By Gabriel Agbeja

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo has called for improved sustainable practices to mitigate climate change in Nigeria.

Keyamo said this in his keynote address at the public presentation of the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) in Abuja.

The theme of the event was, “The role of early warnings towards a climate resilient aviation industry for sustainable socio-economic development.”

According to the minister, the Federal Government will continue to invest in sustainable practices, strengthen infrastructure, and support communities that are most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

“Our seasonal climate predictions are not just about forecasting, they are about shaping our response to challenges ahead.

“As we celebrate the 2025 SCP document, let us recognise that its true value lies in its application.

“I urge all stakeholders present here today—government agencies, non-governmental organisations, private sector actors, civil society organisations, researchers, and the media to champion the use of the SCP in their respective domains.

“Collaboration and information sharing will be key to maximising its impact.

“Challenges posed by climate change demand innovative solution.

“The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, through NiMet, will remain at the forefront of these efforts.”

 According to him, the nation can build a more resilient and prosperous Nigeria in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration with the support of policymakers and industry leaders.

According to him, the aviation industry faces increasing challenges from erratic weather patterns to the growing frequency of extreme events, which directly impacts airline operations as climate change continues to reshape the planet.

Keyamo said that aviation remained a weather sensitive sector, adding that decisions on flight plans, take-off and landing were not made without first considering the weather conditions.

“Adverse weather – thunderstorms, squalls, wind shear, heavy rainfall, flash floods, sandstorms, dust haze, fog among others, are some of the greatest challenges in aviation, resulting in flight delays, injuries, economic losses including loss of lives and property. 

“The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that global flight delays due to weather conditions have been on the increase, jumping from 11 per cent in 2012 to 30 per cent of total flight delays in 2023.

“According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation, while turbulence has long been a leading cause of injuries in-flight, scientific evidence suggests there may be more severe weather patterns brought about by climate change which can lead to more turbulence-related accidents.”

 The minister said that the effects of climate change had negative impact on the aviation industry.

According to him, early warning systems, backed by robust climate predictions, are essential to overcoming stated challenges and ensuring safety, efficiency and sustainability of air navigation business.

Keyamo said NiMet’s SCP played a pivotal role by empowering stakeholders with the knowledge to anticipate and adapt to climatic changes, ensuring that aviation operations remained uninterrupted and that lives and property were safeguarded.

He added that an enhanced resilient aviation sector contributed to broader socio-economic goals, including trade facilitation, tourism, and regional connectivity.

“The SCP document we are unveiling today is a critical tool for informed decision-making.

“It offers insights into expected weather and climate patterns, equipping various sectors with the foresight needed to plan, mitigate risks, and harness opportunities.

“Agriculture, disaster risk management, health, marine operations, transport and especially aviation are among the many domains that will benefit from this invaluable resource and advisory.

“Timely climate predictions will enable, inter alia; farmers to optimise farming schedules thereby improving the nation’s food system security,” he said.

According to him, the document will also help disaster managers to prepare for emergencies and minimise risks and health authorities to anticipate disease outbreaks linked to weather and climate variations.

“These underscore the interconnectedness of weather, climate, and socio-economic resilience.

“Over recent years, we have continued to observe unprecedented weather patterns that have tested our preparedness and resilience.

“From consistent warmer-than-normal temperatures to flash floods, the extremes of our climate are increasingly evident.

“These events serve as reminders that we must remain vigilant and proactive,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Chioma Ugboma

By Blessing Ibegbu

The Executive Director of Cedars Refuge Foundation (CRF), Mr Peter Unekwu-Ojo, has called on the Federal Government to ban all flavoured tobacco and nicotine products in Nigeria.

Unekwu-Ojo made the appeal on Thursday during the inauguration of the Students Congress Against Tobacco (SCAT) initiative at Lyngra Private Montessori School in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The programme marks the beginning of what CRF describes as a “tobacco-free revolution” among Nigerian youths.

Speaking to students, Unekwu-Ojo warned of the dangers of tobacco consumption and the deceptive tactics employed by the global tobacco industry.

He said the SCAT initiative, a flagship advocacy programme of CRF, aimed to expose and counter the tactics.

He stressed the urgent need for federal action, calling for a nationwide ban on flavoured tobacco and nicotine products, as well as the enforcement of school-based prevention programmes.

He also urged increased tobacco taxation, stricter penalties for illegal marketing to minors, and stronger support for grassroots youth advocacy platforms like SCAT.

“The tobacco industry is a well-dressed cartel selling flavoured slavery.

“They are not selling lifestyle; they are selling addiction, bubble-wrapped in mango flourish and influencer smiles that end up destroying young lives,” he said.

Unekwu-Ojo added that SCAT, which was now active in schools across Abuja and Nasarawa State, promoted in-school advocacy, peer-led clubs, creative campaigns, and dialogue with educational stakeholders.

He noted that the tobacco industry increasingly targeted young people through flavoured products, digital marketing, and novel nicotine devices disguised as harmless lifestyle accessories.

“It’s the same poison, just packaged in sleek tech and tropical flavours,” he said.

He described the visit to Lyngra Montessori School as transformative, stating that students left “informed and ignited” with the motivation to defend their future.

“If we do not protect the future in classrooms, we will be fighting addiction in clinics. The choice is ours, and the time is now,” he added.

Mr Abba Owoicho, CRF’s Programme/Operations Officer, emphasised the need for systemic reforms and multi-sectoral coordination.

“We are witnessing a silent epidemic thriving on ignorance and regulatory loopholes. SCAT is not just a campaign; it’s a counter-offensive.

“We must enforce existing laws, reform policies, and dismantle the glamorous myths around tobacco. The youth are awake, we must match their passion with protection,” he said.

He called for collaboration between the education, health, and law enforcement sectors to stem the rising tide of youth addiction.

Mrs Blessing Onu, Head Teacher at Lyngra Private Montessori School, welcomed the initiative and said the school would establish a Tobacco-Free Club to help students resist harmful influences.

“Our students will not be left defenceless in the face of such a manipulative industry,” she said.

Mr Pius Nnaemeka, a senior teacher at the school, issued a passionate appeal to national stakeholders:

“If we continue to play soft while our children inhale poison, history will not forgive us.

“The government must outlaw flavoured tobacco, fund preventive education, and support civil society groups championing the cause.”

Miss Blessing Obiabo, a senior secondary school student, emphasised the urgency of the message.

“We are not fools, this is our future, and we are taking it back. We need to tell the tobacco industry to stop poisoning our lungs and dulling our dreams.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SCAT programme is set to expand to 30 schools across the country by the end of 2025, building a national youth network committed to a smoke-free generation.

Cedars Refuge Foundation is a public health and youth advocacy nonprofit organisation dedicated to building resilient, tobacco-free communities in Nigeria and across Africa.

Through SCAT, the group is empowering the next generation to challenge the influence of the tobacco industry and speak truth to power. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Abiemwense Moru