or detract from attaining this goal.

In her remarks, Energy Program Coordinator/Friends of the Earth International Climate Justice, Tyler Booth, identified some of the false solutions as the calls for a carbon market; driving Renewable Energy growth for global needs rather than for African needs, and the commodification of nature through the planned Blue economy ideas.

She argued that Africa doesn’t need carbon markets but rather needs real climate finance.

She added that carbon markets are dangerous distractions and do not offer a financial solution capable of reaching the grassroots communities that are already feeling the impacts.

According to her, the most anticipated Blue Economy is a commodification of nature while the promotion of liveable cities is focused on African cities to the detriment of Africa’s rural areas.

‘…data from the World Bank estimates 58% of the total population lives in rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa; In Africa, over 400 million people live in rural areas ” she quoted, adding that transforming Africa’s food systems needs is to ensure it is towards food sovereignty and agroecology,” she added.

In her presentation, titled “How Just is the Transition in Africa?”, a supporter of the Don’t Gas Africa, and Africa Movement of Movements, Lorraine Chiponda from Zimbabwe, stated that Africa with over a billion people and 55 countries is home to diverse economies, resources, ecosystems and cultures.

Chiponda lamented that decades after independence, African countries continue to face famine, energy poverty, regional conflict, patriarchal oppression, economic insecurity, & debt crises that are increasingly compounded by climate change, systemic and structural as well as financial and trade systems development, climate and energy justice.

She said what an African transition can look like is to have decolonized systems; decentralised systems;
Champion people’s alternative circular economies and ensure food and water sovereignty; monetary and energy sovereignty as well as breaking free from development traps and false solutions.

Others who spoke at the Webinar lamented the dire effect of mining on Africa which included human rights abuses, land grabbing, environmental degradation, gender oppression as well as the inherent health challenges which continue on a daily basis.

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‘Nigeria Proud Way Tinubu Was Buried’ – Akpabio Goofs

Published

3 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday goofed while commending President Bola Tinubu over his role in the burial of his predecessor, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Akpabio said Nigeria is proud of the way “Tinubu was honored and buried.”

Buhari died in London on July 13 and was flown back to Daura, Katsina State, where he was buried on July 15.

Upon arrival in Daura, Tinubu had led a federal government delegation to receive Buhari’s corpse at the airport. The president was present during the state burial accorded to Buhari.

Speaking, Akpabio said: “The whole country is very proud of what this administration has done in the way and manner President Bola Tinubu was honoured and was buried. President Buhari was honoured and buried rather.

“Distinguish Senator Ningi, you also observed that President Bola Tinubu will not be forgotten for what he did during the burial ceremony of Buhari.

“In the Senate, we are also determined to ensure that in our books, the records say he should also have this valedictory, despite all said and done.”

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NAFDAC Uncovers Warehouse Loaded With Explosive Chemicals In Kano

Published

4 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

A massive cache of industrial chemicals believed to be capable of producing explosives has been discovered and sealed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Kano State.

The facility, located in Kwakwachi within Fagge Local Government Area, reportedly housed 88,560 litres of hazardous substances—including highly concentrated sulphuric and nitric acids.

Speaking to journalists during an inspection of the site on Wednesday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described the discovery as deeply alarming.

Prof. Adeyeye was represented at the scene by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement.

According to Iluyomade, the warehouse was holding 60,000 litres of sulphuric acid (at 90.5% concentration) and 28,560 litres of nitric acid (at 68% concentration). Also discovered were 330 empty jerricans—evidence that some of the chemicals had already been distributed to unknown individuals.

“What we have seen here is mind-boggling, I don’t think I have ever seen this quantity of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid together in one place like this before,” Adeyeye said.

She explained that it was NAFDAC officials who, acting on a tip-off, traced the warehouse and found it operational. However, only a single staff member—the warehouse manager—was present at the time of the raid. He was immediately taken into custody.

NAFDAC said the person listed as the warehouse’s owner is not recognized as a licensed chemical marketer, which raises further red flags about the nature of the business being conducted.

“The owner is not listed as a chemical marketer. We keep a database to monitor the importation, use, and disposal of such chemicals. These acids are controlled chemicals that are not to be handled by just anybody,” she said.

Adeyeye stressed that importing this category of chemicals is a highly regulated process. It requires security clearance and permits, none of which were available in this case.

“Importing such chemicals requires clearance from the National Security Adviser and permits, none of which the owner possessed.”

“Permit and clearance is important because these chemicals are used to manufacture explosives.”

The volume of substances found in the warehouse, she noted, posed a grave threat to public safety.

“The volume we have here is enough to destroy the whole of Kano if mishandled,” she warned.

With the prime suspect still at large, NAFDAC said it has begun interrogating the arrested warehouse manager to uncover the chain of custody and determine the final destination of the chemicals.

Prof. Adeyeye further assured the public that the seized chemicals would be destroyed in accordance with environmental and safety regulations to prevent any misuse.

News

Nigerians Can Vote You Out In 2027 – Baba-Ahmed Warns Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

Former presidential aide, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has warned that Nigerians have the power to vote out President Bola Tinubu in 2027 if the election is free and fair.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed said the President should focus less on political calculations and more on governance, noting that the electorate will ultimately judge him based on his performance in office.

“The bottom line is that Nigerians are going to say, ‘What have you done with the first four years we gave you?’” he said. “Don’t take us for granted. We can vote you out if the election is free and fair. So show us what you’ve done.”

Baba-Ahmed, who resigned from his government appointment about three months ago, made the remarks while reacting to speculation about a plan to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027.

He criticised the President’s silence on the rumours, arguing that Tinubu should have personally addressed the issue if it were truly baseless.

“If all these stories about dropping the Vice President have absolutely no iota of truth, it would have taken just one thing: the President directly and personally saying, ‘Stop this nonsense. I have confidence in my Vice President. I work well with him. I am happy with him. And I want this nonsense about me dropping him, now or in the future, to stop,’” he said.

According to Baba-Ahmed, Tinubu’s failure to make such a declaration leaves room for suspicion. “His people didn’t say that. He didn’t say that. So, I would be very curious to find out what it is that makes all these stories about dropping him,” he added.

He concluded by stressing that leadership must be accountable and measurable. “It’s a governance thing that you will take to the electorate at the end. It doesn’t matter what you think you’ve done—all the defections to your party. Nigerians will decide.”