Climate Watch: FG to train 5000 Ogoni residents in sustainable livelihood skills

Despite directly impacting our communities, health, and livelihood, climate-related reports usually take a back seat to dominant news beats like politics and business. Climate Watch aims to ensure you never miss important stories on climate change and actions being taken toward limiting its impact.

Here is a round-up of last week’s climate stories:

• The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) last week criticized the Nigerian Lightning Safety and Research Center (NLSRC) for issuing an unauthorised thunderstorm alert. NiMet said it was not the responsibility of NLSRC to issue such alert, noting that the research centre has committed an offense. However, NLSRC said it did not intend to compete with NiMet, because the alert was solely to create awareness. Read more here.
• A study by Earth Systems Science Data, in April, found that the earth’s oceans were warming at a disturbing rate. The earth’s accumulated heat has increased by 50 percent over the past 15 years, with over 89 percent of the heat being deposited in the oceans. According to the study, rise in temperature reduces the capacity of the oceans to absorb carbon, and unsafe for marine life. Find out more here.
• The African Development Bank Group (AfDB), on April 25, said there was potential for climate finance in Africa to increase. The AfDB said Africa, which is the world’s most vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change has limited resources and finances to adapt to the challenge. The bank said African countries need more private sector investments to close the finance gap. Read more here.
• Last week, the National Economic Council (NEC) received reports of the extent of damage caused by the 2022 floods across 16 states in the country. According to the report, 104,000 houses were destroyed while 172,000 persons were displaced. Badaru Abubakar, Jigawa state governor and chairperson of the ad-hoc committee on flooding, said the federal government would provide relief to support victims. Find out more here.
• President Muhammadu Buhari, last week, launched the construction of the Ogoni power project in Rivers. The President said the project would  bring socio-economic development to the state. Buhari also performed the groundbreaking of the centre of excellence for environmental restoration, as well as the Ogoni 100 bed specialist hospital. He said the hospital would provide support for victims of environmental pollution, adding that 5,000 Ogoni people would be trained in sustainable livelihood skills. Find out more here.
• Also, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, on April 30, spoke at a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, where he said Africa has the potential to become the solution to the world’s net zero ambition. Osinbajo said African governments need to set the agenda for Africa-Europe cooperation on just energy future. The vice-president also stressed the importance of presenting to each government, the need for equitable and fair carbon markets, access to fair and just markets, as well as capital from partners in the rest of the world. Read more here.