News

Oilwatch Frowns At Appointment Oil Chief As COP28 President, Wants His Removal

Published

3 years ago

January 14, 2023

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

A civil society organisation – Oilwatch International, has demanded for the cancellation of the appointment of head of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in United Arab Emirate, Sultan Al Jaber, as the president of the forthcoming Conference of Parties (COP28) billed to hold in United Arab Emirates.

Oilwatch added that having the head of an oil company as the president of any COP is a form of climate denial at a time when the world should make every effort to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

A statement by Oilwatch, a copy of which was made available to INFO DAILY by Kome Odhomor Media/Communication Officer, HOMEF, said the appointment of the oil chief who also serves as Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology for UAE as the COP president clearly shows the forthcoming COP28 is highly compromised.

“This appointment is a clear indication of climate change denial,” the statement added.

It continued: “The appointment of Sultan Al Jaber who serves as the minister of industry and advanced technology for UAE and also as the chief of the Abu Dhabi National oil Company (Adnoc), which is the world’s twelfth-largest oil company by production, is certain to lock in false and risky solutions in the UNFCCC process. The COP is meant to tackle global warming, not compound it.”

Reacting to the appointment, Nnimmo Bassey, member, Oilwatch International steering committee stated that “the last two COPs crawled with delegates from the fossil fuels sector and they have been responsible for blocking real climate action or derailing negotiations.

“Their heavy presence has led to the COP being unable to call for a fossil fuels phase out — even though it is the sensible thing to do. Now UAE spits in the face of flooded, drowning and other climate impacted nations by appointing the chief among polluters to preside over COP28. We call on the UAE to rescind this appointment.

“It is the time to kick polluters out of the COP, not a time to make them the chief directors of proceedings.

“If they maintain this appointment,
the COP would have earned its title as a Conference of Polluters,” Bassey added in the statement.

On her part, the coordinator of Oilwatch Africa, Salome Nduta stated: “The appointment of Abu Dhabi chief or that of anybody who has interest in oil will definitely gag genuine discussions on the protection of the environment.

“It is a deliberate attempt to reverse minimal gains made so far, oil companies who are the main polluters and violates of rights
should not be made to be the judge in a matter against it. Entrusting
one of their own is a blatant violation of rights and conflict of
interest”.

Also, in his reaction, Kentebe Ebiraidor, the coordinator of Oilwatch International stated: “It is amusing to have the chair of a multinational company play host for COP28. This has shown that the discussions would be centred on profit over people, and it is a clear indication that COP28 has been billed to fail before it begins.

“This is also a clear indication that the communities and the environment will suffer because the decisions that would come out its discussion which will in no way be meaningful nor in favour of the people. Oilwatch International asks that UAE retrace its decision by changing the president of the COP”.

News

BREAKING: Tinubu Nominates New Defence Minister

Published

1 hour ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, rtd, as the new Minister of Defence.

In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu disclosed Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday.

Musa served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria.

He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.

News

Edo Govt Bars Journalists From Covering Event In State House

Published

1 hour ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Journalists invited by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to cover the declaration of Edo as the official hosts of the 2026 NDDC Sports Festival were on Tuesday barred from covering the event inside the Government House in Benin City.

The journalists had sat at the venue of the event named Presidential Villa inside the Government House at around 11:00 a.m. for the official kick off of the event.

After waiting for over one hour in the Presidential Villa, information came that the venue for the event had been changed to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) office, prompting both the journalists, NDDC officials and other dignitaries to move from the Presidential Villa to the SSG office.

Not too long had both the journalists and other dignitaries seated at the conference hall of the SSG that one of the protocols of the governor popularly known as Pikolo arrived at the hall and announced that the government was informed that only 27 persons were invited for the programme, hence anyone whose name was not in the government list would not be allowed into to the programme when it commences.

A few minutes after Pikolo made the announcement, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Kehinde Osaigede stood up to announce that he had been sent a message that the venue had been changed to the initial venue (Presidential Villa).

Moving out of the SSG section of the Government House to the Presidential Villa, journalists came across the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, and when he saw them (journalists) he asked after exchanging pleasantries, “were you invited by the organisers? No, I will not allow you in, this is strictly for State House reporters. The governor is personally attending the programme, so it is strictly for the State House. Presidential Villa? No!”

Shortly after uttering the above words near the Deputy Governor’s section inside the Government House, Itua moved hurriedly to the Presidential Villa section and the gate was shot for screening of persons.

When journalists and others invited got to the gate of the Presidential Villa they were subjected to screening. While some dignitaries were screened in, some journalists and some staff members of the NDDC were shut out of the venue.

News

Otuaro Felicitates Tompolo On Honorary Doctorate Award

Published

17 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro has congratulated High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, on the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) by the E.K. Clark University.

Otuaro described the recognition as well-deserved and befitting, noting that Tompolo has, over the years, demonstrated uncommon commitment to the peace, progress, and stability of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

According to him, Tompolo’s role in sustaining peace in the region, particularly through his steadfast support for dialogue, community engagement, and nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution, has made a significant contribution to national security and economic stability.

He further noted that, beyond his contributions to peacebuilding, Tompolo has demonstrated extraordinary compassion, philanthropy, and devotion to humanitarian causes.

He added that his investments in youth empowerment stand as clear evidence of a man whose heart is truly with his people.

“Tompolo’s good heart, generosity, and love for humanity distinguish him as a leader of rare character,” Otuaro said.

The PAP Administrator commended E.K. Clark University for identifying and honouring a personality whose impact continues to resonate across the Niger Delta and beyond.

He urged other institutions to emulate such gestures that celebrate individuals advancing society through selfless service.

Dr Otuaro prayed for God’s continued guidance, long life, and strength for High Chief Ekpemupolo as he continues to serve the Niger Delta and Nigeria with dignity, wisdom, and compassion.