NEWS
Enugu Approves Landmark Climate, Off-grid Electricity Policies, Strategies
From Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu
In yet another pacesetting move, the Enugu State Government has approved the Enugu State Climate Policy and Action Plan (ESCPAP), making it the first subnational government in Nigeria to adopt a long-term climate strategy that incorporates emissions modeling, microenergy audits and extensive stakeholder engagement.
In the same vein, the State Executive Council has also approved the Enugu State Off-Grid Electrification (OGE) Policy Strategy Plan to expand electricity access to unserved and underserved communities, leveraging distributed renewable energy solutions to drive economic growth and improve public service delivery.
The approvals were announced by the Secretary to State Government, SSG, Prof.
Chidiebere Onyia, at the end of the State Executive Council meeting at the weekend.Briefing newsmen alongside the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu and the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Nathaniel Uramah, Prof. Onyia said ESCPAP underscored Mbah Administration’s commitment to balancing economic transformation, environmental sustainability, innovation, inclusiveness, and climate resilience, ensuring that key sectors such as agriculture, energy, and natural resources were climate-resilient and future-proofed against environmental challenges.
The ESCPAP, according to the government, represents a pioneering effort to facilitate clean energy development, stimulate job creation, and foster green technology advancements.
“We do recall that Enugu State had started this policy design in the past eight months, and finally, after the surveys and after crunching the numbers from various instruments we used, we have come up with a policy and action plan.
“This action plan will help us enhance economic growth. This is very important for us in job creation, and we are looking at a situation where we facilitate the creation of 792,000 jobs in renewable energy, waste management, and reforestation by 2060,” he said.
In terms of sustainable economic growth, ESCPAP is projected to drive a 25-fold increase in the state’s GDP by 2060 through investments in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and green technology.
In terms of energy transition, the state, going by the policy, targets 80 per cent renewable energy usage by 2060, with a 60 per cent emissions reduction in the transport sector and a robust afforestation plan to enhance carbon sequestration.
The comprehensive policy and action plan includes the setting up of an ESCPAP Implementation Committee, comprising representatives from the government, private sector, civil society, and international donor organisations to ensure effective execution of the policy’s goals as well as the introduction of a climate change curriculum in Enugu’s Smart Green Schools to equip the future generations with knowledge and skills in green innovation.
The Climate Policy and Action Plan, he said ,aligned with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and global climate agreements, thus positioning the state as a key player in the nation’s journey toward a low-carbon, sustainable future.
Also, highlighting the state’s Off-Grid Policy, Onyia said, “This policy is designed to complement the Enugu State Electrification Policy that was passed in 2023 Enugu Electricity Law.
“This provides a framework that would catalyse private sector investment, enhance socio-economic growth, and improve the overall quality of life of Enugu people.
“This policy also recognises the importance of distributed renewable energy solutions such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass. These will be the key drivers for electrification in the rural and peri-urban areas.”
All these, according to the government, were in sync with the Mbah Administration’s drive to grow Enugu’s economy to a $30 billion economy by 2031.
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his belief in a democratic culture where opposition is not enmity but a contest of ideas.Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the launch of former governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa state’s autobiography titled “Being True to Myself.
”The President empahaised that “every citizen, regardless of party affiliation, has a seat at the table of national discourse. ”He described the book as a significant contribution to Nigeria’s political literature and democratic discourse.Tinubu hailed Lamido as a bold, consistent, and principled politician whose personal journey mirrors the story of Nigeria’s democratic evolution.“This is not merely the unveiling of a book, it is the celebration of a life defined by courage, consistency, and commitment to democratic ideals,’’ he said.“Alhaji Sule Lamido, though a staunch member of the political opposition and often a critic of the government of President Bola Tinubu, remains one of the strong pillars of Nigeria’s political evolution,” he said.He also described the book’s decade-long development as a labour of resilience and praised Lamido’s effort in preserving political memory.Tinubu, therefore, encouraged other political veterans to emulate Sule Lamido’s example by documenting their experiences for future generations.“Being True to Myself’’ is fitting for a book that aptly reflects the man Sule Lamido and his reputation as a principled and blunt politician and statesman.“I will recommend this book to students, scholars, journalists, and fellow politicians, who will find it instructive for many years.”Earlier, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, described Lamido as admirable character, “and I admire him.Obasanjo said that Lamido did a magnificent job when he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs.“Such a magnificent job, that within the three years of our coming to government, the Queen of Britain and the Queen of the Commonwealth actually came to Nigeria to participate in the CHOGM that we had.“And that was actually the greatest indication that we had now been accepted—no matter what the past was“We have now been accepted by the international community, in Africa, in the Commonwealth, in the United Nations, and everywhere,” he said.Also, former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, represented by the former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said the book was full of insights and wisdom.Abubakar said that the author navigated his childhood memories, career path, life trajectory, and personal lessons from his private and public relations.“Alhaji Sule Lamido deserves commendation for this contribution. He made a courageous effort of putting pen to paper in the tedious process of producing a book worthy of the name.“It adds remarkable value to our understanding of not only his background and experiences but also to our enriched understanding of the dynamics as well as the trials and tribulations of politics and governance in Nigeria.”Dignitaries present were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former National Security Adviser, retired Gen. Aliyu Gusau, Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Mr Peter Obi, 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate and former Senate President, Ken Nnamani.Others are former President of Senate, Anyim Poius Anyim, former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Prof. Umar Pate, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe state, among others. (NAN)
An Abuja High Court on Tuesday dismissed an enforcement of rights suit filed by Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to Kogi Governor against Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.Bello had on May 21, 2024 instituted an enforcement of rights suit, marked no FCT/HC/CV/2574/2024 against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleging breach of privacy among others.
Bello through his counsel, Adeola Adedipe,SAN sought for eight reliefs among which are respect for his dignity and right to own and acquire property as enshrined in sections 34(1), 35(1), 37, 43 and 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. The applicant further complained of the publication of the pictures of his house and address in her X-handle @Natashaakpoti on March 15, 2024 against the provisions of Section 37 of the Constitution.The applicant claimed further that the respondent alleged that he lodged former governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello in the house he is living with his family EFCC was looking for him.He added that the house belonged to the former governor whom they call ” White Lion of Kogi ‘In addition, the applicant asked for N1 billion in general damages and compensation.Delivering judgment in the suit, Justice Slyvanius Oriji held that there were three issues to resolve in the suit.One, the judge said, was whether the publication on Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s X-handle violated the applicant ‘s fundamental right to privacy under Section 37 of the Constitution.“Two, is whether her petition to the Inspector-General of Police on the ownership of the said property violated the applicant’s right and whether the applicant is entitled to the reliefs sought,” he said.The judge held that, publicity as the applicant claimed cannot be given to a house that is already in the public space, which can be seen by everyone.” In the same vein, the post observed in the respondent’s ex-social media pagewould not be considered highly offensive to an objectively reasonable person.” Secondly, the case of the applicant is not that as a result of the post or publication, officials of the EFCC had come to his house and invaded his privacy so as to look for the respondent’s favourite story book, ” The Defeated White Lion” or to look for the former governor of the state,Oriji held that the respondent (Akpoti-Uduaghan) failed to establish her claim of the ownership of the property stated in her tweets that was one of the properties in which EFCC obtained an interim order of forfeitureHe held that there was nothing before the court to prove the respondent’s assertion and that the court also visited the said property.” In the absence of any contrary evidence, the court accepts the deposition in the applicant’s affidavit that he is the owner of the said property and that he lives there with his family.” Moreover, at the visit to the property,the court confirmed that the applicant lived in the property with his family.” Before I go further, the point was made that it is improper, reprehensible, and unconscionable for a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to post a picture of the applicant’s house and the house address in her ex-social media handle without just cause.“” On the unfounded belief that the property belonged to , a former governor of the state. Such conduct must be and is thereby defecated by the court” he held.On issue of the respondent’s publication he held that Section 37 of the Constitution provides both the privacy of citizens,their homes among others.” It appears to me that the right to privacy is not one of the fundamental rights which the courts are regularly called upon to advocate.” It is correct that the applicant, like all other citizens, is entitled to the fundamental right guaranteed by Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.” Therefore, the applicant is entitled to this relief, which is a general declaration, the order for the respondent to tender a public apology to the applicant in Relief 6, and the sum of one billion Naira general damages in Relief 7 are dismissed.” The parties shall bear their costs” he held. (NAN)
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
The initiative, championed by the Cross River State Land Cluster with the support of Nugi Technologies Nigeria Ltd, marks a significant shift from analogue to fully digital processing, enabling transparency and faster delivery times.
The Director-General of the Cross River State Geographical information Agency, Williams Archibong, praised the Governor for creating a conducive environment to deliver on this promise.
“With the new system, C-of-O for government land will now be issued within 21 days, and within 42 days for private land, ” Archibong stated. “This is a major departure from the past administration, where analogue systems led to delays and frequent errors.
Now, everything is digitized and streamlined.”Also speaking at the event, Ms. Akinlabi Ajoke, CEO of Nugi Technologies Nigeria Ltd, described the rollout as a dream come true for the company and its partners in the Land Cluster.
“When we say digital, we mean from start to finish. Every stage of the process, from application to final issuance, is now online. This synergy between the land cluster, the state government, and our technology team is what makes this breakthrough possible,” Ajoke said.
The Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Francis Ekpenyong described the issuance of C-of-Os as a long-overdue liberation for Cross Riverians who had been marginalized by banks and financial institutions due to the absence of proper land documentation. “This exercise is unlocking Cross Riverians who were locked out of the economy. With these certificates, property owners can now stand tall before any financial institution,” he remarked.
The Surveyor General of the State, Surv. Patrick Bassey, hailed the digital transformation, pointing out new security features like QR codes that make each C-of-O verifiable and tamper-proof. “This shows Cross River is now on a digital growth path,” he said, urging citizens to take advantage of the new system.
As part of the unveiling, Governor Otu personally presented Certificates of Occupancy to some landlords and businesses, including Prof. Victor Okon Ansa, as well as Mainland Oil and Gas Company Ltd.
Speaking on behalf of other recipients, Prof. Victor Ansa said he applied many years back, and “it felt almost impossible to get a C-of-O. But this administration has changed that narrative. It’s a new dawn for Cross River. This reform sends a strong message that the state is open and ready for business.”
With the new system in place, the Otu-led administration is taking a bold step to create a more investor-friendly environment and ensure that property ownership processes are faster, more secure, and fully transparent.
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