Activists March Against Oil Exploitation in Nigeria and DRC
Nigerian activists and groups which includes Quest For Growth and Development Foundation, Peace Corp of Nigeria, Community Secondary School Oroworukwo and Youths of Oroworukwo Community held a peaceful march in Port Harcourt to show solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and raise awareness about the negative impacts of oil exploitation.
Comrade Smith Nwokocha, Coordinator, Quest For Growth and Development Foundation emphasized the following during the March:
The Issue:
Oil extraction in DRC has caused significant social and environmental harm, despite bringing little benefit to local communities.
The industry has led to poverty, health risks, and ecological damage.
The Demand:
Stop oil expansion in DRC and transition to cleaner, community-driven energy alternatives.
Support local communities and advocate for a just and equitable future.
The Campaign:
The “Our Land Without Oil” campaign aims to amplify the voices of grassroots communities and promote a fossil-free future.
The campaign seeks to bring attention to the issue and mobilize public support for change.
The Commandant, Rivers State Command of Peace Corp of Nigeria also reiterated how resource conflicts have been emanating in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and of course DRC other African countries with mineral resources like oil.
Students of Community Secondary School Oroworukwo also share their thoughts on No to Oil Expansion in the Niger Delta and DRC.
The Message:
No to oil exploitation, exploration, and extraction.
Let’s work towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
Africa faces a grave nutrition crisis, one that statistics alone cannot solve. In Nigeria, 40% of children under five are stunted, and over 17 million people are food insecure (UNICEF, 2023; FAO et al., 2023; DHI, 2023). Children are not just hungry; they are unprotected and invisible. With 47% of children living in income-poor households and 67% trapped in multidimensionalpoverty, the odds are stacked against them from birth. However, beyond the data, there is a crucial factor that we must urgently highlight: communication.
In addition to the availability and affordability of food, we cannot end malnutrition without addressing sensitization around behavioral changes, social norms, and misinformation related to food, health, and childcare. That’s where communication comes in, not as an afterthought, but as a strategic tool. Effective nutrition communication educates caregivers on what to feed their children and why. It helps communities understand the dangers of pap-only diets, promotes early initiation of breastfeeding, and combats cultural taboos that limit dietary diversity.
In Tanzania, a troubling shift is emerging: growing numbers of women feel afraid or ashamed to breastfeed in public. This stigma threatens progress in promoting optimal breastfeeding practices and, if unaddressed, could undermine efforts to improve maternal and child health across Africa. A 2025 study by Koray et al. examined exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) across 25 Sub‑Saharan countries, identifying a complex mix of individual and community-level influences. EBF was highest in Burundi (83%) and Rwanda (79%), and lowest in Gabon (19%) and Guinea (25%). The study emphasized early antenatal care (ANC), media exposure, and community support as key enablers, recommending targeted interventions rooted in culturally sensitive health communication.
In Nigeria, some mothers still discard colostrum due to outdated beliefs or conflicting advice, sometimes from poorly informed health workers. Misinformation undermines decades of nutrition advocacy, and these myths persist because communication doesn’t reach those who need it most. Mozambique’s Cyclone Idai in 2019 revealed similar issues: with over 40 languages and low Portuguese fluency, aid messages failed to reach many. A stark reminder that without tailored communication, even well-planned responses can fall short.
So, what does effective communication look like? It means planning communication as a core part of any project, not an afterthought. It means working within the broader strategy and ensuring adequate resources are dedicated to communication efforts. It means speaking in the audience’s language, using trusted local channels like community radio or influencers, and addressing cultural beliefs sensitively. As Colle advises, every project must examine communication needs during planning, integrate them fully within the strategy, and allocate resources accordingly. This approach ensures messages reach the right people, in the right way, at the right time.
Strategic communication connects policies to people and translates nutrition science into action at the household level. As communicators, we must design with empathy, speak the language of the audience, and build consistent, evidence-based messages. If we want to change Nigeria’s alarming nutrition statistics, we must first change the conversation. Over 500 languages are spoken in Nigeria, so this risk is also there (Lewis et al., 2015).
So, what does effective communication planning look like?It should entail integrating communication into nutritional policies from the beginning, involving:
• The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, to spearhead the national communication strategy and messaging.
• State Ministries of Health, local nutrition officials, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to execute and adapt messaging to local conditions.
• Media partners, faith-based organisations, women’s associations, faith and traditional leaders, who possess credible platforms inside communities.
• Nutrition-focused CSOs and NGOs, such as the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Alive & Thrive, or UNICEF, MSF, CS-SUNN, and others, to co-create and validate messaging.
Budget: What % should go to communication?
Many experts have recommended many things, but this largely depends on what is available on the ground. For some, it is allocating at least 10%, others 1% of any nutrition program budget to communication. However, currently, many programs invest less than 3%, treating messaging as a last-mile add-on. This is a false economy. Without strong communication, behavior change won’t happen, even with the best interventions in place. The Indonesian government recognized the importance of nutrition communication and allocated significant resources to support it, both directly and indirectly through broader nutrition initiatives. The Indonesian communication strategy was based on a National Nutrition Communication Campaign (NNCC), providing a compelling model.
Does Nigeria require interagency coordination?
Absolutely. Communication should be coordinated by a multi-sectoral task force involving:
Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Education, and Information
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (to ensure state-level ownership)
ALGON to ensure local governance and grassroots ownership
NOA, CSOs, and community media networks
Nigerian Communications Commission (to leverage mobile and digital infrastructure)
Such coordination ensures consistent messaging, efficient use of channels, and inclusive language strategies tailored to rural, urban, literate, and low-literacy audiences.
Why language matters more than we admit
Language is not just a medium; it’s a gatekeeper. It determines who understands and who doesn’t. Especially with our literacy level, in a linguistically diverse country like Nigeria, failing to communicate in people’s first languages creates exclusion, levels, and misinterpretation, and ultimately, policy failure.
To tackle this, nutrition programs must:
Develop translations in at least 10 priority Nigerian languages;
Leverage community radio, which reaches millions in their mother tongues;
Train local communicators to co-create messages using local idioms and cultural references.
If we want to change Nigeria’s alarming nutrition statistics, we must first change how we speak, who we speak to, and in what language. And don’t get me wrong, the cost of food isn’t friendly either, but even within our means, informed choices can help us eat better. So, how about we feed the minds first, then the stomachs will follow?
Milliscent Nnwoka (Author)
Milliscent Nnwoka is an author, lawyer, and development journalist, and founder of Bright Byte Media Learning (BBML), a platform advancing media literacy and strategic communication in Africa. She has led major initiatives in health, politics, and development, including training women leaders and supporting different campaigns. A published researcher and PhD candidate in Mass Communication, her work explores how National Assembly TV’s social media drives legislative transparency and citizen engagement.
Afrika Vuka Day is closely tied to Africa Day and it is a powerful moment of Pan-African Solidarity to demand an end to Fossil Fuels expansion across the Continent. This year in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, precisely the 22nd of May, 2025; Young community students and youngsters, over 500 of them, were so excited to be part of the Afrika Vuka Day Celebration in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, which is tied to Africa Day. It was historic for the young champions of Niger Delta region of Nigeria, as the principal (Mrs. Jubo Thompson) and other staff and teachers including some parents that were around, expressed happiness joining the Celebration. The focus was instilled on the theme: “REPower Afrika”.
Demands were made, which emphasised the need for our leaders and policymakers in Nigeria and Africa to ensure a just and fair Renewable Energy Transition, among other demands.
Comr. Smith Nwokocha stressed the importance of the theme, using Renewable Energy to power up Africa by powering countries on the Continent. For Nigerians and the teeming youths in the Niger Delta, #REPowerNigeria, means, using RE to curb the Energy deficiency or deficit in the Country, wondering how a country with so much Oil and Gas, still faced with pathetic Electricity supply/Power shortage.
A Solar Panel that charges an Android phone and other gadgets was donated to the Community School (Community Secondary School, Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria) for use and, more importantly, to see the need for RE and the usefulness and efficiency of Solar Power. Again, a Solar Lamp was lighted for all to see, and they appreciated the natural flow of power source (Solar). The young champions promise to take action on RE through Advocacy ad Campaigns.
Assembling of Solar lamp
Subsequently, Nwokocha introduced a Guest who spoke to the students on “Greatness that brings out the African Strength”, Dr. David Chukwueke, he pulled the young champions through seeing their values as Africans and nothing short of greatness. They have been educated to stand out as future leaders.
Lastly, Smith Nwokocha, the Coordinator, Quest For Growth and Development Foundation, appreciates Afrika Vuka Network for being a network of “Green Hope” (Repowering Africa through Renewable Energy) for the African Continent.
Shell will retain legal liability and moral responsibility for the clean up of historic pollution in the Niger Delta if the buyer of its Nigerian subsidy SPDC cannot pay, warn impacted community members and international supporters as investors meet for the Shell plc Annual General Meeting (AGM). These liabilities, from 70 years of oil exploration and extraction, could total tens of billions of dollars.
Shell claims that under the terms of the sale to the Renaissance Group – a consortium of five firms comprising four Nigerian exploration and production companies and an international energy group – it has passed these liabilities to the buyer. However, under Nigerian, English and International law, there may be historic and residual liability that remains with Shell plc.
In addition, as part of the sale, Shell provided $2.5 billion USD in loan facilities to Renaissance. The terms of this loan deal remain opaque, Niger Delta groups and civil society organisations say, raising questions about whether Renaissance will be able to repay. Such opacity is also completely inconsistent with transparency obligations Shell signed up to as a board member of the EITI.
Nigerian authorities have raised concerns about the ability of Renaissance to pay for clean up and remediation liabilities. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) originally rejected Shell plc’s divestment application in October 2024, citing Renaissance’s lack of financial and technical ability to manage the assets, following concerns raised by international consultants S&P Global in a report, which remains secret. While this ruling was overturned by the Nigerian presidency, SPDC, Renaissance and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are now facing a lawsuit over the oil license transfer in Nigeria courts, on the grounds of failure to comply with Nigerian law, including failing to provide a required study on the state of the environment. A session of that court case is scheduled for May 26, 2025.
Repairing the human and environmental damage caused to local communities is likely to cost at least $12 billion in just one of the 9 Niger Delta states where Shell has been active, according to a comprehensive 4-year study by international researchers for the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission. In addition, Shell and its subsidiaries and associates are parties to a
number of legal disputes in Nigeria, the USA, and England calling for compensation to impacted communities. Shell management itself acknowledges in its 2024 annual report that these are “material” in scale.
In addition to the suit over the Renaissance sale, Shell is also facing two lawsuits in the UK. One by the Ogale and Bille communities alleges that Shell contaminated their land and waterways, and another by the Bodo community claiming cleanup costs of at least $660 million USD.
This pollution is directly harming the livelihoods and health of communities in the Niger Delta. One recent study by the Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre found women in the community of Otuabagi had 8000 times WHO permissible limits of hydrocarbon levels in their blood. Chronic exposure to these chemicals can lead to cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological illnesses, respiratory disorders, visual and gastrointestinal ailments, and skin conditions. Other studies have documented the impact of spills on the local fishing industry.
Nigerian civil society groups and international allies will attend the Shell AGM on May 20 to ask Shell management to provide assurances that oil pollution in the Niger Delta will be fully cleaned up and communities compensated.
Dr. Emem Okon, Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, (Nigeria): “When will Shell stop prioritising profit over public health? Our findings from the blood tests of 80 women in Otuabagi, show hydrocarbon levels more than 8000 times above World Health Organization permissible limits. The Bayelsa Oil and Environment Commission tested the blood of 1600 persons and all had hydrocarbons in their blood too. Women are suffering from respiratory diseases, fertility problems, breast cancer, eyesight impairment, among many others! Shell cannot divest without clean-up and remediation!”
Nick Hildyard, Founder and Director of The Corner House (UK): “Why should investors have any confidence that the pollution for which Shell is responsible will be cleaned up when Shell itself has reportedly acknowledged to the UK Government it had ‘encountered difficulties persuading NNPC and the wider Nigerian authorities to agree to permit sale’ and that ‘NNOC said there is no one able to buy and run the assets’; and that, ultimately, ‘We just have to trust that they [Renaissance] can handle the cleanup’?
Ana Xambre Pereira, Advocacy Officer, Both ENDS (Netherlands): “A just energy transition is critical and it is about time Shell takes part in it. Shell’s current exit is not a responsible divestment nor an energy transition, it’s an offloading of toxic assets and liabilities onto the local communities, while Shell continues its offshore fossil fuel operations and walks away with the profits. A just energy transition means enforcing clear standards for responsible divestment now, before more communities are sacrificed.”
Cindy Coltman, Co-director of Hawkmoth (Netherlands): “We stand in solidarity with the people of the Niger Delta calling for justice and accountability of Shell plc. There is no mention of a clean-up fund in Shell’s Annual Report regarding the sale of SPDC. This deal is unfair to the people affected by decades of unabated oil pollution and Shell seems poised to develop, trade
and benefit from Nigerian offshore oil and gas without taking responsibility for cleaning up and decommissioning aging infrastructure onshore. This cannot stand.”
This press release is being issued by Hawkmoth on behalf of a coalition of ten international and Nigerian-based non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations working on issues related to oil and gas industry operations in Nigeria. Members in Nigeria include Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) and Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre; international members include Hawkmoth, Both ENDS and The Corner House. On Shell’s Capital Markets Day, on behalf of 195 civil society organisations, this Letter to Shell plc was sent to the Executive Committee.
Joint Statement by African and European Civil Society Organizations
On the Occasion of the AU–EU Foreign Ministers Meeting, 21 May 2025
Summary for decision-makers
African and European civil society organizations urge the AU-EU Foreign Ministers Meeting to deliver a bold, equitable roadmap for climate justice, energy transition, and green industrialisation. Ministers must commit to enhanced 1.5°C-aligned NDCs, scaled-up adaptation and loss and damage support, and accelerated implementation of SDG7 and the COP28 global energy targets—tripling renewables, doubling energy efficiency, and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
We call on the AU and EU to:
commit to delivering on the Paris Agreement, SDG7, and global energy goals by scaling up renewables, doubling energy efficiency, phasing out fossil fuels, and advancing just, inclusive, and locally driven energy transitions aligned with national priorities;
commit to urgently reforming the global financial and economic systems, prioritizing fair access to funding and debt justice for African countries, implementing recommendations for debt relief, and unlocking affordable financing for clean energy projects;
commit to a fossil-free future by ending public support for fossil fuel investments, redirecting funds toward renewable energy, regulating the private sector to align with the Paris Agreement, and halting the promotion of fossil gas, including LNG as a transition fuel;
commit to significantly increasing support for adaptation and loss and damage in Africa by boosting grant-based funding for climate resilience sectors, aligning initiatives with African priorities, and ensuring predictable funding for the Loss and Damage Fund;
commit to transforming African economies through green industrialization by promoting local manufacturing, skills development, technology transfer, and fair value chain participation, ensuring Africa benefits from its natural resources, drives green jobs, and leads the global energy transition.
Full Statement
As civil society organizations from Africa and Europe, we welcome the upcoming AU-EU Foreign Ministers Meeting as a crucial opportunity to reaffirm a just and transformative partnership between our continents. We urge ministers to clearly commit to strengthening multilateralism through ambitious climate action — including enhanced efforts to achieve the 1.5°C limit of the Paris Agreement. This must involve the development and timely submission of ambitious third-generation Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) before the UN Summit of the Future in September, alongside scaled-up adaptation efforts, meaningful progress on addressing loss and damage, and the delivery of SDG 7: ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy by 2030. Ministers must also commit to implementing the global energy targets agreed at COP28: tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling energy efficiency by 2030, and transitioning away from fossil fuels by 2050. An equitable approach to the fossil fuel phase out demands that the EU phase out coal by 2030, gas by 2035, and oil by 2040, reflecting its greater historical responsibility and capacity, while recognizing and supporting the leadership of African countries, whose energy systems already feature significant shares of renewables and who require international support to expand clean energy access without replicating fossil-dependent pathways.
We acknowledge the EU’s stated ambitions—particularly those outlined in the Global Gateway strategy—to support Africa’s green transition. However, we are concerned that this partnership is becoming overly eurocentric and export-oriented, and does not respond sufficiently to climate impacts. Africa must not remain a mere supplier of resources for Europe’s energy transition. Local value creation, resilient infrastructure, transformation of local economies, and energy access for all must be at the heart of all energy investments. Support for adaptation, particularly locally led approaches, and to address loss and damage must also be scaled up.
The AU-EU Foreign Ministers Meeting, including its roundtables on “multilateralism” and on “prosperity” are a vital opportunity to reflect on how the AU and EU can defend and strengthen international climate cooperation, and accelerate the socio-economic benefits in the intersections between energy, infrastructure, climate, and digital transformation. We call for meaningful dialogue during this session around the implementation of SDG 7 and the global energy goals, with a strong emphasis on justice, inclusion, resilience and sustainability. It is essential that these discussions move beyond extractive investment models and embrace approaches that foster African ownership, skills development, and technology transfer.
Our Expectations for the Meeting’s Communiqué:
The AU and EU must commit to delivering on the Paris Agreement, Agenda 2030/SDG7 and Global Energy Goals:
Member states of both blocks are critical signatories to the Paris Agreement, and have committed to put 1.5°C aligned NDCs on the table. Committing to deliver enhanced NDCs integrated with economy wide just transition policies and plans can ensure that decarbonization strategies create decent work, protect labour and Indigenous rights, promote gender justice, and address social and environmental impacts. The communiqué must explicitly endorse the global goals of tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling energy efficiency, and transitioning away from fossil fuels, while ensuring alignment with national and regional development priorities in Africa. The EU and AU must jointly prioritize the rapid and ambitious scaling-up of renewable energy to enable a swift transition away from fossil fuels and tackle the devastating energy poverty that continues to affect much of the African continent. This must be done in full alignment with the SDGs and the principle of a just transition. Furthermore, both the EU and AU must prioritize decentralized, community-based energy solutions that build local capacity and resilience within African societies. At the same time, energy efficiency must be recognized as a critical enabler of this transition, with the EU reducing existing energy demand: the greater the efficiency gains, the lower the demand for new energy, and the faster the phase-out of fossil fuels.
The AU and EU must highlight the importance of an urgent reform of global financial and economic systems to ensure equitable and effective climate action, prioritizing fair access to funding and debt justice for African countries:
A key precondition for the necessary investments in sustainable development and clean energy is coordinated debt relief by all creditors, especially for highly vulnerable economies. This is essential for enabling Global South countries to meet the 2030 Agenda, uphold the Paris Agreement, and fulfil human rights obligations. The EU and AU should commit to supporting and implementing recommendations from expert bodies such as the Expert Review on Debt, Nature and Climate (co-led by Kenya), the Debt Jubilee Commission, and the African Expert Panel on Cost of Capital (led by South Africa). These recommendations—though still being consolidated—already offer valuable proposals for delivering short-term debt relief. Structural reform must include a UN Framework Convention on Sovereign Debt to fix persistent flaws in the global debt architecture and ensure timely, fair crisis resolution.
Simultaneously, access to finance and renewable energy technologies remains a major barrier—particularly for African communities and small enterprises. The distorted cost of capital, with much higher interest rates in developing countries, and concentration of renewable energy technologies in developed countries hinders a just energy transition. Funding and technology transfer mechanisms must enable direct, affordable access, especially for small- and medium-scale projects. This requires more grants and concessional finance, better risk mitigation, and the removal of non-tariff trade barriers, geopolitical or commercial conditionalities. Crucially, this also requires comprehensive regulatory reforms on the ground to reduce investment risk and build investor confidence. The financial power of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the technological capacity of the EU member states should be strategically deployed to support these reforms and to unlock greater investment in Africa’s clean energy future.
The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) adopted at COP29 calls for the scaling up of financing to developing country Parties to at least USD 1.3 trillion per year by 2035 with developed countries leading on a goal of at least USD 300 billion per year. A linear pathway from the current USD 100 billion implies contributions must double by 2030 and triple by 2035. EU budget contributions should be scaled up, through a bigger external action budget governed by a 50% climate and environment spending target. Global Gateway initiatives would benefit from greater transparency, should support country and community ownership, target high risk and hard to decarbonise sectors of the economy and deliver positive development impacts to ensure additionality.
To further mobilize resources, innovative financing mechanisms must be explored—such as taxes on aviation and shipping, taxing ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and repurposing fossil fuel subsidies. The EU and AU must jointly commit to structural financial reforms, progressive taxation, and strengthening the UN’s role in global tax governance.
The EU and AU must take a clear, united stance against fossil fuel investments:
The EU must urgently end public support for fossil fuels, including support provided through development banks and export credit agencies (ECAs), and redirect them toward renewable energy, aligning with just transition principles and avoiding socially regressive impacts. Public spending, including subsidies and investments, must be explicitly prohibited from supporting fossil fuel infrastructure, including production, processing, distribution, storage, and combustion of fossil fuels. Additionally, the EU and AU should adequately regulate the private financial sector to align with the goals of the Paris Agreement. This means not only offering “green incentives” but also introducing stringent safeguards and penalties for climate-damaging activities. The EU and AU must commit to a fossil-free future, ensuring that all investments support a just and sustainable energy transition.
The continued promotion of fossil gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), as “transition fuels” is particularly concerning. This misrepresents gas as a path to energy security while displacing cleaner solutions and exposing countries to long-term economic and environmental harm. Large, export-oriented LNG projects in African countries—often backed by European actors—are primarily designed to serve foreign markets, while failing to expand access to affordable and reliable energy for local populations and contradicting global climate commitments. Critically, to align with their climate commitments the EU must phase out gas by 2035, meaning it will no longer import African LNG in the near future. This makes new LNG investments economically unviable, risking stranded assets and wasted resources.
The EU must significantly increase its support for adaptation and loss and damage in Africa—both within its current budget cycle and in the upcoming 2028–2035 financial framework:
This includes substantial increases in grant-based funding for critical sectors that underpin climate resilience in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LICs and LMICs), such as water, climate-resilient infrastructure, health, sanitation and hygiene, agroecology, equitable food systems, and nature-based solutions that protect and restore ecosystems.
All adaptation investments must be grounded in the Principles for Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) to ensure that resources reach the most affected communities and reflect their knowledge systems and priorities. EU-supported initiatives—such as the Global Gateway—must strengthen mainstreaming of adaptation and disaster risk reduction by aligning with African countries’ National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), NDCs, and wider development strategies. The EU must also provide increased support to African-owned and -led initiatives at local, national, and continental levels.
On the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), the EU must play a constructive role at COP30 by pushing for an operational framework backed by clear and equitable Means of Implementation—including finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building—so that GGA targets are not only aspirational but achievable for vulnerable countries.
In terms of loss and damage, the EU should commit new and additional resources to the Loss and Damage Fund, ensure predictable and ongoing funding, and promote direct access for affected communities. Furthermore, the EU and AU should jointly advocate for strong L&D finance in the Baku–Belém roadmap, support the establishment of a permanent L&D agenda item at COPs, and promote the launch of a UNEP-hosted Loss and Damage Gap Report as part of the WIM review process.
The EU-AU communiqué must chart a bold course for Africa’s economic transformation through green industrialization, ensuring the continent fully benefits from its natural resources and plays a central role in the global energy transition:
Africa holds many of the critical minerals needed for clean technologies, yet these are often exported unprocessed, limiting local economic development and job creation. In 2020, Africa had an export worth of $457 billion—mainly raw materials—while importing $627 billion worth of high-value goods, reinforcing a persistent trade deficit. To even out this imbalance, the EU and AU must commit to local manufacturing, skills development, technology transfer, and fair participation across the green industrial value chain. This is vital for industrial resilience, climate and economic justice, and reducing global inequality.
The development of green value chain components for the energy transition, combined with regional integration, provides promising opportunities for African green industrialisation. Partnerships like the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership (CTIP) can support these goals—but must not become tools for securing Europe’s access to raw materials at the cost of African communities. CTIP should instead advance local value creation, green jobs, and technology transfer, while prioritizing Africa’s energy and development needs.
Particular caution is needed around the growing emphasis on hydrogen. Terms like “low-carbon hydrogen,” as seen in the South Africa-EU CTIP, risk enabling fossil-based hydrogen under a misleading label. This undermines Africa’s transition and risks locking in fossil infrastructure. Hydrogen initiatives must be grounded in energy additionality, ensuring renewable power used is new and surplus, not diverted from essential local use.
All EU-AU trade and industrial initiatives must be guided by equity, sustainability, and sovereignty, enabling Africa to lead in clean energy, green manufacturing, and climate-resilient growth on its own terms.
As civil society organizations from both continents, we reaffirm our commitment to being active partners in shaping a just transition. Our voices must be heard and included in decision-making processes to ensure that the outcomes of this partnership serve people and the planet—not profit.
Signed and supported by:
Wafa Misrar, Campaigns and Policy Lead, Climate Action Network Africa
Sven Harmeling, Head of Climate, Climate Action Network Europe
Sherpard Zvigadza, Coordinator, Climate Action Network Southern African Region
Dr. Christiane Averbeck, Executive Director, Klima-Allianz Deutschland
Christoph Bals, Chief Policy Officer, Germanwatch
Dean Bhebhe, Senior Just Transitions Advisor, Power Shift Africa
Toni Hancox, Director, Legal Assistance Centre
Carin Karl Atondé, Directeur Exécutif, ONG JVE Bénin
Carin Karl Atondé, Coordonnateur, RODER Bénin
Magda Stoczkiewicz, Programme Director, Greenpeace European Unit
Malam Issa Rabiou, Coordinateur National, CONDER – NIGER
Smith Nwokocha, Coordinator, Quest For Growth and Development Foundation
Laetitia Hema, Project Manager, Centre d’études et d’expérimentations économiques et sociales de l’Afrique de l’Ouest-Association
Sena Alouka, Directeur Exécutif, ONG Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environnement
ACCOUNT FOR THE DEAD, ENSURE JUSTICE FOR MASS ATROCITIES, AND PROTECT VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES IN BENUE AND PLATEAU STATES
“The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government.”
Section 14(2)(b) CFRN 1999 (as amended)
The Community of Practice Against Mass Atrocities, under the auspices of Nigeria Mourns, strongly condemn the recent brutal and coordinated attacks on agrarian communities in Benue and Plateau States, which have led to the loss of at least 183 lives in the third week of April 2025 alone.
These attacks, perpetrated by criminal groups often mischaracterized as herders in conflict with farmers over land and water, are nothing short of acts of terror against vulnerable communities. In Benue State, at least 11 people were killed in Akpa, Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA); 56 others were killed in Logo and Ukum LGAs, with similar atrocities reported in Agatu, Kwande, and Katsina-Ala. At least 54 people were killed in Zikke village, Bassa LGA of Plateau State, in addition to 52 others killed in six other villages within Bokkos LGA, Plateau State, in yet another targeted onslaught. Eyewitnesses have confirmed the presence of armed assailants in Tyolough, Ukum LGA, further aggravating fears of continued violence.
The way and manner these attacks are undertaken leaves no doubt that they are not isolated incidents. It reflects a long-standing, systemic failure to address a crisis that has devastated agrarian communities for years. From 2019 to 2024, at least 2,105 Nigerians were killed in similar attacks across Nigeria. The frequency, coordination, lethality and impunity with which these attacks are carried out speak volumes about the Nigerian state’s inability or unwillingness to fulfill its constitutional duty as clearly provided in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
These victims, men, women, children, and the elderly, were killed in their sleep, on their farms, and in their homes. Their only “crime” was residing in rural communities in a country increasingly defined by insecurity as a characteristic of the neglect of the rural areas by the Nigerian government.
This brazen disregard for human life violates Section 33(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to life. The continued erosion of this right is a stain on our collective conscience as Nigerians.
It is the responsibility of the government to resolve the longstanding land use crises across the country. These crises are not merely about ownership or access, they are deeply tied to identity, survival, and economic control. In Plateau and Benue States, and indeed across other parts of the country, these land disputes are further complicated by mining-related land grabs, where lands historically used for agriculture or habitation are being appropriated for extractive activities without the free, prior, and informed consent of local communities. The ongoing violence cannot be divorced from these systemic issues. Ignoring these root causes will only perpetuate the cycle of bloodshed.
We are deeply disturbed by the federal government’s inaction, especially when juxtaposed with the swiftness with which it addresses less consequential political matters elsewhere. This selective urgency further erodes public trust and confidence.
We call on the Government to:
Allow for an independent investigation into all reported attacks to ensure the prosecution of perpetrators without bias or delay, through the instrumentality of the National Human Rights Commission and the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Strengthen security deployment in high-risk areas, with special attention to early warning and rapid response systems.
Deploy the Nigerian Air Force for aerial surveillance and raids, with real-time feeds shared publicly to expose the true nature of the assailants or their conspirators.
Initiate coordinated ground operations across affected states to reclaim and secure the lands taken over from the agrarian communities in the affected states.
Introduce and fund drone surveillance systems in collaboration with state governments to monitor and preempt attacks.
Put in the framework for compensation of victims’ families, and build commemorative monuments to honor their memory.
Support the formation of community-led safety watches (community security) to bolster local response capabilities.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the bereaved families and displaced communities. We stand in solidarity with all victims of mass atrocities and reiterate that every Nigerian life matters.
The government must act decisively now, not just to restore peace, but to preserve its own legitimacy, as enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution.
As a coalition of committed civil society organizations, Nigeria Mourns will continue to amplify the voices of the vulnerable and demand justice on their behalf.
Signed by:
Advocacy Centre for Development (AC4D)
Alliances for Africa
Almajiri Child Rights Initiative (ACRI)
All-4-One Humanity Development Foundation
African Initiative for Peace Building, Advocacy and Advancement (AfriPeace)
Bauchi Human Rights Network
The Benue We Deserve Foundation (BenDeF)
Capacity Catalyst Consult (Triple C)
Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights
Center for Community Excellence
Centre for Democracy and Development
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
Global Rights
Grassroots Development Monitoring and Advocacy Centre GDMAC
Human Rights Network
Initiative for Social Development in Africa (iSODAF)
Mowalek Centre for Sustainable Community Development,
Neighbourhood Environment Watch Foundation
Sesor Empowerment Foundation
Srarina Initiative for Peace, Justice and Development
Thousands join global rallies to demand climate finance, fossil fuel phase out during COP29
More than 150 actions held in 24 countries.
Thousands of people joined protest actions around the world today urging world leaders at the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan to deliver a new climate finance goal and a rapid phase out of fossil fuels. Over 150 coordinated mass actions took place in more than 30 cities and provinces in 26 countries across the world, including a mobilisation in Baku.
We will be having a rally at Ogbunabali Community today, championed by Quest For Growth and Development Foundation with support from Asian people’s Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) , as well as Climate Action Network International (CAN Int’l) and we will mobilize youths, Community members, Women and students and also engage major Financial Institutions in the Community to ensure they stop financing Fossil Fuels Projects and ensure the Phaseout of Fossil Fuels and embrace Renewable Energy Transition Plus ensuring Climate Finance!
The rallies called on COP29 to strike a deal on a climate finance goal that would unlock trillions of funding for developing countries’ adaptation and mitigation actions and be able to transition to renewable energy systems. They specifically called for the delivery of climate finance of at least $5 trillion annually and reparations for climate debt, emphasising that the new climate finance goal should be based on the actual needs of developing countries for climate action and the just transition of communities dependent on fossil fuels.
The rallies further called for a rapid and equitable phaseout of fossil fuels and a direct transition to 100 percent renewable energy, stating that developed countries, those with the biggest historical emissions, have the responsibility to deliver a fair and funded phase out of fossil fuels, stating that developed countries have the means to mobilise trillions of dollars for urgent climate action domestically and internationally by ending fossil fuel subsidies, making big polluters pay, taxing the mega-rich, and stopping funding for war and militarism.
At COP28, governments have committed to transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems with developed countries taking the lead. COP29 is considered as crucial in unlocking the climate finance needed to enable a just transition away from fossil fuels. So far, most climate finance that has been delivered were loans, not grants, blocking climate action and exacerbating debt distress in many developing countries. Almost 70 percent of the $91 billion in public climate finance provided in 2022 was in the form of loans.
The 29th UNFCCC’s Conference of Parties or COP29 is taking place from November 11 – 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Nations negotiating at COP29 are expected to agree on a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance from the goal of $100 billion per year by 2020, a deadline which developed countries missed.
Under the Paris Agreement, governments agreed to set an ambitious new climate finance goal by 2025. The scale of finance needed is significant, according to global models from $1.55 trillion to $5.8 trillion to $13.6 trillion annually by 2030.
Climate finance is also seen as key to unlocking more ambition from countries. Early next year, countries will submit their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline climate actions to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Instead of phasing out fossil fuels, governments, in aggregate, still plan to produce more than double the amount of fossil fuels in 2030 than what would be consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
The 2024 Global Coal Exit List (GCEL) shows that 40% of coal companies worldwide are still developing new power plants, thermal coal mines, or coal infrastructure and that 95% of the coal industry has not set a date for ending the coal business. Meanwhile, new oil and gas exploration licences issued this year in 2024 threaten to generate the highest level of emissions since those issued in 2018. The US and the UK lead wealthy countries planning fossil fuel expansion in spite of their climate commitments. Fossil fuel firms are also investing more money into developing new oil and gas sites than at any time since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015.
NOTES:
In Asia, mobilizations were held in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Japan
In Africa, mobilizations were held in Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, and Rwanda
In Europe, mobilizations were held in Greece, UK, Italy
To the Chairman, Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee,
We write to bring to your attention the conduct of Mr. Rimazonte Ezekiel, whose recent actions have cast a serious shadow over the legal profession in Nigeria. Mr. Ezekiel, who represented the Federal Government in the recent case involving minors arraigned before Justice Obiara Egwuatu for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests, made blatantly false statements to the media in a manner that has shocked both the public and the legal community.
In a widely circulated interview, Mr. Ezekiel claimed that the minors who fainted in court due to evident malnourishment and mistreatment were not children but adults. He further alleged that these minors were “married men” and “university graduates.” Such cynical and malicious misrepresentation of facts, aimed at undermining the plight of children, is conduct unbecoming of someone who has earned the privilege of being called to the Nigerian Bar. Mr. Ezekiel’s statements, now widely shared on social media, have justifiably drawn public outrage and ridicule, with many Nigerians viewing his actions as emblematic of the legal profession in Nigeria. This cannot be allowed to stand.
The rationale for Mr. Ezekiel’s conduct is both disturbing and clear. On 1 November 2024, Nigerians and observers around the world witnessed the shocking scene in a federal courtroom, where several visibly malnourished minors collapsed from hunger. This court, intended to serve as a hallowed hall of justice, was instead a site of injustice and tragedy. In an apparent attempt to shield the government from criticism, Mr. Ezekiel fabricated an account, claiming that “most of them are married men” and alleging that “the small kids” were simply “visiting loved ones in court.” The absurdity of these claims was so pronounced that two other lawyers present during the interview were visibly amused.
While public statements to the media are not under oath, legal practitioners are required by the ethics of their profession to at all times maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Section 1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners requires that: “A lawyer shall uphold
and observe the rule of law, promote and foster the course of justice, maintain a high standard of professional conduct, and shall not engage in any conduct which is unbecoming of a legal practitioner.” Furthermore, Section 30 states, “A lawyer is an officer of the Court, and accordingly, he shall not do any act or conduct himself in a manner that may obstruct, delay, or adversely
affect the administration of justice.” Mr. Ezekiel’s attempt to frame minors as adults in order to justify their continued detention and maltreatment constitutes a gross violation of these standards and reflects a severe lapse in ethical judgment.
Deeply troubled by what we saw and concerned for the image of the legal profession in Nigeria, we respectfully request that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, in furtherance of its
mandate to uphold professional integrity among lawyers, investigate this matter thoroughly and consider appropriate disciplinary actions against Mr. Rimazonte Ezekiel.
We trust that you will consider this request seriously and take swift action to uphold the values and standards of the legal profession.
Group picture of Fair Finance School Nigeria Participants
A two-day workshop that has in attendance over 50 Civil Society Organizations including Climate Activists in Port Harcourt at Visa Karena Hotels on the 18th and 19th of October 2024.
The CSOs in attendance came from Lagos, Abuja, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu, Imo State, Abia State, Akwa-Ibom and Rivers State.The Geo-Political regions of Nigeria were well represented.
The Fair Finance School is a crucial initiative that empowers civil society and activists to responsibly engage with financial matters and advocate for social and environmental justice. The school encourages participants to actively contribute to the broader movement for fair and sustainable finance by fostering a common understanding of financial deals, institutions, and campaigning strategies. Through its Pan-African approach and focus on justice, the Fair Finance School seeks to bridge the gap between financial institutions and the people they affect, ultimately striving for a more equitable and informed financial landscape in Nigeria and across Africa.
Smith Nwokocha, Coordinator Quest For Growth and Development Foundation, moderating the sessions.
Day One:
The opening session was moderated by Smith Nwokocha, the convener of Fair Finance School Nigeria and Coordinator for Quest For Growth and Development Foundation. He recognized the Special Guest from NAFIL- Nigeria Airforce (Flight Lieutenant Joel Fakunle) and then introduced the first speaker Mr. Patrick Uduma, who shared his in-depth knowledge on the topic: “The Positionality of Finance”, further emphasised why Activists should care about Finance and Humanized Finance. It was quite interactive and engaging as participants were thrilled. Followed, the second speaker (Blessing Udofa Esq), who talked about Human Rights in Development and Climate Change with the sub-topic of Human Rights and Finance. The third speaker (Mrs Rita Kigbara) discussed in detail Climate Finance 101 with an emphasis on Accessing Climate Finance referencing experience and lessons from African NGOs in accessing International Climate Finance. What works and what doesn’t work.
Mr. Patrick Uduma Facilitated on The Positionality of Finance.
Your Story Matters Session (Presenting a Story-effects of Finance) by three Passionate Leaders in their Community shared Lived experiences through story-telling on the effect of Climate Finance in building solidarity.
HIS ROYAL EXCELLENCY, EZE IKEMBA 1 OF ETCHE LAND, RIVERS STATE (PROF. ENGR. AMB. PROMISE OBINNA ONYECHE); He shared a lived experience of the impact of Climate Change in the Niger Delta Region. The exploration of Oil and Gas in our communities by the International Oil Companies (IOCs) began to harm our eco-system and affectyyy the fertility of our soil. The effects of climate change are caused by human activities mainly, and it affects nature…Nature is serene, nature is peaceful and when you encroach on the serenity of nature, nature will react and if it does react, you can’t withhold it. The type of climate change impact in the Niger Delta is different from other parts of Nigeria.
HRE EZE IKEMBA1 of Ulakwo, Agwuruisi Ancient Kingdom of Etche Land (Prof. Engr. Amb. Promise Obinna ONYECHE). Shared Lived Experiences!
WENI KOKINOBO IGIRIGI: Living with Oil: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Bayelsa State. While there have been studies on the environmental, health and socio-economic impacts of artisanal refining in Southern Ijaw LGA, there is a lack of in-depth exploration of the lived experiences of individuals directly involved in artisanal refining in Kolo Creek, Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa State. Community Entry of Kpo-fire
“At first, people thought it was militants who were in the bush until a particular point we saw that they were cooking oil… it was some boys from Southern Ijaw that did it.” (IDI Oruma, 2024). Sex for Oil
“.. some women do sleep with the oga so they can get one or two bags to go and sell. That is what we heard…” (IDI Otuegwe II, 2024).
Recommendation:
Economic diversification to reduce the region’s reliance on artisanal refining. Encouraging alternative economic activities, such as agriculture
Sustainability in the process of disrupting the artisanal refining process.
Environmental Education for communities and security agencies.
Weni Kokinobo Igirigi, shared Live Experiences!
GIFT SARO MEELUBARI: THE OGONI STORY: Climate Injustice and Environmental Degradation.A Land Once Rich and Fertile, Before Oil (Pre-1958): Ogoni Land was a place of abundant natural resources—fertile soil, clean rivers, and vibrant ecosystems. The people of Ogoni thrived on farming, fishing, and the bounty of the land. The land is Green with envy, enriching its people with life’s vitality. For generations, the Ogoni people lived in harmony with nature, passing down a heritage of respect for the environment. The Impact of Oil and Gas: Environmental Degradation. From Beauty to Destruction: The Effects of Fossil Fuels;
Oil Extraction / Impact on the Ogoni People: The Ogoni people, who depend on their land for sustenance, faced significant challenges as their environment deteriorated. Despite the extraction of over $30 billion worth of oil, they saw little benefit from these activities, leading to widespread discontent and activism
Oil Spills: Frequent oil spills poisoned the rivers, killing fish and making water unsafe to drink. Farmlands were destroyed, leaving communities with barren land and no means of survival.
Gas Flaring: The continuous burning of natural gas, or gas flaring, creates a toxic environment, pumping chemicals into the air and causing health crises.
Decades of Neglect (1990s-present): For decades, these environmental disasters were ignored. There were no cleanup efforts, no compensation, and no justice for the people of Ogoni. Even the said HYPREP CLEAN-UP is a no-story
This story of destruction is directly tied to the global conversation on climate finance. While oil companies reaped financial benefits, the people of Ogoni were left to suffer the consequences of environmental destruction without any form of climate finance to restore their land.
Gift Saro Meelubari , Shared Lived Experiences!
A PANEL SESSION: SHARING WORK FROM THE CONTINENT; The Panelists include: Mr.Kingsley Agu, Dr. Osaro Paul Aforji and Blessing Udofa Esq. Kingsley Agu a member of Fair Finance Coalition Nigeria, shared in detail the work of Fair Finance Coalition Nigeria and the impact so far. Then, Dr. Osaro Aforji pointed out the challenges faced by Aleto people in Eleme LGA in Rivers State, because of the Refinery situated in their community, the pollution and environmental degradation and oil spillage that have killed fishes in their Rivers. Finally, Blessing Udofa cap it up with Gender-responsiveness to climate change and protecting the Human Rights of Citizens affected by the impact of Climate Change, especially because of Oil and Gas Exploration in Communities in the Nger Delta.
Panel session: from right, Dr. Osaro Paul Aforji, Mrs. Blessing Udofa Esq, and Kingsley Agu
DayTwo:
Smith Nwokocha, welcomes participants to the second day of the Fair Finance School Nigeria, and he engages participants in a Bike Rack/Parking lot, where participants put questions on a bike rack. Quite an interesting discussion and brainstorming session.
Nwokocha introduced the first speaker for Day 2: Mrs. Noela Ugwu, who spoke on International Financial Institutions, why it matters, how they work and their relevance, including how to hold International Financial Institutions accountable through their Country’s Government. Subsequently, she had an engaging Q & A session with participants.
Mrs. Noela Ugwu, Facilitated on International Financial Institutions
The next Speaker Dr. Joseph Ekong represented by Mr. Smith Nwokocha, with a focused discussion on Community Engagement and Finance. Civil Society engagement processes/ the Nigerian experience in Community engagement, the legality and mechanism. Then, Mr. Smith Nwokocha grouped the participants into six groups and they were asked to identify three problem statements, Identify the stakeholders, the allies and targets and the groups arrived at a challenging but rewarding task.
The last speaker for the event, Mr Wisdom Nwokocha spoke on Campaigning and Ideas with sub-topics: Campaigning 101, Digital Campaigning and Engaging Traditional Media. He also did a practical session using participants’ social media to advance a campaign.
Finally, the participants were tasked in a group of six, to refine their ideas as a group, discuss three tactics to address the problems and discuss three actions to implement tactics and do a group presentation.
Participants were delighted to attend such a real-life -experience gathering workshop and the focus on Climate Finance and Activism makes it unique, as they look forward to stepping down the Fair Finance School Nigeria in their different locations.
Mr. Wisdom Nwokocha facilitated Campaigning and Ideas.Group Presentation Group presentation Blessing Udofa Esq Facilitated on Human Rights in Development and Climate Change.Mrs. Rita Kigbara , Facilitated on Climate Finance 101ParticipantsFrom my right: Our Special Guest: Flight Lieutenant Joel Fakunle , Smith Nwokocha, and Usman N.
Rivers State Commandant (Dr. Michael Obiora) standing in the middle with Peace Corps Officers, Guest and Partner Organizations.
International Day of Peace celebrated by PEACE CORPS OF NIGERIA!
On the 21st September 2024, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Rivers State Command observed the occasion.
The State Commandant (Dr. Michael Obiora) in his address, appreciates the National Commandant, PCN, Prof. A. O. Akoh FCITr, FCPA, FNINS. The Guest Speaker, Dr. Osaro Paul Aforji. Partners of the Organization like Quest For Growth and Development Foundation for being present at the event of the Celebration. Peace Corps Council (PCC) Rivers State. 23 LGA Commanders. Officers and Men of Peace Corps of Nigeria, Rivers State Command. Members of the Press.
He emphasized that in Commemorating this year’s International Day of Peace ️ with the theme; “Cultivating A Culture of Peace”, which serves as a powerful call to action, urging everyone to strive for a world where peace, justice and equality prevails.
In our world today, where conflicts and violence often dominate the headlines of newspapers and media, it is easy to lose sight of the progress the Peace Corps of Nigeria have made.
Dr. Michael Obiora, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Rivers State Commandant during his Address Speech!
The Peace Corps of Nigeria having gotten Consultative Status with United Nations , is responding to the call of the Secretary General of the United Nation, to mark this year’s event in various States and localities. As we observe this day, the Rivers State Commandant honour the victims of war and violence across the globe and the Peace Corps of Nigeria recommit to promoting non-violence, dialogue and cooperation.
Together, let’s strive to build World where Peace is the guiding principle of our actions, and where every individual can live with dignity and respect. The International Day of Peace, observed annually holds significant importance which include but not limited to: 1. Promoting Global Ceasefire. 2. Fostering Dialogue and Reconciliation. 3. Supporting human rights which emphasizes on the importance of human rights, social justice and equality. 4. Reinforcing UN’s Mission by Aligning with the United Nation’s founding principles of promoting peace, security and cooperation.
Address by the Keynote speaker (Dr. Osaro Paul Aforji):
He started with some few quotes; “In vain we build the city , if we do not build the man”… Edwin Mark
PHwakawaka 