In the same vein, the state government also signified its intention to take the lead as the climate capital of Africa and a city that not only adapts to change but leads it across the Continent.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, stated this during a media briefing in preparation for the 11th Lagos State International Climate Change Summit held at the Eko Atlantic Corporate office, Victoria Island.

He said Lagos State was massively investing in coastal defenses and urban greening,

He added that the state was also investing in flood mitigation, renewable energy, and circular economy models that could serve as templates for other cities across the continent.

According to him, “Through the Lagos International Climate Change Summit, we are sending a clear message to the world: Africa is not waiting to be rescued. We are ready to lead.”

He described Lagos as a living testament to human resilience and ingenuity reaffirming Lagos’ unwavering commitment to building a future where the environment, economy, and people thrive together.

Wahab emphasised that Lagos was one of the world’s most vibrant coastal megacities, a hub of creativity, commerce as well as culture and it was also one of the most climate-vulnerable saying rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and flooding were not distant possibilities but daily realities.

He said the creation of Lagos State Parks and Garden, LASPARK, stood as a testament and offspring of the summit held some years back just as the summit had also given the opportunity to market Lagos Climate Resilience Policy, claiming:  “Lagos is only State that has the Climate Policy in the country.”

He said in Lagos, everyone believed that vulnerability could be transformed into vision and challenge turned into opportunity and that explained why the year 2025 Summit was themed “Blue Economy, Green Money: Financing Africa’s Coastal Resilience and Ocean Innovation,” which spoke directly to the mission to convert Lagos’ coastal challenges into economic and ecological strength.

He stressed that the 2025 Summit was not merely an environmental conference but a strategic platform for action where subnational governments, global development institutions, investors, scientists, and innovators come together to design real, bankable climate solutions.

The Commissioner said the summit would spotlight the Blue Economy, harnessing oceans and waterways for sustainable growth; Green Finance, mobilizing capital for renewable energy and waste recycling,

He added that it would also spotlight nature-based infrastructure; Innovation and Youth, empowering the next generation of African climate entrepreneurs as well as well as Partnerships, strengthening cross-sector collaboration for long-term transformation.

He explained that the 2025 edition would host more than 1,200 delegates including international agency heads, global CEOs, financiers, youth innovators, and researchers, all united by one mission: to finance the future of resilience in Africa.

He added that it was particularly significant that the summit would take place just ahead of COP30, giving Lagos an opportunity to shape the global conversation, translating local action into international impact.

“This Summit belongs not only to government, but to every organization, every citizen, and every innovator who believes in the promise of a greener and more resilient Africa,” he said.

He said the measuring matrix would be based on different yardsticks which would include communication dissemination, how to input the bankable projects before the world, how to put Lagos and Lagos resilience narrative before the world saying that the state would check after I2 months to see if set goals had been achieved.

He added that the messages from the summit would be taken to the grassroots, places like Temu (outskirt of Lagos), residents of Okun Aja corridor and other areas that experienced the effects of coastal erosion which were the realities of climate change and that it went beyond building of terrestrial home.

He expressed appreciation to all the summit’s partners which include Eko Atlantic for embodying the spirit of sustainable urban development and  NIMASA for their continued leadership in maritime safety and the blue economy.

He said the government also recognized the invaluable support of international collaborators, the International Finance Corporation, IFC, the African Development Bank, AfDB, the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, and others, whose technical expertise and financial commitment continue to enhance Lagos’ global standing.

He charged everyone to build a Lagos that would lead with purpose, “from the deep blue of our oceans to the bright green of the innovation as the briefing would mark the beginning of another defining chapter in Lagos’ journey toward sustainability.”

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Tah was Mauritanian Finance Minister and Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, BADEA.

In a telephone conversation from Lagos with the Mauritanian leader on Thursday afternoon, after Tah’s election at the AfDB’s Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, President Tinubu commended the transparent process that led to the emergence of the former Mauritanian finance minister.

Tah will succeed Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria, who will step down in September after completing two five-year terms.

President Tinubu said be believed that Dr Tah would bring a wealth of experience to the role, given his track record in former positions.

President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong partnership with the AfDB, emphasising its status as the institution’s largest shareholder among its member countries, comprising 54 African nations and 27 non-African states.

READ ALSO: Appeal Court affirms Okpebholo’s election as Edo governor

The president restated his commitment to working closely with the incoming AfDB president to advance shared priorities, including infrastructure development, agricultural transformation, energy access, and climate resilience.

Nigeria recently approved a $500 million capital replenishment for the Nigeria Trust Fund, NTF, in May 2025, extending the fund’s operations by another 15 years.

Established in 1976, the NTF is a special AfDB fund fully financed by Nigeria to support development projects across Africa.

This renewed commitment underscores Nigeria’s continued dedication to the Bank’s mission of driving inclusive growth and poverty reduction on the continent.

President Tinubu pledged Nigeria’s full support for Mr. Tah in implementing his vision for the institution, including strengthening regional financial institutions, promoting Africa’s economic independence, leveraging population growth for development, and building climate-resilient infrastructure.

President Tinubu thanked the outgoing President, Dr Adesina, and wished him success in his future endeavours.

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The bank is also interested in partnering with LAMATA to expand the capacity of the existing rail system.

AfDB Vice President, Private Sector Infrastructure and Industrialization, Mr. Solomon Quaynor, gave the assurance while on a visit to LAMATA in the company of Mr. Mayowa Ayodele, Non-Sovereign Operations and Private Sector Equity Specialist, ahead of a visit of the technical team to assess the Purple line.

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The Purple Line is a 60-kilometre railroad the Redemption Camp in Ogun State, traversing Berger, Agege and Alimoso and terminate at Volkswagen to join the Blue Line.

The visit follows a recent pitch for investment on 60-kilometre Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Purple Line at the African Development Bank forum in Morocco, where the Lagos delegation was led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The visit is to further discuss collaboration on the project and other lines outlined in the Lagos Strategic Transport Masterplan, STMP.

The delegation toured the LRMT Blue Line and expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Blue Line rail system.

The AfDB team was warmly received by Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director of LAMATA; Engr. Olasunkanmi Okusaga, Director of Rail Transport; Kemi Williams, Consultant Policy and Programme; and Kolawole Ojelabi, Head of Corporate Communication.

The visit signifies a significant step forward in securing funding and expertise for the ambitious rail projects envisioned for Lagos, to further enhance the city’s transportation infrastructure and improve the quality of life for its residents.

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The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, gave the apology on Thursday during a courtesy visit to Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State, describing the situation as “very unfortunate.”

Adelabu said the federal government was overhauling the national grid to reduce the frequent disturbances in the system and improve power supply across the country.

He said that the national grid was over 50 years old, with components that are weak, obsolete, and dilapidated, including the lines and substations, with old transformers.

Adelabu said most of the towers installed on the system a long time ago were falling due to the effects of weather and climate change, adding that they needed continuous maintenance.

The minister said: “This grid requires a lot of money to maintain. So, what we have now, we will continue to manage it and prevent frequent disturbances until we are able to overhaul this infrastructure 100 per cent. ‘’

Adelabu said the federal government was revamping the entire grid structure as various programmes were being put in place to ensure that old infrastructure were replaced.

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He listed the programmes to include: Presidential Power Initiative, PPI, known as the Siemens project, which is currently ongoing.

According to him, there is also the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN’s expansion programme supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, AfDB.

Adelabu said that the pilot phase of the Siemens project had just been concluded and it involved the importation of 10 power transformers as well as 10 power mobile sub-stations.

He said that phase one of the Siemens project would soon commence after which the grid performance would be better than what was being experienced presently.

The minister said that the improvement witnessed in the power sector was not accidental, explaining that many old power transformers were replaced by new ones.

“We have also installed and inaugurated all the mobile sub-stations where they were needed and that was what contributed to the stability being witnessed,” Adelabu said.

He appealed to Nigerians to protect the nation’s power infrastructure from vandals, as they cost a lot of money.

Earlier, Yusuf, represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shehu Sagagi,  aid that the state government was completing work at the 10 megawatts hydropower plant at Tiga and 6 megawatts at Chalawa hydropower plant.

”They are assisting five per cent of the population as well as the installation of solar power in the metropolis, which has assisted the security situation in the state.

“When we came on board, we procured 500 transformers and they were distributed to improve power supply,” he said.

Yusuf said that the state government would soon establish a state electricity market to attract the private sector.

He urged: “We are calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and set up emergency mini grid power plant that will supply adequate voltage in the state and diversify generation to reduce dependence on the national grid.”

Source: NAN

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The Special Adviser to the President of the Bank on Industrialization, Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, made the assertion in an interview at the weekend, after a meeting with Governor Dapo Abiodun at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

He said the visit was to discuss One Agenda, Item 18, that focuses on the development of the Special Agro Industrial Processing Zone and to clarify the subsidiary loan agreement between the state and the federal government.

“Today, we have clarity on how best to develop the hub, including the Agricultural Transformation Centre, to ensure that the significant Zone arrangements see the light of the day,” the AFDB official said.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Bolu Owotomo, said the state stood to gain from having many Agricultural Transformation Centres as they would feed the Special Agro Industrial Processing Zone with raw materials.

He said his ministry was currently distributing inputs to farmers as the farming season approached to enable them to have bountiful harvest and improve their livelihood.

Owotomo also revealed that capacity building was being intensified by training Extension Officers to enlighten small holder farmers on how best to use the inputs given to them, calling on farmers to follow climate smart farming to plant for good harvest.

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In a related development, the Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON, said it had taken steps to guarantee the safety of trucks conveying Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, in the country.

This is in response to the explosion that occurred in Abeokuta last weekend.

The Director General of the organization, Dr. Ifeanyi  Chukwunoso Okeke, disclosed this on Thursday after a meeting with Governor Abiodun at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The Director General, who described the incident as unfortunate, said CNG remained a clean and cheapest fuel that was environmentally friendly and an alternative to other traditional petroleum products.

He said: “I am here in respect to the incident that occurred last Saturday. I am here to let the governor know that we now have safety standards that relate to the CNG operations, which President Bola Tinubu will launch on May 29 this year. As you all know, the president has directed that vehicles will now run on CNG, and CNG is the alternative to the traditional fuel, and it is environment friendly.

“I am also here to inform the governor that we now have two standards that have also been released and the standards will help us in ensuring that there is safety in the operations of CNG in the country.”

While sympathizing with the family who lost their loved one and those who lost their means of livelihood, Dr. Okeke said his agency would look into the immediate and remote cause of the accident with a view to proffering solution.

He noted that the federal government was committed to the use of the Compressed Natural Gas as an alternative to drive the country’s economy.

“It is a one off incident and we are going to look at what led to it and come up with measures to ensure that going forward, the CNG operations will be safe for all and ensure that the public is confidence on its use,” he said.

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The governor, who made this known in a statement while receiving a team of the AfDB at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, noted that the state was already moving in the direction of agro-processing in line with its agenda to expand the state’s economy through agribusiness.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as stating that the state was already witnessing a boom in the cassava value chain and that the prospect of the special agro-processing zone project was exciting.

He said: “I want to use this opportunity to welcome one of our own, Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, back to Oyo State.

“The special agro-processing zone is very exciting to us here, and I am happy to let you know that we are already moving as a state as well.

“Few weeks back, we commissioned the second largest sorbitol plant in the world, owned by Psaltery International. That is one step further down in the cassava value chain, from cassava to fructose and then to Sorbitol.

“If you go to the neighbourhood of the plant in Ado-Awaye now, it is cassava all the way. In fact, once you get to Iseyin and move further, you will just see trucks carrying cassava all over the place and few of the things they have asked us for, we are pushing.

“So, we are excited about the prospect of this project.”

Earlier, the team led by the Special Adviser on Industrialisation to the AfDB president, Prof. Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, stated that the process towards the building of the special agro-processing zone had been long, with Oyo State being one of the eight zones.

He expressed joy at being able to bring the project, which he said would be commissioned on October 24 and October 25, to fruition.

Oyelaran-Oyeyinka equally commended the Oyo State government for the support it gave the AfDB on the project, describing the governor as “an indefatigable champion of the project.”

He noted that apart from possessing the requirements to get into the programme, the state also had the best environmental laws and was one of only two states to have signed off with the federal government on the subsidiary loan agreement.

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Tuesday this week was not different. Dr Akinwumi Adesina, former Minister of Agriculture, came on a proactive rescue mission. Something was severely threatening food security in Africa, and Nigeria particularly. It calls for urgent action.

Each time the two gentlemen meet, they start with banters. So comfortable are they in each other’s company.

The jokes and bonhomie over, the AfDB President burst the speaker: “Urgent actions are needed to prevent a food crisis in Africa.”

But because the world is now a global village, and no nation is an island, the Russian-Ukraine war could still affect some fundamentals of our food security. So, what to do?

Why? How? When? What can be done? The questions came tumbling out, like water cascading from a burst dam.

Dr Adesina provided all the answers.

“I am here Mr President to brief you on the impacts of the Russian-Ukraine war and its implications for food security in Africa, and Nigeria; and to intimate you with decisive actions being taken by the African Development Bank to avert what is a looming food crisis.”

“Russia and Ukraine dominate export of wheat and maize to Africa. With the disruption of supplies arising from the war, Africa now faces a shortage of at least 30 million metric tons of food imports from Russia and Ukraine, especially for wheat, maize, and soybeans.”

As the man spoke, suddenly Russia and Ukraine were not so faraway again. They were right there in the Diplomatic Room of the Presidential Villa.

More statistics: “Price of wheat has soared in Africa by over 45% since the war. Prices of fertilizers have gone up by 300%, and the continent faces a fertilizer shortage of 2 million metric tons. If unmet rapidly, food production in Africa will decline by 20%, and the continent would lose over $11 billion in value of food production.”

Holy Moses!

The AfDB boss quoted the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, who had said: “We are now facing a perfect storm that threatens the economies of developing countries.”

If there’s anything President Buhari is concerned about, it is that Nigerians should be able to feed themselves, without recourse to massive food importation. That was why he encouraged us to return to the land, put his money where his mouth is by funding agriculture massively, and today, we have a lot to be thankful for. Food security is almost a reality in the country.

But because the world is now a global village, and no nation is an island, the Russian-Ukraine war could still affect some fundamentals of our food security. So, what to do? Fortunately, we have our own ‘export’ to the world at the AfDB. He unfolded what he has in store for Africa, and for Nigeria, our own dear native land.

“Mr President, I know that you are also worried about the effects on Nigeria…The African Development Bank, under my leadership, is fully prepared to meet this new challenge head on. The Bank has developed a $1.5 billion Africa Emergency Food Production Plan to support countries to produce food rapidly, to mitigate the effects of the war on food prices.

“The plan will support countries to produce 38 million metric tons of food. This will include 11 million metric tons of wheat; 18 million metric tons of maize; 6 million metric tons of rice; and 2.5 million metric tons of soybeans.

“The total value of the additional food production is $12 billion. This plan, which is before the Board of Directors of the Bank for its approval, will be rolled out by the end of May and will cover all countries of the Bank.”

What is in it for me, that is the question people often ask. What’s in it specifically for Nigeria?

“Nigeria is top priority under the emergency food production plan. For the wet season of 2022, the plan will support 5 million smallholder farmers in Nigeria. They will cultivate 2.5 million hectares: one million hectares for maize; one million hectares for rice; 250,000 hectares for soybeans; and 250,000 hectares for sorghum.

“For the dry season of 2022/2023, the plan will support one million farmers across 10 northern states. We expect that this will support 500,000 hectares of wheat. Overall, the Emergency Food Production Plan for Nigeria will produce 9.5 million metric tons of food.”

Call this being proactive, or preparing adequately for the rainy day, and you are right on the money. Since 2015, President Buhari had seen into the future, repositioned the agriculture sector in the country, and he is now receiving viable support from outside. Support that won’t end up in private pockets. God bless leaders who care for their people, particularly the weak and vulnerable.

Dr Adesina said the AfDB will also support Nigeria to develop Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones.

“We have helped to mobilize $540 million for the program. The African Development Bank has approved a total of $210 million. The Islamic Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have approved $170 million, and $160 million respectively, towards the program.”

Fortunately, we have our own ‘export’ to the world at the AfDB. He unfolded what he has in store for Africa, and for Nigeria, our own dear native land.

The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones will be initially rolled out in 7 States: Kano, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, Kwara, Imo, Cross River, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Dr Adesina ended on a note of hope. “Dear Mr President, you are passionate about agriculture. Your passion is shared by me and the colleagues at the African Development Bank. What is needful now is rapid action by Nigeria to implement the program to further boost food production, reduce food price inflation, and transform the agriculture sector, while assuring food security, and creating jobs. Your leadership will be critical for success. Failure is not an option. The farmers are waiting.”

A delighted President Buhari thanked Dr Adesina profusely, encouraging him to work with the right Ministers back here, adding that Nigerian borders were closed for about two years to protect local farmers, and curb smuggling. “We made some progress,” he added.

For those who look at only the downsides of things, under President Buhari, we can be thankful to God that we can feed ourselves, and not crossing the borders to look for food. All other things shall soon be added to us.

Amen, somebody!

*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity

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President of the bank and a former Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, disclosed this while briefing President Muhammadu Buhari at State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Said Adesina: “We have decided to mobilize $540 for the programme. The African Development Bank has approved a total of $210 million. The Islamic Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have approved $170 million, and $160 million respectively, towards the programme.”

The AfDB president indicated that the processing zones would initially be rolled out in seven states, including Kano, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, Kwara, Imo, Cross River, and the Federal Capital Territory.

“I look forward, Your Excellency, to your formal launch of these Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, very soon,” Adesina added.

President Buhari commended AfDB for being foresighted and proactive about food security on the continent, and Nigeria specifically.

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The president spoke on Tuesday at State House, Abuja, during an audience with the AfDB President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who briefed him on steps being taken by the bank to avert food crisis in Africa, in the foreseeable future.

“Thank you for knowing our weaknesses and our strengths, and for planning and working ahead,” President Buhari said.

“We are very much aware of the need for food security, and to encourage our local farmers, that was why we closed our borders for about two years to curb smuggling. We made some progress.”

Dr Adesina said the Russia-Ukraine war would create global problems, and particularly for Africa, which imports a huge percentage of its food from the two countries.

“Already, the price of wheat has gone up about 60%. Maize and other grains will also be affected. There may be fertilizer crisis, as there would be about 2 million metric tons deficit. And that will affect food production by about 20%. Africa will lose $11 billion worth of food, and coming shortly after COVID-19, that would be rather serious,” the AfDB president disclosed.

To prepare against the evil day, Dr Adesina said the AfDB has developed a $1.5 billion Africa Emergency Food Plan, which is now before the bank’s Board for approval.

He added: “We were not ready for COVID-19, but we are now planning to avert food crisis on the continent. There is plan to help farmers cultivate wheat, maize, rice, sorghum, and soybeans. It will mitigate the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war.”

Talking specifically of Nigeria, the Nigerian-born Adesina, and a former Minister of Agriculture, said in the wet season of 2022, at least five million smallholder farmers would be helped to cultivate one million hectares of maize, one million hectares of rice, and 250,000 hectares of sorghum and soybeans, respectively.

“In total, our support will help Nigeria to produce 9.5 million metric tons of food.”

States that will benefit from the assistance include Kano, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, Imo, Cross River, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Adesina submitted: “Mr President, you have a passion for agriculture. We are behind you strongly, and we want to ensure Nigeria won’t feel the impact of the food crisis.”

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“I congratulate you on your second and final term in office. Congratulations on winning the election. Nothing succeeds like success,” Buhari told Adesina.

Dr Adesina had overcome stiff opposition last month to win an unprecedented 100% votes from the regionals and non-regionals that make up the Bank, and was inaugurated for second term of five years as AfDB President on September 1.

“I have told so many people why I backed you,” President Buhari said.

“In 2015, at your first term, you were a Minister with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government, and I was of the All Progressives Congress (APC). But you are a good Nigerian. So I recommended you the first time. You proved to be competent, you made us proud, and I recommended you the second time.”

The president commended Adesina for his support for Africa in general, and Nigeria in particular, stressing that the infrastructural deficits the country has in roads, rail, power, could not be overcome without support.

“There can’t be sustainable development without infrastructure. Our efforts should be seen in the context of lack of resources, but you do your best to support us. I wish you all the best in your final term,” President Buhari said.

The AfDB president thanked the Nigerian president and people for their support, saying he was proud to be a citizen of the country.

“Home is where dreams are born. Home is where nurturing is provided. It is where support is given for realisation of dreams. I am glad to belong here,” Dr Adesina said.

“When I came in June, you received me, and I shared my successes, and the difficulties facing me. You listened, and said you would stand by me. And you did. You not only stood behind me, but also beside me. No greater honour for a man than for his Commander-in-Chief to be his Supporter-in-Chief, and his Defender-in-Chief,” he added.

Adesina said Nigeria gave him air, “when I badly needed it in my lungs,” and pledged to always support the country in his private capacity, and as AfDB President.

He then asked for a round of applause for the President, which was truly resounding.

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