GEF-UNDP biodiversity scheme: Cultural beliefs inspire wildlife conservation

As reported cases of animals facing the threat of extinction daily make the rounds, a contrary scenario is however emerging in certain parts of Nigeria, where wildlife still has a fighting chance of survival.

The revered Sclater’s Guenon. Socio-cultural beliefs are offering wildlife succour and a fighting chance of survival

The revered Sclater’s Guenon. Socio-cultural beliefs are offering wildlife succour and a fighting chance of survival
Conservation of fauna, spurred by socio-cultural beliefs, has become the hallmark of some indigenous communities in the biological diversity-rich Niger Delta region, where animals are revered.

The monkey, tortoise and the even the crocodile are among a few “lucky” animal species that the Niger Delta Biodiversity Conservation Project is assisting local communities to preserve, in the face of increasing threat to their survival. The project is being sponsored by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

For example, a scheme domiciled in the community forest of Ikot Uso Akpan Itam, Itu in Akwa Ibom State specialises in the conservation of a monkey species endemic to Nigeria, known as Sclater’s Guenon (Cercopithecus sclateri).

It is an Old World monkey that was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1904 and named after Philip Sclater.

The West African Dwarf Crocodile

The council of elders, led by the village head, Chief Asuquo Simon, said the Ikot Uso Akpan community has high regard for the primates, which he stated can only be found in the community forest and no where else.

According to him, hunting of the animals is prohibited because they are sacred to the community.

He said: “We call the monkeys the ‘First Daughter’ of Itam – Awa Itam. The monkeys give us pride; they make us bold to tell people in the world that we are the only community that owns everything because our monkeys stay on top of every animal on the ground. Monkeys that are seen in surrounding communities are from our community and, at the end of the day, they usually return to their home in our forest where they are safe.

“This is the only community that conserves the plants – the trees, fruits that these monkeys eat. We thank the UNDP that gave us money to plant these trees- we have done it and the fruit trees grow very well and very soon the monkeys will start eating the fruits.”
Chief Simon stressed that monkeys have made the community popular, and that there is a cordial relationship between them and members of the community. According to him, the primates mimic the women when they knead ropes.

The women leader confirmed the village head’s assertion, stating that the monkeys are friendly and do not cause them any harm. “We see the Monkeys as our sisters and brothers. They chase away other animals, particularly grasscutters from destroying our crops. The monkeys are a special gift from God. We don’t harm them, and we don’t eat them” she disclosed.

The project’s team leader, Dr. Matthew Dore, advised the community leaders to take the monkey conservation initiative a step further by, with the support of the state government, putting their mascot an image of the monkey) at the airport in Uyo.

“This community should declare a Sclater’s Guenon Conservation Day, a day set aside to mark the conservation efforts of this community; when lovers of the primates and those who want to associate with them would come and celebrate them. It should be called the Sclater’s Guenon Day,” the conservationist suggested.

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Dr. Iniobong Ene Essien, spoke in a similar vein with Dore.

His words: “We will give political exposure to that community. If we do a proper package, we should be able to do something close to what has been suggested. We will work closely with the director, take a closer look at the community and see what we can do. This is commendable, considering the fact that, at a time like this, many species are endangered.”

In the Emu Kingdom in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, the West African Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) is cherished by indigenes. According to the king, Johnson Ekpechiulu, the reptile is regarded as “the mother of the land.”

He said: “The crocodile is revered in this society. The reason for this dates back to history. The story is that they protected us very well both day and night, and made it possible for us to have such a big kingdom like this.

“It is a sacred and forbidden animal. They do not harm us; they eat our left-over food and sleep in the neighbourhood. We bury the crocodile as we bury the living dead amomgst us.”

At the Onura Forest in Alesa, Eleme in River State, the community is protecting the tortoise as well as the forest, which villagers are concerned is fast been depleted.

In fact, under the Community Biodiversity Action Plan (CEBAP), a section of the forest will be fenced, essentially to keep the animals from wandering beyond the confines of the jungle onto the highway where they get crushed by vehicles.

Emperor J. D. Nkpe, Paramount Ruler of Alesa-Eleme, said: “The tortoise is sacred to us, and people are not allowed to hunt them. In fact, it is forbidden to kill a tortoise in this community. And we are concerned that some get killed accidentaly by motorists plying the highway; these are usually those that left their abode in the forest.

“So we intend to fence the forest to, among other reasons, prevent further deaths of the cherished animals. Indeed, whenever I see them on the road, either wandering or being offered for sale, I buy them and return them back to the forest.”

The Niger Delta Biodiversity Conservation Project (NDBP) is a five-year biological diversity conservation programme within the Niger Delta region. The programme is being implemented by GEF and UNDP with the support of Ministries of Environment within the implementing states, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the participating communities.

The main aim of the project is to enhance cooperation between the government, the oil & gas industry and local communities within the Niger Delta in building and piloting new biodiversity action planning tools for proactive biodiversity management in the region.

In order to meet this objective, a set of activities were carried out, and among them is the implementation of CBAP, which commenced in 2014 within the participating states – Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers.


*** From Environews

Fresh concern over impending bitumen exploitation

The Nigerian government has been told to reconsider its bitumen exploitation ventures as the mining activity has the tendency to degrade the environment.

L-R: Chief Reverend Okwuaji; Chief Toyin Dmendra, the Lisa of Agbabu; Akinbode Oluwafemi, deputy executive director of ERA/FoEN; and Baale Adepitan Ola James of Ijebu-Mushin in Ogun State, at the Consultative Meeting on Bitumen Exploitation in Akure, Ondo State

This submission formed part of a list of resolutions agreed on by participants at a recent forum in Akure, Ondo State, where the corrosiveness and dirty nature of bitumen extraction was decried.

At the Consultative Forum involving communities in the bitumen belt from Ondo, Edo and Ogun states held last month at the instance of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), government was told to halt any agreements with unknown companies, breaking free from fossils and explore safe and clean renewables that are cheap and community-driven.

They underlined the need for the convening of a national forum of bitumen communities with adequate representation from all communities that fall under the bitumen belt, adding that an institutional structure or agency that the communities can interface or engage with should be put in place.

They also want an updated geo-mapping and conduct of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study in the communities to address the genuine concerns of the communities.
“The Nigerian government should leave the tar in the sand to avoid the crisis in the Niger Delta repeating in the bitumen belt. Before bitumen extraction, there must be a review of the Mining Act 2007 to reflect existing realities and concerns by the local communities. There must be transparency and accountability in the entire bitumen belt,” reads a communique issued at the close of the gathering on December 22, 2016.

The communities, who say that there has been no consultation or formal agreements with them as the Federal Government ploughs deeper into its plans to exploit bitumen within their doorsteps, want the immediate commencement of the process of engaging them in a dialogue so as to create awareness and unity amongst them in their agitation for a better environment.

They likewise clamour for the clean up of Ogoniland as a first step and other communities across the country impacted by fossil fuels, pointing out that, in doing this, the government must ensure the protection of the people and the sustainability of a healthy environment.

The Nigerian bitumen deposit, put at some 42.74 billion metric tons, is said to be the second largest in the world. Discovered in 1900, it covers 120 kilometres costal belts of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Edo states.

Naturally occurring or crude bitumen is a sticky, tar-like form of petroleum which is so thick and heavy that it must be heated or diluted before it will flow. Bitumen is also mixed with granite to produce asphalt, which is the major product used for road construction.
Deputy Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Akinbode Oluwafemi, explained that the meeting was called to examine new developments in the light of President Muhammadu Buhari’s plan to finally start bitumen exploitation and exploration.

In a presentation titled: “Time to Leave Tar in the Sand!”, Oluwafemi explained that despite all the government had said about diversification, the kind of diversification community people want in the energy sector is one that is clean, safe, community-driven and cheap. He noted, however, that bitumen is not any of these things since it is heavy crude and considered dirty energy.


*** From Environews

China to ban its elephant ivory trade within a year

The Chinese government has announced that it will close its domestic commercial ivory market by the end of 2017, a move conservation groups are calling a “game-changer” for elephants, which are being rapidly driven toward extinction due to ivory poaching.

“This is great news that will shut down the world’s largest market for elephant ivory,” said Aili Kang, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Asia Executive Director, in a statement. “[This] will help ensure that elephants have a fighting chance to beat extinction.”

“This is a game changer for Africa’s elephants.”

Carter Roberts, President and CEO of World Wildlife Fund (WWF), added: “The large-scale trade of ivory now faces its twilight years, and the future is brighter for wild elephants. With the US also ending its domestic ivory trade earlier this year, two of the largest ivory markets have taken action that will reverberate around the world.”

China’s General Office of the State Council on Friday laid out a timeline for implementing the ban. By March 31, 2017, commercial processing and sale of ivory will be stopped. By the end of 2017, all trade will be barred. The government will step up law enforcement with the intent of curbing smuggling and illegal sales of ivory. China will also launch a public education and outreach campaign to “raise ecological civilization awareness, to guide the public to refuse to buy any ivory and ivory products, and to develop a good social environment to protect elephants and other wildlife,” according to a statement from the government.

Asian elephant in Sri Lanka. Asian elephant populations are declining less rapidly than African elephant populations. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.

Momentum has been building for such action. Earlier this year the United States enacted a law to close its ivory market and both the IUCN and member states at CITES COP17 passed resolutions to close domestic elephant ivory markets. China and Hong Kong have also taken steps to regulate and reduce the elephant ivory trade, including China’s pledge in 2015 to eventually shutter its ivory market and Hong Kong’s statement last week that it would end the ivory trade by 2021.

The news comes as elephant populations are plunging across Africa. A recent survey conducted over two years by the Great Elephant Census found that Africa’s savanna elephant population declined by 144,000 since 2007, equivalent to an population decline of eight percent per year. An earlier study reported that African forest elephant populations declined by 60 percent in just a decade.

***From mongabay

President Buhari signs Endangered Species Bill into law

President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the ‎Endangered Species Control of International Trade and Traffic Amendment Act 2016.

Sen. Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), made this known while briefing State House correspondents in Abuja.

Ita Enang

He said that ‎the Act was one of the 10 bills forwarded by the National Assembly to the President.

“The President has assented to the bill sent by the National Assembly, The Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Amendment Act 2016.

“This is one of the 10 Bills that were forwarded by the National Assembly to Mr President and he has just assented to this, almost completing every action on all the Bills that were forwarded to him by the National Assembly.

“The intent of this amendment is to bring the penalty provisions in line with economic realities and to act as a deterrent or deter people from trafficking and trading in endangered species because endangered are preserved of the country.’’

The Presidential aide said the intent of the amendment was to bring the penalty provisions in line with economic realities and to serve as a deterrent to people trafficking in endangered species “because endangered species are the preserves of the country”.

According to him, the Act is to discourage trafficking in endangered species and will encourage the culture of the preservation of endangered species, even as it increased the penalties for violations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that with the signing of the Act, President Buhari had so far signed 17 bills into law in 2016.

How behavioural change can protect Nigeria’s wildlife

Nigeria’s wildlife reserve is facing threat of depletion due to continued illegal hunting and smuggling, thus denying the country huge revenue in tourism, as well as putting exotic flora and fauna at risk of extinction.

Species of the gorillas found only in Nigeria and Cameroon forests are at risk of extinction, as Nigeria’s wildlife is threatened. Photo credit: Christophe Courteau / NPL, via Minden Pictures

Lamenting the extent of damage on Nigeria’s wildlife, the Lagos Office of the Federal Ministry of Environment said in a recent publication: “The booming illegal trade in wildlife products is eroding the earth’s precious biodiversity, robbing us of our natural heritage and pushing whole species towards extinction, as well as undermining economies, fueling organised crime and feeding corruption and insecurity across the globe.”

Poachers with sophisticated weapons are said to have managed to enter protected areas and sanctuaries, killing even endangered animals like the African wild dogs, cheetah, giraffe, and antelopes.
Also threatened are the Cross River gorilla, the drill, and a number of smaller guenons that are found only in Nigeria and Cameroon forests.

No fewer than 100,000 elephants are believed to have been killed by poachers within the African continent in the last three years and many of them in Nigeria.

The use of wildlife body parts in making expensive fashion materials and accessories, such as jewelries, shoes, belts, bracelets, bags and others, is one major reason for the large wildlife trade, which is considered the fourth most lucrative global crime after drugs, human and arms, with annual trade value of between $5 billion and $20 billion, based on the publication by the Nigeria Ministry of Environment.

To check this ugly trend in Nigeria, experts say, the masses should not only guard their forests and government protected areas in their communities against poachers, but also go a step further by rejecting fashion accessories that are made of body parts of wild plants and animals.

Director Forestry Department of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Elizabeth Ekhibewele, who regretted that visits to important wildlife spots revealed extensive depletion of wild animals, which she said signaled a great loss to the government and the communities. According to her, such parks and sanctuaries used to flourish with assorted exotic organisms such as zebra, elephants, and gorillas.

“We visited a wildlife park and I wept. It was virtually empty. Poachers go to the bush, they kill all animals. They kill pregnant elephants, kill young elephants. They go to the bush, they kill any mammal. They are not thinking of the future. As far as they are concerned, it is the money,” she lamented.

Stressing that illegal wild life traffickers succeed because they have collaborators in the affected communities, Dr. Ekhibewele further explained that the Nigerian government is not completely banning trade on wildlife, but wants it to be done in a sustainable manner that benefits everybody.

“We are not saying that wildlife should not be traded on at all, we say let it be done in a sustainable manner. Wild life trade must be managed; it must be governed. When the trade is legal, it must follow the procedure. Even in your house, if you want to sell something, you don’t sell everything. You select the good ones and leave the rest. That is also applicable to wildlife. Otherwise you just wake up one day and observe that the organisms have all gone into extinction.
“The forests and its wild animals and plants do not belong to us. We inherited them. We should also not destroy them to benefit our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. That is the awareness we are creating.”

Pride in the choice of fashion fabrics and accessories especially by among young and averagely aged women, is pointed as a setback to the fight against illegal trade in endangered species.

These women as well as some fashionable men can go to any length to ensure their outfits outshine those of others at occasions.

To achieve their aim, they go for very expensive necklaces like those made of ivory from elephant, as well as shoes and others that are made of the scales of crocodiles and other wild animals.

A young woman, Mary Williams, who works in a government establishment, parades an animal skinned bag, worth over N500,000.

She said, “I just like looking good. Some of these things, I buy them abroad. They cost a fortune in Nigerian shops, if at all you will see them. Though it is expensive, you just need it to compliment your status.”

However, given the hardship in the country, most of the “big ladies”, reportedly go for fashion materials and accessories, made from refined animal materials.

“Original leathers are very expensive, so most women go for bags and shoes that are made of refined animal
skins and parts. But, if there is money, I personally would go for the original leather. But I just make do with what is available,” remarked Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ojiego, a Lagos resident.

A campaigner on wildlife protection, said that young people, especially ladies, should begin to overlook bags, belt, shoes and others, that are made of wildlife skins and scales, to discourage the producers of such accessories.

“For the young ladies who want to be Miss Nigeria, Miss Universe and others, you don’t have to wear leathers of crocodile skin before you are beautiful and important. The Nigerian fabrics like the Ankara look very astonishing and can be designed into different styles, good enough for the best occasion in the world.”

The campaigner stated that the time has come for all to start acting to protect wildlife, not just by making speeches at workshops and seminars.

Her words: “It is time to take the right decision. Not just to say no illegal wild life trade only by speech but taking little action.

“For the children, there are basic actions that you can take. Start as little as caring for the environment where you are. If they bring the kind of bush meat that is on the verge of extinction, reject it. For the regulatory bodies, they have the mandate to work and push so that there is no longer illegal trafficking of wild life.”

Many others believe that it is high time that Nigerian masses showed greater commitment in their support towards protecting the country’s wildlife reserve.

They said this support is needed now more than ever before that the country has launched a new national re-orientation campaign called “Change begins with me” which, among other things, enjoins every Nigerian to show utmost patriotism to his or her fatherland, to check criminality, corruption and build the economy.

The patronage of fashion materials that are made from skins of goats, cows and other domestic animals, is required from the masses to accelerate growth of the manufacturing sector and at the same time protect endangered animals.

According to the chairman, Nigeria Tanners Council, NTC Alhaji Lawan Sule Garo, Nigeria has among the highest quality hides and skin in the world, especially, the skin-red leather made from goats. He said all that is needed is government support to take the industry to the next level.

“There is a need for government to encourage both local and foreign investors to establish manufacturing companies that would be readily available to use processed leather to produce high quality goods such as shoes, bags and belts, which are imported from Europe and North America.

“We have reached the peak in manufacturing top leather. We can compete with developed countries. What we need now is go to the next level, and that is production of shoes, belts, bags and other products using leather as raw material. Tannery industry remains one of the oldest industries in Nigeria and has continued to generate employment for old and young, particularly, in the north-west part of Nigeria. Currently, Kano State has about 20 functional tannery firms, the largest and most efficient industry, with over 25,000 employed.”

Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Segun Awolowo, who also called for government support to fully develop the country’s leather industry, had announced that Nigeria exports hide and skin worth $800 million annually.

“Even with its touted climb in the economy’s ladder as Nigeria’s second foreign exchange earner, the leather industry still faces enormous challenge. There is the need for the Federal Government to inject adequate resources to stabilise the sector as well provide an enabling environment for manufacturers and investors in the industry to thrive,” he said.

Though majority of Nigeria’s hides and skins tend to come from cow and goat, wild animals and plants are reportedly being killed for their skins and they include crocodile, buffalo, elephant and zebra, all prohibited by the Convention for International Trade on Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), that the country is signatory to.

Attitudinal change towards embracing locally-made goods and services should be adopted. Skins from goats which are sustainable should be promoted, through grants to farmers and to investors to build world-class tannery and leather industries.

By Innocent Onoh

Shocking! 74-year-old Man Defiles Two Young Girls Inside Workshop in Delta State

Godwin Agbada

 

Godwin Agbada, a 74-year-old man has been arrested by the police for defiling two girls.

 

Agbada allegedly defiled two girls aged 12 and 14 years in his workshop.

 

 He has however blamed the devil for the act.

 

According to The Nation, Agbada, who was paraded at the headquarters of the Delta State Police Command in Asaba, yesterday admitted to the offence, but denied having carnal knowledge of another victim, Ebele Olise.

 

The 74-year-old suspect, who expressed regret over his action, stated that both minors often came to his workshop to visit and that he frequently gave them money.

 

He said he is married with five children.

 

Asked if he could defend himself before his wife and children following his arrest, Agbada said: ‘Yes, I fit look my children for face. I noh shame, but I noh happy with wetin I do. Na devil make me do am.’

 

The Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, Celestina Kalu, who briefed reporters said Godwin has been arrested and that medical report confirmed the commission of the offence.

“Investigation revealed that the victim was invited to the suspect’s workshop by one Ebele Olise, aged 14, where both were defiled by the suspect who, thereafter, gave them N200.00 each.”

Commotion as Newly Married Couple Were Robbed on Their Wedding Day in Benue State

The couple

 

John Itodo, an Assistant Inspector of Nigeria Prisons Service attached to Otukpo Division, and his wife have been robbed.

 

The man was in the early hour of Friday robbed at gun point with his bride, Jesse and other family members while returning from their traditional marriage.

 

According to Daily Post, Itodo, younger brother to Yemi Itodo, had concluded a traditional marriage rite with his bride in Etulo, a suburb of Katsina-Ala local government of Benue State on Thursday and was to move to Otukpa in Ogbadibo LGA same day for their wedding ceremony billed for Saturday.

 

The vehicle carrying the newly married couple, however, broke down in Aliade, Gwer LGA and the couple and some family members had to sleep over at Aliade.

 

“As early as 4 am on Friday, we set out for onward movement to Otukpa and the journey was smooth until we got to a place called Atlo, after Otukpo.

“We saw a military check-point by 6am with about 5 soldiers on uniform, fully armed, flagging down our car and we parked”, a family source revealed

 

Speaking further, the source said “We thought they were genuine soldiers because they were kitted with Army Uniform and carrying weapons. They also blocked the federal road with logs of wood and lanterns on both sides of the road, to suggest it was a military or police check-point.

 

“One of them entered our vehicle and asked the driver to move towards a path in the bush while the rest unknown’ soldiers’ were following with legs.

“They took us to a nearby bush and dispossessed us of a large sum of money and all our belongings, including a professional video camera and photo camera with the memory card which contained all our marriage activities yesterday”.

 

He said the matter has been reported at the Otukpo Police Area Command.

Find Addresses and Phone Numbers of Foreign Embassies in Nigeria

Us Embassy , Abuja

It is important to have an idea of where several foreign embassies are located, as this is the first step to knowing the processes involved in acquiring a visa as well as important documents to gather before making summer plans and other trips.

In Nigeria, there are about 200 foreign embassies and high commissions ,100 of which are located in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Here is some useful information with regards to major foreign embassies and consulates in Nigeria’s major cities.

• Brazil
  Abuja
  Address: Plot 324 Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja
  Phone:  +234 9 461 8685, +234 803 785 0132, +234 803 535 0118 (Consular Duty)
  +234 803 535 0119 (Diplomatic Duty)
  Fax:  +234 9 461 8687

Email: brasemb.abuja@itamaraty.gov.br
Lagos
Address: Plot 257, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island Lagos; P.O. Box 72802, Lagos
Phone: +234 1 261 0135-6, +234 1 261 3539; Fax: +234 1 261 3394

• Canada
  Abuja

Address: 15, Bobo Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Phone:  +234 9 413 9910; Fax: +234 9 413 9911, +234 9 413 9932
Email:  abuja@international.gc.ca
Website: www.nigeria.gc.ca
Lagos
Address: 4, Anifowoshe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Phone:  +234 1 271 5650, 262 2512/15; Fax: +234 1 262 2517, +234 1 271 5651
Email:  lagos@international.gc.ca
Website:  http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/nigeria
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 4:30pm, Friday: 8:00am – 1:30pmPort Harcourt
Address: 15, Ahoada Road, Rumuibekwe Housing Estate, Port Harcourt
Phone : +234 806 399 7054 (Emergency line for Canadians)
Email : phconsul2004@yahoo.com
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 4:30pm, Friday: 8:00am – 1:30pm

• China
  Abuja

Address: Plot 302-303 A.0. Central Area, Abuja.
Phone:  +234 9 461 8661, 461 8662, 461 8664; Fax: +234 9 461 8660
Email:  chinaemb_ng@mfa.gov.cn
Website:  http://ng.chineseembassy.org/eng
Lagos
Address: Plot 161A, Idejo Street, Victoria Island; P.O. Box 70510, Lagos.
Phone:  +234 1 271 5350/52, 271 3535, 261 2400, 261 2165, 261 2586
Fax: +234 1 271 5583
Email:  consulate_lagos@mfa.gov.cn
Website:  http://lagos.china-consulate.org/eng

• Egypt
  Abuja

Address: Plot 3319, Barada Close, Off Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Phone:  +234 9 413 6091-2; Fax: +234 9 413 2602, 413 2802
Lagos
Address: 182B, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, P.O. Box 538, Lagos.
Phone:  +234 1 261 2922, 261 8029

• Ethiopia

Abuja
Address:  Plot 332 Cadastral Zone AO, Mission Road, Central Business District, Garki
Phone:  +234 9 461 8641-3; Fax: +234 9 461 8640
Email:  etembabuja@yahoo.com
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 4:00 pm
Lagos
Address: Plot 97, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos
Phone: +234 1 261 3198; Fax: +234 1 261 5055

• France
  Abuja

Address: 37 Udi Hills Street Off Aso Drive, Maitama, Abuja.
Phone:  +234 9 523 1055, 523 5510, 523 5506;
Fax: +234 9 523 5482, 523 5284 (Consular section)
Email:  sec-amb.abuja-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Website: http://www.ambafrance-ng.org
Lagos (Consulate)
Address: 1, Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Phone:  +234 1 269 3427-9, +234 1 462 8484; Fax: +234 9 269 3430, +234 1 462 8480
Email:  consulfrance.lagos@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Website: www.consulfrance-lagos.org

• Germany
  Abuja

Address: 9 Lake Maracaibo Close, off Amazon Street Maitama, Abuja.
Phone:  +234 9 413 0962, 413 0964-5, 780 5181; Fax: +234 9 413 0949
Lagos
Address: 15, Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos
Phone: +234 1 280 9966, 280 9967, +234 1 261 1011; Fax: +234 1 280 9969, 280 9968
RK/Visa: +234 1 280 9968
Email: gembassylagos@micro.com.ng
Website:  http://www.abuja.diplo.de
Office Hours: 07:30am – 3:00pm Visa Applicants: 07:00am – 09:00am

• India
  High Commission
  Abuja

Address: 15, Rio Negro Close, Off Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Phone:  +234 9 460 2800-4; Fax: +234 9 460 2805
Email:  cons.abuja@mea.gov.in
            hicomindabj@linkserve.com
Website: http://www.indianhcabuja.com
Lagos :
Address: 8A, Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Phone:  +234 1 448 0876-7, 262 7680, 261 5909; Fax: +234 1 448 0882, 261 2660
Email:  cons.lagos@mea.gov.in     
Website: www.hicomindlagos.com

• Italy
  Abuja

Address: 21st Crescent, Off Constitution Avenue, Central Business District, Abuja.
Phone:  +234 9 461 4722-3, +234 9 524 4036; Fax: +234 9 461 4709, 9 524 4034
Email:  ambasciata.abuja@esteri.it
Website:  http://www.ambabuja.esteri.it
Lagos
Address: 12, Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, P.O. Box 2161, Lagos
Phone:  +234 1 462 7414-5, 462 7419; Fax: +234 1 462 7420 – 06, 462 7418
Email:  visti.lagos@esteri.it
Website:  http://www.conslagos.esteri.it

• Kenya
  High Commission
  Address: 21 Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja; P.M.B. 5160, Wuse, Abuja
  Phone:  +234 9 413 9155; Fax: +234 9 413 9157
  Email:  kenyahi@alpha.linkserve.com

• Malaysia
  High Commission

Abuja
Address:  2 Pechora Close, off Panama Street, Maitama, Abuja; P.M.B 5217, Wuse, Abuja
Phone:  +234 9 413 3918-9; Fax: +234 9 413 3922
Email:  malabuja@kln.gov.my
Website:  http://www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/abuja
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Consular Section/Visa Application/Collection: 9:00am – 12:30pm

• Netherlands

Abuja
Address:  21st Crescent, off Constitution Avenue, Central Business District, Abuja.
Phone:  +234 9 461 1200; Fax: +234 9 461 1240
Email:  abj@minbuza.nl
Website:  http://www.mfa.nl/abj-en/
Office Hours: Monday- Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Lagos
Address: 24, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos; P.O. Box 2426, Lagos
Phone: +234 1 261 3005

• Russia
  Abuja

Address: Plot 715, Zone AG, 8 Panama Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.
Phone:  +234 9 4135374, 4134951
Website:  http://www.russianembassy.ne/RepresentativeOfficeOfRussiaInAbuja
Lagos
Address: 5, Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Phone:  +234 1 261 2267, 261 5022, 261 3359, 461 9994; Fax: +234 1 461 9995
Email:  rusemlagos@vgccl.net
Website:  http://www.russianembassy.net/EmbassyOfRussiaInLagos

• South Africa
  High Commission
  Abuja

Address: 71 Usuma Street, off Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja.
   P.M.B 5120 Wuse, Abuja
Phone:  +234 9 462 4200, 413 3776, 782 2850; Fax: +234 9 413 3829, 413 5511
Email:  sahcabuja@yahoo.co.uk
Lagos
Address:  24 Molade Okoya Thomas Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Phone:  +234 1 461 2067, 461 2981, 461 2050; Fax: +234 1 461 2064, 461 2051
Email:  safrica@nigol.net.ng

• Ukraine
  Address: Plot 1273, Parakou Crescent, off Nairobi Street, Wuse II, Abuja
  Phone:  +234 9 524 0087-8, 523 9577, 524 0846, 523 9578; Fax: +234 9 523 9578
  Email:  emb_ua@microaccess.com;

emb_ng@mfa.gov.ua
Website:  http://www.mfa.gov.ua/nigeria/en/
   www.ukraineinfo.gov.ua/main

• United Kingdom
  Abuja

Address: Dangote House, Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja
Phone:  +234 9 413 4559-64, 462 3200; Fax: +234 9 413 4565, 413 3885-8
Email:  information.abuja@fco.gov.uk
            consular.abuja@fco.gov.uk
visa.enquiries.abuja@fco.gv.uk
Website: http://ukinnigeria.fco.gov.uk/en/
Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:00am – 3:30pm
Lagos
Address: 11, Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Phone:  +234 1 261 9531, 261 9537, 261 9541; Fax: +234 1 261 4021, 262 5940
Email: consular.lagos@fco.gov.uk
visa.lagos@fco.gov.uk
Website:  http://ukinnigeria.fco.gov.uk/en
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00am – 3:30pm, Friday 7:30am – 12:30pm
Port Harcourt
Address: Plot 300, Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Port Harcourt
Phone: +234 84 237 173, +234 84 335 104; Fax: +234 84 237 172

• United States of America
  Abuja

Address: Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja
Email:  consularabuja@state.gov
Phone:  +234 9 461 4000; Fax: +234 9 461 4036
Lagos
Address: 2, Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Phone:  +234 1 263 4865/4868/3713/3395/2504/5753, +234 703 150 2444/867
Fax: +234 1 263 5397
Email:  uslagos@state.gov
Website:  http://www.nigeria.usembassy.gov

Kindly note that changes could be made by the Foreign Missions with regards to their contact information, thus ensure that you are on the lookout for updates at all times.

Have a great trip!

Zimbabwe's Minister Nominated Secreatary General of World Tourism Organisation

Dr Walter Mzembi  African nations have nominated  Zimbabwe's, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Dr Walter Mzembi, as their candidate to become the new head of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation ,UN - WTO. Should Mzembi get this post, it will be the first time in the organisation’s 43-year history that an African would head the organisation. Speaking during the UN General Assembly in New York, Africa’s longest-serving tourism minister stated  that he was humbled and privileged to have been chosen by the Government of Zimbabwe, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) as the continent’s candidate. “Since the establishment of the UN -WTO in 1974, no African has ever become its Secretary General. Almost all the geographical areas of the world have produced a secretary-general, except Africa. In fact in 42 years, three secretaries-general have come from Europe, while one each has come from the Americas and Asia. I am therefore delighted to be representing my region as the continent’s united candidate”. If elected, Mzembi will come on board in 2017, during the “International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development”. Globally, his said that his plan would be to align the three tourism-specific Sustainable Development Goals on ‘decent work and economic growth’; ‘responsible consumption and production’; and ‘life below water’.  Regionally, he said that he would further embed tourism’s intervention in the African Union’s Agenda 2063. A former member of the UN-WTO’s Executive Council, and current chairman of the UN-WTO’s Commission for Africa, Mzembi was instrumental in convening the 20th UN-WTO General Assembly in 2013.  This global conference, which was hosted jointly by Zimbabwe and Zambia, was described by the current Secretary General, Dr Taleb Rifai, as “the best attended ever” in the history of the organisation.  Rifai, a Jordanian national, retires next year. Tourism remains one of Africa’s most important strategic sectors, both in terms of employment, foreign exchange revenues as well as opening up the continent and its opportunities to the world.

Weird Festival: Villagers Dug Up Dead Relatives and Give them Makeovers in Ancient Ritual

Indonesian villagers dig up their ancestors every three years and dress them in new clothes in ancient ritual to show love and respect.

A grandson combs the hair of his dead grandparents during the Ma'nene ritual which takes place every three years

 

 According to a shocking report by Dailymail, the villagers exhume their dead, who they wash and dress in fresh clothes and then pose for family photographs in a festival known as Ma'nene.

 

 

It was gathered that the ritual, which translates as 'The Ceremony of Cleaning Corpses,' has been going for more than a century, and is regarded as one of the most important events in the lives of the Torajan people, an ethnic group indigenous to the mountainous region of Tana Toraja, is the funeral.

 

Another important element of the Ma'nene festival is replacing and repairing the coffins to stop bodies from decomposing. They are dug up every three years, admired by loved ones and dressed in different clothing.

 

 

The Torajan people live high in the mountains of Sulawesi in Indonesia. In the Torajan belief system, death is not a final step, but just one step in an ongoing spiritual life.

 

See more photos below;