馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Cross River stakeholders advocate for strict enforcement of forestry law and jail terms for offenders
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Stakeholders in Cross River State have urged the state government to fully enforce the forestry law, advocating for jail terms for individuals involved in illegal logging and other forest-related offenses. This call was made during a one-day engagement on forest conservation, organized by the Cross River National Park Oban division in collaboration with Wildlife Conservation of Nigeria, host communities, and civil society groups. CP Joseph Ntui, the State Conservator of Parks, expressed concern over the ongoing depletion of the state's forest reserves, attributing it to weak enforcement and the actions of illegal loggers. He noted that host communities often consent to mining activities but then struggle to control their extent, leading to environmental pollution. Ntui highlighted that these illegal activities violate the National Park Service Act and contribute to global warming, air pollution, soil erosion, diseases, and insecurity. He mentioned that since November 2024, 309 offenders have been arrested, with approximately 90% being non-indigenes of Cross River. The Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa Local Government Area, Agbor Ebani, warned that the state risks losing its biodiversity and climate reserves without strict law enforcement. He emphasized the need for prosecution and custodial sentences, not just fines, to deter offenders. Ebani also urged traditional rulers, youth, and community leaders to resist inducements for illegal entry into reserve areas. Benjamin Enyam from t
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Amnesty International has collaborated with female lawyers in Imo State to enhance prevention and response efforts against gender-based violence. During a capacity-building event in Owerri, Helen Addah, Human Rights Education Officer of Amnesty International, stated that the training aims to equip lawyers with skills in media engagement, information gathering, and survivor protection. She emphasized the importance of implementing policies and laws on gender-based violence, particularly utilizing the Sexual Assault Referral Centre to provide necessary services for survivors. Addah highlighted that a human rights-based approach could significantly reduce gender-based violence in the state. Rosemary Hamza, a resource person, stressed the need for effective referral pathways for survivors, noting that these pathways are crucial for connecting survivors with coordinated services addressing their physical, emotional, legal, and social needs. She urged lawyers to track and report violence cases to deter offenders, explaining that effective referral systems prevent delays, fragmented services, repeated questioning, and breaches of confidentiality for survivors. Ndidi Anike Val-Okeoma, former Chairperson of FIDA, described the training as vital for female lawyers in handling and advocating for gender-based violence cases. She added that trained lawyers would educate society on how to respond to gender-based violence issues, including understanding referral pathways, and emphasized the
Must ReadIndependent petroleum marketers and energy experts have expressed strong opposition to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery's decision to price petroleum products in US dollars. They warn that this move could intensify foreign exchange pressures and destabilize Nigeria's downstream petroleum sector. Stakeholders, including the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria PETROAN and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria IPMAN, argue that while the refinery is a private entity, dollar-denominated pricing for locally consumed products could lead to a dollarized economy and increased pump price volatility. PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, stated that this decision could force marketers to pass on the burden to consumers and urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to revive national refineries to foster competition. IPMAN National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, emphasizing that petroleum product prices are directly linked to crude oil prices and exchange rates. He warned that tying more transactions to the dollar would increase demand for scarce foreign currency, ultimately driving up pump prices. Conversely, some energy experts, like petroleum economist Professor Emeritus Wumi Iledare, view the refinery's decision as a commercial strategy to manage foreign exchange risks, given that crude oil and other inputs are dollar-linked. He clarified that this is not price
Nigeria's Super Falcons, the reigning champions, will play an international friendly against Ghana in Casablanca on Saturday as part of their preparations for the 14th Women鈥檚 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament is set to begin in Morocco next Sunday. The 10-time African champions opened their camp in Casablanca on Monday and held their first training session on Tuesday at Stade Larbi Zaouli. As of Tuesday lunchtime, 10 players had arrived at the team's hotel, with midfielder Toni Payne expected to join on Wednesday. The Super Falcons will face Malawi in their opening Group C match in Rabat on Tuesday, July 28, followed by matches against Zambia on Saturday, August 1, and Egypt on Wednesday, August 5.