Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has named overgrazing, drought, excessive logging activities and poor management of upstream water development scheme as major threats to the continued existence of Hadejia Nguru Wetlands (HNW).
The Director-General of the NCF, Dr Muhtari Aminu-Kano issued the statement in Lagos last week while warning that the HNW spanning Jigawa and Yobe States could be totally lost if the Federal Government fail to tackle the challenges.
“These wetlands, made up of floodplain wetland comprising permanent water bodies and seasonally flooded areas,” the statement revealed.
Aminu-Kano pointed oit further that the HNW is of international significance to Palaearctic and Afro tropical migratory water birds, with 423,166 individual birds from 68 species.
Bird populations in the wetlands usually fluctuate at each seasonal counts and has attracted a lot of fanciers to the country. In 1989, Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh visited Borno State in his capacity as President of the Worldwide Fund for Nature.
“He toured Dogana Village of Bade Local Government (now in Yobe State), where birds come from Europe to roost. This was the first time the HNW would receive international recognition. The area is now known as Waterfowl Sanctuary, a wetland sector of the Chad Basin National Park,” the NCF statement revealed.
“The area around the HNW is of immense interest to bird-watchers particularly those seeking out endangered species. In 2000, the Marma Channel/Nguru Lake Complex of the wetland was designated a RAMSAR SITE, a first of its kind in Nigeria.”
Giving other value of the wetland, the firm said the HNW had long been known as a centre of fish production.
“The economic value of fish production from the flood plains adds weight to the argument in favour of maintaining the annual flooding of the wetlands. Moreover, the significance of fishing goes beyond its value in monetary terms. Fishing plays an important role in the flexibility and adaptability of the rural economy in the flood plains,” it stated.
The foundation also noted that a reduction in the flexibility through degradation of the fishery resource could have serious repercussions on the ability of communities to adapt to fluctuations in their environment.
“Many people are involved in the fisheries and so the social consequences of any appreciable reduction in productivity will be felt throughout the area,” Aminu-Kano said.
The management of Nigeria’s National Park Service (NPS) has reorganised some of its topmost workforce.
Conservator-General of the country, Ibrahim Goni explained that the reorganizing has become necessary on order to add value to the service in the seven national parks in the country. He said that the exercise would reposition the parks to drive home inclusive administration and make its men work towards attracting both foreign tourists and Nigerians for patronage.
Under the new arrangement, Dr. Agboola Okeyoyin is takes charge of Fiscal Planning, Procurement and Accounts Units, while Assist. Conservator-General, Yakubu Kolo will oversee Planning Research and ICT and Works and Maintenance.
Conservator of Okomu National Park, Ahmed Abdullahi has been moved to headquarters as Head of Park Co-ordination Division while Conservator of Old Oyo National Park, O. C Oladipo will head Research and Scientific Services Division.
Also, the Conservator of Park, Hamman Amos Dunganari from Old Oyo National Park has been moved to Abuja as Head of Ecology Division, and Gabriel Agba from Gashaka Gumti National Park will now be at the headquarters as Head of ICT, while Emmanuel K. Bebiem becomes the new Head of Conservation Education and Outreach Division.
Similarly, Ntui Joseph Assam is now Head of Planning and Statistic Division, while Conservator of Park, (Dr) Abdulrahaman Mohammed is the Head of Veterinary Services Division of the Headquarters.
Okea Ugochukwu Micheal heads Appointment, Promotion and Discipline, while Park Warden, Shehu Abdullahi from Kamuku National Park will oversee Staff Welfare and Training. Omole Martins takes over finance and budget while Chief Park Warden; Aisha Yusuf Abbas becomes Acting Head of Accounts Division of the Unit.
Chief Park Warden, Kolo Babagimba Jonathan moves to procurement duties, while Chief Park Inspector, Okoronkwo Oyinyechi Peace will now cover duties of head of Fiscal Planning.
Also redeployed are: Conservator of Kainji Lake National Park, Mohammed A Kabir to Gashaka Gumti National Park to replace Conservator of the Park, Yohanna Saidu who retired recently.
Deputy Conservator of Park, Oladosu Jimoh Bolanle from Old Oyo National Park to replace CP, M A Kabir at Kainji Lake National Park as Officer in Charge of the Park.
Conservator of Kamuku National Park, Henry Ndoma is now at Old Oyo National Park to take over from O C Oladipo who has been drafted to Abuja as Head of Research and Scientific Services Division.
Obekpa Augustine Okenyi from Cross River National Park replaces Conservator of Park, Henry Ndoma at Kamuku National Park as Officer in Charge of the Park.
Deputy Conservator of Park, Adeniyi Tesleem Kareem of Cross River National Park will replace Conservator of Okomu National Park, Ahmed Abdullahi as the Officer in Charge of the Park.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have expressed its determination to fight against plastic pollution in the ocean, as 10 leaders from the region adopted a joint declaration during the 34th Asean summit in Bangkok.
Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand –all ASEAN members — along with China throw the most plastic waste into oceans, according to a 2015 report co-authored by environmental campaigner Ocean Conservancy.
Other signatories are Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of Singapore and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
The countries made the declaration to emphasize the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, particularly the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint 2025 on Conservation and Sustainable Management of Biodiversity and Natural Resources which reaffirmed the commitment of strategic measures to “promote cooperation for the protection, restoration and sustainable use of coastal and marine environment, respond and deal with the risk of pollution and threats to marine ecosystem and coastal environment, in particular in respect of ecologically sensitive areas,” the declaration document revealed.
“All countries…value and emphasize environmental protection and support Thailand in including the agenda on safeguarding of the environment and combating marine debris, which matches a global agenda,” deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak told reporters on Saturday.
The declaration was commended by environmentalists as a good first step for the region, though doubts remained that implementation will be a challenge because the group has a code of non-interference that would leave necessary policymaking in the hands of individual member countries.
Earlier, ASEAN Ministers responsible for CITES and Wildlife Enforcement had vowed to increase their efforts in combatting illegal wildlife trade in the region at their meeting held from 21-22 March 2019 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
At the meeting chaired by General Surasak Karnjanarat, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Kingdom of Thailand, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal.15 Targets 15.7, to “take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products”.
Abu Dhabi has initiated an ecotourism drive to encourage private-sector investment in undeveloped parts of the emirate – particularly its islands and the Mirfa coastal region.
The move is part of the Ghadan 21 programme, announced by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, in 2018. Ghadan 21, which means Tomorrow, is an initiative intended to boost the private sector and prepare Abu Dhabi for a post-oil economy.
The scheme which was underlined at an event on Tuesday formally began in January, with yesterday’s event designed to take place six months into the three-year programme, with the overarching aim of reducing the economy’s reliance on fossil fuels.
“We have a very clear vision to diversify the economy away from oil,” said Rashed Al Blooshi, undersecretary at Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.
“As a result we have put very clear steps in place to shift the economy. We have huge potential to do so, and to proceed with that we have come up with these initiatives, with the close cooperation of the private sector.”
The open data programme will enable potential investors and other parties to ask Abu Dhabi Data Authority for information held by the government, which will help them make informed decisions. The move is designed to create an “open data culture”.
A non-governmental organization, Wise Administration of Terrestrial Environment (WATER) has organised an “institutional capacity building workshop to check the massive degrading of rainforest in Cross River state.
The event funded by the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) through the Kenyan based Mainyoito Pastoralist Integrated Development Organisation (MPIDO), was meant to x-ray the participation of communities in REDD+ (Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) and to seek ways of improve the processes leading to meaningful participation in forest preservation.
WATER Programme Coordinator, Chief Edwin Ogar said the capacity training programme with participants drawn from different communities and organisations in the state, was aimed at identifying the gaps in terms of government, Private sector and NGOs working together with communities. The programme , he stressed was also meant to identify ways to improve the collaboration as forest communities in the state are still far from what is obtainable elsewhere in the world in terms of participation by local communities in development and forest management.
Ogar said only one community is doing something unique to protect her forest with support from outside while the rest of the communities are lagging far behind.
According to him, unknown timber merchants for some time are entering the forests in Boki and Akamkpa axis and tearing away the Afi River Forest Reserve (ARFR) in Abo Ogbagante village which is an important corridor linking the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary to the Mbe Mountains and the Okwango Division of Cross River National Park.
The capacity training programme, he said is basically is to enable the participants identify those gaps and proffer solutions so that we send those information for WATER partners to use as a tool to ensure that things are done properly here in Nigeria” in terms of forest protection.
Delivering a lecture at the training programme, the Engagement and management Specialist for Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) in Cross River state, Mr. Tony Attah said REDD+ is disturbed with the alarming rate of deforestation following the introduction of forest moratorium in the state.
He stressed that over 140,000 hectares of forest were lost between 2007 and 2014, hence REDD+ readiness to sign in the state and stakeholders strategy developed to safeguard the forest level emission and measurement reporting for verification with over $800,000 put into it.
As a follow up, Attah stated that over $300,000 will be released by REDD+ to develop an investment plan by ensuring that there is effective participation in forest protection and development of community based projects between now and 2020.
A civil society organisation, the Social Development Integrated Centre (Social Action) has expressed its reservation about contractors and the quality work by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for the clean-up of the polluted Ogoni environment in Rivers State. The group specifically questioned the identity of the 21 companies that were given contracts for the clean up by HYPREP.
Social Action expressed its concerns in a letter addressed to the HYPREP Coordinator, Dr. Mavin Dekil, requesting to see the list of the contractors, with their lots, job types and specifications.
The letter which invokes the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, also requested for details on the emergency measures, including livelihood projects so far provided by HYPREP for the Ogoni clean-up project in line with the 2011 UNEP Report.
“Permit us therefore Sir, to please request, in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act of 2001, that you kindly avail us with the following information on and around the clean-up/ remediation processes in Ogoni,” the letter dated June 10, 2019 and signed by the Social Action’s Head, National Advocacy Centre, Vivian Belonwu-Okafor, requested.
“Ogoni Clean-up implementation framework (timetable) showing activities’ schedule (inception to date, and in-view). List of the 21 companies so far awarded the Ogoni clean-up contract jobs, indicating their lots, job types, specifications, etc.
“Details on the emergency measures (including the livelihood projects) so far done towards the clean-up, so far provided by HYPREP in line with the 2001 UNEP Report.
“The requested information would provide us better clarity and insight into the activities of your body and strengthen is further as a CSO (Civil Society Organization) working with communities towards both the desired outcomes of your work (clean-up exercise) and the well-being of communities and it’s inhabitants.”
Also speaking with newsmen on Monday in Port Harcourt, Bellonwu, said the group would go to Court if HYPREP does not respond to its requests within the stipulated time.
She said while the government’s intention in establishing HYPREP could be noble, a number of the steps and activities around the report implementation have not helped to shore up citizens’ confidence in the process.
Belonwu-Okafor also expressed serious concern over the slow pace of implementation of the clean-up process. She added during the discussion that that steps taken by HYPREP were not encouraging, insisting that the organisation must include all stakeholders in the activities to ensure transparency and accountability.
She pointed out that despite attempts by governments to clean-up, and indeed, remediate the polluted Ogoni environment in line with the UNEP report recommendations, the HYPREP leadership appears to be sabotaging the efforts of governments and betraying the confidence of the people of Ogoni.
Many of the plants found in literatures since the 1700’s are no longer in existence. At least 517 of these plants have been confirmed extinct.
The mass wiping off existence, which began somewhere in the mid eighteenth century, was revealed in the first comprehensive attempt to chart worldwide plant extinctions by a team of scientists at Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.
Loss of habitat due to human activities such as use for farmland has been blamed as the leading cause of the mass extinction.
Before the revelation, it was widely believed among botanists that less than 150 species had gone extinct based on the Red List of Threatened Species. The plant analysis found Hawaii had the most recorded extinctions (79), followed by the Cape provinces of South Africa (37), with Australia, Brazil, India and Madagascar also among the top regions. However, there may well have been as many extinctions in places that have been less well studied.
The research team thinks 571 may even be lower than the actual number of lost plant species. “It is way more than we knew and way more than should have gone extinct,” said Dr Maria Vorontsova, from Kew. “It is frightening not just because of the 571 number but because I think that is a gross underestimate.”
The outlook is grim as the hope of rediscovering these lost plant is very dim. “Only a handful of the 571 lost plants are ever likely to be rediscovered, because the database includes previous rediscoveries and most of the lost species have been extinct a long time, said Aelys Humphreys also from Kew.
Species destroyed include the Chile sandalwood (Santalum fernandezianum) which was only found on one group of Pacific islands, and the St Helena olive tree (Nesiota elliptica), which only lived on the island it is named after.
Vultures are not just birds. They are active players in the seamless flow of the cycle of life. They are the unpaid cleaners of bio-debris who diligently perform their natural task of preventing diseases from spreading through dead animal. If there were no vultures, humans would constantly be plagued with outbreaks of diseases which may potentially emanated from decomposing carcasses. And if humans were to pay for the services of the vulture, the bills would be in billions. Yet, the vultures are under severe threat. Currently in Nigeria and some other parts of Africa, vultures are killed in volts daily and this must stop.
Vulture population is nearing total collapse. From the millions of individual birds a little over a decade ago, the population has dropped to a few hundreds. There are about 30 vulture species throughout the world. Eleven of these species are found in Africa while six are native to Nigeria. Of the 11 in Africa, eight are threatened while five of the six species in Nigeria are on the brink of extinction. Whether we realize it or not there is a state of emergency in this regard. These birds who have, by their mere act of feeding saved the government huge sums of money by preventing outbreak of diseases such as botulism and anthrax are now ending up as mere game, in traditional medicine markets, in constant conflicts with man over habitat and just dead from accidental poisoning.
Naturally, vultures shouldn’t be in this acute situation. According to many traditional folklores, vulture are sacred birds or messengers of the gods helping to take sacrifices to the heavens. For example, the Yorubas of West Africa have it in their oral poetry and incantations that “…akìí pa igún, akìí jẹ́ igún, akìí fi ẹyẹ igún bọ orí”. Meaning “…we don’t kill the vulture, we don’t eat the vulture and we don’t use the vulture for sacrifice. It is like that in many other cultures even beyond Africa. Sadly, Ibadan and Ikare are among the three hubs of vulture sales in Nigeria, joined by Kano, according to a 2017 survey by NCF. The same features that make the popular raptors sacred and protected seem to be working against them in other climes. There are many reports of vulture parts seen in voodoo markets and in possession of traditional healers and sorcerers. Recently a vulture and its owner was “arrested” by police in Maiha, Adamawa state over beliefs that it was associated with ill-luck. The woman who held the vulture captive on the other hand, claimed that it was for protection of her husband who was in jail. Thankfully, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation stepped in to make sure that the vulture is not returned to its tormentor.
Apart from belief related killings vultures are declining in numbers through mass poisoning. It has been found out that residues of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac (sold under several trade names) for the treatment of pains in cattle is one of the leading causes of mass poisoning of vultures. In a bid to prevent sick cows from dying for example, herdsmen usually use this drugs to treat their animals during the long nomadic grazing movements. If the animal eventually dies, and the scavengers feed on it, they die en masse. Also, vultures are common sights in abattoirs. When vultures feed on diclofenac-tainted leftovers from the slaughterhouse, it is usually their last meal. To prevent unintentional mass killings like this, a thorough orientation must given to all in the meat production value chain. Diclofenac, originally developed for human use only, is cheap and very effective for cattle farmers, so the knee-jerk solution of banning the drug may be hard to implement. Rather finding a safe substitute and ensuring it is adopted swiftly by cattle farmers is a viable option.
A multidisciplinary team of expert must work together to end this killings before the consequences become obvious. The Agricultural Extension apparatus of the nation must be called upon to meet this challenge. Animal science associations, cattle rearers associations, the National Orientation agency, Center for Disease Control, and the Environment ministry must join hands with NGOs such as NCF, Birdlife International, A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) among others that have taken it upon themselves to preserve and be the voice of these voiceless birds.
A verification of what ailments vulture parts are believed to cure should also be made and empirical proofs that vulture parts does nothing to treat such disease should be presented. Religion leaders need to assure their followers that the vulture is another unique creature in the universe just like any other and that they are not demons or evil spirits. This way, the public health epidemic waiting to happen if vultures go extinct would be prevented. The government also needs to set up an apparatus that sees to resolving conflicts between wildlife and humans.
There is an ongoing campaign to save the vultures. Everyone has a role to play. Learn facts about the vultures to day and tell it to others. You never can tell, one who needs to know may just be in your network.
The United Nations has revealed the that nine out of 10 people worldwide are exposed to air pollutants above the WHO air quality guidelines leading to severely reduced life expectancy.
It was also revealed that Air pollution kills 7 million people every year, hinders child development, damages economies and contributes to the global climate emergency. The negatives effects of air pollution was revealed by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres in his World Environmental Day message on Wednesday.
The World Environment Day is a day set aside by the UN to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the protection of the environment. It is celebrated on 5th of June in over 100 countries.
Air pollution kills 7 million people every year, hurts child development, damages economies and contributes to the global climate emergency.
Deputy Secretary-General of UN supports fuel free safari to #BeatAirPollution
There is no planet B That's why the 10 plastic items most often found on European beaches will be banned by 2021, and by 2030 all non-recyclable plastic packaging. On #WorldEnvironmentDay learn more about what the EU does to transition to a green society→ https://t.co/SVS48vNba8pic.twitter.com/J8YmINUd05
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) June 5, 2019
10 most common plastic items found on European beaches to be banned by 2021
Ways you can make a contribution to clean air. 1. Use reusable shopping bags 2. Plant a vegetable garden or trees 3. Conserve energy by turning off lights 4. Walk, cycle, or carpool 5. Pick up trash and recycle 6. Support green business and shop local#WorldEnvironmentDaypic.twitter.com/n9SgA1v4nB
— GIBS Entrepreneurship Development Academy (@GIBSAcademy) June 5, 2019
The ban on the importation of high-sulphur fuel into the country is still lacking enforcement @FMEnvng. Nigerians will breathe safer and cleaner air if the government gets rid of dirty fuel. We cannot #BeatAirPollution alone, relevant laws and policies need to be enforced. pic.twitter.com/80toEvtDFl
The Federal Government of Nigeria says it has commenced remediation exercise in 16 sites affected by oil pollution, across the four local government areas in Ogoniland. The immediate past minister of environment, Suleiman Hassan Zarma, made the announcement on behalf of the Federal Government in Abuja during his valedictory press briefing and presentation of the ministry’s four-year achievement.
In 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the clean up of Ogoniland as recommended by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), resulting in the set up of a new Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
According to Zarma, that federal government handed over the clean-up of additional five sites to contractors approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) last month.
Sulaiman Hassan Zarma
He said that federal government started sensitisation and engagement of communities and stakeholders in all the local government areas since 2016 and that over 21,000 patients were treated through community health outreaches.
“Scooping/delineating of phase 1 remediation sites are ongoing while procurement for phase II remediation have fully commenced,” he noted.
While stating that water facility inventory, sampling and surveys were ongoing in partnership with RSG, he pointed out that the process of rehabilitation of existing water facilities has commenced in Ogoni land.
He described the flag-off of the Ogoniland clean-up exercise as unprecedented feat that heralds President Buhari’s determination to restore and maintain the ecosystem, ecological process and preserve biodiversity in Nigeria.
Zarma hinted that NESREA has issued about 804 air quality, waste and toxic substances permit as well as 14 eco-guard certificate to various industries and facilities. He disclosed that the agency developed one additional regulation on healthcare waste control which has been transmitted to the Federal Ministry of Justice and gazetted as a national environmental regulation. The minister disclosed that PMB – led administration under the ‘Change’ mantra has recorded significant progress in securing a quality and conducive environment by promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, likewise in the development of programmes that affect the environment.
He stated that Nigeria was championing the fight against illegal wildlife trade in the West African region, a situation that led to the development of a West African Strategy on Combating Wildlife Crimes (WASCWC). According to Zarma, this would be presented at the Conference of Parties (COP) 18 of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Flora and Fauna (CITES).
Zarma added that the ministry has developed National Forest Investment Programme (NFIP), expected to run from 2019 to 2023, adding that CITES has consistently served as key revenue earner for government. On the activities of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), he emphasised that about 10 indigenous tree species were planted on 834.6 hectares of land in 2018 through the National Afforestation Project (NAP). He pointed out that the institute has commenced research into biotechnological approach to mass production and multiplication of endangered and economic tree plant.
He revealed that the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has embarked on routine review and activation of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP), Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan (ROSCP) and Facility’s Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP). He said that NOSDRA’s laboratories were currently renovated for effective regulation and certification of polluted sites.
The minister informed the gathering that the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) had produced 4,145,070m assorted forest and fruit tree seedlings for various afforestation, land rehabilitation and restoration projects in the front line states. Great Green Wall is an African Union Initiative covering 11 frontline states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauch, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi, with focus on afforestation and land restoration.
While stating that NAGGW established 389.96km shelterbelt and 293ha community woodlots, he said it developed a robust framework for the promotion of alternative livelihoods in the frontline states, expected to serve as incentive for community ownership of afforested land. He disclosed that Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) supported the development of a framework for adoption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as low carbon alternative to firewood and kerosene. This was aimed at reducing environmental pollution from use of kerosene, likewise to curtail felling of trees used as firewood, noting that NEWMAP started with six participating states at inception and has extended to 21 participating states, Zarma said.
The NEWMAP is a World Bank-assisted project aimed at addressing gully erosion crisis in the south-east and land degradation in the north.
Also speaking at the event, the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, commended Zarma for securing notable accomplishments in climate change issues, including improved access to Global Environmental Facility (GEF), the issuance of Sovereign Green Bond and among others.
She stated that the minister also initiated various environmental policies and programmes targeted at addressing environmental pollution, land degradation, biodiversity and efficient framework for the effective management of the environment. Odusote commended Zarma for addressing various ecological challenges facing different parts of the nation as well as his commitment towards ensuring the establishment of shelterbelts across the country to protect desert encroachment and desertification.
