News

Experts Call for Youth Upskilling to Meet Global Demands at COP29 Side Event

Published

2 years ago

November 26, 2024

At the just-concluded United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) side event, organized by Vivacity Development in collaboration with Ororo Waste Management, key participants emphasized the urgent need for youth upskilling and reskilling—particularly among Nigerian and African youth—to meet global demands in the evolving green economy.

The event, which attracted prominent personalities from diverse fields, focused on the future of work, highlighting how societies can adapt to shifts in green industries, embrace innovative solutions, and equip workforces with essential green skills.

Marianne Overton, spokesperson on climate and energy for the Council of Europe Municipalities and Regions, underscored the importance of environmental security and education as drivers of sustainable change. “Education is the precursor of real change and the tool that makes it happen. Partnerships between businesses and colleges can empower local economies by creating smarter workforce solutions,” she noted. Overton also pointed to growth areas like renewable energy, waste management, and climate finance, stressing that all jobs will eventually require “green” credentials.

Mr. Olumide Idowu, Executive Director of ICCDI Africa, highlighted the role of civil society organizations in promoting access to green skills training for underrepresented communities. He encouraged youth to take proactive steps in sustainable development through innovative strategies and partnerships.

Innocent Edemhanria, Programme Manager of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), shared insights into innovative solutions to environmental challenges, emphasizing reforestation, mangrove restoration, and sustainable agriculture. He highlighted how renewable energy initiatives like solar microgrids and biogas created jobs and reduced fossil fuel dependence. Oil spill prevention through bioremediation and smart monitoring was also discussed. Edemhanria noted that investing in clean energy technologies and renewables supported sustainability and job creation.

Fred Njehu, Pan-Africa Political Strategist at Greenpeace Africa, stressed the importance of collaborative political strategies in fostering sustainable development and green job creation. He shared examples of Greenpeace Africa’s initiatives to advance environmental sustainability and boost economic opportunities in the green sector.

Sohaila Nasser, Development Coordinator and Sustainability Specialist at YLE Foundation, discussed the integration of green skills in industries resistant to adopting sustainable practices. She shared innovative initiatives aimed at equipping the workforce with skills needed for the green economy’s demands.

Major partner and collaborator, Ororo Waste Management in its showcase of its biofuels feedstock aggregation activities in Nigeria, showed the viability of good carbon projects on the continent.

Their work in the aggregation and processing of feedstock has the potential for large scale green job creation and capacity building and green technology development in Nigeria.

Engr. Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola, the convener of the COP29 side event, emphasized the transformative impact of the event’s resolutions on millions of youth across Africa. She called on governments to domesticate the ideas developed at the conference to align with their countries’ unique demands.

With the rapid advancements in green technology and the growing emphasis on sustainability, participants urged stakeholders to act swiftly in equipping the workforce with relevant skills, ensuring global competitiveness, and fostering a sustainable future.

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Politics

APC Alleges Atiku, ADC Plot to Undermine Kaduna Campaign Flag-Off

Published

6 hours ago

October 24, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of allegedly orchestrating a disinformation campaign to discredit the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday.

In a statement issued on Saturday, October 24, 2026, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, alleged that the former vice president and the ADC planned to circulate fake news, manipulated documents and doctored videos to undermine the campaign, President Bola Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and other APC leaders.
Alake claimed that the alleged disinformation campaign involved the use of artificial intelligence, deepfake videos, counterfeit documents and social media platforms to manipulate public opinion.
According to him, the alleged plot had already begun with the circulation of a photograph showing a security vehicle on routine patrol near an APC campaign billboard in Kaduna metropolis.

He alleged that the image was misrepresented to suggest that security personnel had been deployed to protect APC billboards, adding that the narrative was subsequently published by a national newspaper and shared by Atiku on his official social media accounts.

The APC spokesperson further alleged that another document had been circulated online, purportedly showing a letter from Governor Uba Sani to the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, concerning an alleged release of ₦2.3 trillion by the Kaduna State Government to host the rally.

Describing the claim as baseless, Alake questioned the possibility of a state government spending such an amount on a political rally.

He noted that Kaduna State’s budgets for 2024, 2025 and 2026 stood at ₦458.271 billion, ₦790.439 billion and ₦985.9 billion, respectively.

According to him, the combined budgets for the three years amounted to less than ₦2.3 trillion, which he cited as evidence to challenge the claim circulating online.

Alake also alleged that the ADC and Atiku’s supporters were preparing to circulate old, manipulated and deepfake videos during the rally to create the impression of public resentment against the APC.

The council urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and verify information before sharing it, warning against the spread of misleading content on social media and other platforms.It further accused Atiku and the ADC of resorting to what it described as desperate tactics to gain political advantage ahead of future electoral contests.

The allegations were contained in a statement signed by Alake on behalf of the APC Presidential Campaign Council on Saturday.Atiku Abubakar and the ADC’s response to the allegations was not included in the statement.

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