Environment
Environment minister calls for protection of digital ecosystem
From Lateef Taiwo
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal has called for the protection of the digital ecosystem globally, emphasizing the need to guard against cyber threats and safeguard data integrity on wildlife species.
The Minister disclosed this in Abuja at the commemoration of the 2024 World Wildlife Day with the theme ‘connecting people and planet: Exploring Digital Conservation’
Balarabe stressed that the technological advancement has offered unprecedented opportunities to enhance conservation efforts and forge deeper connections between humanity and the natural ecosystem.
“we must recognize the critical importance of leveraging digital solutions to address the myriad of challenges facing our planet’s ecosystems, notably combating illegal wildlife trade, mitigating habitat loss, tackling the impacts of climate,” he said.
The Minister added that harnessing the collective power of technology, we could unite in our efforts to safeguard biodiversity and ensure a sustainable future for our posterity.
He seized the opportunity to laud the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other development partners for their unparalleled support towards the fight against Wildlife trafficking.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari tasked the participants to reflect on the critical role that wildlife plays in maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystems and sustaining life on Earth.
Kambari described his year’s world wildlife celebration as apt and in line with global best practices, opined that in Nigeria, we have seen firsthand the transformative impact of digital innovation in wildlife conservation, adding that Projects leveraging artificial intelligence, data analytics, and citizen science have enabled us to gather vital information, engage local communities, and implement targeted conservation interventions.
The Country Representative of UNODC office, Nigeria, Oliver Stolpe, in his presentation of the key findings and recommendations of the International Consortium for Combatting Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit Assessment for Nigeria recalled some of the key findings from the Wildlife Chapter of UNODC’s Organised Crime Threat Assessment for Nigeria published in 2023.
He lamented that research identified armed groups to be involved in the illegal harvesting and trafficking of rosewood, with nine park rangers losing their lives in violent encounters with persons involved in an illegal logging in the Gashaka-Gumti National Park.
“we plan to engage young people as agents of change and employ their creativity as well as technological savviness in helping to protect the environment and to show to Nigerians the beauty of their land,” he said.
The Lagos State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the death of a 20-year-old female staff and injuries to 13 others following a gas explosion at a fast food restaurant in the Ajah area of the state.
Zagazola Makama reports that the incident occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on July 19, at No. 5 Spring Garden Estate, Orchid Road, Ajah.
According to a police sources, the restaurant, owned by one Uchechukwu Godwill Villason, was gutted by fire caused by a suspected gas leak, leading to a massive explosion and subsequent inferno.
A police source at the Lagos State Command said: “Thirteen staff members sustained varying degrees of burns during the incident and were immediately rushed to the General Hospital, Gbagada, for medical treatment.”
Tragically, one of the victims, identified as Kingsley Promise, a 20-year-old female and native of Akwa Ibom State, succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment.
Police detectives from the division visited the scene for documentation and evidence collection. The affected hospital was also visited, where the deceased’s body and the condition of the injured victims were assessed.
The remains of the deceased have been evacuated to the Mainland General Hospital morgue, Yaba, for autopsy, while investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing.
The command advised business owners handling gas-powered appliances to ensure regular maintenance and safety checks to avert similar tragedies.
By: Ali Musa Biu
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday, received former President Muhammadu Buhari who was in the state to commiserate with the people and government over the 10th of September flood disaster.
Parts of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, and its surrounding local government areas were struck by a devastating flood that claimed several lives and destroyed many properties.
President Buhari who was out of the country when the flood disaster occurred earlier sent a high powered delegation to commiserate with the government and made a N20m donation to the state relief fund.
Making his remarks during the visit, Buhari said, “When this disaster happened, having been governor in Borno during my military career, I could hardly imagine such disaster. I was out of the country, all I could do was to send people to come and sympathise with you.”
In their separate remarks, Governor Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanemi, expressed gratitude to the former President for the visit.
The former president was accompanied by the ex-Secretary to the federal government, Boss Mustapha, Engr. Sulaiman Adamu, Sen. Hadi Sirika, Prof. Isa Pantami, Engr. Aliyu Mamman, Garba Shehu, Emeka Nwajiuba, Musa Haro Danmadami among other associates.
By: Ali Musa Biu
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday, received former President Muhammadu Buhari who was in the state to commiserate with the people and government over the 10th of September flood disaster.
Parts of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, and its surrounding local government areas were struck by a devastating flood that claimed several lives and destroyed many properties.
President Buhari who was out of the country when the flood disaster occurred earlier sent a high powered delegation to commiserate with the government and made a N20m donation to the state relief fund.
Making his remarks during the visit, Buhari said, “When this disaster happened, having been governor in Borno during my military career, I could hardly imagine such disaster. I was out of the country, all I could do was to send people to come and sympathise with you.”
In their separate remarks, Governor Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanemi, expressed gratitude to the former President for the visit.
The former president was accompanied by the ex-Secretary to the federal government, Boss Mustapha, Engr. Sulaiman Adamu, Sen. Hadi Sirika, Prof. Isa Pantami, Engr. Aliyu Mamman, Garba Shehu, Emeka Nwajiuba, Musa Haro Danmadami among other associates.
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