NEWS
Osun Holds Inter-Agency Workshop On Climate Change
As part of efforts to develop a Climate Action Plan, the Osun State Government organized a one-day inter-agency workshop for desk officers and focal persons from its Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MADs).
Biztellers reports that the workshop held on Tuesday, at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, at the Government Secretariat in Osogbo, was to enlighten them on their roles on climate action.
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It was put together by the Department of Climate Change and Renewable Energy of the ministry.
While declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon Mayowa Adejoorin noted that the workshop was important as it provides a platform for participants to upgrade their knowledge about climate change, its effect and how it affects the society.
He said, “As the world is going digital, so also the climate change is making a wave. All department in this place are supposed to be here, because if you understand what climate change is, you should know that it affects all our daily activities.
“I want to implore you to concentrate and learn what the expert will be telling you, not everyone of us had too much knowledge of climate change. I also learned through the process, when I resumed I only know climate change theoretically, I know what it means. By virtue of my profession, I know what climate change is but not its effect, it’s economic advantage.
“I want you to concentrate, listen to the experts, take notes, so that when you get to your various MDA you’d be able to educate them on why we need to promote Climate change according to the desire of this government, ably led by Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, he has really encouraged us to promote this climate change to any level we can, and he has been doing so many things to encourage this ministry and the host of this climate change agenda.”
On his part, the Consultant to the State Government on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Prof Chinwe Obuaku noted that Climate Change is an issue that affect all sectors stating it as the reason for having a Climate Change Desk Officer across Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state.
In her words, “The main objective for this is to train desk officers on their roles and responsibilities for our Climate Change Agenda.
“When we conceived the idea of this workshop, I made it known that it will be intellectually stimulating for every one of us and we’ll have to do a couple of tasks in-house. So this workshop is designed for us to understand our individual capacity gap and needs.
“What we are doing today is something that a lot of states in Nigeria haven’t done yet. Two weeks ago we were in Abuja to attend a GHG Data Analysis and Inventory Stakeholders Meeting and it turned out that Osun state is actually one of the state within the Southwest that is doing well in terms of Climate Action.
“Climate Change is an issue that affects all sector, you look at Methane, Nitrous oxide, CO2 and then you’ll begin to reflect on which of the sectors that generate most of the Green House Gas emissions.
“You also need to realize that human activities contributes about 80% to our Carbon footprint and then natural disasters contributes about 20% and when you look at the measures taken to curb human activities, that’s when you begin to mitigate and then when you look at natural activities, you begin to adapt to that.”
To address Nigeria’s ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year, the Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to secure a ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2 billion) loan.
The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary session, where a voice vote confirmed the approval following the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
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Chaired by Senator Wammako Magatarkada (APC, Sokoto North), the committee endorsed the loan request as a vital step in managing the country’s fiscal challenges.
Recall that President Tinubu had submitted the proposal earlier in the week, outlining the loan as a crucial component of his administration’s external borrowing strategy.
Details shortly…………..
Simon Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, has been arrested by Finnish authorities on allegations of inciting terrorist activities.
The Päijät-Häme District Court ordered his detention following an incident that reportedly occurred in Lahti on August 23, 2021.
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The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is also seeking the arrest of four other individuals in connection with the case. Officials say the charges involve public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the police said in a statement.
Details regarding the additional suspects or the specifics of the alleged crimes remain unclear as the investigation continues. Authorities have emphasized the sensitive nature of the case, stating that further information will be disclosed as the inquiry progresses.
This development marks a significant step in Finland’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure public safety.
International News
COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations
As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP29) nears its conclusion, tensions are rising over a newly published funding proposal aimed at assisting developing nations in addressing climate-induced crises.
The proposal, released by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Thursday, has sparked widespread debate among delegations, activists, and observers at the summit.
The document, spanning ten pages, outlines funding options to support developing countries in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
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However, it fails to specify how much wealthier nations are required to contribute annually—a key sticking point that has drawn criticism from the Global South and climate advocates.
Ambiguity in Funding Commitments
Critics argue that the absence of concrete figures undermines the credibility of the proposed framework.
Mohamed Adow, Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, described the proposal as “a blank piece of paper,” highlighting the lack of clarity on financial commitments.
“This is the ‘finance COP.’ We came here to talk about money. The way you measure money is with numbers. We need a cheque, but all we have right now is a blank piece of paper,” Adow remarked during an interview.
The Global South, led by African delegations, is demanding at least $1.3 trillion annually by the end of the decade to adapt to climate change impacts and transition to sustainable energy systems.
Yet, developed nations have yet to commit to a specific annual figure, raising concerns over the summit’s ability to deliver tangible outcomes.
Key Provisions and Concerns
The new text acknowledges the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations and the financial barriers they face, including high costs of capital and limited fiscal space.
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It proposes the establishment of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, suggesting a framework of “at least USD [X] trillion annually” from 2025 to 2035.
However, the absence of defined numbers has led to frustration among negotiators.
David Tong, Global Industry Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, emphasized the critical role of finance in achieving meaningful progress.
“Without finance, there is no phase-out [of fossil fuels], no energy transition, no adaptation. The ambitious options are simply missing,” Tong stated during a press briefing.
Rising Frustration from the Global South
Delegates from the Global South have expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as weak commitments from developed nations.
Many fear that without concrete financial pledges, the summit’s outcomes may fall short of expectations.
“This summit is about delivering justice to those who suffer most from climate impacts. Wealthy nations must step up and provide the necessary funding,” said an African negotiator, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A Critical Juncture
With less than 48 hours remaining in the summit, the stakes are high. The COP29 negotiations in Baku, dubbed the “finance COP,” are expected to set a precedent for addressing the financial needs of vulnerable nations.
Delegates are calling on world leaders to finalize an ambitious NCQG target and bridge the growing divide between developed and developing nations.
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