Protecting and rehabilitating Africa’s natural carbon sinks, such as forests, oceans, coastal mangroves, wetlands and grasslands can significantly aid in mitigating the effects of climate change.

This view was expressed by Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, Ejiro Gray, at the maiden edition of Asharami Square, Sahara Group’s initiative aimed at promoting sustainability through media advocacy.

According to Gray this developing intentional policies and investments on protecting the continent’s carbon sinks would enhance carbon sequestration and reduce net emissions.

She maintained that these natural landscapes act as significant carbon reservoirs, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, adding that developing reforestation and afforestation programs, implementing strict conservation policies, and providing financial incentives for conservation projects are critical for combating climate change in Africa.

Gray pointed out that Natural Gas Development and Commercialization, Increase Use of Renewables, investment in low-cost/low emissions clean energy solutions, Carbon Capture Storage/Carbon Capture and Reutilization are other factors that can help accelerate Africa’s march towards sustainability.

“Natural gas presents a viable opportunity to serve as a transition fuel as Africa continues to gradually invest in renewable energy. It is a relatively clean-burning fossil fuel, producing fewer CO₂ emissions compared to coal or petroleum. In 2021, Africa’s natural gas reserves totalled over 620 trillion cubic feet. By developing and monetizing these reserves through processing and eventual usage of CNG, LNG, LPG and other gas products, Africa can leverage its natural gas resources to support sustainable energy development,” Gray said.

On the role of the media in promoting sustainability, Head, Corporate Communications at Sahara Group, Bethel Obioma, said that Africa needed to articulate and promote a robust sustainability narrative that leaves no one behind in issues relating to climate change, energy access and energy transition, among others.

“To achieve this, Sahara Group hopes to make Asharami Square a formidable platform through advocacy and collaboration towards shoring up capacity and participation of all segments of the media to drive accuracy, clarity, impact, positive policy formulation, agenda-setting and collective action,” he said.

Obioma noted that Asharami Square would feature mentoring, training, exchange programs, facility tours for media practitioners and competitions to recognise and celebrate exceptional reporting of sustainability in the media.

The latest report from Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has revealed that the number of electricity users in the country saw a notable increase in Q3 2023.

According to the NBS Electricity Report for the first quarter of 2024, released in Abuja on Tuesday, the total number of electricity consumers surged by 210,000, reaching 12.33 million from 12.12 million in the final quarter of 2023.

This growth, representing a 1.78% increase, underscores a significant uptick in electricity usage across Nigeria.

The report further details that Distribution Companies (DISCOS) served a total customer base of 11.27 million during the first three months of 2024, marking a robust 9.47% expansion compared to the same period last year.

Moreover, the number of customers equipped with meters rose to 5.91 million, reflecting a 5.38% increase from the previous quarter. Year-on-year, this figure translates to an 11.26% rise from the first quarter of 2023.

Additionally, the report highlighted a notable increase in estimated electricity users, which reached 6.43 million in Q1 2024, indicating a 10.22% growth from Q4 2023’s figure of 5.83 million.

It said “On a year-on-year basis, the figure grew by 11.26 per cent from the 5.31 million reported in Q1 2023.

In the first quarter of 2024, Nigeria experienced a notable increase in estimated electricity users, reaching 6.43 million—a 10.22% rise from the 5.83 million users recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Comparing year-over-year figures, this marks a 7.88% increase from the 5.96 million users reported in the same period the previous year.

Despite this growth in user numbers, there was a slight dip in revenue for electricity distribution companies.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, these companies earned ₦291.62 billion in the first quarter of 2024, down from ₦294.95 billion in the preceding quarter of 2023.

However, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that despite the slight decrease in revenue from the fourth quarter of 2023, which was ₦291.62 billion in the first quarter of 2024 compared to ₦294.95 billion, there was a notable 17.91% increase from the ₦247.33 billion earned in the first quarter of 2023.

In terms of electricity supply, the report highlighted that the supply in the first quarter of 2024 was 5,769 GWh, down from 6,432 GWh in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Additionally, compared to the first quarter of 2023, which saw a supply of 5,851 GWh, there was a modest 1.41% decrease in supply in the first quarter of 2024.

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting the socio-economic development of Nigeria, especially in its areas of operations in the Niger Delta.

Director/Head of Corporate Relations, SPDC, Igo Weli, made the statement in Port Harcourt last Friday at a dinner to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Treasure FM, a member of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) network.

Weli said, “Our commitment stretches back to the 1950s, with a wide range of programmes supporting education, infrastructure, community electrification, and business empowerment.”

A key highlight of the anniversary dinner was the presentation of the FRCN Award for Consistent Media Partner to Shell companies in Nigeria.

Weli, who was represented by the Shell Spokesman, Michael Adande, said, “This award serves as a strong reminder that Shell’s dedication to the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta region remains a cornerstone of our presence in Nigeria.”

The award recognises Shell’s partnership with FRCN, particularly its support for the weekly live programme Canvas: Niger Delta Roundtable, which fosters crucial discussions on development issues impacting the region.

“While the award itself was unexpected, it reinforces the value of initiatives like Canvas,” Weli added. “This recognition motivates us to keep promoting development, not just in our operational areas but across the entire nation.”

Since 2017, Canvas: Niger Delta Roundtable has aired twice weekly on different radio stations in the Niger Delta with live online streaming. These broadcasts dedicate an hour to exploring topics relevant to the development of the region and its people.

The General Manager, FRCN Treasure FM Port Harcourt, Fred Onyeka Nwaulune, commended Shell’s partnership.

“Shell has been a reliable media partner, consistently educating the Niger Delta region on the importance of dialogue for development and peaceful solutions,” he said. “Their programme aligns perfectly with FRCN’s focus on sustainable development.”

He noted that through the dialogue radio programme, Shell had demonstrated a continued focus on driving progress and positive change in the Niger Delta and beyond.