Environment

World Environment Day: Nigeria leading Africa in climate change mitigation efforts – CSOs

Published

6 years ago

June 5, 2019

Agency report

Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) say Nigeria is placed in the forefront of leading efforts in Africa to mitigate the effect of climate change.

The CSOs made this known on Wednesday on the maiden edition of Edo Climate Summit under the auspices of Connected Advocacy for Empowerment and Youth Development Initiative (CAEYDI) to mark the World Environment Day on June 5.

Prince Isreal Orekha of CAEYDI and Mr Stephen Abuh of Climate and Sustainable Development Network of Nigeria (CSDevNet) made this known in a join statement.

The summit was co-hosted by the Edo State Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Climate and Sustainable Development Network of Nigeria (CSDevNet) and Pan African Climate Justice (PACJA).

They said the summit being held in commemoration of the United Nations World Environment Day had as its theme: “The Role of State and Non-State Actors in Co-creating Strategic Reforms for Mitigating Climate Change”.

“This is part of the United Nations recommendations under the Paris agreement for individual countries to safeguard the health of the public and environment by reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, thus combating global warming through commitments and actions.’’

According to Prince Israel Orekha, the Executive Director of CAEYDI, if states and non-state actors collaborate by putting together realistic strategies to address climate change and other environmental issues, the impacts of climate change can be addressed.

“We are very hopeful that Nigeria will enjoy a new dawn, especially with the recent rectification of the Paris Agreement in which President Mohammadu Buhari made a commitment for Nigeria to reduce GHG emission by 20 per cent and conditionally 45 per cent by 2020.

“This has placed Nigeria once again in the forefront of leading efforts in Africa,” Orekha added.

He said that Edo, like other States in the Niger Delta was currently threatened by climate change with growing evidence leading to extreme temperatures that result in excessive heat, decline in annual rainfall, and floods.

“The unpredictable weather conditions, air pollution, energy poverty, frequent flooding has further widened the poverty gap in the State.

“It also undermines the State’s contribution to both local and state development including the wellbeing of the people in the Niger Delta region.

“Therefore, this summit is aimed at bringing together experts in environmental matters from private and government bodies, the academia, civil society organisations, the media, as well as the Ministry of Environment.

“It will also include SDG desk officers and other key stakeholders who came together to discuss the vulnerability of the region in relation to threats on the environment, and balance up by developing realistic mitigation plans that best suit the State,’’ he said.

Stephen Abuh of CSDevNet said that the summit aspired to also develop clear action points to determine individual sector contributions to greenhouse emission reduction.

“It will also precipitate actions that will domesticate the Nationally Determined Commitment (NDC) towards implementing the Paris Agreement in Edo State and other Niger Delta states as part of the Presidential commitment.

“It will also provide an opportunity for plenary sessions, exhibitions, Tree planting and question and answer sessions.

NAN

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Environment

Earthic Energy To Establish Solar Manufacturing Factory In Nigeria

Published

10 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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