News
Ministry restates commitment to tackling impact of climate change
Prof. Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, says the ministry is committed to tackling the impact of climate change in Nigeria.
Utsev gave the assurance at the unveiling of Nigerian Multi-Lateral Infrastructure and Climate Change Summit and Business Excellence on Friday in Abuja.
The programme was organised by the Africa Infrastructure, Climate Change and Investment Summit (AICIS), 2025 –Nigeria.
The summit was aimed at exploring over 12 trillion dollars investment opportunity in the infrastructure, green energy transition, climate change, space and digital/Artificial Intelligence technology drive for Africa.
Utsev said that the ministry had taken deliberate steps to mitigate the impact of climate change on water resources and associated infrastructure.
He said the programme was to also create a platform for the assessment of Africa economic and security infrastructure and to identify new development partners and many more.
The minister, represented by the Director of Hydrology in the ministry, Mrs Ngozi Abohwo, said that the ministry had taken a proactive approach in preparing for infrastructure development and climate change action.
He said that ministry recognised the urgency of the challenges of climate change.
Utsev said that recent policy initiatives and strategic plans, such as the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Action Plan and the main report of the presidential committee preventing flood disasters reflected the ministry’s commitment to building resilient water and sanitation infrastructure.
“The quantum of energy required and amount of emission from the water sector is huge especially when moving water from one location to the other or pumping water through the systems.
“Consequently, it is very important to deploy more renewable energy sources to the water sector in order to reduce the Green House and Gas (GHG) Emission or Carbon Footprints.
“In this regard, the ministry has unveiled the National Programme for Conversion of Diesel Powered Water Schemes (Irrigation schemes, Boreholes and Water Treatment Facilities) to renewable energy sources.
“This project aims at inventory, rehabilitation and conversion of existing schemes designed using fossil fuel to renewable energy sources based on energy available within each region of the country.
“In its bid to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases which are the major drivers of climate change and to reduce flood with its attendant colossal loss and damages, the ministry has commenced processes for the Construction of Small Hydropower Plants nationwide and the Datsin Hausa Dam.
“The Small Hydropower Project aims to retrofit existing Small Dams initially constructed for irrigation purposes with small hydropower systems, “he said.
Mr George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said his office would continue to support AICIS partnership to promote infrastructure development, climate change and investment drive for Nigeria and Africa in general.
Akume was represented by Mr Etoabasi Okon, Deputy Director, Public Affairs and Bilateral Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He said that Africa continent needed to harness all the potential in the climate change activities for the continent’s economic benefits.
Mr Moses Owharo, Chairman of the Planning and Organising Committee for AICIS 2025, said that the Nigerian Multi-lateral, Infrastructure and Climate Summit would shape the future pathway of Africa’s development, starting with Nigeria.
He said that the country was the powerhouse of West Africa considering its role in politics and economics.
Owharo emphasised the importance of the summit in addressing the urgent needs of Africa, particularly in infrastructure development and climate action.
“We believe that AICIS 2025 would project Africa to the world and Nigeria in particular considering the successful implementation of the maiden edition in the U.S in 2024,’’ he said.
The reports have that the representatives of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Nigerian Space Agency, Diplomats, Burundi and Ethiopia Embassies, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), NGOs and other development partners attended the event .
(NAN)
News
Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows
Joel Ajayi
The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.
He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.
According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.
“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.
The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.
“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.
Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.
He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.
He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.
According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.
Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.
He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.
We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.
The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.
He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.
Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.
He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.
“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”
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