Raising New generation Of Green Ambassadors Through Climate Education In Nigeria

June 12, 2026

The climate crisis has often been described as a race against time, but it is also a race against ignorance. Too many people still lack a clear understanding of the causes of climate change, its real-life consequences, and the practical solutions available to slow its impact. Since climate change is fundamentally a human-induced crisis, addressing it requires changes in human behaviour, and behavioural change begins with awareness.
In recognition of this, The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) developed a Climate Education Manual, a long-term resource, designed for schools to equip teachers and students with the knowledge and tools to understand climate science and promote sustainable living. The manual was co-created with students, teachers and education stakeholders, and officially unveiled in March 2025, with support from the University of Bristol, UK. The goal was not merely to publish a document, but to institutionalize climate literacy among the younger generation.
SPP ManualProf. Chukwumerije Okereke, handing out the Climate Education Manual to Students at the Manual Launch
Following the unveiling of the climate education manual, SPP commenced a series of climate education engagements, taking the message directly to students through school outreaches, interactive learning sessions, and tree-planting exercises that connect climate knowledge with practical environmental stewardship. SPP has reached over 20, 000 students across 70 schools.
In recognition of the critical role that teachers play in shaping young minds, and the need to ensure that accurate climate knowledge is effectively passed on to future generations, SPP expanded the initiative through capacity-building programmes for teachers. Working in partnership with education authorities, the organisation equipped teachers with the knowledge and resources needed to serve as climate education multipliers, integrating climate education into classroom learning.
In Abuja, SPP worked with the Secondary Education Board to begin the training of teachers across the Federal Capital Territory, starting with schools in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). Also, SPP entered into a strategic partnership with DCR Ambassadors to train teachers, with a focus on the North East, beginning with Adamawa as a pilot state. The programme was a six-month climate education effort for junior and senior secondary school teachers in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States respectively.
SPP Tree PlantingTree planting campaign with students of Community Secondary School Edem, Enugu State
By 2026, this capacity building model for educators had matured into deeper state-level engagements. In Enugu State, SPP worked with the Office of the First Lady and the Office of the Senior Adviser to the Governor on Climate Policy and Sustainable Development to train 40 Climate Champions on the use of the Climate Education Manual, with support from UNICEF, Enugu Field Office. These climate Champions are expected to drive a pilot climate education campaign in selected secondary schools across Enugu State.
This capacity-building campaign was also extended to young Nigerians serving under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). In Abuja, SPP took the climate education campaign to the NYSC orientation camp in Kubwa, presenting climate change not as a distant policy issue but as a practical challenge that young Nigerians will inherit and help solve. Beyond introducing Corps Members to the fundamentals of climate change, the engagement highlighted the growing importance of green skills in an evolving global economy. Over 4,000 youth corpers and officials were exposed to emerging opportunities in sustainability and the broader green economy, helping them to see climate action not only as a responsibility, but also as a pathway for innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment.
Most recently, the organisation has focused on sustainability through school-based green clubs. In Abuja, SPP collaborated with Army Day Secondary School, Mogadishu Cantonment, to strengthen Green Environment Clubs as part of the World Environment Day 2026 outreach. The programme increased students’ interest, attended by over 100 participants, led to the establishment of a new club, and helped refine the club’s action areas around composting, recycling, open-burning reduction, and afforestation. The engagement opened further opportunities for the students, including an invitation to participate in the Nigeria Youth Climate Summit.
Green Club Army Sec. School, AbujaInauguration of the Green Club at Army Day Secondary School, Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja
The real significance of SPP’s climate education campaign lies not only in the number of people reached, but in the structures and systems it is helping to build for the future. A trained teacher carries climate knowledge into the classroom year after year. A climate champion takes the message into communities. A green club turns awareness into everyday practice, and together, they demonstrate that climate education is most effective when it moves beyond information-sharing to become embedded in the institutions and people that shape society for sustainable development.
In a climate conversation often dominated by finance, technology and infrastructure, SPP’s Climate Education Initiative is a reminder that lasting change also depends on educating and creating awareness to engage people, especially teens and children, to understand the climate and environmental challenge and be equipped to respond to it. SPP is determined to carry on with these far-reaching climate education campaign across Nigeria to build awareness and inspire action among its teeming young population for sustainable development.

By Timothy Ogenyi (Senior Policy Analyst, SPP) and Ugochukwu Uzuegbu (Communications Specialist, SPP)

Tinubu Declares State Of Emergency On Security, Says Democracy Without Security Is Not Solid

Greenbarge Reporters

June 12, 2026

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared what he called “security emergency,” admitting that democracy without security is not solid enough.
In his message to the nation today, June 12, to mark the Democracy Day, President Tinubu admitted too that this year’s mood has been dampened “by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno.”
Announcing the security emergency, the President approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits.
“Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.”
He said that his government has moved from training with Nigeria’s allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting.
“In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. “Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open.
“Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.”
President Tinubu advised bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terror to surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State.
He said that these windows of surrender would not remain open forever, saying that no mercy would be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.
He begged Nigerians not to engage in blame game or point fingers.
According to him, crime has no ethnicity, calling on the citizens stand united and be assured that the enemies of the nation shall soon be history.
We reproduce hereunder, the full text of President Tinubu’s Democracy Day address:

Fellow Nigerians
Today, we celebrate democracy and the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence. We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.
In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.
To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.
To our armed forces, police, and intelligence services: Nigeria salutes your sacrifice. To our traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads: thank you for your support of peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.
Today, we honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom, and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy. I salute labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers—both those who have passed and those still with us—for their patriotic contributions.
Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is not solid enough. That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.
We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.
To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.
At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.
June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story. We remember Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
We also remember Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and the many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.
June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.
The reforms we are undertaking were not chosen for ease, but for necessity. Three years ago, our public finances were under severe strain, investment was discouraged, and economic uncertainty threatened our future. We chose to act, embracing reforms to advance Nigeria’s economic freedom.
Since 2023, our reforms have restored stability and credibility to economic management. Federation revenues have risen, providing states and local governments with more resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security. Fiscal transparency has improved, leakage has been reduced, and public funds are better directed to national priorities. Investor confidence has returned, with investments in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation, and the creative industries growing.
Domestic refining capacity has increased, strengthening energy security and reducing our reliance on imported petroleum products.
By 2023, when we came on board, the electricity sector was characterised by chronic generation shortfalls, an unreliable gas supply, and transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not evacuate available power. Distribution companies were burdened by massive losses and a metering deficit of over four million. Worst of all, the value chain was drowning in legacy debt. The result was a sector that generated less than the 13,500 Megawatts installed capacity, a sector that transmitted less than it generated, distributed less than it transmitted and collected revenue far below what it needed to sustain itself.
To address the problems besetting the sector, I signed the Electricity Act, which grants states authority to generate, transmit, and distribute power. The Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working hard to reduce the metering deficit. It has also been authorised to raise N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts. The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals. Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it.
Across the country, infrastructure projects are connecting producers to markets and creating opportunities for enterprise and employment. The National Agricultural Development Fund is deploying 10,000 tractors over five years. Over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export. Non-oil exports grew by 21% last year.
Yet, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding confidence in our economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity.
We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region. We believe that Democracy must be felt in the pocket.
Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils. A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance.
Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.
Let us move forward together—rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence. Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.
Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership. In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
I am also pleased to announce national awards to the following Nigerians, who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.
Barrister Ayoka Lawani
Tunde Fagbenle
Oladele Alake
Olatunji Bello
Louis Odion
Segun Babatope
Sam Omatseye
Sir Ademola Osinubi
Bola Bolawole
Lade Bonuola
Femi Kusa
Debo Adeniran
Chief Ayo Opadokun
Chief Ralph Obiora
Ose Osayande
Barrister Osa Director
Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine
Dr Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous)
Dr Osagie Obayuwana
Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin
Barrister Titus Mann
Joe Igbokwe
Richard Akinnola
Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous)
George Mbah
Dr Niran Malaolu
Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd)
Femi Aborisade
Jenkins Alumona
Gbemiga Ogunleye
Muyiwa Adekeye
Babajide Kolade-Otitoju
Ike Okonta
We also recognise the soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle:
Major General MA Garba
Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
Col Umar Farouk Ahmed;
Col Sambo Dasuki;
Col Lawan Gwadabe;
Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong
Col Musa Shehu;
Major General Chris Eze;
Major General Harris Dzarma;
Col Isa Jibrin;
Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin;
Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)
Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
Col J Okai;
Col Emmanuel Ndubueze;
Lt Col Yakubu Muazu
Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Current Etsu Nupe, who is already the holder of the CFR title.
The honours list will be released in the next few days.
Fellow Nigerians, 27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity sustains our democracy. The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.
Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land.
May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to bless us all.
Happy Democracy Day.
BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Federal Republic of Nigeria

How Religious, Ethnic Sentiments Fuel Banditry, Kidnapping In Nigeria, By Abdulkarim Abdulmalik

Greenbarge Reporters

June 12, 2026

At a time when Nigerians should be standing shoulder to shoulder against insecurity, many are unfortunately turning against one another. Every major security incident is increasingly followed by a familiar pattern: accusations, counter-accusations, ethnic profiling and religious finger-pointing.
A village is attacked, and before security agencies complete their investigations, social media courts have already delivered judgments. A kidnapping occurs, and entire ethnic groups are blamed. A terrorist attack takes place, and religious sentiments immediately overshadow objective analysis.
While such reactions may be driven by anger, grief and frustration, they are also giving criminals exactly what they want.
Banditry, kidnapping and terrorism thrive when societies are divided. Nothing serves their interests better than a nation whose citizens are busy blaming one another instead of confronting the real enemy.
The painful reality is that insecurity in Nigeria has no tribe and no religion.
The victims of kidnapping are Muslims and Christians alike. Bandits attack communities without asking for ethnic identity cards. Terrorists do not spare worshippers in mosques, churches, markets, schools or motor parks. Their violence affects everyone. Their bullets do not discriminate. Their ransom demands do not consider religion.
Yet, despite this obvious reality, many Nigerians continue to view security challenges through ethnic and religious lenses.
This trend is becoming increasingly dangerous.
When insecurity is reduced to a contest between tribes or faiths, attention shifts away from the criminals themselves. Public conversations become emotional rather than factual. Genuine security concerns become politicized. Communities that should be cooperating begin to distrust one another.
And in that atmosphere of suspicion, criminals find room to operate.
Security experts across the world agree on one fact: no government can successfully fight insecurity without the cooperation of its citizens. Intelligence gathering remains one of the most effective weapons against criminal networks. Information from local communities often helps security agencies prevent attacks, rescue victims, and dismantle criminal hideouts.
But intelligence sharing becomes difficult when citizens are divided by suspicion.
Imagine a community where neighbours no longer trust one another because of ethnicity or religion. Imagine villages where people are unwilling to share information because they fear being misunderstood or accused. Imagine a nation where every security operation is interpreted through the prism of identity politics.
Such conditions do not weaken criminals; they strengthen them.
Nigeria’s enemies understand this very well.
Criminal groups know that a divided society is easier to exploit. They know that once public attention shifts to ethnic and religious arguments, pressure on criminal networks reduces. Instead of focusing on identifying perpetrators, citizens become occupied with defending their identities and attacking others.
That is why Nigerians must resist the temptation to generalize.
No ethnic group should be criminalized because of the actions of a few individuals. No religion should be blamed for crimes committed by criminals. To do so is not only unfair; it is counterproductive.
Every ethnic group in Nigeria has produced heroes and villains. Every religious community contains law-abiding citizens and lawbreakers. Criminality is a personal choice, not an ethnic inheritance or religious obligation.
This is where leadership becomes crucial.
Political leaders must avoid inflammatory statements capable of worsening tensions. Religious leaders should continue preaching peace, tolerance, and national unity. Traditional rulers must strengthen dialogue among communities and encourage cooperation with security agencies.
The media also has a vital responsibility.
In today’s digital age, a single misleading headline can spread across the country within minutes. Unverified claims can fuel fear and resentment. Journalists must therefore remain committed to professional ethics, responsible reporting, and fact-based analysis.
Nigeria has already paid a heavy price for division.
For decades, ethnic and religious tensions have distracted the nation from addressing many of its real challenges. Instead of building consensus, citizens often retreat into competing camps. Instead of seeing themselves first as Nigerians, many choose narrower identities.
But insecurity should remind us of a simple truth: when bandits attack, they attack Nigerians. When kidnappers abduct travellers, they abduct Nigerians. When terrorists strike communities, they kill Nigerians.
The pain is shared. The loss is shared. The fear is shared.
Therefore, the response must also be shared.
This is not the time for mutual suspicion. It is not the time for inflammatory rhetoric. It is not the time for narratives that divide communities already struggling under economic hardship and security pressures.
Rather, this is the time for national solidarity.
Citizens should support legitimate security efforts by providing useful information, remaining vigilant, and cooperating with law enforcement agencies. Communities should strengthen local peace-building initiatives and reject attempts by criminals to exploit ethnic or religious differences.
Government, on its part, must continue improving intelligence capabilities, strengthening law enforcement institutions, and addressing socioeconomic conditions that make criminal recruitment easier.
Above all, Nigerians must recognize that unity is not merely a patriotic slogan; it is a security necessity.
There is an old saying that an ill wind blows no one any good. The current wave of banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism is certainly such a wind. It has devastated families, disrupted livelihoods, discouraged investment, and deepened fear across the country.
No tribe benefits from insecurity. No religion prospers from kidnapping. No region develops under the shadow of violence.
The only beneficiaries are the criminals themselves.
That is why every blame game rooted in ethnicity or religion becomes an unintended gift to those who profit from chaos.
If Nigeria is to defeat insecurity, citizens must rise above sentiments and emotional manipulation. They must reject narratives that divide and embrace a common purpose that unites.
The enemy is not our neighbour because he worships differently. The enemy is not our fellow citizen because she speaks a different language. The enemy is criminality.
And the sooner Nigerians speak with one voice against it, the sooner the country can reclaim the peace, stability, and unity that its people so desperately deserve.

– Abdulkarim Abdulmalik is an Abuja-based Journalist. Email: nowmalik@gmail.com

Modern Security Operations No Longer Based Solely On Military Capability, Firepower, But Media – Dr. Duru

Greenbarge Reporters

June 11, 2026

Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Achievers University, Owo, Dr. Chike Walter Duru, has described media as one of the most powerful force multipliers in modern security operations.
According to him, effective communication is indispensable to achieving operational success in contemporary security environments.
Dr. Duru, who spoke as a Guest Lecture at a Media Workshop organised by the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Headquarters Nigerian Army, at the Army War College Nigeria, Asokoro, Abuja, stressed that modern security operations are no longer determined solely by military capability and firepower.
Speaking on the theme: “Media as a Force Multiplier: Leveraging Integrated Platforms to Enhance Public Trust, Inter-Agency Synergy and Operational Outcomes,” Dr. Duru said: “Today, the success or failure of security operations is influenced not only by military capability, but also by how effectively institutions communicate with citizens, shape public perception, counter misinformation, and sustain public confidence.”
He explained that in military and strategic studies, a force multiplier refers to any capability that significantly enhances operational effectiveness beyond the numerical strength of personnel or equipment.
He said that media has emerged as a strategic asset capable of strengthening institutional credibility, building public trust, promoting national unity, and improving operational legitimacy.
The communication scholar observed that the rapid evolution of digital media has transformed the information environment, creating both opportunities and challenges for security institutions.
He warned that misinformation, fake news, deepfakes, online propaganda and coordinated disinformation campaigns now constitute major threats to national security and operational effectiveness.
According to him, information management has become an integral component of national security management, making proactive communication, transparency, and credibility essential requirements for security institutions.
Dr. Duru further highlighted the importance of integrated communication platforms, arguing that coordinated use of television, radio, newspapers, online media, social media, and community engagement channels enables security agencies to deliver accurate, timely, and strategic messaging capable of strengthening public confidence and enhancing operational outcomes.
He also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among security agencies, noting that modern threats such as terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, and transnational crimes require coordinated communication and unified narratives.
To strengthen media integration as a force multiplier, Dr. Duru presented several recommendations, including the integration of strategic communication into operational planning, institutionalisation of periodic security-media dialogue platforms, development of early warning communication systems, promotion of citizen-centred security communication, capacity building in counter-disinformation and information warfare, strengthening collaboration with digital platforms and online publishers, development of indigenous language communication strategies, establishment of joint communication frameworks during emergencies, strengthening digital media capacity, investment in communication technology, improved transparency, development of crisis communication protocols, strengthening community-based strategic communication, and enhancement of media literacy campaigns.
He maintained that public trust remains a strategic security asset and that effective communication is critical to sustaining cooperation between citizens and security institutions.
“Modern security victories are achieved not only through superior force, but through superior communication. Whoever shapes the narrative strengthens operational success.”
The lecture generated robust discussions led by Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd) and Professor Okey Ikechukwu as discussants, while Lt. Col. D.J. Danjuma served as moderator.
Participants commended the presentation for its relevance to contemporary security realities and its practical recommendations for strengthening communication, media engagement, and inter-agency collaboration within Nigeria’s security architecture.
The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts by the Directorate of Army Public Relations to strengthen military-media relations, improve strategic communication capabilities, and promote effective public engagement in support of national security objectives.

Bandits Storm Kogi College, Kill Vice Principal, 2 Others, Attemp Mass Student Kidnap

Greenbarge Reporters

June 10, 2026

Armed Bandits today, June 10, stormed the premises of Government College at Iluke Bunu, in Kogi West Senatorial District, killing a Vice Principal and two others.

They attempted mass kidnapping of the students sitting for their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper confirmed that the Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Aharha-Bunu, Mr. Gani Anifowose and two others were killed instantly.
Sources said that troops of the Nigerian Army stationed at Suku-Kiri Bunu, a nearby community, swiftly responded to the distress call and arrived in Iluke Bunu, where they foiled what could have been a mass kidnapping of the students and staff.
It was gathered that one of the bandits was gunned down by the soldiers during the gun battle, while the remaining ones fled the scene.
Reports have it that some residents are still unaccounted for long after the bandits had fled the scene, raising concerns that they might have been taken away by the bandits.
More details are being expected as security agencies continue with their investigations into the incident.
Residents have continued to express concerns over the growing insecurity in the area in recent time.

What Has Changed In Oil Spillage In Niger Delta Between 2004 And 2026? By Yusuf Ozi-Usman

Greenbarge Reporters

June 10, 2026

When the Goi oil spill occurred in Ogoniland, Rivers State in 2004, it became one of the most visible symbols of the environmental crisis in Nigeria. Entire fishing settlements were devastated, mangrove forests were destroyed and thousands of residents lost their traditional means of livelihood.
In deed, many Niger Delta communities presented a collective picture of being trapped between wealth and death through environmental challenges.
Across Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States, were recurring of oil spills, pipeline failures and associated pollution that left thousands of residents struggling with damaged farmlands, contaminated fishing waters and declining livelihoods.
But the most devastating incidents, as earlier said, was the October 2004 spill and fire involving the Trans-Niger Pipeline that passed through Goi community in Ogoniland, Rivers State. The spill discharged crude oil into surrounding creeks and mangrove forests before a fire erupted, burning for several days and destroying vegetation, aquatic life and economic trees relied upon by local residents. Subsequent assessments described extensive damage to the mangrove ecosystem and fishing grounds that had sustained families for generations.
Community leaders in Goi lamented that the once-thriving fishing settlement had become a shadow of itself. Fishermen reported sharp declines in fish catches, while farmers complained that crude oil contamination had rendered portions of their land unproductive. Women involved in fish processing and local trading also reported severe economic hardship as environmental degradation spread through the area.
The Goi disaster drew renewed attention to the broader environmental crisis in Ogoniland, where oil production had largely ceased in the early 1990s even as pipelines transporting crude from other locations continued to traverse local communities. Environmental advocates argued that aging infrastructure, inadequate maintenance and delayed response mechanisms contributed significantly to the frequency and severity of spills.
Throughout 2004, concerns over pollution extended beyond Goi. Residents in several Niger Delta communities complained of recurring pipeline leaks, polluted streams and loss of biodiversity. Human rights organizations documented allegations that communities often received inadequate consultation regarding oil operations and insufficient remediation following environmental incidents. Reports also highlighted failures to promptly clean contaminated sites and restore affected ecosystems.

Environmental experts warned that the destruction of mangrove forests represented one of the most serious ecological consequences of oil pollution in the Delta. Mangroves serve as breeding grounds for fish and act as natural barriers against erosion and flooding. Once coated with crude oil or damaged by fire, regeneration can take years or even decades.
Later scientific investigations confirmed that oil contamination in parts of Ogoniland had penetrated deep into soil and groundwater systems, affecting drinking water sources and public health.
The crisis also highlighted the tension between Nigeria’s dependence on petroleum revenues and the environmental realities confronting host communities. While crude oil exports generated billions of dollars for the national economy, many Niger Delta settlements lacked adequate healthcare, clean water, roads and educational facilities.
Community leaders repeatedly questioned why regions producing the country’s most valuable resource continued to experience widespread poverty and environmental neglect.
Oil companies operating in the region often attributed some spill incidents to sabotage, illegal bunkering and vandalism, while community groups and environmental activists pointed to aging infrastructure and inadequate maintenance as major contributing factors.
The debate over responsibility became a recurring feature of investigations into oil spill incidents across the Delta.
For residents of Goi and other affected communities, however, the immediate concern remained survival. Families dependent on fishing and farming faced declining incomes, polluted water sources and uncertainty about future restoration efforts.
Many called for comprehensive environmental remediation, compensation for losses and stronger regulatory oversight to prevent future disasters.
Over twenty years after, the Niger Delta continues to grapple with oil pollution, but the nature, causes, responses and public awareness surrounding oil spills have changed significantly.
In 2004, most discussions about oil spills focused on aging pipelines, equipment failure and inadequate environmental safeguards by oil companies. Communities complained of delayed responses to spills, weak regulatory oversight and lack of compensation.
The destruction of Goi and similar communities brought international attention to the environmental cost of oil production in Nigeria.
Subsequent court cases and investigations kept these issues in the public eye for years.
One of the most important changes since 2004 has been the growth of environmental regulation and monitoring.
The establishment and strengthening of agencies such as the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) improved reporting requirements and response mechanisms.
Today, oil-spill incidents are more likely to be documented, investigated and publicly reported than they were two decades ago. However, enforcement challenges remain.
Another major change is the shift in the causes of many spills.
While equipment failure and corrosion remain significant factors, sabotage, oil theft and illegal refining have become dominant contributors to environmental incidents in many parts of the Niger Delta.
According to recent reports by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, more than 66 percent of recorded spill incidents in 2024 were linked to sabotage and related human interference.
The emergence of large-scale crude-oil theft networks transformed the environmental landscape. Illegal tapping of pipelines, artisanal refining camps and unauthorized connections now contribute substantially to pollution.
Security agencies and oil companies invested heavily in surveillance, community partnerships and pipeline protection to combat these activities.
There has also been progress in environmental awareness and activism.
In 2004, affected communities often struggled to attract international attention. By 2026, environmental groups, community organizations, journalists and international institutions routinely monitor pollution incidents.
Court judgments in Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands increased pressure on oil companies to address environmental liabilities and compensate affected communities.
The launch of the Ogoniland clean-up programme following recommendations from the United Nations Environment Programme marked another significant development. Although progress has been slower than many residents expected, the clean-up initiative represents one of the largest environmental restoration efforts ever undertaken in Nigeria.
It reflects growing recognition that remediation is as important as preventing future spills.
Technological improvements have also altered spill management. Modern leak-detection systems, satellite monitoring, drones and enhanced reporting platforms now allow quicker identification of incidents. Nevertheless, recent spill events show that equipment failures, defective repairs and infrastructure deterioration still pose substantial risks.
Despite these changes, many challenges remain unchanged. Communities across Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States continue to report contaminated waterways, declining fish populations, damaged farmlands and health concerns, linked to long-term pollution.
New spill incidents continue to occur, reminding stakeholders that the environmental crisis has not been fully resolved.
The most significant difference between 2004 and 2026 is not the disappearance of oil spills, but the transformation of the debate around them. In 2004, the discussion centered mainly on corporate responsibility and environmental neglect. And in 2026, the conversation includes infrastructure integrity, oil theft, illegal refining, environmental justice, remediation, community participation and long-term sustainability.
The Niger Delta of 2026 is better informed, more closely monitored and more legally empowered than the Niger Delta of 2004. Yet the region continues to face the difficult task of balancing oil production with environmental protection.
The challenge for Nigeria in the coming years will be to ensure that economic gains from petroleum development no longer come at the expense of the people and ecosystems that sustain the Niger Delta.

Yusuf Ozi-Usman is Editor-In-Chief of Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper, and former Environment Desk Editor of Daily Trust newspaper in Abuja. He toured the entire Niger Delta region at the time.

Tinubu’s Reforms Have Thrown 63 Percent Nigerians Into Poverty, Says IMF

Greenbarge Reporters

June 10, 2026

The International Monetary Fund has said that reforms implemented by the President Tinubu-led federal government have thrown 63 percent Nigerians into poverty.
In a statement after its annual review of the Nigerian economy, the IMF acknowledged that strong reforms over the past three years have yielded improved macroeconomic outcomes and built resilience but that “conditions for many Nigerians remain difficult.
“Poverty reached 63 percent (national poverty line) and 27 million Nigerians are estimated to have faced food insecurity in the fall of 2025.”
The poverty level in the country has been on the rise for years, with the World Bank reporting last that about 61 percent of the country’s population lived in poverty, up from 40 percent in 2019.
The World Bank said that three-quarters of the increase occurred before 2023, when Tinubu was sworn in.
According to the latest official figures, inflation accelerated to an annual rate of 15.7 percent in April, a five-month high.
Analysts attributed the increase partly to higher fuel prices linked to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Economic growth is projected to reach 4.1 percent this year, after four percent in 2025.
The IMF warned that while higher costs of food, fertiliser and fuel could boost Nigeria’s revenues — the country is Africa’s largest oil producer — they could also intensify inflationary pressures on poor households, “potentially aggravating poverty and food insecurity.”

NCC Thinking Of Establishing Communications Industry Security Trust Fund

Greenbarge Reporters

June 10, 2026

The Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is thinking of exploring the feasibility of establishing a Communications Industry Security Trust Fund.
Rising from its 109th meeting where it received updates on industry and operational matters, the Board looked at key regulatory, strategic and collaborative issues impacting the telecommunications industry and the broader digital economy.
A Communique from the meeting said that the following resolutions and observations were made.
Infrastructure Expansion Commitments by Operators
The Board acknowledged the significant investments being undertaken by the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to enhance network coverage, capacity and overall Quality of Experience. As part of their commitment, it was noted that operators have planned the deployment of over 12,000 additional coverage and capacity sites towards improving the Quality of Experience, with over 5,000 already completed representing over 40% completion rate.
The Board further noted the continued strengthening of transmission infrastructure, with fiber connectivity extended to more than 700 sites, improving network resilience, backhaul capacity and service reliability. In addition, colocation and infrastructure sharing licensees have sustained their investment in infrastructure upgrades, deploying new equipment across over 2,000 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) to support operators’ network expansion efforts and improve compliance with QoS obligations.
Quality of Service Consumer Compensation and Tower Investment Obligation
The Board reviewed the outcomes of the consumer-focused directive to MNOs to compensate subscribers for poor Quality of Service experiences in areas where prescribed service standards were not met, and the directive to Co-location and Infrastructure Sharing Licensees (TowerCos) to reinvest regulatory fines into infrastructure upgrades with measurable outcomes with a view to improving network resilience and service delivery.
The Board noted substantial progress in the implementation of the Commissions directive, particularly, the full compliance of which has resulted in compensation being offered to over 75 million affected subscribers. The Board further acknowledged ongoing efforts to independently validate operators’ claims and ensure all eligible subscribers receive compensation due to them while encouraging consumers to continue their engagement with the Commission.
With respect to the infrastructure providers, the Board observed that TowerCos have only partially complied with the directive requiring the funding of escrow accounts with the full amount of the regulatory fines for infrastructure reinvestment. While noting the progress made to date, the Board emphasized the importance of full compliance to ensure that the intended infrastructure improvements are realized sustainably.
Expanding Fibre Infrastructure to Support Data Demand and Quality Service
The Board accepted the report on data consumption trends in Nigeria and noted that, while demand continues to accelerate, growth has been constrained by limited infrastructure capacity, a heavy dependence on mobile internet connectivity and the duplication of assets, factors that have invariably compromised quality of service.
The Board noted the encouraging growth in Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections, which increased from 84,141 subscribers in Q4 2025 to 210,065 subscribers as at Q5 2025. While the number of connections remains modest relative to the scale of national demand, the upward trend reflects growing adoption of fixed broadband services. Continued expansion of FTTH and other fixed-fibre connections will help to ease pressure on mobile networks, improve service quality and provide consumers with more connectivity options.
The Board also noted the Commission’s ongoing review of the telecommunications market structure to reflect current market realities, including the distinct roles of the wholesale and retail segments and the application of appropriate regulatory measures where necessary. The Board further noted that broader access to wholesale backbone fibre, supported by expanded metropolitan fibre networks, will enable more homes, buildings and businesses to connect to fixed broadband services. Over time, this should help to reduce underlying connectivity costs, create the conditions for more affordable retail data services and improve network resilience.
The Board re-affirms that this structured approach represents the most sustainable pathway to meeting Nigeria’s data needs over the next decade, consistent with the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda and the target of a $1 trillion economy.
Addressing Continued Infrastructure Damage
The Board noted the prevailing sectoral challenges affecting the operations of licensees of the Commission, including infrastructure vandalism, which has continued to hamper industry growth. The Board acknowledged the ongoing efforts by the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to protect telecommunications infrastructure following its designation as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). However, it emphasised the need for greater collaboration among industry stakeholders to strengthen the protection and security of network facilities and related infrastructure. In this regard, the Board reaffirmed its commitment to fast-tracking initiatives aimed at enhancing infrastructure security, including exploring the feasibility of establishing a Communications Industry Security Trust Fund.
Zero-rating Educational Platforms and Content
The Board assessed the ongoing engagements with industry players towards developing a framework and determining the best approach to Zero-rate educational platforms and content in the country. The initiative is aimed at promoting digital inclusion, bridging the urban rural divide and improving educational outcomes in the country.
Repositioning of the Digital Bridge Institute
The Board reviewed the status of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), a company limited by guarantee, and noted the governance gaps arising from the expiration of the tenure of the DBI Board Chairman and some Board members.
In order to strengthen governance oversight and reposition DBI to contribute more effectively to Nigeria’s digital economy, the Board approved the appointment of Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, a Non-Executive Commissioner of the Nigerian Communications Commission, as Interim Chairman of the DBI Governing Board.
The Board further approved the appointment of Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, and Ms. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, as interim members of the DBI Governing Board.
The Meeting ended with a commitment to stakeholders that the Commission will foster a sustainable and inclusive communication sector as an enabler of the digital economy. Furthermore, the identified priorities of Quality of Service and network resilience, consumer protection and transparency, fair competition and market discipline, will continue to be pursued.

NEMA Sends Response Team To Assist Victims Of Train Accident in Delta State

Greenbarge Reporters

June 8, 2026

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed its Emergency Response Team (ERT) to participate in assisting victims of train accident as they were traveling from Itakpe in Kogi Sate to Warri, along the Agbor axis of Delta State earlier today, June 8.
A statement from the Agency’s spokesperson, Ezekiel Manzo said that the Director General of the Agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, swung into action immediately she received an alert on the incident, by activating the Agency’s response mechanism and deploying an Emergency Response Team.
The statement said that the Director General has been in contact with the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and assured him of NEMA’s support.
“The Agency’s response team is collaborating with the NRC, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to provide necessary assistance to the passengers, ensure their safety, and support operations.”

World Bank Blames Poor Water Supply Sector In Nigeria To Weak Governance, Others

Greenbarge Reporters

June 8, 2026

The World Bank has identified weak governance, political interference, low cost recovery and infrastructure planning inefficiency to the poor water supply sector in Nigeria.
The World Bank representative in Nigeria, Ms. Judith Warmate made this point today, June 8, on the sideline of a workshop on Urban Water Supply Sector Report in Nigeria: Challenges and Way Forward. The Workshop was organized by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in partnership with the development partners.
Ms. Judith Warmate said that in spite of huge investments, the sector still faces structural challenges, including political control over tariffs, staffing and utility governance, weak cost recovery and high non-revenue water.
She said that power supply constraints, reliance on generators, weak metering systems, poor demand estimation and over-designed infrastructure continue to affect service delivery and sustainability.
Warmate said political economy constraints, weak institutional capacity, poor maintenance culture, and reliance on individual reform champions continue to undermine long-term reforms.
She added that reforms often lose momentum when key champions exit due to weak institutional embedding.
She said that earlier reform programmes improved water connections and collections in some states and placed sector reform on the national agenda.
She recounted that key interventions the World Bank had made include the Kaduna State Water Supply Project and the Anambra Water Supply and Sanitation Project, where the Bank contributed about $67 million, alongside $55 million from the Anambra State Government and $5.5 million from the implementing corporation.
According to her, earlier interventions include the National Water Rehabilitation Project (1992–2001), covering 21 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, followed by the Multi-State Water Supply Project in states such as Taraba and Katsina.
Warmate said that the sector later shifted to reform-focused programmes, including Urban Water Sector Reform Projects I, II and III, which formed the basis for the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme.
She explained that SURWASH is a results-based financing programme under the Programme-for-Results (PforR) instrument, where disbursement is tied to independently verified performance outcomes rather than inputs.
She disclosed that cumulative World Bank financing in the subsector is estimated at about $1.27 billion, while SURWASH funding was revised from about $700 million to $410 million due to non-performance concerns.
She said that at best, Kaduna State recovered about 40 per cent of operation and maintenance costs, while most utilities remain far below sustainable levels.
Warmate said that SURWASH is shifting focus towards results-based financing, linking disbursement to independently verified service delivery outcomes, while combining PforR and Investment Project Financing to strengthen systems.
“The programme also integrates water, sanitation and hygiene interventions at local government level to improve coordination, accountability, and sustainability.”
She said that capacity-building cohorts in Katsina and Gombe States are in their third cycle, focusing on utility creditworthiness, financial management and business planning, with regulators also involved.

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