Pope Says Spend Less On Christmas, Give To Ukraine

 

By Joy Imisi

Pope Francis on Wednesday called on people to spend less on Christmas presents and celebrations, and donate the money saved to those in war-ravaged Ukraine.

“It is nice to celebrate Christmas. But let’s lower the level of Christmas spending a bit,” Francis said in his weekly general audience at the Vatican.

“Let’s have a more humble Christmas, with more humble gifts. Let’s send what we save to the Ukrainian people, who need it,” he said.

Nearly 10 months into the war, hardship from the fighting has compounded as winter sets in and Russia pounds Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Missile strikes have been crippling resulting in the periodic loss of electricity, heating, water and phone service across swathes of Ukraine.

The Ukrainians “are suffering so much. They are hungry, cold. So many people are dying because there are no doctors or nurses,” the pope said.

On Tuesday, Ukraine’s Western allies pledged an additional one billion euros ($1.1 billion) in emergency winter aid to help the country withstand Russia’s onslaught.

UK Welcomes Teachers From Nigeria, Eight Other Countries

The United Kingdom has disclosed that Nigeria has been listed among eight other foreign countries that are eligible to apply for the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through its Teaching Regulation Agency effective February 1, 2023.

Other countries listed include Ghana, India, South Africa, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Singapore, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe as countries now eligible for the programme.

In a statement by the UK Department for Education explained that this change was part of the launch of a new service.

On why the new countries were added on this new service, the Department said research showed teachers from these countries already have a substantial presence in the UK as valued members of the teaching workforce.

It also stated that there is an established interest in teaching in England in these countries in addition to having strong educational ties with the countries in question.

“From February 1, 2023, teachers who qualified in the following nine countries (listed above) will also be able to apply to the QTR through the TRA,” the Department said.

Also, it said that “you can work as a teacher in England and earn a salary while you’re assessed for QTS”.

The Department also said that to apply for assessment only QTS, you do not need a formal teacher training qualification.

However, it stated that a minimum of two years’ teaching experience is required to be eligible.

Other qualifications include an undergraduate degree of the same academic standard as a UK bachelor’s degree, as verified by UK ENIC, completed a course with content that is practically and pedagogically focussed, be qualified to teach children aged between 5 and 16 years.

Applicants must also have at least one school year (a minimum of 9 months including school holidays but excluding time out taken for any other reason) of professional experience working as a teacher after qualifying, have the professional status needed to be a teacher in the country where you qualified, and not be subject to any conditions or restrictions on your practice.

They must as well meet a certain standard of English language proficiency.

Nigeria: PWDs Will Vote Leaders Without Religious Bias- James Lalu

By Ere-ebi Agedah

At the Fourth Quarter meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) held recently in Abuja,  the Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, Mr. James David Lalu had announced that PWDs will elect quality leaders who will unite Nigeria across religious lines. 

According to Lalu, in a statement by Head Press and Public Relations Unit, NCPWD Mbanefo JohnMichaels, noted that the synergy with the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council is very key especially at this crucial period that the nation is gearing towards the 2023 general elections. 

"We in the community of PWDs are ready to demonstrate our willingness to change the narrative to meeting the aspirations of Persons With Disabilities in various endeavours. 

"May I also reiterate that the 35. 5 million PWDs spread across the country are seeking that platform for sincere social inclusion through political offices come 2023."

The ES seized the occasion to implore religious leaders to make the worship centers accessible for Persons With Disabilities. 

Earlier in his address, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Gida Mustapha underpinned the critical role that religion plays in our polity. He stated that many politicians in the past have played on the psyche of Nigerians to support their candidates based on religious affiliations.

"The time has come for Nigerians to apply the all- people Inclusive approach regardless of the religious background" He opined. 

He further urged the religious leaders to be apolitical "even as we approach another major milestone of our political trajectory" 

In the same line of thought, the Executive Secretary, NIREC, Rev. Father Cornelius Omonokhua assured the meeting of the organization's position on the 2023 elections.

"We will continue to work for the unity of Nigerians from both the Christian fold and the Islamic society for a better understanding and peaceful coexistence" he said.

His Eminence, Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto gave a charge to all Nigerians to begin to look inwards and develop strategies to solving home grown issues. He said Nigerians should stop imitating the western world as they have their peculiar challenges as well.

Nigeria: HOR approves Committee Report for upgrade of Katsina-Ala College of Education to Varsity

Nigeria's House of Representatives has approved the Report of the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services on a Bill for an Act to upgrade the College of Education Katsina-Ala to Federal University of Education. 

The latest ruling on the Bill sponsored by Hon. Richard Gbande, Member representing Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Federal Constituency of Benue State, was read out during Thursday's plenary.

“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services on a Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal University of Education, Katsina-Ala; and for Related Matters (HB.539) and approve the recommendations therein," Hon. Aminu Suleiman, House Committee Chairman on Tertiary Education and Services (APC Kebbi) read.

The legislation was last year referred to the House Committee on Tertiary Education and Services by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.

The House of Representatives had in September 2021 approved a Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of the Federal University of Education, Katsina-Ala for a public hearing and subsequent passage into law after it passed second reading.

According to Gbande, the decision to establish the College of Education Katsina-Ala was taken in 1976, while the college was later formally established by law, following the enactment of edict No.20 of 1984. 

The Lawmaker said the college has a staff strength of 804 and 10,339 students. Thus, the "college has capacity to be converted to a Federal University of Education so as to allow Nigerian students to benefit from the institution’s postgraduate programmes,” Gbande had noted.

UN Biodiversity Conference COP 15 kick off in Montreal, Canada

 By Erhirhie Julius Otadafe

The 2022 UN conference on biodiversity COP 15 kicked off in Montreal, Canada on Wednesday, with world leaders converging to delebrate on a number of issues to achieve a global action plan to save and protect the species and ecosystem on the planet.

Negotiators from across the world, are gathering in Canada for the second phase of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) from Dec. 7-19, where they will  try to adopt a new global biodiversity framework with ambitious goals and specific action targets to achieve a transformational change by the middle of the century.

With the opening ceremony held on Wednesday December 7, 2022, the international community "expects the adoption of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, and hopes to make COP15 an important moment to reverse the loss of global biodiversity," said Huang Runqiu, minister of ecology and environment of China, who is chairing the meeting.

Huang said in his opening remarks that the parties, international organizations and stakeholders are expected to demonstrate the spirit of cooperation, political determination, sincerity and flexibility in the meeting, build strong consensus, and actively seek compromise solutions on key issues.

He also encouraged the parties to make political commitments, continue to increase international financial input, and create favorable conditions for advancing the consultation process.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Huang noted a few challenges in the negotiation. One of the challenges, Huang said, is to strike a balance between the three goals of the convention, which are, the preservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits.

Nigeria: Disability Boss Task Presidential Candidates On Inclusion, Friendly Policies

 

By Ere-ebi Agedah

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, persons with disabilities have appealed to the presidential candidates of various political parties to ensure the inclusion of its members in governance and strengthen policies that will enhance a friendly environment for them to live.

This they said will consolidate on the giant achievements of current administration in easing off their burdens expecially with regards to signing into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Secretary James who spoke on Thursday in Abuja said the issue of non-inclusion of its members in governance in some states of the federation calls for worry, even as he expresses regret that the discrimination against PWDs in the society calls for concern.

He urged the presidential candidates to initiate steps that will protect persons with disabilities from harmful cultural practices and crude behavioural patterns, expressing displeasure over the killings of people with albinism and those with hunchback for ritual purposes.

He described as untrue the allegation by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Alhaji Atiku Abubakar that the federal government has neglected persons with disabilities, saying the government has fulfilled all its promises to the community.

Lalu while stating that some states are yet to implement the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, he said it does not undermine the firm commitment of the federal government to change the fortunes of the physically challenged.

He said the statement of the PDP presidential candidate is a clear attack on the continued efforts of Buhari's administration in assuaging the plights of PWDs and affirmed supports for the APC-led government.

“During the first and second terms of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the PDP, the disability community struggled, even when the bill was passed by the National Assembly, Atiku and PDP did not sign it into law.

"I can still remember when the disability community went out to protest and called the attention of the then government, the only result we got was that we were tear-gased.

“We also want to remind Governor of Delta, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, that the disability law had not been passed or signed in Delta" he said.

California authorities advocate strengthening of marine protected areas

 

By Olaborede Olugbenga Israel

In December 2022, California will held its first 10-year review of its MPA network. The review will be used to inform the network’s future.

Earlier this year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out a goal to protect 30% of the state’s land, water, and sea space over the decade. 

California’s iconic coastline has long captivated the world’s imagination. Beyond its shores, hidden beneath the waves, stretches a vast, mysterious wilderness containing some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. 

For the past decade, California has been at the forefront of a global movement to conserve ocean biodiversity through marine protected areas (MPAs). 

Since the state’s marine protected area (MPA) network was completed in 2012, California is home to 124 MPAs covering approximately 852 square miles – a little over 16% of the state’s ocean waters.

As state regulators take account of the progress it has made of protecting marine ecosystems and wildlife, California should expand and strengthen upon its MPA success stories to ensure 30% of its state waters are fully protected by 2030.

MPAs are regions of the ocean and coastline legally protected from human exploitation. These zones can have varying levels of protections: MPA can include everything from lightly protected areas that only prohibit drilling and mining to highly protected zones where commercial fishing is banned, to fully protected “no-take” zones where all extractive activities are completely off-limits.

A growing body of research demonstrates that MPAs – and fully protected no-take zones in particular – can have real impacts in conserving biodiversity and enabling wildlife to live and flourish. In California, researchers have found clear evidence that California’s investment in MPAs is already making a difference. 

The Point Lobos State Marine Reserve, in particular, provides a compelling success story of California’s ocean conservation efforts. Located off the coast of Monterey County, countless generations of sea otters, sea lions and harbor seals have long flocked to Point Lobos’ rocky shoreline. More than 300 species of birds thrive above the coldwater corals that populate its rocky reefs. Beneath the water, vast eelgrass beds and kelp forests house abundant fish species, including California halibut and rainbow sea perch, and Dungeness crabs and brittle sea stars on the sandy seafloor.

The abundance of life in this patch of ocean is attributable in large measure to the longstanding marine protections that exist there. The Point Lobos Ecological Reserve was first created in 1974. By 2007, the Point Lobos State Marine Reserve (SMR) and Point Lobos State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) were among the first MPAs designated as a result of the Marine Life Protection Act. Point Lobos is composed of both a fully protected, no-take zone and a highly protected area off-limits to many extractive activities.

The long-term protections highlight how setting aside areas free from fishing can have dramatic results for ocean life. Abalone – a species of sea snail once numbering in the millions along California’s coast but harvested almost to extinction – is a case in point. A 2013 study of California’s MPAs found that the endangered black abalone increased in numbers and size inside MPAs within five years of protections being implemented.

Research on Point Lobos also demonstrates the impact of long-term protections. A 2008 study of central coast marine reserves, including Point Lobos, found that sites protected for at least 25 years had significantly larger black abalone individuals and significantly more red abalone than unprotected areas.

The report also looks at how the threatened Western Snowy Plover benefits from protections at the Campus Point State Marine Conservation Area off the coast of Santa Barbara. A deeper look here reveals how marine protections have cascading effects that benefit species onshore. Habitat loss, increases in introduced predators and human disruption of nesting sites have put a tremendous strain on the snowy plover. In 1993, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the species as threatened. By 2016, in Los Angeles County, their population consisted of a mere 140 birds. Snowy plovers were disappearing.

Campus Point State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) was established in 2012 and is a key nesting site for the western snowy plover. All harvesting of living species is prohibited in this 10.5-mile area of ocean, and the area is protected from major human disturbances such as offshore oil drilling.

A study conducted between 2019 and 2021 to assess the effects of MPAs on beaches and surf zones throughout California’s MPA network found that average numbers of these birds were more than 30% higher at MPA sites than unprotected areas, and it was at Campus Point that the highest number of snowy plovers seen in a single survey during the study – 94 birds – was observed. The relative abundance of the threatened western snowy plover at Campus Point is an indicator of the indirect effects felt onshore of protected areas in the water. With the implementation of protections, scientists saw a decline in red sea urchins – which are animals that decimate kelp forests if left unchecked – off Campus Point. This reduction will lead to healthier kelp forests, better balanced ecosystems and more kelp washing to shore for eager plovers to hunt for food.

The relative abundance of snowy plover at Campus Point is also an indicator of indirect effects of MPA protections offshore. A kelp forest ecosystem thrives farther out to sea, and dislodged kelp washes ashore. Following the implementation of protections, red sea urchin numbers declined at Campus Point, in turn suggesting that the amount of kelp is increasing, since sea urchins eat kelp and an overabundance of urchins can decimate kelp forests. When kelp washes ashore, it delivers food to these wading shorebirds who pick through its folds for flies and crustaceans that depend on the kelp for their own home. The interconnectedness of this system shows why no-take MPAs are so important, since they protect a complex and interwoven food web.

In short, California’s MPA network is working. Highly- and fully-protected MPAs provide marine ecosystems with the habitat and resources needed to support California’s rich species biodiversity. The proven successes of California’s network of MPAs has created a model that can be emulated both in the United States and abroad.

Having seen what these protections can do, however, it is now time to strengthen them. In line with the state’s 30×30 initiative, it is time to expand California’s network of marine reserves to ensure that 30% of state waters are covered by fully or highly protected MPAs by 2030. By strengthening existing protections of larger ocean spaces, we can minimize our footprint on the ocean and reverse some of the damage we’ve done to this watery wilderness over the last century