By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), government agencies and stakeholders have decried human activities that contribute to poor air quality across the country.

They condemned this act at the close of the international conference organised by Centre for Atmospheric Research, an activity centre of NASRDA, in collaboration with Osun State University and Penn State University, USA.

The conference, which lasted from Monday to Friday focused on COVID-19, Air Quality and Environment, with the theme Fighting Pollution: A Silent Threat to our Existence.

Prof. Babatunde Rabiu, Director, Centre for Atmospheric Research, said the centre in the past few years had sited air quality sensors across different locations of the country.

Rabiu said that the sensors were primarily to aid research on air quality which should improve a habitable environment for humans.

The director said that the centre had several air monitors across the country.

We have nine clarity devices and 27 Purple Air sensors connected to us asides those connected to other individuals across the country, he said.

Prof. Israel Oyewole, Provost, College of Science and Engineering, Osun State University, drew the attention of agencies and the government to air pollution, as well as the need to address issues on bush burning.

Oyewole called for improvement on the regulation of industry activities, as well as emissions into the environment.

If we dont control pollution, we are at a dangerous situation that will be affecting us, he said.

Mr Chukwunweizu Maike, Osun Coordinator, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) said that the agency had up to 34 regulations.

Maike said the regulations included regulation on Air pollution, vehicular emission, ozone layer, surface and ground water pollution, among others.

He further said that the agency in the state was ensuring compliance, monitoring of facilities, mining, base metal facilities and sanitation activities.

We arrange mediation meetings to address community crisis and currently, we have an issue of mining that almost led to the cancellation of the annual Osun Osogbo festival in August.

Mining in Osun was getting higher and we are currently investigating ground and surface water pollution, particularly where we have the mining companies in Ilesha and Ile-Ife axis.

Once we are done with the investigation, some of these companies may be sealed or will be made to face the right penalty, Maike said.

Mrs Olumide Olaniyan, a Deputy General Manager, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), said the agency was proposing to establish more stations across the country to further monitor air quality.

Olaniyan said that continuous pollution of the environment caused climate change, while it affected the health of humans.

She recalled that, according to the World Meteorological Organisation, Nigeria is ranked one of the worst polluted countries in Africa.

Polluting the atmosphere causes global warming and this causes increase in temperature that will lead to evaporation, hence intense floods.

Pollution is serious, we need to do something about it and the Sustainable Development Goals have given the mandate for zero emission by 2030 and I dont think we are close to that, Olaniyan said.

She urged that policy makers should be sterner in establishing policies that promote clean air.

Prof. Fuwape Ibiyinka, Vice-Chancellor, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, said, as individuals, we need to cultivate better habits that promote clean air and environment.

How can we reduce indoor, outdoor pollution, either as a nation or individuals, as agencies, institutions ?

We need to start taking care of our environment, whatever we do to our environment, pollutes our lives collectively, whether soil, water or even air, it is a cycle.

As individuals, we have the responsibility to ensure that we take care of our environment, because ,if we default, the environment will react.

According to her, rural people still use firewood, adding, there is need to develop renewable stoves, solar operated stoves, we should not just complain, but provide alternatives that are cheap.

We also need to educate people on the dos and dont, as well as the need to engage the Ministry of Health so they can carry it as a health issue for a collaborative effort towards better health.

Dr Gabriel Fawole, from School of the Environment, University of Portmouth, UK, recommended for wastes to be buried in place of burning them and recycling of wastes.

Fawole said that in the developed world, some human activities like travelling on air for short trips, driving some distance were regulated to avoid emissions that come from those means of transportation.

He also said, everyone needs to control his indoor pollution, adding that 10 to 20 per cent of air pollution generated outdoor affect the indoors.

If the environment is dusty, keep your windows shut, because when these pollutants come in, they dont go out and when you generate pollution indoors, they dont go out easily.

There were series of technical sessions that took place at the conference, all suggesting ways government, institutions and individuals can contribute towards a healthy and better environment. (NAN)www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Yakubu Uba

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it has engaged 700 youths for conduct of drain clearance exercise to control perennial flood in Borno.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Musa Aliyu, Project Field Officer, Cash-for-Work project, on Friday in Maiduguri.

He said the organisation had engaged the youths for desilt exercise at Bulumkutu, Dala and Bulabulin communities in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Areas of the state.

He said the Borno Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA) had deployed 35 environmental workers to facilitate effective supervision and conduct of the exercise.

The total direct beneficiaries of the project is 735 with over 100,000 indirect beneficiaries across the three selected communities..

The objective is to support and create temporary employment opportunities in the communities by engaging the most vulnerable to conduct of desilt exercise, and earn an income to enable them to cater for their needs, he said.

The project, he said would control flood, clear waste, enhance sanitation as well as improve the social and economic wellbeing of the people.

According to him, the organisation has cleared over 125 kilometers of drain in the communities under the 2019 and 2021 exercises. (NAN)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

Source: NAN News

By Olaide Ayinde

Bauchi, Sept. 2, 2022 (NAN) Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Friday presented 32 new Suzuki Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to 22 Permanent Secretaries in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other beneficiaries of the cars were the judicial officers with six cars as well as the Bauchi State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) which received four of the vehicles.

Speaking during the presentation, the governor said that the vehicles were meant to assist the beneficiaries in the discharge of their official responsibilities and also to serve as a catalyst for improved productivity for the benefits of the citizens of the state.

Mohammed, who lauded the judiciary for effective service delivery, also applauded the organised labour for its cordial relationship with the state government as well as making sure that neither the government nor the labour force was shortchanged.

He added that the civil service had come to a level where the state government was including it in whatever it was doing.

A strong civil service is required for the implementation of the policies and programmes of government for the social economic development of the state.

It is for this reason that government used merit in the appointment of permanent secretaries.

This initiative has brought about remarkable improvement in the service delivery in the state, he said.

Mohammed urged the permanent secretaries to continue to do their best in the discharge of their responsibilities by being upright and dedicated to duties.

So far, I want to confess that I have seen improved productivity in the service because of the calibre of the permanent secretaries we have, Mohammed said.

In his vote of thanks, Alhaji Yahuza Haruna, the state Head of Civil Service, appreciated the state governor for the kind gesture and bringing the much-needed intervention into the civil service.

He assured that the civil service would put in its best to help the administration achieve more in the state.

He however, reminded all the beneficiaries of the vehicles that to whom much is given, much is expected.(NAN) ()

EED/BEKl/JTJ

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has sought the partnership of Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) in infrastructure development, using private sector funding.

Mr Michael Ohiani, Director-General, ICRC, said this in a statement signed by Patrick Ederaro, Acting Head, Media and Publicity, ICRC, on Friday in Abuja.

Ohiani, who led a team of ICRC management staff on a courtesy visit to BPP Director-General, Mr Mamman Ahmadu, said that the function of both organisations was interwoven.

He said it was on this basis that there was need to deepen collaboration between the two organisations.

According to him, the BPP has been an immense contributor to the work of the ICRC over the years.

The ICRC boss said that deeper collaboration would bring about more efficiency in delivering Public Private Partnership Projects.

Given the strategic position your organisation takes in the Nigerian economy and taking into consideration that we are also a regulator of procurement, we decided to pay a courtesy visit and see how we can collaborate further.

We want to use the opportunity to appreciate the work you have been doing with your team.

We want to also appreciate how you have been able to help the country make savings by chopping off excesses in projects.

We are also here because of the need for the two agencies to have synergy. Yes! We already have existing collaboration but we want to deepen it and tap from our team of experts, he said.

On his part, Ahmadu said there was need for collaboration between ICRC and the bureau.

We are doing the same thing except for method and line of funding. If the funding is from public resources, it comes to BPP, if the funding is from the private sector it comes to ICRC.

The methods of evaluation are different but they are basically the same. We are trying to deliver services through projects to the country, he said.

The BPP boss recalled that few decades ago, he had come across many laudable projects, some of them being executed by states.

He said that Nigeria needed to begin delivering such projects again, such as the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the Vehicle Assembly Plants.

Ahmadu said that the current problems of Nigeria could not be solved without making reference to history.

History provides a platform to examine where you are coming from and plan for the future.

So, we are doing the same thing but there is a lot of space for us to share our experiences and guide ourselves to achieve our goals, he said. (NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Franca Ofili

The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, has urged the newly inaugurated board to pay more attention on youth training, promotion of good leadership and good citizenship.

Dare gave the advice in Abuja on Thursday during the inauguration of the board of citizenship and leadership training centre.

He said the centre was a parastatal of government supervised by the ministry.

The centre is to enable it give the deserved attention to the youth population in the training and promotion of good leadership and good citizenship.

With focus on patriotism, nationalism, character building and ethical orientation and re-orientation, he said.

The minister said that the centre was principally a human development outfit established for the training and moulding of Nigerians to become good citizens and responsible leaders.

According to him, the centre provides training utilizing natural physical and man-made environment in an atmosphere in which self-discovery and self-actualization were based on competence and ability.

Dare mentioned the board members as: Alhaji Bello Muhammed, Chairman, AbdulGaniyu Oniyangi, Audu Dantamas, Suleiman Dawudu, Anthony Osiwe and Soji Eniade as Director-General.

He said others are Hezekiah Adedeji, Mr Rashid Afegbua, Brig.- Gen. E.L. Etuk, Commodore Pindar, Hajiya Adamu and Lami Bature

The ministrys Permanent Secretary, Ismaila Abubakar, said the members of the board would promote synergy as the country needed good governance.

Abubakar said that with the challenges of unemployment in the country, the board should strive to achieve the objective of the centre.

Muhammed promised not to disappoint the government, adding, with one voice, the board would achieve a lot, which would enable the country to accomplish the objective of the centre.

We need to work with open mind to enable us train leaders for better tomorrow. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), OXFAM and Connected Development (CODE) said the adoption of National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights remained key to effectively regulate business-related human rights violations.

The stakeholders said this when a delegation from Connected Development (CODE) and OXFAM paid an advocacy visit to the commission, to discuss some of the challenges witnessed in oil-bearing communities.

CODE in partnership with OXFAM, is working to domesticate the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights in Nigeria (NAP) as a tool to support the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights at the federal and state levels.

The Executive Secretary, NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, said the adoption of the NAP was mandated by the United Nations General Principles on Business and Human Rights, demanding that countries should leverage on them to protect human rights in businesses.

This is because there have been a lot of issues, as the business climate in Nigeria so far, has been one of making profits alone, without looking at the consequential effects on promotion and protection of human rights.

This is not proper; now, the adoption of the NAP on business and human rights , obviously will improve the business climate

If human rights are protected, companies will have a better climate to do their business and make better decent profits, not blood money.

Ojukwu said that some parts of the country were experiencing gas flaring and soot, with a lot of effects on the environment and health of Nigerians, yet much was not being done.

How long can that go on? so the issue of adoption of the NAP on business and human rights is the way to go; we cannot shy away from this for too long.

For us as a commission, we have identified this and already, we have a draft plan on business and human rights, he said

Ojukwu, however, said the broader NAP for promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria was also being reviewed.

He said that the draft NAP had been submitted to the Attorney General of the Federation who would present it to the Federal Executive Council and hopefully before the end of this administration, it would be adopted.

Mr Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive Officer, CODE said the organisation highlighted some human rights violation and abuses from oil companies in oil host communities, leading to environmental degradation and health issues .

Lawal said the environment itself took over 20 years to recover ecologically, adding that the soot would make people develop cancer and all these were human rights violation that needed to be checked.

So I am thinking about a tripartite collaboration among the NHRC, CODE and Oxfam, where we can document lessons, share them and engage government and hold these agencies to account to ensure proper regulation .

This is because if we have proper regulation, then therell be less or no human rights violation.

So we need a stronger framework that highlights how we can jointly as civil society and human rights organisations and international partners, work together.

Lawal said that the engagement would help to properly implement and accelerate action around the National Action Plan.

Mr Henry Ushie, Project Coordinator, Fiscal Accountability for Inequality Reduction, said there was need to engage more with companies to make them adhere to the rules and regulations of doing business.

Ushie said this was because although some laws already existed in terms of protection, the companies had not quite been compliant in respecting those laws.

That is why you see a lot of environmental issues, particularly with oil and gas companies in the Niger Delta; they do not respect this framework.

So the campaign over time has been how do we ensure that these companies become compliant?

If there are issues as a result of their operations at committee level or at any level in the entire value chain? How do we ensure that they remedy all of those anomalies.

Ushie said that was the reason the group thought it okay to come to NHRC, the body housing the framework, to know how it had been campaigning and tackling the issues of business-related abuses.

He added that the group also wanted to know how well the commission was working in getting the NAP rectified for companies to now see it as a legal document to abide by .(NAN)(nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

ByRemi Koleoso

Wife of the Ekiti Governor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, has decried the various forms of violence and dimensions against women in Nigeria politics, saying it called for concern.

Fayemi spoke during a live Radio programme on Thursday, organised by the Stop Violence Against Women in Politics (Stop-VAWIP) and Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF) monitored in Ado-Ekiti.

BIGIF is an NGO, committed to empowering women, youths and children to ensure equal access to sustainable livelihood through the provision of care and support services, education, referral, resource mobilisation, human rights promotion, social inclusion, youths development and women empowerment.

The governors wife promised to enhance womens active participation in politics and the electoral processes by mitigating effect of violence against women in politics in all its forms in the state.

According to her, some of them are, but not limited to physical, economic, emotional, sexual, and other forms of violence.

She said that the violence negatively impacted womens health and the general wellbeing, adding it also has negative effects on the countrys political and socioeconomic development.

The objectives of Stop-VAWIP campaign are to raise awareness about the harmful effects of violence against women in politics and engage relevant stakeholders to mitigate it.

It is also to encourage women to actively participate in the electoral processes and to track and respond to cases of violence against women in politics during election period, she said.

Fayemi, at the Town Hall meeting, took the listeners down the memory lane, sharing how the GBV response programmes and law started in Ekiti and grew to the point where it was institutionalised.

She said the VAPP/GBV Prohibition Law is now established as a comprehensive legal framework that protects women and promotes a culture where women could live freely and safely.

As of June, 32 states in Nigeria have domesticated the VAPP Law, mainly because of the marching order given by the Governors Forum.

It became a matter of concern because one out of three women is faced with or have suffered from GBV. This is to promote a culture whereby women can live their lives in dignity.

Some of the lessons we learnt and applied along the way were the linkages between Education and GBV prevention.

Consequently, we developed a GBV Policy for educational institutions and also embarked on community engagement working with the traditional and religious institutions.

We saw the need to establish an effective GBV Management Committee, as MDAs and development partner contributed to the process of mitigating GBV in Ekiti.

It is evident that one cannot address GBV without paying attention to the economic state of women, because poverty fuels women and childrens vulnerability leading to poor life choices and outcomes, she further explained.

The Town Hall meeting also provided the opportunity for participants to make recommendations for strategic actions in implementing the VAPP/GBV Prohibition Law in Ekiti State.

The Town Hall also hosted Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, the incoming Governors wife, who shared her intentions to continue to give women agenda priority attention after the tenure of Gov. Kayode Fayemi administrations in the state.

Oyebanji gave her commitment to continue to advocate the implementation of the Ekiti Women Policy Agenda, 2022, GBV Prevention Strategic Plan, Political Office (Genderp Composition) Bill, 2022 when signed into law and other programmes and plans, as she is passionate about the issues.

To make Ekiti a model state for implementing a GBV law, both women advocate for funding of different Ministry Department and Agencies (MDAs), training more gender specialists and social workers, to decentralize the access to GBV services in the state.

She assured the people that the incoming administration would include gender updates as part of the state Executive Council briefing.

This is to ensure that GBV and other related issues are addressed at the highest level of the state.

BIGIF, through the programme, got an instant justice for a 16-year-old teenage pregnancy survivor, who is kept in her abuser house in Ado-Ekiti, as wife of the governor gave a marching order to the concerned ministry to get the girl supported and bring her abuser to book within 24 hours.

The convener of the Stop Violence Against Women in Politics (Stop-VAWIP), commended the efforts of the Fayemis wife toward ensuring the eradication of GBV in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News

The Federal Government on Wednesday said plans were underway to build a 2.5 Megawatts (MW) hybrid solar power plant in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

This information is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Mr Iyali Peter, Special Adviser, Media to the Minister of State Power.

Peter quoted the Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, as saying this at the 40th National Solar Energy Forum (NACEF 2022) held in Kaduna.

The two days forum was organised by the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN) in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and National Energy Commission (NEC).

Aliyu, who was represented by the Minister of State, Power, Mr Goddy Jedy-Agba, said that the building of the solar power plant would enhance security at the academy

Aliyu said that the theme of the forum: The Role Of Green Energy Technologies in National Security, Power Generation and Economic Sustainability, was timely and necessary.

He said that reliable and sustainable energy was key in the fight against insecurity in the country.

According to him, such meetings with extensive and robust discussions will always bring out desirable outcome that can move solar energy penetration in the country forward.

He said, Countries all over the world are exploring avenues of fulfilling their specific commitments and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and COP26 Agreement in Glasgow. Nigeria is not left out.

To achieve Nigerias commitment to COP26, President Muhammadu Buharis administration is implementing different initiatives targeted at achieving at least, 30,000MW generation by 2030 with 30 per cent from renewable energy sources.

The Buhari administration is fully committed to the global decarbonization drive. To demonstrate this commitment, Government has opened discussions with some Independent Power Plant (IPP) solar project developers planning to deploy Solar mini-grids across the country, he said.

Aliyu said that 10 state governments are facilitating solar projects in their states that would deliver 100MW each, contributing 1000MW to the Off-grid structure.

On her part, Kaduna Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, said the outcome and suggestions reached at the forum would further enhance governments efforts to rid the country of insurgency.

Earlier, Commandant of NDA, Maj-.Gen. Manu Yusuf, in his address said the theme of the forum was to address the contemporary security challenges facing the country.

Yusuf said that, there is still much to do to achieve improved access to green energy sources.

As an institution, we have devoted a lot of resources to improve knowledge on the issue and track global development on renewable energy sources because energy is a critical component of national security.

Managing Director of REA, Mr Salihijo Ahmad, while delivering the keynote address said that in the last few years, there had been significant improvement in the nations renewable energy space because of different initiatives of the government.

Ahmad said FG was deliberately driving policies that are targeted at drawing in private sector participation by encouraging investments and scaling up socio-economic impact of off-grid electrification nationwide.

The managing director assured NASEF of REAs continued support and collaboration.

He urged the participants to see themselves as active stakeholders within the renewable energy space.

It is important to keep up with this momentum by playing our part in different spheres because on this journey towards ending energy poverty in Nigeria, strategies and roadmaps cannot be designed in silos.

But must be implemented as fit-for-purpose and deliberate endeavors to solve the nations energy problems, he said. (NAN)www.ng

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

Source: NAN News

By Naomi Sharang

Dr Lilian Omekara, Head of Operation and Financial Advisor of New Approach to Rural Programme has called for Federal and State Governments partnership to support Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

She made the call on Wednesday, in Abuja, at the unveiling of a project Rescue Village Expo: Shelter and succour for all- accounting for and supporting children and adults in internal displacement .

Omekara who decried the state of accommodation of the IDPs said that government needed to ensure they make better tents for them to avoid health-related issues.

The way and manner IDPs live their life is somewhat worrisome. Yet, the society does not recognise the fact that the internally displaced persons once had a dream.

That is why we are calling for concerted efforts by governments, NGOs and communities to provide for the displaced persons.

As an NGO, we are willing and ready to work with states, communities and organisations that are ready and willing to partner with us and make sure people do not gnash their teeth for a long time over problems that can get solutions.

It doesnt take more than three hours to set up 20 tents. It is is doable, she said.

Also speaking, Chairman Benham Group, Dr Maurice Ibe said that the large number of IDPs in the country was a product of insecurity.

Ibe who was represented by the groups legal adviser Barr. Eric Ifeanyi commended the Rescue Village Initiative adding that situations and circumstances create opportunities.

It is a worthy course to get involved in, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UN says there are 3.2 million IDPs in Nigeria and in dire need of help.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News