The Oyo State Government is set to collaborate with the Kingdom of the Netherlands to enhance waste management and promote a circular economy, aiming for sustainable environmental practices.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, disclosed this during a high-level meeting between the ministry and representatives from the Dutch government.

According to the commissioner, discussions focused on innovative waste solutions, recycling, and environmental sustainability.

Hon. Mogbonjubola emphasized Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to transforming waste management in the state. He assured that the partnership would receive strong political support, ensuring smooth operations in Oyo State.

“We are ready to partner with the Netherlands government, but we need a clear roadmap on how the circular economy works. This is a new concept for us, just as we are new to the Netherlands platform. This marks the beginning of a new relationship, and we will do all necessary follow-ups,” he said.

To facilitate the initiative, the commissioner announced the formation of a Circular Economy Desk within the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. This committee will leverage expertise from existing institutions and develop strategies for implementation.

“I am excited this is happening during my tenure. We already have a platform, but we haven’t fully taken advantage of it. Now, Oyo State is ready to take the bull by the horns,” he added.

The Representative of the Consulate General of the Netherlands, Mr. Peter Kelley, highlighted the economic opportunities embedded in waste recycling.

He explained that the Dutch government has been involved in similar projects in Nigeria, such as a waste-to-energy facility in Lagos, textile recycling through Cope Clothing in the Loop, and training businesses on sustainable recycling practices.

Mr. Kelley acknowledged that while the circular economy is a relatively new concept, its success in the Netherlands proves it can work in Oyo State.

“As it works in the Netherlands, it will work here provided we engage all stakeholders, including the government, businesses, communities, and universities. The consulate general’s role is to facilitate this process,” he stated.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Sunday Ojelabi, expressed gratitude for the Netherlands’ interest in supporting Oyo State’s sustainability goals.

He emphasized that the circular business platform will benefit local entrepreneurs and improve environmental conditions.

Daily Sun

European Central Bank, ECB, President, Christine Lagarde, on Friday said a full-scale global trade war would hurt the United States in particular and could re-energise Europe’s push towards unity.

Recall that the U.S. has imposed a raft of tariffs on allies and adversaries alike and threatened even more measures, prompting retaliation from many and raising concerns that global growth could take a major hit.

“If we were to go to a real trade war, where trade would be dampened significantly, that would have severe consequences. It would have severe consequences for growth around the world and for prices around the world, but particularly in the United States,” Lagarde said.

European Central Bank, ECB, President, Christine Lagarde, on Friday said a full-scale global trade war would hurt the United States in particular and could re-energise Europe’s push towards unity.

Recall that the U.S. has imposed a raft of tariffs on allies and adversaries alike and threatened even more measures, prompting retaliation from many and raising concerns that global growth could take a major hit.

“If we were to go to a real trade war, where trade would be dampened significantly, that would have severe consequences. It would have severe consequences for growth around the world and for prices around the world, but particularly in the United States,” Lagarde said.

The European Central Bank reiterated, however, that the tensions could also have the positive side effect of giving European unity another push.

“You know what it’s doing at the moment? Stirring European energy. It’s a big wake-up call for Europe. Maybe this is a European moment, yet again,” she said.

It was gathered that the European Commission and Germany, the bloc’s largest economy, have already announced increased spending on defense and infrastructure, ending years of reluctance to spend.

… Accuses minister of blocking peace efforts in Rivers crisis

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has debunked claims by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, in a recent media chat, alleging that the organisation to court President Bola Tinubu over his position on the Rivers State crisis.

Wike had criticised PANDEF over its stance on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. He described PANDEF as “the worst organization anybody can rely on,” accusing its leaders of being financially driven and politically motivated.

But addressing press conference on Friday, Co-Chairman, Board of Trustees of PANDEF and Chairman of the organisation’s Peace, Reconciliation Committee and former Governor of Cross River State, Victor Attah, and its President, Godknows Igali, said the organization had placed embargo on speaking on the issue.

Igali said: “There was no time that PANDEF took Mr President to court, maybe it’s it a slip of the tongue. It never happened. This is the first time that PANDEF as an organization is making a public statement on this situation in the Rivers State since the crisis started. And even when the peace committee started working we placed an embargo that they must not speak to anybody until we arrive at the threshold.

“Yes, there were personal views that were expressed by some members of PANDEF. But there was no time that PANDEF as an organization…there is no press statement. So it is unthinkable to say that PANDEF went to court at all.“

PANDEF also raised concerns over the refusal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to engage with its Peace and Reconciliation Committee, despite President Bola Tinubu’s appeal for dialogue to restore stability in Rivers State.

Attah, lamented that Wike’s unwillingness to meet with the committee is obstructing efforts to de-escalate tensions in the state.

Attah detailed how PANDEF, a respected regional body established in 2016 to champion the interests of the Niger Delta, had taken proactive steps to mediate in the political crisis in Rivers State.

Following a Special General Assembly in Port Harcourt in October 2024, the group set up a seven-member High-Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee.

Notably, the committee excluded any representatives from Rivers State to ensure neutrality.

“In a determination to prevent a full-blown crisis from developing, we constituted a team of eminent elders from across the South-South region,” Attah said.

“However, despite repeated attempts, we have been unable to secure a meeting with Chief Nyesom Wike, who has continued to rebuff our peace efforts.”

According to Attah, a PANDEF delegation met with President Tinubu on March 11, 2025, to seek his intervention. The delegation made it clear that the success of any peace process hinged on Wike’s willingness to come to the table.

“We informed Mr. President of the difficulties we have faced in securing the cooperation of his cabinet minister,” Attah explained.

“It is deeply troubling that Chief Wike has dismissed PANDEF as ‘the worst organization for anyone to rely on’ in a recent media chat, yet the President did not treat us with such disregard when he received us.”

Attah stressed that dialogue requires mutual engagement and cannot be forced upon one party alone.

“It is not possible to clap with one hand. Negotiation can only take place if both parties in dispute agree to be accessible and available,” he said.

Given Wike’s continued rebuff, PANDEF is now considering withdrawing entirely from mediation efforts.

“If this impasse persists, we will have no choice but to disband the Peace and Reconciliation Committee and step back from any further attempts to resolve this crisis,” Attah warned. “However, our fear is that this could have catastrophic consequences.”

PANDEF urged President Tinubu to intervene and ensure Wike comes to the negotiation table before the situation in Rivers State spirals further out of control.

PANDEF’s National President, Igali described the FCT minister’s insinuation that they were financially induced as very cheeky. “That is very cheeky. Because I’ve said earlier, when you have a group made up of former governors, former ministers, chairman of traditional religious councils, some of whom have been themselves former governors and former ministers, It’s just totally out of question. Wike himself, is our son. Every son of Niger Delta is part of PANDEF.”

Igali also recalled on the organization has stood by Wike including when they were protest against his nomination as minister, and it was the late Elder Statesman, Edwin Clark, whom they accused Wike of disparaging him and his memory, that issues a statement in his defence.

“Let me tell you, when the minister became minister, and you will recall, in fact, there were some insinuations that somebody from the south, should not be minister of FCT, and there were even demonstrations in Abuja against the honorable minister of the FCT. It was the same PANDEF that came out to rebuffed the Nigerians, and the same chief Clark that he (Wike) waved at that issued a statement and said that every Nigerian can hold any position if the president finds him worthy and the Senate clears him.

“That press statement is there we can pull it out. After that, Wike the minister of the Federal Capital City, our son, received the delegation from PANDEF, in his office in appreciation, of his people standing by him. So if after some time, he now feels that it is a worse organization, well, maybe times have change.”

Details later…