News Rider

By CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Engr David Umahi President Bola Tinubu has directed the alignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to the existing East-West Road in parts of the Niger Delta area. Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, who stated this on Thursday while addressing journalists in Abuja, described the decision as a strategic engineering intervention that would address the increasing impact of flooding and climate change on the vital infrastructure. The critical sections of the East-West Road would be upgraded to accommodate present and anticipated flood levels at the strategic route. Umahi harped on the importance of the construction of the Benin City Bypass and other sections of the littoral corridor in reducing congestion and improving movement across the South-South zone. On the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Minister noted that the project was designed to establish a major economic corridor linking Ilelah in Sokoto State with Badagry in Lagos State. He stated th...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Prof Innocent Barikor The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has praised the fishing community of Okun Igando in Lagos State for rescuing endangered Leatherback Sea Turtle. Specifically, the agency commended the Baale of Okun Igando, Ibeju-Lekki, Hon. Chief Semiu Waliu Jejelaiye for his proactive actions that saved the endangered animal. A viral video circulating on social media on Thursday showed a massive turtle trapped in a fishing net, and community members working together to return it alive to the Atlantic Ocean after the Baale stopped attempts to kill or sell it. The leatherback and other types of sea turtles including ground or land types are protected by both international Conventions, protocols and local laws. The Director-General of NESREA, Prof Innocent Barikor described the action of the youth and Baale as exemplary, adding that Sea turtles are globally threatened due to by-catch, ocean-plastic pol...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Experts in the environment and climate sectors have resolved to explore implementation models on Africa's climate change adaption, mitigation and financing plans. This followed the shortfall in the coordination and execution strategies, and how commitments could be translated into action that delivers measurable results for the continent.  Given the implementation gaps, policymakers, business leaders, climate practitioners, development institutions and other stakeholders will converge in Abuja next week for the 2026 Africa Climate Forum (ACF).  Organised by the Global Centre for Law, Business and Economy (GCLBE), the fourth edition of the Forum will be held under the theme: "Implementing in Lockstep: Public-Private Action for Green Outcomes." With both in-person and virtual participation from across Africa and beyond, the forum will focus on how policy, investment, enterprise and institutions can work together more effectively to move cli...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has formed a strategic alliance with Environmental Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) to improve public awareness on environmental health, water resources management, flood forecasting, early warning systems and other hydrological issues affecting Nigerians. Director-General of NIHSA, Arch Umar Muhammed stated this when the Executive Council of EMCAN led by its Chairman, Joycelyn Ellekeche Adah paid a courtesy visit to the agency’s management in Abuja. Muhammed, who disclosed the importance of stronger collaboration between the agency and the media in disseminating critical information to the public, stated that the media remained an important partner in helping the agency reach vulnerable communities with timely and accurate information, particularly on early warnings and water-related risks. He said: “Effective management of water resources is critical to preventing water scarcity, con...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele The Federal Government has advanced plans to displace 5000 cars daily along critical transit corridors, through the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Green Line project, expected to cost about $1.2 billion. Executed by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) in partnership with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the project is a major infrastructure initiative by the Lagos State Government. The Adviser to the Ministry of Finance on Green Growth, Temitope Akinyemi stated this on Tuesday at a High-level roundtable on ‘Operationalising Nigeria's Carbon Markets through Robust Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV)’, organised by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) in collaboration with the European Union (EU) in Abuja. He outlined how recent macro-economic structural reforms are driving climate action, highlighting the critical role of carbon markets for national fiscal strategy, and annou...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and European Union (EU) have strategised to position Nigeria’s carbon market to attract foreign investment, support low-carbon technology, and align national climate goals with economic development. This will be achieved through Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) as the success depends on robust measurement systems to maintain transparency, environmental integrity, and buyer confidence. Director General of NCCC, Mrs Omotenioye Majekodunmi stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a High-level roundtable on ‘Operationalising Nigeria's Carbon Markets through Robust MRV’, organised by the NCCC in collaboration with the EU. She disclosed that an effective national MRV system cannot operate in silos as it requires seamless data coordination between the NCCC, Federal Ministries of Energy, Environment, Agriculture, Transportation and Water Resources, as well as state governments, and project developers. M...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has disclosed that Nigerian businesses can expand their reach into African markets through the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), while responsible investment strengthens the productive capacity, deepens value addition and further positions Abuja as a hub for commerce and enterprise. Director-General of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Mr Agbaidu Jideani disclosed this at the ongoing 21st Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) 2026, with the theme: “Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy.” He described the Fair as a reflection of the mandate of the ACCI to promote trade and investment, support enterprise development, advocate an enabling business environment, and create opportunities for businesses to start, grow, compete and prosper. Jideani noted that ACCI advanced through the Business Enterprise Support and Training Centre (BEST), which focuses on...