Environment
World Environment Day: Nigeria leading Africa in climate change mitigation efforts – CSOs
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
Environment
Royal Commonwealth Society Kicks Off Clean Oceans Campaign in Nigeria
By Joel Ajayi
The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Commonwealth Games Nigeria, has officially launched the Clean Oceans Plastic Awareness Campaign in Nigeria, aiming to combat the growing threat of plastic pollution across the Commonwealth.
The campaign was flagged off on Wednesday at Jabi Lake, Abuja, with a strong message of environmental responsibility, especially for Nigeria’s youth.
The initiative is designed to raise awareness about plastic pollution, encourage proper waste disposal, and promote environmental stewardship—particularly around the country’s waterways.
Speaking at the launch, the Country Director and CEO of the Royal Commonwealth Society Nigeria, Mr. Blackson Olaseni Bayewumi, emphasized that the campaign is part of a global Commonwealth-wide effort to curb plastic waste and protect ocean ecosystems.
He highlighted the critical role of sports as a tool for engaging young people and driving meaningful change in environmental behavior.
“The Commonwealth accounts for one-third of the world’s ocean waters, and nearly half of its member countries are Small Island Developing States that suffer disproportionately from plastic pollution,” Bayewumi noted.
According to him, the Royal Commonwealth Society’s Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign aims to prevent at least one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways.
The campaign blends grassroots education with direct community action, urging people to reduce their plastic footprint, embrace alternatives, and promote cleaner oceans.
A major component of the campaign is its integration with the King’s Baton Relay—a hallmark of the build-up to the Commonwealth Games. In a groundbreaking move, the 2025-2026 relay will spotlight sustainability and environmental protection, beginning with its launch by His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day 2025. The Baton Relay is now on a 500-day journey across all Commonwealth nations and territories ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
In each country, including Nigeria, the Baton Relay will bring together youth, athletes, local communities, and environmental groups for a week of activities—most notably, organized plastic clean-up drives.
The urgency of this campaign is underlined by alarming statistics: the world produces 400 million tonnes of plastic every year, with over 12 million tonnes ending up in the oceans.
Without urgent action, scientists predict that by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea.
Plastic waste poses a deadly threat to marine life—suffocating birds, fish, and mammals while damaging key ecosystems.
Moreover, as plastics break down into microplastics due to ocean erosion and sunlight, they enter our food, water, and even air.
Although the full health implications of microplastics remain unknown, early research suggests they may disrupt vital bodily functions—and there is currently no method to fully remove them from the environment or our bodies.
The campaign supports multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
SDG 12: Responsible, Consumption and ProductionSDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water
It also reflects the core principles of the Commonwealth Charter, especially: Article 9: Sustainable Development. Article 10: Protection of the Environment and Article 14: Recognition of the Needs of Small States
As the world grapples with escalating environmental challenges, the Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign represents a significant step in uniting nations, communities, and young leaders under a shared mission: to protect our oceans, preserve biodiversity, and build a cleaner, safer world for future generations.
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