General
COP27: Group Urges Nigerians to Vote Climate Change Conscious President in 2023
By Adedapo Adesanya
Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), in conjunction with Oxfam in Nigeria, has advised Nigerians to vote for a presidential candidate that is climate change conscious as the 2023 election draws near.
Executive Director of GIFSEP, Mr David Michael, made this demand at the grand finale of the African climate caravan in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 27), set to hold in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt this week.
He said the African climate caravan is a movement involving several African countries that are telling African communities climate stories and gearing up for COP 27 in Egypt.
Mr Michael stressed that the demand for climate justice became important considering the impact of climate change in Africa and Nigeria.
He underscored the relevance of building a generation that is climate change conscious, hence the art presentation competition by 20 senior secondary schools in the FCT.
He said, “The African climate caravan is a movement involving 28 African countries who are telling African communities climate stories gearing up for the COP 27 in Egypt. In Nigeria, the caravan has been telling the stories of different communities through sports and arts.
“It is very important that we demand climate justice considering the impact of climate change in our continent and our country Nigeria.
“For citizens of Nigeria, it is important to vote for candidates who have a clear understanding of climate change issues.”
He lamented that due to the flood, so many people were displaced, blaming it on inadequate readiness and climate finance.
He, therefore, called for the implementation of several climate change policies already in place even as he called on the Nigerian government to build resilience against the effects of climate change.
“This year, we are all aware of the flood and how the flood impacted the country so badly; we lost people, over 600. So many households are still living in internally displaced person camps. It is an issue of climate finance.
“We need money to tackle these. Good enough, the federal government has been a signatory to all the internal programs – from the Paris agreement, we now have the climate change act.
“We have done a lot of policies, but what I think is lacking is real action on the ground, for example, with the floods that took place, the response was very poor, it took weeks before help could get to people, especially in the states.
“With the flood that took farmlands, there is going to be hunger next year coupled with the crisis between Russia and Ukraine affecting grain supply throughout the world.
“As a country, our people need to build resilience, we cannot continue to write for climate finance from international organisations and the developed countries.
“With the little we have, we need to invest in climate-smart agriculture, if we know that floods will come every year and wipe our farms, why don’t we farm during the dry season? Why don’t we build small earth dams, why don’t we teach our farmers that it is wrong to farm on flood plains,” he added.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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