Foreign news
Memories of CHOGM 2024: NTAC DG Reaffirms Nigeria’s Commitment To Safer Environment
….Says Nigeria Leading in the Role to Combat Climate Crisis in Africa and Beyond,Urges Other Nations to Follow the Nigeria’s Examples
Joel Ajayi
Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corp, Rt. Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub has said that Nigeria’s various leading roles across Africa to combat climate crisis are deliberately intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ,expand renewable energy initiatives as well as promote reforestation.
The DG,who reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a safer globe when he spoke at the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, said the above actions by Nigeria were part of its Nationally Determined Contributions(NDCs) in advancing climate resilience in Africa and beyond,while urging them to do the same.
The NTAC boss,who stood in for Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs,Amb.Yusuf Tuggar,at a session on Climate change organized on the sidelines of the CHOGM, emphasized Nigeria’s strong commitment to combating climate change in line with its obligations under international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and the Commonwealth Blue Charter.
While emphasising the importance of efforts to tackle climate crisis, particularly in support of vulnerable nations, including small Islands and developing States like Samoa, Buba said the gathering was a call to action for nations to re-commit to practices that make for a safer world.
The NTAC DG, also spotlighted the significant work being driven by Nigerian professionals deployed under the Technical Aid Corps(TAC) Scheme to support environmental conservation, renewable energy projects and disaster management in various African,Caribbean and Pacific countries where they are currently serving.He added that such novel and unique efforts, as using banana peels to make paints and encouraging other eco-green practices in farming, waste treatment and disposal by the Nigerian Volunteers,were not only at the heart of the efforts for a safer environment and sustainable agriculture, but also one of the greatest promotions of the United Nations’ South-South Co-operation ideals.
To further reinforce his point,the former federal lawmaker also stressed the need for nations of the world to unite to address climate change, while suing for increased resource-sharing, including the provision of financial and technical support for countries most affected by climate-related disasters.
Buba also used the occasion to call on leaders across the world to strive to strengthen partnerships between governments and the private sector in order to enhance climate adaptation projects.He
told the high-level meeting of Nigeria’s efforts in involving private entities in clean energy development and sustainable agriculture, again urging them to learn from that.
He equally reiterated Nigeria’s successes at combating desertification and informed of the readiness of the country to share its expertise with other Commonwealth nations through effective collaboration and other well-structured knowledge-sharing initiatives.
The high-level meeting held at the Sheraton Hotel Samoa brought together leaders and representatives of Commonwealth nations to address the global challenges posed by climate change,while exploring collaborative solutions to the menace.
It also provided the NTAC DG the opportunity to network and renew necessary ties with various officials of governments from across the Pacific region, including Vanuatu,Fiji and other Island nations with a history of subscribing to the Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps Scheme over the past years.
Foreign news
Court of Arbitration Declares Indus Waters Treaty Fully Operational Rejects India’s ‘Abeyance’
Cyril Ogar
The Court of Arbitration has unanimously reaffirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains fully in force, ruling that India cannot unilaterally place the 1960 agreement in “abeyance” or suspend its obligations under the treaty.
The decision represents a significant legal development in the longstanding dispute between India and Pakistan over the management and use of the Indus river system.
The Court’s finding addresses a fundamental issue at the heart of the dispute: whether either party can unilaterally suspend the treaty outside the legal framework agreed by both countries.
In its unanimous determination, the Court made clear that the IWT continues to bind both India and Pakistan and that its obligations cannot be set aside through a unilateral political declaration.
The ruling means India remains subject to the treaty provisions governing the use of the Western Rivers, including requirements relating to the design and operation of hydroelectric projects, as well as the dispute-resolution mechanisms established under the agreement.
The Court has also ordered interim measures concerning the Ratle Hydroelectric Plant, restricting specified construction activities while the broader dispute remains under consideration.
The measures are aimed at preserving the effectiveness of the arbitration process and preventing developments that could prejudice the outcome of the proceedings.
For Pakistan, the decision represents significant legal validation of its longstanding position that the IWT is a binding international agreement and contains no provision allowing either party to unilaterally place it in abeyance.
Pakistan has consistently maintained that disagreements over the treaty should be addressed through the institutional mechanisms established by the agreement, rather than through unilateral action.
The IWT provides a structured framework for resolving disputes through mechanisms including the Permanent Indus Commission, Neutral Expert and Court of Arbitration processes.
The latest ruling therefore reinforces the principle that treaty obligations cannot simply be disregarded because of deteriorating political relations between signatories.
The significance of the decision extends beyond the India-Pakistan dispute. It underscores the broader international-law principle that agreements governing shared rivers and other transboundary resources must be respected and disputes resolved through established legal and institutional channels.
The Indus river system supports agriculture, livelihoods, food security and communities across the region, making the stability of the treaty particularly important.
The ruling also highlights the distinction between seeking to amend an international agreement through mutually agreed procedures and attempting to alter its obligations unilaterally.
The IWT has endured wars, prolonged diplomatic tensions and periods of limited bilateral engagement. Its continued operation demonstrates the importance of rules-based mechanisms in managing shared resources when relations between neighbouring states become strained.
For Pakistan, the outcome provides an opportunity to frame the decision not merely as a bilateral legal victory, but as an affirmation of international law, treaty compliance and peaceful dispute resolution.
The central message from the ruling is clear: the Indus Waters Treaty remains in force, its obligations continue to bind both parties, and disputes concerning shared waters must be addressed through the legal mechanisms agreed by India and Pakistan.
-
Featured7 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured6 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured7 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured7 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Featured7 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
-
Sports4 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News2 years agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
