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Environment Minister Says Outdated Laws, Legislation Challenge Of Sustainable Forest

Published

8 months ago

April 16, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…as Reps hold policy dialogue on Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill

By Gloria Ikibah

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Musa, has said that outdated laws and legislations remain one of the challenges confronting sustainable forest and biodiversity conservation in Nigeria.

The Minister who was represented by the Deputy Director Forestry, Rasak Kolawole

also called on the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, which according to him will help address the effects of wildlife trafficking in the country.

The Minister stated this at a policy dialogue organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Environment to review the “Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill 2024, on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, this Bill when passed into law, will help accelerate progress in the fight against wildlife and forest crime and subsequently catalyse the protection and conservation of our iconic species most importantly, the endangered species.

He said: “The challenges facing our environment and wildlife are substantial, ranging from habitat loss to poaching and illegal trafficking. The anticipated passage of this bill is not just a legal obligation but a moral imperative to protect and preserve the rich tapestry of life that sustains us all.

“Pursuant to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, strengthening of the policy, legal and institutional framework is pivotal to our national approach to tackling biodiversity loss, environmental challenges, and climate change. Increasing population coupled with transboundary crime particularly wildlife and forestry crime has continued to mount pressure on the natural resources.

“Although, Nigeria is being dubbed as a transit point for wildlife trafficking, we are not losing sight of such crime being perpetrated domestically. The various subsisting laws and legislation have proven to be inadequate in addressing this problem and this explains why we are here today to subject the draft Bill on the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection 2024 to policy dialogue, thereby giving opportunity for stakeholders to contribute and make the document impeccable as much as possible”.

In his welcome address Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Terser Ugbor, lawmaker representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Terseer Ugbor (APC, Benue) said that Nigeria is currently known as a major global trafficking hub for wild lives in recent years.

He also decried the illegal activities of poachers and smugglers in Nigeria, and added that as illegal activities like poaching and smuggling are a major sabotage to our economy and called for action to stop the trend.

Ugbor further stated that the activities of poachers portend grave dangers to the nation’s economy, adding that biodiversity is particularly threatened by the actions of those he called wildlife criminals.

He said: “Wildlife crime also fosters corruption, facilitates insecurity and presents opportunities for the spread of zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19.

“Nigeria has emerged with the unenviable status as a global hub for wildlife trafficking in recent years, and continues to be considered as one. Nigeria must therefore act swiftly and work to reverse this negative status and threat to our beautiful country and the world.

“The passage of this legislation will mark a major milestone for global conservation efforts and Nigeria’s international image. The passage of this bill will also advance the legislative agenda of the 10th House of Representatives for Nigeria’s environmental sustainability.”

Rep. Ugbor said that the proposed law is aimed to address threats to biodiversity in Nigeria and across Africa by providing a consistent and strong legal framework to put an end to wildlife trafficking.

“In doing this, it embodies recommendations made following a consultative and collaborative analysis of relevant Nigerian laws for addressing wildlife trafficking”, he added.

He therefore stressed on the need to ensure that Nigeria’s biodiversity is supported by strong and comprehensive endangered species legislation.

“Nigeria is also a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora obligating the strengthening of our legal framework for biodiversity conservation and this bill seeks to give effect to those obligations.

“Although not strictly a requirement of the lawmaking process, this policy dialogue is necessary to harmonise stakeholders’ position on the bill and clear the way for its expeditious approval and adoption as law.”

He commended the Environmental Investigation Agency, Africa Nature Investors Foundation, and Wild Africa Fund for their input in the bill even as he acknowledged the donations of the UK Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, the US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, as well as the Pangolin Conservation Fund.

Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Oliver Stolpe called for a review of Nigerian legislations to provide for stiffer penalties for those involved in trafficking in endangered species, adding that the current legal framework does not meet the threshold of the serious crime definition in the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

He said pending the adoption of the Bill, Nigerian law enforcement authorities cannot fully activate the provisions of the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crimes (UNTOC) and cooperate effectively with their counterparts in countries of origin, transit and destination.

He said “the weaknesses of the current legal framework are exemplified in the minimal sentences handed down to wildlife crime perpetrators who have been prosecuted and convicted in the past year and a half, thanks in part to the assiduousness of the Nigeria Customs Service.

“The low penalties in the current legal framework are such that they can be discouraging to the dedicated intelligence led investigations and prosecutions that have made these convictions possible. It is therefore an important milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to combat wildlife and forest crime that we are gathered at this policy dialogue to review the Endangered Species”.

He stressed that the provisions of the Bill align with UNODC’s Guide on Drafting Legislation to Combat Wildlife Crime, saying “UNODC is particularly pleased to see the Increased penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment depending on the type of offence meeting now the threshold of the “serious offences” definition in the UNTOC; clear definition of individual offences and a comprehensive list of different types of wildlife crime and prohibitions on hunting, possession and trade of scheduled species”.

He said the National Assembly should review the approach taken to establishing criminal liability for attempt in relation to the provisions of the Bill, with a view to ensuring a comprehensive and consistent approach to establishing liability while also including provisions in the law that will allow the Nigerian agencies collaborate with their international partners and other countries in combating trafficking in endangered species.

News

Christmas in Naija: How We Dey Manage Celebrate Despite Wahala

Published

3 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

For Naija, Christmas no be just ordinary holiday. Na time wey hope dey shine, vibe dey sweet, and gratitude dey full everywhere. Na that time of the year wey, no matter how life don hard, people go try “show face” because Christmas na big deal. But lately, with the way everything dey cost and suffer no dey reduce, celebrating Christmas don turn wahala for many families.

Still, as we dey talk, “Man no fit kill himself.” Nigerians no dey carry last. We sabi find ways to flex and celebrate the birth of Jesus, even if na to cut corner or manage small.

Cost Wahala: Everything Don Cost Die

You no need any prophet to tell you say things for market don turn another level. Everything don cost! From rice to chicken, even maggi cube sef don follow increase. Wetin you go talk about live chicken? E don be like say to chop chicken for Christmas na for rich people alone. Rice wey people dey buy for ₦20,000 before don near ₦100,000. Wetin we go do?

But for Naija, no Christmas without rice and chicken. E be like wedding without music, e no complete. So, people dey hustle extra hard. Tailors no fit sleep because everybody wan sew new clothes. For market, na haggling full everywhere as buyers dey try drag price wey don already high.

Yet, hope still dey. Naija people dey always talk say, “God no go shame us.” Somehow, everybody dey find way.

December Rush: Going Back to the Village

One of the sweetest things about Christmas for Naija na the “back to village” movement. Whether you dey Lagos, Abuja, Sokoto, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Ibadan ofPort Harcourt, December na time to reconnect with your roots. But my brother, the journey no easy o.

Transport fare dey mad. Fuel price dey high, so drivers no dey smile. Imagine paying ₦40,000 from Lagos to Enugu wey before na ₦7,000. Still, people dey go because, as dem go talk, “Home sweet pass anywhere.”

Na the road matter sef dey pain pass. Traffic go tie you like wrapper, police go dey disturb you for checkpoints, and bad roads no go allow you rest. But trust Nigerians; we sabi manage. With small gist, music, and snacks for road, the journey go dey bearable.

Decorations and the Christmas Feeling

No matter the hardship, December still dey sweet for Naija. Streets go dey shine with Christmas lights, even if e no plenty like oyinbo countries. Small businesses go hang blinking lights, and some churches go do nativity scenes. Children go sing carols, mixing English and local hymns.

For house, families dey try decorate, no matter how small. If you no fit buy Christmas tree, palm frond dey available. Just add ribbon join am, and your tree don complete. Nigerians go just laugh say, “Na manage we dey manage, but e go still sweet.”

The Christmas Food: Make Everybody Chop

For Naija, food na the center of Christmas celebration. Even if na one kind year wey e be like say soup no too dey plenty, Christmas day different. Rice, whether na Jollof or fried, e must show. Chicken, goat meat,cow meat or turkey go follow. If you lucky, you go see moimoi, salad, or even nkwobi and isi-ewu.

But the hustle to prepare food no easy. Cooking gas dey cost, firewood no dey too plenty, and food items don turn something else for market. Na there the community spirit dey enter. Neighbors dey share, people dey contribute small small, because as dem dey talk, “Nobody wan carry last, everybody must chop.”

Church Service: The Main Reason for Christmas

For Naija, we no dey forget say the reason for the season na Jesus Christ. Churches dey full on Christmas morning as families go dey sing, pray, and thank God for the year. Choir go sing gospel wey go touch heart, and pastor go preach hope, love, and resilience.

For some villages, dem dey even do nativity play or Christmas drama to remind people of how Christ take start. E dey sweet when you see traditional dance join the celebration. Religion and culture dey mix well for Naija style of Christmas.

Evening Cruise: Detty December Don Land

After all the food and church matter, na groove time! Children go wear their fine new clothes waka round, go house to house dey greet people and collect small gifts (aka “Christmas handouts”). Youths go organize street parties, and local DJs go blast music wey go make body sweet.

For some people, na time to do “detty December.” Bars, lounges, and beaches go full as people go dey vibe, because, as we sabi talk, “Body no be firewood.”

Finding Joy Even When E No Easy

Despite all the struggle, Nigerians sabi find joy. Na about the small memories, laughter from children, food wey everybody chop together, and the spirit of giving. Even those wey no fit afford big celebration still dey thank God o. Some people go do small house party; others go just use the day pray and reflect.

Social media sef dey help. People dey share their own kind of celebration, using hashtags like #NaijaChristmas or #DettyDecember to show say life still dey sweet, no matter the condition.

As We Enter New Year

As another year dey end, hope still dey shine for Naija. The way people dey push through Christmas wahala, show the resilience wey Nigerians carry. Everybody dey pray say next year go better, better economy, better life.

So, whether na rice and chicken you chop, or na garri you soak, one thing sure: Christmas na about the heart wey dey give. Love, gratitude, and hope na wetin matter pass.

Merry Christmas, Naija style!

News

Edo To Get First Lady As Gov Okpebholo Reportedly Set To Quit Bachelorhood

Published

5 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

December 24, (THEWILL) – Barring any last minute change of heart, the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, is allegedly set to marry his side chick, a California-based lady, Jennifer, the daughter of Sharon Ogaga, who is a native of Auchi and is believed to be in her 30s.

THEWILL reports that the marriage is scheduled to be held in Potter Ranch, California, in January 2024, while Aso ebi for the event is being distributed to friends of the bride for a fee around America, Europe and Africa, the letter of invitation only identifies Jennifer, but does not mention the identity of the husband-to-be, in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to mask governor Okpebolo’s identity and shield him from the controversial move.

What is weird is that Jennifer and her family are being coy with the identity of the man she is marrying.

One of THEWILL’s sources, however, has a direct confirmation that Governor Okpebholo is the “husband-in-waiting.”

“They are only telling people that Jennifer is getting married. They are not revealing the identity of the man. It is obvious they are hiding something, probably they don’t want distractions to taint the ceremony,” one of the sources said.

THEWILL does not know the status of Okpebholo’s current marriage to Blessing Okpabi Okpebholo, the mother of his two daughters, who was a no-show during his inauguration as governor.

It, however, appears that their marriage is over because it is illegal to be married to more than one person under the laws of the United States.

According to one of our sources, Senator Adams Oshiomhole allegedly hooked Jennifer up with the governor.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Osiobughie Okhuemoi, said he was unaware of the development when THEWILL contacted him for comments a few days ago.

THE WILL