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UN Urges Nigeria To Adopt Strong Climate Plan For Economic Growth

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The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, has called for the implementation of a robust national climate plan to drive Nigeria’s economic growth.

During his four-day visit to Nigeria, Stiell engaged with senior government officials, civil society representatives, and business leaders to discuss how climate action could contribute to the country’s development.

This was contained in a statement issued by the UNFCCC on Thursday.

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Stiell, who spoke at a symposium hosted by Nigeria’s National Council on Climate Change Secretariat at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos, stated that ambitious climate action could help secure not only environmental protection but also economic progress and improved living standards for Nigerians.

He underscored that bold climate action is essential to avoid the devastating effects of global warming while creating substantial human and economic benefits.

“A strong new national climate plan can be the gateway to a new Nigerian era of growth and prosperity, fueled by clean and affordable energy, available to all,” Stiell said.

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READ ALSO:Land Grabbing, Extractivism, And Climate Change [The Impacts On Communities]

He pointed out that investing in clean energy and sustainable agriculture would create jobs, attract foreign investments, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness on both regional and global scales.

The UN chief noted, “Clean energy can power up your population – providing clean access for countless millions.

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“Investing in green buildings, clean infrastructure, and domestic manufacturing can drive economic growth. Clean cooking can protect the health of families.”

With 90 percent of Nigeria’s workforce employed in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, Stiell explained that the ripple effects of green growth would be felt across all local communities.

He also referenced the global investment of USD $2trn in clean energy and infrastructure in 2024, stressing that countries that invest in their people and resources stand to benefit the most.

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Stiell noted that Nigeria has the opportunity to benefit from this global clean energy boom through investments in renewable energy, critical minerals, and domestic manufacturing.

READ ALSO: 2023 Hottest Year On Record – EU Climate Monitor

He also highlighted the potential for clean cooking solutions to improve public health and reduce pollution.

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The UN climate chief called for more international finance to support Nigeria’s climate ambitions, emphasizing that public and private funding must increase to help the country achieve its goals.

Stiell also drew attention to Nigeria’s vast mangrove forests, the largest in Africa and the third-largest globally. These ecosystems play a critical role in protecting communities from coastal erosion, storms, and rising sea levels, and their restoration could significantly enhance the country’s resilience to climate change.

Investing in nature-based solutions like mangrove restoration is not just an environmental necessity but an economic opportunity that can pay for itself many times over,” Stiell said.

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During his visit to Abuja, Stiell met with Nigerian parliamentarians and senior government officials to discuss how a national climate plan can contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

READ ALSO: UNICEF’s Climate Change Education Averting Future Dangers – School Teacher

The UN chief commended Nigeria’s efforts thus far in addressing climate change but emphasized that more work is needed to ensure the country’s climate policies translate into tangible benefits for its citizens.

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Stiell also engaged with civil society groups focused on climate change, women’s empowerment, and youth involvement. He reiterated that Nigeria remains committed to tackling climate change and that the UNFCCC will continue to support the country in its climate endeavors.

As Nigeria looks ahead, Stiell called for sustained collaboration to turn climate policies into actionable outcomes.

There is much work ahead, to ensure the people of Nigeria share in the monumental benefits of bold climate action. That’s why it’s so essential that people across Nigerian society have a chance to contribute to new national climate plans – to implement and benefit from them.

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“UN Climate Change will be working with all of you and all other nations – every step of the way,” he concluded.

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

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“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

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According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

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READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

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He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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