Key into bioenergy development to safeguard health, environment -Don
By Awayi Kuje
Bioenergy
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Oct. 16, 2019 (NAN) A university don, Prof. Makwin Makut, has called on the Federal Government to key into the development of bioenergy to safeguard the health of Nigerians and the ennvironment for the overall development of the country.
Makut, a Professor of Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK), made the appeal on Wednesday during the 24th inaugural lecture of the university.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the don spoke on “Eco-Friendly Microbial Products For Health Of The Environment”
He said such would not only ensure a clean healthy environment, but will lead to conversion of waste to useful products that can be sold to generate wealth.
“Nigeria needs to key into the development of bioenergy in order to safeguard the health of its environment.
“The need for relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies to be interested in waste management, especially municipal solid waste management cannot be overemphasised,” he said.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Suleiman Mohammed, said the inaugural lecture had been one of the NSUK’s culture.
He commended Makut for rising to the challenge of reaching the peak of his profession, urging him to keep up the tempo.
He called on other lecturers in the institution to pick the challenge of presenting their inaugural lectures as one of the cardinal points of their professions. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
From Left: Regional Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Manager, Nestle CWAR, Mrs Kemisola Ajasa, Business Executive Officer, Nestle Waters Nigeria, Mr Rabie Issa, Managing Director/CEO, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr Mauricio Alarcon, Managing Director, Wecyclers, Mr Wale Adebiyi Head Business Development, Wecyclers, Mrs Omobolanle Olowu at the Nestle and Wecyclers Mou Signing in Lagos on Friday/20/09/OOA/NAN
By Vivian Ihechu
Lagos, Sept. 20, 2019 (NAN) A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Nestlé Nigeria Plc, a leading Food and Beverages Company, and WeCyclers on Friday will see no fewer than 15,000 Nigerians empowered through an extended plastic waste recovery system.
Wecyclers is a social entreprise that helps households in low-income communities capture value from their waste, to accelerate the process of recovering and recycling post-consumption plastic packaging waste in Lagos State.
From Left: Regional Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Manager, Nestle CWAR, Mrs Kemisola Ajasa, Business Executive Officer, Nestle Waters Nigeria, Mr Rabie Issa, Managing Director/CEO, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr Mauricio Alarcon, Managing Director, Wecyclers, Mr Wale Adebiyi Head Business Development, Wecyclers, Mrs Omobolanle Olowu and Ms Victoria uwadoka,Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Manager , Nestle Nigeria, at the Nestle Nigeria and Wecyclers Mou Signing in Lagos on Friday/20/09/OOA/NAN
Speaking at the signing in Lagos, Mr Mauricio Alarcon, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria said: “ The agreement enables Wecyclers to extend plastics recovery systems to more communities.
“This is through the establishment of collection points across five more communities.
“The project will also help to create 40 direct jobs for collection point operators and sorters, and empower an additional 15,000 Wecyclers subscribers.
“It is estimated that 70 per cent of all ocean litter is plastic and the quantity of plastic waste entering the natural environment harms wildlife and damages the ecosystem.
“The environmental impact is so enormous that the UN described it as a planetary crisis that is causing irreparable damage.
“In Nigeria, the problem is growing due to increasing usage and indiscriminate disposal of single use plastics; we are witnessing a surge in plastic waste pollution’’.
According to Alarcon, Lagos alone produces about 10,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, most of which end up in landfills and in waterways, exacerbating health and environmental hazards.
He said that tackling plastic pollution is an urgent priority which requires a multi-sector collaboration.
“So, this MoU with Wecyclers is another step toward achieving our shared objectives of a waste-free future and building thriving communities.
“One of our ambitions at Nestle is to strive for zero environmental impact in our operations as we strive toward a waste-free future.
“A key part of achieving this goal is to make 100 per cent of our packaging reusable or recyclable by 2025.
“And also, that none of our product packaging end up in landfills, litter environment, seas, oceans and waterways’’.
Alarcon said: “In line with the belief that producers and consumers need to change behaviour and habits to manage the menace, Nestle is taking actions with industry members of Food & Beverage Recycling Alliance ( FBRA).
“This is to engage people, businesses and consumers to play their part.’’
On his part, Mr Olawale Adebiyi, the CEO of Wecyclers said: “This partnership is an avenue to extend the plastics collection and recycling process by setting up more collection sites across Lagos.
“These plastics have value and what we do is to assign value to them.
“When we weigh the amount of material these people will bring, we pay them for it; that will make them go out and find more.
“We on our own will sell the material, and the profit we will generate, we use to fund the process.
“It is basic; we are buying and selling plastics, but in a more sustainable way, making sure that people are engaged,’’ he said.
According to him, the recycling exchange programme, since its inception in 2018, has diverted over 400 tonnes of plastic from landfills into productive reuse.
Adebiyi said that Wecyclers would handle the construction and deployment of each recycling kiosk, with coverage areas including Ajah, Ikeja, Mushin , Lagos Island and Magodo. (NAN)
Malaria Eliminating: Expert harps on environmental cleanliness
By Maureen Ojinaka
Malaria
Enugu, Aug. 27, 2019 (NAN) A medical expert, Dr Okechukwu Ossai, has advised Nigerians to eliminate breeding sites and maintain high environmental cleanliness to reduce malaria incidence in the country.
Okechukwu, who is the Hospital Administrator, Enugu State Hospital Management Board, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Enugu.
He noted that malaria could be eliminated if everyone would always keep to basic hygiene principles in homes and the environment.
The public health expert said that to maintain clean environment, water receptacles that included empty containers around the surroundings and in drainages should be frequently removed.
He added that removing waste in drainages would prevent breeding sites for mosquitoes which often cause malaria.
He urged the public to prevent stagnant water in their environment by avoiding blockage of water channels.
Ossai stressed that sleeping under insecticide treated net also helps in preventing mosquito bite and malaria.
“Insecticide treated net is important for both adults and children as this is another way by which malaria can be prevented,” he said. (NAN)
OJI/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Ex-LG boss urge Nigerians to keep environment clean
By Awayi Kuje
Environment
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Aug. 19, 2019 (NAN) Mr Monday Nanza, former administrator, Akun Development Area of Nasarawa State, has urged Nigerians to always keep their environment clean for their health.
Nanza, who is the Director, Alheri Clinic, Karshi, made the call on Monday while fielding questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi.
He said that the importance of clean environment to human health cannot be over emphasised to the development of the country.
Nanza also advised the people of the state on the need to maintain personal and environmental hygiene for societal development.
“I want to use this medium to advise the people of the state and Nigerians to always keep their environment clean by avoiding indiscriminate dumping of refuse especially on drainage’s.
“Unclean environment is unhealthy and is responsible for most of the infections and diseases in the country.
“It is the responsibility of everybody to complement government efforts by keeping his or her environment clean.
“Hence the need for Nigerians to always keep their environments and surroundings clean in the interest of their health.
According to him, dumping of refuse indiscriminately could also be a breeding ground for mosquitoes which is dangerous to human health and could lead to the spread of communicable disease.
Besides, he also called on Nigerians to pray and support President Muhammadu Buhari, Gov. Abdullahi Sule and other leaders to succeed in the tasks ahead of them.
“Our leaders need our prayers and support so that they will take the state and the country to next level of development,’’ he said. (NAN)
AKW/AIJ/MST
Edited by Abigael Joshua/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Berlin, Aug. 11, 2019 (dpa/NAN) German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze says she is working on laws to ban plastic bags.
Schulze made this known in an interview with the Sunday edition of the Bild newspaper.
“My ministry is currently working on the legal regulations for a plastic bag ban,” Schulze said.
She added that a voluntary agreement with businesses since 2016 to reduce the number of plastic bags had been a success.
“We can now secure that (success) with a ban,” she stated.
The report did not say when the draft laws would be completed.
In July, Markus Soeder, the state premier of Bavaria and head of Germany’s conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), said he was launching a Germany-wide push for a plastic bag ban.
Schulze had previously expressed skepticism towards laws banning plastic bags, arguing that they would require more time to initiate than voluntary steps.
Under a voluntary agreement, supermarkets charge customers for plastic bags.
Schulze is planning to secure a further agreement that will require businesses to reduce plastic packaging, especially for fruit and vegetables. (dpa/NAN)
By Chidinma Agu
Lagos, June 11, 2019 (NAN) The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) says having trees around is the easiest means of cleaning the air we breathe.
Dr Muhtari Aminu-Kano, the Director-General of NCF, made the assertion at an event organised by the NCF to mark the 2019 World Environment Day in Lagos with the theme: “Beat Air Pollution’’.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that World Environment Day is annually commemorated worldwide on June 5 and the theme for 2019 was: “Air Pollution’’.
Aminu-Kano said that trees absorb pollutants in the air, clear them and bring the air back to us as clean air.
According to him, the Lagos State Government and the World Bank set up seven centres in Lagos to test air pollution in Lagos and the Lekki Conservation Centre is one of the centres.
“The result of the test shows that Lekki Conservation is the least polluted area in Lagos.
“This is because the Lekki Conservation has trees all around the whole place.
“It is not that there are no cars, waste, other pollutants around and in the centre.
“The trees help to absorb all the carbon dioxide emitted in the environment and make the air clean again,” he said.
Amina-Kano said the cheapest way of beating air pollution is planting trees in commercial and residential areas, on the roads and all around us.
He said that bush burning, transportation, household, industry and waste were the five sources of air pollution in Nigeria.
Aminu-Kano said that emissions from vehicles, chemicals from the industries, cooking with firewood and burning of waste all releases pollutants into the atmosphere.
He said the use of alternative source of power should be developed and concerted efforts made to stop the use of electricity generators sets as source of power in the country.
According to him, the regeneration of the power sector is a must to ensure that people do not rely more on use of electricity generators as source of power.
Aminu-Kano said that many deaths resulting from breathing in fumes from generators as well as chronic illnesses caused by breathing contaminated air were all preventable.
Also, Mr Diran Olojo, Group Head, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said that the people’s health depended on the quality of air they breathe.
According to him, sudden deaths are rampant in the magnitude not yet known due to pollutants in the air we breathe.
Olojo said that global reports show that the quality of air in Nigeria is the dirtiest and this is alarming.
Consequently, he called for national, state, local, organisational and individual actions to combat the situation.
“That is why the bank took up the protection of the environment as one of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
“The bank believes in the promotion of all means of preserving the natural resources.
“A cleaner Lagos is a task which has to be done gradually,’’ he said.
NAN reports that highlights of the celebration included drama presentations on Beat Air Pollution by some schools in Lagos.
The acts were in different categories of five, eight, nine and 11-years as well as 15 years and 18 years.
Some of the schools represented included the Army Children Junior High School, Refiner Schools, Genesis School and Falomo High School. (NAN)
ACA/VIV/PDE
==========
(Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Peter Ejiofor)
By Maureen Ojinaka
Eradication
Enugu, April 25, 2019 (NAN) Dr Okechukwu Ossai, the Director, Public Health, Enugu State Ministry of Health, says clean environment is one of the keys to eradicating malaria in Nigeria.
Ossai disclosed this in an interview on “World Malaria Day” with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Thursday
He said that to maintain clean environment, water receptacles which included empty containers both around the surroundings and in drainages should be frequently removed so as not to create breeding sites for mosquitoes which often cause malaria.
The director urged the public to prevent stagnant water in their environment by avoiding blockage of water channels.
He said that disposing waste, mostly domestic waste at the appropriate dumping refuse points could help to reducing mosquitoes in the environment.
“Stagnant water in drainages allows mosquitoes to breed which increases the risk of malaria in human beings.
“When waste are properly disposed and drainages are free of waste and without any blockage, malaria and other diseases will be prevented,” he said.
He added that aside keeping the environment clean, there was also barrier protection which was sleeping under insecticide treated nets.
“Insecticide treated net is important for both adults and children as this is another way by which malaria can be prevented,” he said.
Ossai explained that malaria could be prevented if everyone could keep to basic hygiene principles both in homes and the environment.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), urgent action is needed to get the global response to malaria back on track and ownership of the challenge lies in the hands of countries most affected by malaria.
The theme of the 2019 World Malaria Day is “Zero malaria starts with me”. (NAN)
OJI/CHOM/MST
Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Environmentalist advises Nigerians on proper waste disposal
By Talatu Maiwada
Environment
Abuja, June 16, 2018 (NAN) Mr George Ebisike, an Environmental Scientist, has advised Nigerians to disposed off waste properly to avoid environmental degradation as well water and airborne diseases.
Ebisike who doubles as a researcher gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.
He identified micro-plastics as one of the biggest dangers to man and animals hence Nigerians should be more cautious of proper waste disposal.
The expert said that in the course of humanity advancement, it was important that civilised citizens handle the challenges of waste in their environment in an ideal way.
He stressed that micro-plastics such as plastic bottles, water sachets and polythene bags had become extremely dangerous for the marine and human lives as all spheres of the environment are interconnected.
“Human activities such as littering of plastic containers, water sachets and polythene bags after use have led to blockage of drainages, flood, and air pollution when burnt leaving an unhealthy environment.
“Research has shown that lots of bio-plastics have been consumed by birds, fishes and livestock which are dangerous to the health of the species.
“Unfortunately science has not been able to carry out a research of what the effect or health implication will be when humans consume such livestock waste,’’ he said.
Ebisike also urged Nigerians to manage the use of plastics while imbibing the culture of reducing single use plastics, whereby people purchase bottle or sachet water, drink it once and trash them.
He said countries around the world are changing the culture by encouraging people to carry their personal water bottles or water flask, to reduce the consistent use and disposal of several plastics.
He added that the recycling process of plastics usually takes a long time while most of such substances end in landfills or water bodies which in turn become harmful to aquatic animals.
Ebisike said this has however underscored the need for Nigerians to become more conscious of environmental health, as an unhealthy environment has several health implications to humans and animals likewise.
He said activities of man in industrial health, product longevity and management of bye products of industrialisation allowed the release of excess carbon in the environment in the past 200 to 300 years.
The environmentalist said the surplus carbon in the environment cannot be controlled as such has adverse effect on society with health implication on man and sustainability of certain species of animals.
Ebisike said governments at all levels have roles to play in terms of policy direction, behavioural change among citizens and creating the consciousness to drive technological transfer among young engineers.
“Through recycling, waste products can be converted into bio-fume which adds to the fuel we have from petro-chemical processes, thereby taking away lots of plastics from the environment.
“The end products will be put back into the system, reducing the cost of kerosene, creating opportunities for research in universities, while creating jobs for citizens.
“It is of utmost importance that the younger generation understands their responsibility to the environment while keeping abreast with modern technology used in managing waste products.
“Parents and teachers must inculcate the culture of separating wastes in an ingenious way, while discouraging burying at landfills as such becomes poisonous to the water table underneath the earth,’’ Ebisike added. (NAN)
TIM/BOLA/MST
Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Foundation advocates inclusion of environmental studies in lower schools
By Talatu Maiwada
Environment
Abuja, June 5, 2018 (NAN) Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA), an NGO, has called on Federal Government to introduce practical environmental studies in primary and secondary schools.
The group said this is to instil environmental behavioural change among young persons in the country.
Mr Moses Agbara, Director of Communication, YiSHDA, made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during the Young Environmental Exhibition and Awards in partnership with the FCT Department of Science and Technology.
The event was held in commemoration of 2018 World Environment Day which is declared by the United Nations, with the theme: `Beat Plastic Pollution’.
The participating schools include Government Girls Secondary School, Abaji; Model Secondary School, Maitama; and Government Secondary School, Kubwa.
He said environmental education was extremely important in ensuring that new generations understand the importance and significance of the environment and how to protect it.
Agbara said the inclusion of practical environmental curriculum in elementary and secondary schools would help the younger generation become environmental ambassadors that would provide solutions to various environmental challenges.
“ The initiative is born out of passion to safe the mother earth, the need to come up with practical ways which will reduce environmental disasters from man’s activities.
“The world is faced with environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution; flood through blocked drainages thus the life both on land and in water are adversely affected by the activities of man.
“It is therefore critical for citizens to take conscious effort in putting the environment first and also young people becoming responsible in creating best form of management waste.
“ The Foundation is focused on educating students on current environmental issues facing Nigeria while providing skills for them to participate in preserving their environment through peer learning meetings,’’ he said.
Mrs Christy Ibrahim, Director, FCT Department of Science and Technology, also called on Nigerians to have attitudinal change towards achieving a healthy and habitable environment.
Ibrahim who was represented by Hajiya Hadiza Ingawa, Gender Department of Science and Technology, added that the dumping of plastic bags, pure water sachets, plastic bottles and pollution from fumes are unhealthy to the environment.
Ibrahim further called on Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) to put more effort in ensuring that the environment is protected while encouraging parents to teach their children to be responsible in waste management. (NAN)
TIM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Foundation trains teachers, students on environmental education
By Talatu Maiwada
Environment
Abuja, June 4, 2018 (NAN) Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA) says it has trained no fewer than 200 students on environmental education in the FCT.
Mr Moses Agbara, Director of Communication, YiSHDA, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
According to Agbara, the training was conducted in collaboration with Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).
“These are part of the activities to commemorate 2018 World Environmental Day scheduled for June 5,’’ he said.
Agbara said 200 students and 10 teachers who were selected from 10 schools across the six area councils of the FCT benefited from the School Environmental Programme (SEP).
He listed some of the participating schools to include Government Girls Secondary School Abaji, Model Secondary School, Maitama, and Government Secondary School Kubwa, among others.
Agbara said the School Environmental Programme (SEP) was a comprehensive environmental education programme developed by the foundation to create a platform for environmental awareness among young people.
The objective of the programme, he said, was to strengthen the capacity of 200 young people to solve environmental challenges and to promote understanding of environment and economic development.
He said environmental education was extremely important, in ensuring that new generations understood the importance and significance of the environment and how to protect it.
Agbara said pollution and industrial gases amongst other things interfered with environmental well-being on a regular basis hence the need to ensure proactive steps were taken to care for the environment.
He added that providing proper knowledge to future generations would help to flourish the environment as the survival of the world depended on it.
“Environmental education provides important opportunities for students to become engaged in real world issues that transcend classroom walls.
“They can see the relevance of their classroom studies to the complex environmental issues confronting our planet and they will acquire skills needed to be creative problem solvers and powerful advocates.
“The programme will give young people the opportunity to make real difference to their own quality of life, their local community as well as contributing to the future well-being of the planet,’’ he added.
Agbara said that, meeting the needs of global citizenry both ecologically, economically, culturally required understanding and creative problem solving.
He said the pursuit of sustainable development and environmental conservation policies, objectives and targets required the public to be sufficiently sensitised to the multiple dimensions of environment and development.
In commemoration of the 2018 World Environmental Day, Agbara said the foundation in partnership with AEPB would organise,`Young Environmental Exhibition and Awards’ for best participating schools on seeking environmental problems and solution. (NAN)
TIM/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
