General
Buhari Seeks World Bank, AfDB Support for Africa’s Climate Initiative
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged multilateral agencies including the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB) and other partners to support the One Planet Summit initiative and activate the $19 billion pledge.
He said the pledge, meant for the activities of the Pan African Great Green Wall Agency (PAGGW), would be utilized for land restoration, tree planting, development of climate resilience infrastructure and investments in small and medium-sized farms.
The Nigerian president made the charge at a side event he convened at the ongoing UN Conference Of Parties, COP15 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
According to a statement from a presidential aide, Mr Garba Shehu, the meeting was President Buhari’s first assignment at the PAGGW Conference of Heads of State and Government following his election in December last year.
The meeting, which involved the 11 Sahel African states, discussed ways and means of accessing and utilizing $19 billion pledged by donors for the activities of the Pan African Great Green Wall Agency (PAGGW).
He also underscored the importance of recharging Lake Chad, now down to 10 per cent of its water volume.
In his capacity as the head of the Conference of Heads of State and Governments of the member states of the PAGGW, Mr Buhari said: ”The inter-basin transfer of water from Central Africa to Lake Chad should be taken seriously.”
He asked the secretariat of the agency, funders and the soon-to-be appointed consultant to carry out the measure as a way of restoring the socio-economy of the more than 30 million people of the Lake Chad basin area.
“As it is at the moment, the drying up of Lake Chad has destroyed fish farming, animal husbandry and crop agriculture, leading to social and economic dislocation with serious consequences for peace in the basin area.
”This has led to migration to Europe by many, creating problems for you over there. These should engage your attention as a committee,” he said.
At the select meeting, which included International/Development Partners, Mr Buhari said the $19 billion would also support smallholder farmers, and create an institutional framework to enhance security, stability and governance, and capacity building.
“All of you may wish to know that, in December 2021, I was elected to lead and drive the Agenda of the PAGGW bloc for the next two years.
“This bloc, which includes Nigeria, Senegal, Niger, Sudan, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Mali, Eritrea, Djibouti, Burkina Faso and Chad, is facing dire and present danger due to the devastating effect of desertification and drought which is impacting negatively on the security of our communities and the livelihood of our people.
”There is, therefore, an urgent need to confront these challenges associated with desert encroachment and drought,” he said.
The president requested more support for The One Planet Summit initiative, and the political will to actualize the mandate.
He said: “It is on this note that on behalf of member States, I welcome The One Planet Summit Initiative that pledges $19 Billion to support the activities of the PAGGW which necessitated this very important engagement with you this morning.
“The purpose of this meeting, therefore, is to draw your attention to this pledge and to inform you formally, that member states want to trigger the process for accessing the funding by utilizing the GGW Accelerator window mainly to address the following:
”Land restoration and tree planting, Investment in small and medium-sized farms/support to smallholder farmers, developing climate resilience infrastructure, an institutional framework to enhance security, stability and governance, and capacity building.
“I, therefore, call on you, especially the World Bank, African Development Bank and the One Planet Summit Initiative to support this drive,” he said.
The president also called on the multilateral institutions to set up a task team to work with PAGGW.
“I will further request the partners, particularly the United Nations Conference to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and One Planet Summit to advise on a suitable Financial Consultant for the PAGGW that can coordinate the process under the auspices of the UNCCD and PAGGW in a transparent manner.
“It is my hope that the parties to this meeting will give us maximum cooperation in this regard and make good their pledge to support Africa’s drive to address these climate challenges.
“Finally, I will also direct Nigeria’s Minister of Environment to convene a meeting of Council of Ministers of member states to brief them on the outcome of this brief meeting,” he said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC), under Governor Charles Soludo, has taken a bold step to address the pressing issue of erosion in the state, while also recovering government lands and awarding strategic projects aimed at boosting the state’s economy and improving the quality of life of its citizens.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Law Mefor, made this known after the 25th ANSEC meeting held recently at the Lighthouse, Awka.
He revealed that the meeting noted with grave concern the existential threat posed by erosion in Anambra, citing the careless actions of communities and regulatory bodies that have disregarded environmental regulations.
“The council has decided to step up enforcement measures to force individuals to build and manage storm waters from their houses and for communities to follow specific guidelines, such as building erosion barriers and excavating sand only in designated locations,” Mr Mefor stated.
He emphasised that the government will not hesitate to take stern action against individuals and communities that fail to comply with environmental regulations.
To address the issue, the government will enforce strict adherence to environmental regulations, mandate the construction of erosion barriers and proper sand excavation practices, and collaborate with relevant agencies to hold those responsible for the erosion menace.
It is also confident that with the support of the people, it will overcome the challenges posed by erosion and achieve its vision of making Anambra State a destination where economic and business activities thrive.
Furthermore, the council has resolved to form a committee to reclaim government lands in and around Anambra State that have been intruded upon and built upon without permission.
“The government will not stand idly by while its lands are being grabbed and misused. We will take all necessary steps to recover these lands and ensure that they are used for the benefit of the people of Anambra State,” Mr Mefor said.
ANSEC has also awarded several strategic projects aimed at enhancing the state’s infrastructure development.
The projects include the provision of a water supply to the Ekwulobia Flyover Bridge Fountain and the ornamental garden for Double NC Construction & Logistics Ltd; the installation of a 3-way traffic light, including pedestrian lights, at the Ifite-Amenyi intersection within the Awka metropolis to S.N.U. Ventures, and the supply and installation of two 10 kVA inverters with 15 kW lithium batteries at the Anambra State Civil Service Commission Building in Awka to Kennolly Enterprises.
Others include the supply and installation of transformer substations at Nnewi and Umueze-Anam communities for Aries and Gold Ventures Limited, and Aljovic Construction Limited; and the landscaping of the car park for the Trauma Centre at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, for Triseconds Resources Limited.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The free delivery of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, across the country by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will finally begin in January 2026. This was earlier scheduled for August 2025
This move, according to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), will bring down the price of the product in Nigeria.
The group has, therefore, urged all its members nationwide to patronise the Lagos-based private oil facility because it offers the best affordable price for all marketers.
Dangote Refinery has agreed to directly supply PMS to registered members of IPMAN, according to a statement signed and issued by the organisation’s president, Mr Abubakar Maigandi Shettima.
At a press conference held in Abuja yesterday on recent happenings in the oil and gas sector, IPMAN also applauded the support of the Chairman of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Mr Aliko Dangote towards the federal government, which it noted has become evident in the regular reduction of the petroleum pump price.
“The association has the highest percentage of the supply chain of the PMS downstream sector, controlling over 80 per cent of the petrol retail market. We therefore declare that there will be no gap or scarcity in PMS supply to Nigerians.
“We are also excited at the recent agreement by the Dangote Refinery to begin the supply of PMS products directly to registered IPMAN members, and its free delivery to our filling stations anywhere and everywhere in Nigeria which will commence in January 2026.
“This will again, certainly lead to further decrease in the pump price of the products at our filing stations.
“Therefore, I am calling on all IPMAN members nationwide to prioritise patronising the Dangote Refinery in their purchase of PMS products, as they already offer the best affordable prize for all marketers today,” the group stated.
“At IPMAN we have no doubt as to the viability of the oil and gas policies being initiated by the federal government, and we have ceaselessly called and sought for enhanced cooperation across all levels of governance in the oil and gas sector. Hence, our repeated persuasion to always partner the Dangote refinery, to ensure the steady availability of PMS products.
“The focus of the Dangote & IPMAN partnership, has always been geared towards making life better for Nigerians. And of course, this blooming partnership would never have been possible without the pragmatic leadership of President Bola Tinubu, and his sound judgment in readjusting the leadership of the NMDPRA and the NUPRC.
“Our position has always been to deepen domestic refining in order to eradicate imports of petroleum products. Continuous import is NOT an acceptable parallel business model, because issuing import licenses recklessly distorts market dynamics, drains foreign exchange, enthrones poverty, destroys jobs, and scares potential investors away,” Mr Shettima was quoted as saying in the statement.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About $20 million has been put down by Swedfund to support efforts that limit climate change in Africa and help communities adapt to its effects.
The funds would be deployed by the Helios Climate, Energy, Adaptation and Resilience (CLEAR) Fund to back African companies that reduce emissions, strengthen resilience and create green jobs.
Swedfund’s investment is expected to contribute to significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and to help businesses and small farmers adapt to a changing climate.
The investment strengthens Swedfund’s work to drive a sustainable and inclusive green transition in Africa.
Africa contributes less than 3 per cent of global carbon emissions but faces some of the most severe climate impacts. At the same time, the continent’s energy demand is expected to triple by 2050.
Swedfund’s investment in Helios CLEAR will help channel capital to businesses that drive low-carbon growth in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable transport, climate-smart farming, efficient use of resources and digital climate solutions.
“By investing in this sector, we can reduce emissions, build resilience and create green jobs, all vital for sustainable growth that benefits more people.
“Africa currently receives only a small share of global climate investment, yet the potential for climate-smart business is enormous.
“Through Helios CLEAR we help build the next generation of African climate-focused businesses,” the Investment Director for Energy and Climate at Swedfund, Ms Gunilla Nilsson, stated.
Helios CLEAR Fund is a Pan African growth equity fund managed by Helios Investment Partners, one of Africa’s leading private equity firms.
The fund targets investments that deliver measurable climate mitigation and adaptation outcomes. The fund is supported by multiple development finance institutions.
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