Environment

CMG launches media action on World Environment Day

Published

3 years ago

June 6, 2022

…Discussion settles on aligning media’s role with other sectors

Major news companies of Africa have teamed up with the China Media Group (CMG) in rolling out a joint initiative in environmental protection.

“Speaking for Nature Media Action for China-Africa Environment Protection” was launched in Kenya’s capital Nairobi as part of the celebrations to mark the World Environment Day on June 5.

Zhou Pingjian, the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, together with more than 30 representatives of media, international organizations, and government departments attended the ceremony.

In his opening speech, Cao Ri, the Acting Bureau Chief of CMG Africa, called for joint action in environmental protection.

“Living in harmony with nature is a value long upheld by the African people. This demonstration of ecological ethics should be an inspiration for us all,” said Cao, outlining the purpose of the initiative and proposing a more global approach to dialogue and multilateral cooperation on matters of ecological protection.

“We need to shift humanity’s relationship with nature to one that includes the true value of all the benefits and services we receive,” said Susan Gardner, the Director of the Ecosystems Division under the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

Through presentations and panel discussions, participants highlighted ongoing efforts on environmental protection in Africa and outlined existing opportunities for China-Africa cooperation going forward.

“China has been actively carrying out South-South cooperation in battling climate change. As of September 2021, China has signed 15 cooperation agreements with 14 African countries,” said Zhang Yujun, the Director General of China-Africa Environmental Cooperation Center.

Robert Gituru, the Director of the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, spoke of his organization’s efforts to preserve species through new discoveries and listing, explaining: “If you want to conserve biodiversity, the first thing you need to know is what you actually have, because you cannot conserve what you do not know.”

Africa is home to a vast array of biodiversity resources, but at the same time has a rapidly increasing population, many of whom are poor and vulnerable, according to Michael Meadows, president of the International Geographical Union.

He noted: “This results in a tension between the need to protect environment on the one hand, while at the same time harnessing its resources to promote socio-economic development on the other.”

Meadows said the need for Africa to continue to develop in a sustainable way cannot be overemphasized.

In his projections into the future, Turhan Saleh shared insights on green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Saleh, who serves as the Resident Representative at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ethiopia Country Office, cautioned against a post-COVID-19 return to the status-quo, saying the future lie in climate-smart, green, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive development.

Representatives from African media weighed in on their role as broadcasters and publishers in creating environmental awareness among the public. “Media is the one that informs the public and also educates the public,” Samuel Maina, the Acting Managing Director of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, said.

To strengthen environmental reporting, using the latest technological advances, Maina called for more exchange programmes between China and African media.

Joining the session virtually, Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), said the media is a powerful tool that can help direct attention of citizens on the environment agenda.

“As media, we are guilty as we are not highlighting the right issues at the right time,” Bernard Momanyi, the editorial director of Capital FM, cited the academia as the missing link in the discourse.

Victor Nyambok, an advocacy and policy communications manager at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), spoke on the need to help media simplify and make environmental stories interesting in order for the public to relate with their reporting.

Participants also watched the unveiling of a 3D promotional video to be displayed on a curved screen at a shopping square in Nairobi. The software-rendered animation features a giant panda and an elephant, aiming to draw more attention to nature. This is also the first time such 3D art has been publicly displayed in the continent.

The session concluded with the release of a proposal for CMG and its African partners to work together to promote public awareness on biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.

Other activities such as a 5G livestreaming in Amboseli National Park, documentary exhibitions across Africa, and a release of the campaign’s results have been scheduled for the next three months

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Environment

Earthic Energy To Establish Solar Manufacturing Factory In Nigeria

Published

8 months ago

May 26, 2024

The Gleamer

By Uche Onyeali

Indigenous clean energy company, Earthic Energy Limited has disclosed plans to set up a solar energy manufacturing factory in Nigeria.

Chief Executive Officer of the company, Miss Blessing Anulika Achebe gave the hint during the launch of the company in Abuja, at the weekend.

Miss Achebe, who disclosed that she has been in the solar energy business for five years, said though the journey had not been easy, but she and her partners are focused towards achieving the set goals of the company.

According to her, “The journey so far has not been easy, but I have been working with utmost determination, when I make up my mind to do something, I put in my best and God’s grace will always pave way for you with hard work.

“I have worked so hard to get to where I want to be today. I have tried so hard to make all my dreams come true. Like I said earlier, with the mercy of God everything has come to pass.”

On how she could cope with the competition in the sector, Achebe noted that her firm does not admit any factor that could stand as drawback, as a lot of women are already making waves in various sectors of the economy.

“Our determination is unhindered, though we acknowledge such competition as it paves the way for more resilience. Women are now taking over the world.

“I have been into solar for more than five years. Right now I have been pushing so hard and I see how the world is evolving around energy.

“I have made up my mind that said this is what I want to do. I said if I don’t get to where I want to be, there is no going back; I would go above the limit. I want to change lives; I want to make the world a better place. That is why I came up with ‘Earthic Energy Limited’ because the world revolves around the earth. The earth is where we live and that is why my colour is green and sun yellow. So I want to power the whole world.
“Our plan is to set up a solar energy factory in Nigeria where we can manufacture our own products,” she said.

She called for more investors and government at all levels to take advantage of Earthic’s services, which include solar streetlight installation, inverter/grid installation, construction, training/empowerment, as well as contract financing and partnership, supply/credit sales.

Speaking at the occasion, a Professor of Biochemical Pharmacology at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Professor Zaruwa commended Miss Achebe for her vision and bold step into the clean energy sub-sector.
Professor Zaruwa, a former Vice Chancellor of Adamawa State University, Mubi, urged government at all levels, especially governors in the northern part of the country where there is enormous sun, to partner Earthic Energy to improve power supply in the country.

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