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GrassrootsToGlobal S.D Network

@g_gsdn

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To create a just & equitable ecosystem for local & urban communities
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It was such a valuable time of review and reflection at the Close-Out Workshop of Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) for the Project, "Maximizing the Potential of Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) in the Niger Delta". Over the last 24 months, SDN through this project has worked with HCDTs, the regulators, legislators, settlors, civil society organizations, host communities across Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States to strengthen the governance, transparency, and accountability of HCDTs established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. Being engaged as one of the stakeholders in this project, and assessing the Project Evaluation Findings and Reports presented by the MEARL Officer, I am delighted at the work SDN has done and the achievements recorded. Some notable achievements from this project are; - Establishment & implementation of an independent monitoring, reporting and evaluation platform (I-HCDT) https://lnkd.in/eu7gfnnz - Improvement of host community members awareness and knowledge on the provisions of chapter 3 of the PIA. - Improved connection and interaction between host communities, settlors and NUPRC. - Human Capital Development (Education, Scholarship & Training) which cumulatively had the highest percentage of host communities benefit. However, Employment Opportunities ranked the 5th lowest benefit of the HCDT fund from their research. At the workshop, I raised concerns on the need to fix the issues of employment opportunities across host communities, as I shared with stakeholders in attendance strategies through which this challenge can be fixed. I also shared insights on how an increase in employment opportunities can contribute to other areas of development for the communities. It is crucial to highlight that an HCDT can exist without delivering impactful projects when confronted with systemic challenges. And systemic challenges are not addressed by research or advocacy alone, but require strong policy intervention. There is need for the ammendment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), in order to address certain gaps and challenges that stifles the progress and delivery of impactful projects by host communities.
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Divestment Without Justice Is Abandonment by Transaction Some weeks ago at HEDA’s Community Town Hall on Oil Divestment and Transition Accountability in the Niger Delta, one question dominated the room: “What is the future of host communities in the divestment process?” My intervention focused on abandoned infrastructure. I raised the crisis of pipelines, wells, and flow stations left without formal closure — facilities that still leak and poison communities like Oloibiri, Nigeria’s first oil town, decades after operations ceased. These facilities continue to leak crude oil, contaminate groundwater, and destroy farmlands and fisheries. If this is the legacy, what future awaits other host communities post-divestment? As IOCs exit onshore assets, communities and CSOs are raising urgent alarms. These are 5 core concerns we cannot ignore, amongst the list of concerns from communities and CSOs: 1. Abandoned infrastructure– Pipelines and wells in places like Oloibiri still leak decades after operations stopped. No formal decommissioning. 2. Transfer of liabilities, not assets – Are incoming operators equipped to handle Ogoni-scale pollution and court cases? 3. Secret deals– Divestment agreements aren’t public. Communities don’t know who now holds responsibility for cleanup and compensation. 4. Fraudulent compensation– NHRC has documented cases where payments went to elites, not affected families. 5. PIA at 5, promises unmet – Most communities don’t know their HCDTs exist, or how their 3% is calculated. Our call to government & regulators included these points below and many more are available in the communique: 1. Mandate public disclosure of all divestment agreements + liability transfer terms. 2. Launch a Niger Delta-wide decommissioning programme, guided by UNEP Ogoniland recommendations. 3. Publish company OPEX data so communities can verify HCDT entitlements. 4. State Ministry of Justice should deploy their legal authority to support communities in divestment-related litigation. If divestment merely changes the logo on the wellhead while leaving the poison in the ground, then it is not transition- it is betrayal.
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I'll be speaking at the Rivers State 2050 Vision Focus Group Discussion. Rivers State a coastal region of Nigeria and one of the prominent states in the Niger Delta is rich in aquatic resources significant for the livelihood and economic development of her people. But pollution, overfishing, mangrove deforestation and trade limitations has brought about aquatic degradation and increased poverty rate. While countries are increasing exponentially and earning from their aquatic resources, Nigeria and her coastal states seem to experience deterioration in its physical and socio-economic properties. Over-exploitation (overfishing), environmental degradation, pollution, environmental changes, climate vulnerabilities, and neglect and poor development is the present reality of Rivers State Aquatic Resources and Blue Economy Sector. Join us today at 4pm WAT as we chart the next course of action and development for Rivers State Blue Economy Sector. Use the link below to Register and join the conversation. https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/jCmrV6TSTpmtBfWY_zkjPA #Rivers2050Vision #BlueEconomy
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🚨24 HOURS LEFT🚨 The Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network is calling on young creatives across the Commonwealth of Nations to turn their voice into impact. Write a poem about: 🌱 Forest conservation 🌳 Climate action 🌊 The future you want to see 🎥 Submit via video or ✍🏽 written format 📅 Deadline: March 19th (Tomorrow!) Your work could be featured across Commonwealth platforms and CYCN channels. Don’t wait. Don’t overthink it. Create. Submit. Be heard.
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Often times in my line of work as a researcher analyzing surveys, a judge for hackathons, and a member of the review committee for applications, I am faced with young people using A.I the wrong way. Instagram isn't letting me post the video here, but you can watch my full video on my LinkedIn page, link in bio.👆🏾 Some young people just copy and paste directly in the survey or application forms, the answers to the topics from A.I without understanding the question asked, the response given by A.I and how it relates to their present day reality. For example, imagine I ask a question in a survey on, "The impact of oil spillage on you as an individual living in X Community, share your personal story or experience?" And then, I'm expecting to read a true life story or event on how you were affected by Oil Spill as an individual living in that Community, and you ask A.I and it gives you a generic response which you just copy and paste on the survey form. At that point you haven't shared your story nor answered the question. You have either shared someone else's story which sometimes has no relationship with you or what the researcher is looking for, or you've shared a general knowledge which everybody knows already. This defeats the purpose of the research or the question asked. Imagine everyone in Community X gives the same response using A.I then the researcher has no useful data to address the climate crisis in your community. In this climate space, "Nobody will tell our stories for us if we don't tell them ourselves." The ones A.I generates for you exists because someone told his/her story, and gave the right information as well in a research survey. If you don't understand the topic, rather than copy and paste an A.I generated response, make your research, do your findings, understand the question asked, the context in which it was asked, and the response A.I provides you. Ask yourself, how does this relate to me and my situation, the share your story. Stop it! Stop Copying and Pasting your response directly from A.I.❌ You do the same thing when applying for a job, fellowship or travel opportunity and you wonder why you don't get accepted.
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To the organizations and brands that trusted me with their jobs and projects. To those that trusted my services and referred me to other organizations and brands. To the learning and educational institutions that believed in my ability to impact lives and gave me an opportunity to develop my self. To those who mention my name in rooms that matter. To those who refer and recommend me, and trust my services. To those who speak gloriously of me even in my absence and in their spaces. I say a huge THANK YOU to you all. Space will fail me to mention all your names, but I am deeply grateful that we went on the 2025 journey together. Let's Do More in 2026. Always at your Service, Ib-Henshaw❤
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Development of Nigeria Just Transition Guideline and the NDC 3.0 Validation Workshop Two months ago, I joined the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), International Labour Organization, UNDP and UNIDO at the Rivers State Consultation Session on the Development of Nigeria Just Transition Guideline which will contribute to Nigeria’s NDC 3.0. The two days event kicked off with an opening remark from the DG NCCC and a welcome address from the Permanent Secretary Rivers State Ministry of Environment - Nimi Elele. Prof. Oladipo Emmanuel gave us an overview of the just transition guidelines project and key pillars. Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke gave a presentation of “As Is” Scenarios, highlighting the work done so far in understanding the current state of each sector and in assessing the scale and nature of the transition required for each sector. He also emphasized the purpose of the consultation session and the need for inclusivity and diversification. A breakout room was formed and we moved into the strategy development session with diverse voices from civil society organizations, government agencies, private sector, academia, and labor unions to ensure Nigeria's transition to a low-carbon economy is truly inclusive. The breakout groups for each sector developed sector-specific transition strategies which focused on;  ⚡ Policy Recommendation: Regulatory frameworks and incentives ⚡ Investment Needs: Funding mechanisms and financial models ⚡ Technology & Innovation: Low carbon solutions and digital transformation ⚡ Workforce Transition and Inclusion: Reskilling, gender equality, and social protections We also developed an implementation Roadmap; identifying lead stakeholders, setting milestones & timelines, and monitoring & evaluation metrics. Insightful conversation was had at the Energy Sector group which was led by Prof. Ogheneruona Diemuodeke with members Prof. Peter Ayodeji Ekunwe, Kelechi Edmund Mbah, Clinton Uzoma Dandison, Paul Samuel (PhD) and others. I delivered the key findings and policy recommendation of the group on energy alongside Paul Samuel (PhD). Great work by Onafuje Oketta, @emiwald Faith Obusor, Sally Bonn-Ohiaeriaku MNES
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Day 2 Reflections at the Port Harcourt Climate Week The second day and grand finale of the Port Harcourt Climate Week kicked off with an interesting session which echoed the stories from grassroots and frontline communities. @patrick_amaibi and Chidera Onwuzuruike who were the speakers on this panel shared their climate stories from living in frontline communities affected by sea level rise to being victims of the 2022 flood incident which affected the lives and livelihoods of the residents of Bayelsa State. A keynote speech was delivered by Prof. Frank Ugiomoh, whose presentation displayed how humanity arrived at our present ecological decadence and the power of using art in not just telling stories but in converting waste to useful resources. Sighting examples of artist whose work champions waste management, Prof. Frank also unveiled some A.I architectural designs which showcases the possibility of transforming Rivers State to a climate smart and resilient state. At the interactive session on the possibility of transforming Port Harcourt into a climate smart city in the next 10 years, I shared the possibility of achieving this, citing relevant examples of cities who are taking robust action and the impact they have recorded. I also shared the challenges that may arise and how they can be addressed. The panel on “Adaptation Strategies for a Flood-Prone City”, moderated by Faith Akolokwu @emiwald, with the speakers @dr_rrbriggs , @ebenezarwikina and Prof. @mbalisionyeka, established some solutions in addressing the flood incidents across communities.  🌊 Proper information dissemination on flood threats 🌊 Provision of early warning systems and evacuation plans 🌊 Construction of permanent IDP camps not makeshift camps 🌊 Creation of flood marshals in communities Ebenezar Wikina shared how we stopped thinking and dreaming of transformation as a state and nation, how his project Rivers2050 Vision seeks to address this issue, and how the achievement of this vision needs the collective efforts of all stakeholders. The event came to a close with an art presentation by @ibim.cookey an artist whose work is recognized in Nigeria and globally.
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Honoured to be invited as a Keynote Speaker at the MEL Masterclass Graduation Ceremony hosted by @yk_consultancy Join us tomorrow 21st September, 2025 at 4pm WAT. Registration link is on the flyer. See you tomorrow! #development #sustainablecareers
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My Panel Session at the Port Harcourt Climate Week. Two weeks ago I attended the Port Harcourt Climate Week organized by Aspire Climate Vanguard. It was an honour to speak/moderate the panel session on, "Justice & Adaptation- How Niger Delta Communities Can Lead Change". I had with me on the panel, distinguished speakers and professionals in the climate space; Weni Igirigi , Dr. Anthony Oko Ikpor, Ph.D (Nigeria), FIMC, CMC and Barrister Courage Nsirimovu. We explored key thematic areas such as; ⚖ What climate justice means for Niger Delta communities and how it shapes adaptation policies. ⚖ The biggest barriers preventing fair and effective adaptation in the Niger Delta. ⚖ How traditional knowledge and practice are proving effective in building resilience. ⚖ How we can ensure women, youths, marginalised groups and civil societies are not left out in adaptation effort. ⚖ How oil dependency, governance gaps and lack of funding complicates adaptation. ⚖ Practical steps policymakers should take in the next 5 years to ensure just adaptation. And we wrapped up the session with my eloquent speakers proposing an urgent action for communities. It was such a wonderful time on the panel, steering the conversation and providing clarity on the issue of climate justice and the progress made so far for Niger Delta communities. A big thank you to Matthew Burkaa, SAN. FCIArb whose keynote speech preceded our panel and provided the audience insights into the legal systems of seeking climate justice and the judicial interventions available. Speaking on the judicial shift in the expansion of the scope of the legal rights in environmental protection, Barr. Matthew encouraged NGOs and individuals to take advantage of the judicial fiat and seek the court's protection and interpretation in environmental matters for the good of the society. He also emphasized that, litigation will play a greater role in shaping environmental governance and making polluters of the environment, accountable for their actions. It was also a great time listening to other experts speak on the different panel topics. #PHClimateWeek
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