BY AKUDORO GLORIA

The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), convened a one-day National Consultative Workshop to assess Nigeria’s progress in the implementing of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Declaring the workshop open at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, the Director General of NCCC, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, said the workshop is part of the country’s broader effort to review and enhance its climate commitments.

NDCs are major aspects of the Paris Agreement that represent the actions countries plan to undertake to address climate change. Nigeria had in 2015 submitted its first NDC and the revised in 2021, demonstrating further its commitment to its unconditional contribution of reducing emissions by 20 per cent relative to business-as-usual (BUA) by 2030, and increasing its conditional target from 45 per cent to 47 per cent.

However, in a statement on Thursday by the Agency’s Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, Ahmed Lawan Danbazau, Dr. Maduekwe highlighted the ongoing engagements with relevant partners in relations to Nigeria’s NDCs

“We have put out calls to the NDCs like the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) who are already supporting the national stocktake by engaging consultants for this crucial project.” She said.

Dr. Maduekwe acknowledged growing interest from other development partners in supporting Nigeria’s energy transition, renewable energy solutions, and visibility studies, adding that the Council has received tremendous support, in areas such as energy transition and renewable energy corridors, which present numerous opportunities for Nigeria,

She stressed the significance of capacity building to the success of the project even as she acknowledged support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate Promise initiative, which made it possible for the recent intensive workshop for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on climate financing.

Emphasizing on the importance of the Council understanding of climate finance in access the necessary funds to achieve the NDCs, Dr. Maduekwe stressed also the cruciality of involving seasoned climate negotiators in Nigeria’s preparations for the upcoming COP29.

“Climate negotiation is a career pathway, not a one-off event. COP29 is all about negotiation, and we are committed to building the capacity of our negotiators to ensure that Nigeria’s position is well-protected,” said the DG.

Earlier, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibram Bio, said the Ministry aim to have successfully planted 20 million trees across the country by 203, while stating the Ministry’s commitment in ensuring each corps member plants at least 10 trees within their service year, and with approximately 400,000 corps members annually, this translates to 4 million trees to be planted each year.

Also speaking, Economic Officer representing the US Embassy, Mr. Bryan Luton, who highlighted the fruitful discussions held during the inaugural US-Nigeria Binational Commission in April, 2024, where climate and energy issues were the key focus, emphasized the active involvement of various US government agencies, including the US Department of Energy, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the State Department Energy Bureau, in supporting Nigeria’s efforts.

In his contribution, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, Chairman, Member of (South East), Governing Board of North East Development Commission, highlighted the need for a comprehensive assessment of the country’s NDCs implementation progress and the identification of areas for improvement.

AKUDORO GLORIA

The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), convened a one-day National Consultative Workshop to assess Nigeria’s progress in the implementing of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Declaring the workshop open at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, the Director General of NCCC, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, said the workshop is part of the country’s broader effort to review and enhance its climate commitments.

NDCs are major aspects of the Paris Agreement that represent the actions countries plan to undertake to address climate change. Nigeria had in 2015 submitted its first NDC and the revised in 2021, demonstrating further its commitment to its unconditional contribution of reducing emissions by 20 per cent relative to business-as-usual (BUA) by 2030, and increasing its conditional target from 45 per cent to 47 per cent.

However, in a statement on Thursday by the Agency’s Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, Ahmed Lawan Danbazau, Dr. Maduekwe highlighted the ongoing engagements with relevant partners in relations to Nigeria’s NDCs.

“We have put out calls to the NDCs like the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) who are already supporting the national stocktake by engaging consultants for this crucial project.” She said.

Dr. Maduekwe acknowledged growing interest from other development partners in supporting Nigeria’s energy transition, renewable energy solutions, and visibility studies, adding that the Council has received tremendous support, in areas such as energy transition and renewable energy corridors, which present numerous opportunities for Nigeria,

She stressed the significance of capacity building to the success of the project even as she acknowledged support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate Promise initiative, which made it possible for the recent intensive workshop for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on climate financing.

Emphasizing on the importance of the Council understanding of climate finance in access the necessary funds to achieve the NDCs, Dr. Maduekwe stressed also the cruciality of involving seasoned climate negotiators in Nigeria’s preparations for the upcoming COP29.

“Climate negotiation is a career pathway, not a one-off event. COP29 is all about negotiation, and we are committed to building the capacity of our negotiators to ensure that Nigeria’s position is well-protected,” said the DG.

Earlier, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibram Bio, said the Ministry aim to have successfully planted 20 million trees across the country by 203, while stating the Ministry’s commitment in ensuring each corps member plants at least 10 trees within their service year, and with approximately 400,000 corps members annually, this translates to 4 million trees to be planted each year.

Also speaking, Economic Officer representing the US Embassy, Mr. Bryan Luton, who highlighted the fruitful discussions held during the inaugural US-Nigeria Binational Commission in April, 2024, where climate and energy issues were the key focus, emphasized the active involvement of various US government agencies, including the US Department of Energy, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the State Department Energy Bureau, in supporting Nigeria’s efforts.

In his contribution, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, Chairman, Member of (South East), Governing Board of North East Development Commission, highlighted the need for a comprehensive assessment of the country’s NDCs implementation progress and the identification of areas for improvement.

BY AKUDORO GLORIA

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday inaugurated the new management board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).

Shettima inaugurated the NDPHC new management board at the Conference Hall of the State House Abuja and charged to bring in their wealth of experience to bear.

Recalled that the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had in August approved the appointment of a new management team for the Company.

The new Management members are Jennifer Adighije (Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer), Abdullahi Kassim (Executive Director, Generation), and Bello Babayo Bello, (Executive Director, Networks).

The rest are Emmmanuel Umeoji, Executive Director (Corporate Services), Omololu Agoro, Executive Director (Finance & Accounts), Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Executive Director (Strategy & Commercial), and Barrister Steven Andzenge, Executive Director (Legal Services).

Those present during the Inauguration are Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who represents the South East region on the Board and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.