By Aliu Akoshile
I would like to start on a note of tribute to a man who exemplified piety and selfless service to humanity . The late Emir of Dutse, Alhaji (Dr.) Nuhu Muhammadu Sanusi, who passed away about a year ago, was a royal father with an exceptional spirit of kindness. He was Chairman of the Advisory Board of NatureNews and a mentor to my humble self. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
Today, we gather to celebrate the modest journey of a young newspaper; a newspaper that has dedicated three years to reporting the environment and inspiring change in Nigeria’s climate landscape.
As we reflect on our strides these past years, we are not unmindful of the remarkable efforts of other stakeholders towards a greener future for Nigeria and, indeed, Africa. It is therefore safe to declare that our mission is far from being accomplished. Climate change remains a present danger to a sustainable environment and a potent threat to life.
Our commitment to providing insightful, accurate, and unbiased news is unwavering. Just as our platform has continued to empower individuals and policymakers to make informed decisions that impact our environment. In the coming years, NatureNews pledges to intensify its efforts in spotlighting innovative solutions and championing environmental stewardship to roll back the debilitating impact of climate change in our country.
Recognizing the critical role of trees in climate mitigation and national economic prosperity, NatureNews is initiating a nationwide campaign to plant 5 billion trees in Nigeria by the year 2030.
This ambitious afforestation initiative, which is a product of nearly two years of rigorous brainstorming, has been branded “NaijaGreenProject 2030”. We are convinced that such a massive tree-planting project would bring tremendous benefits to our nation and its people.
The “NaijaGreenProject 2030” aligns with the global efforts to combat climate change. It also conforms with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. Among other advantages, this massive afforestation project will help to create opportunities for youth employment, support biodiversity, contribute to carbon sink, provide habitat for diverse wildlife, and promote ecological balance.
If embraced by all stakeholders, the “NaijaGreenProject 2030” has the potential to transform our country, nay the continent, into a model of environmental responsibility, fostering a greener, healthier, and more resilient future for Nigeria and the planet earth.
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We implore all stakeholders in the public and private sectors to embrace this patriotic national initiative by pledging their commitments to a certain number of tress to be planted within the six-year timeframe. We are aware that some individuals and corporate organisations have already pledged to plant trees as part of their social investment in climate mitigation. All such pledges and commitments will be accommodated within the harmonized national initiative of 5 billion trees by 2030.
As a watchdog of the environment space, we have followed with keen interest the remarkable works being undertaken by some of our compatriots and organisations towards the goal of sustainable environment in Nigeria.
These silent achievers will be recognised today, having emerged winners of our Hero of Environmental Actions for Development (HEAD) award, 2023. I congratulate the winners as I urge them to remain steadfast in promoting climate solutions and sustainable living.
Your Excellency, distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen, the theme for the third anniversary lecture is “Climate Change and Energy Transition in Nigeria”. This has been carefully chosen.
In a continent at the forefront of the global energy transition, NatureNews has been playing a pivotal role in shaping discourse and driving awareness.
We have fearlessly reported on the challenges posed by climate change and the urgency of embracing sustainable energy solutions. By making energy transition the focal point of the anniversary lecture, we desire to help Nigeria navigate the intersections of hydrocarbon energy utilization, infrastructural development, and renewable energy transition without bleeding the national economy.
To interrogate this seemingly peculiar African dilemma and proffer solutions, we are lucky to have a guest speaker who is an economist par excellence, an infrastructural policy analyst, and an intellectual giant within a continental financial institution. We are honoured to have as our guest speaker today, the DG Nigeria Country Office, African Development Bank Group, Mr. Lamin G. Barrow.
Once again, I extend our deepest appreciation to everyone present here today, and many who are with us online from across Africa and beyond. Together, let us continue this vital journey towards a sustainable, resilient, and thriving continent.
– Being text of a speech delivered at the 3rd Anniversary Lecture of NatureNews and Presentation of the Hero of Environmental Actions for Development (HEAD) Awards at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, on Tuesday, February 27, 2024
