Category: Environment

Cholera: Council urges creation of isolation centres in health facilities
Centre
By Felicia Imohimi
Abuja, June 29, 2024(NAN)The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has called on all health facilities to create isolation centres or camps for effective management of cholera patients.
Dr Yakubu Baba, EHCON Registrar, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.
He said the centres would be managed by the medicals and Environmental Health Officers (EHO).
Baba said that environmental health could be achieved by putting the necessary preventive measures in place.
He said that the measures included graduated buckets that collected patient vomitus and the diarrhea; adding that the bucket was purposely for measuring the level of dehydration of patient.
“The level of dehydration is reported to the medical doctor to make sure that the necessary fluid is been replaced as the patient is passing the vomitus and stool.
Baba said that the EHO was responsible for the management of contaminated faecal matter and the vomitus of the patient by ensuring continuous disinfection of stool and vomitus.
“I encourage all EHO working in such facilities to embark on current and concurrent disinfection.
“The patient and caregivers must also take the necessary universal precautions because of the infectious nature of the disease.
“I call on healthcare givers to ensure they put on necessary protective equipment and also embark on five level of disinfection which is normally adopted as standard operation procedure as far as cholera outbreak is concern.
“They should embark on five stages of disinfection measure before they leave the facility, “he said.
Baba frowned at the rate of visitation of diarrhea patients by loved ones which undermined the infectious nature of the disease.
He tasked environmental health authority to establish disinfection point adding that any visitor coming in and going out of the centre must be disinfected being the standard protocol of environmental health isolation centres.
The registrar identified cholera as an infectious disease that caused severe watery diarrhea and vomiting and could lead to dehydration and death if untreated.
According to him, cholera is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with a bacterium called vibrio cholerae. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
FUA/CJ/
========
Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo
June 29, 2024
NGO urges advanced data tools usage to tackle ecological challenges
Ecology
By Precious Akutamadu
Port Harcourt, June, 28, 2024(NAN)The Media Awareness and Justice Initiative (MAJI), an NGO, on Friday urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders to deploy advanced data tools in the campaign against ecological challenges.
The Executive Director, Mr Okoro Emmanuel, made the call at a media briefing to mark the 2024 International Day of the Tropics in Port Harcourt.
Represented by Mr Ikechukwu Ahaka, the Project, Policy and Governance Officer, Emmanuel urged the Federal Government to collaborate strongly with relevant stakeholders to tackle environmental challenges in the tropical regions.
“Nigeria’s Southern Tropics is facing loss of tropical biodiversity and environmental degradation from human-induced activities such as oil spills, artisanal crude oil refining and uncontrolled carbon emissions.
“There are also other environmental challenges arising from indiscriminate mining and war in the Northern Sahel Tropics.
“The tropics host nearly 95 per cent of the world’s mangrove forests, covering an area of about 99 per cent of mangrove species.
“These mangrove species are essential to society’s survival, they serve as both a carbon sink and a habitat for a wide range of animal species,”he said.
The executive director identified the lack of adequate environmental data and an evidence-based intervention system in Nigeria as one of the challenges in tackling ecological problems.
He stated that MAJI with support from the U.S. Consular-General’s office, had developed an environmental data analysis Mobile App called DATACAB, as part of its contribution towards data-oriented environmental protection system.
“This mobile application collects existing environmental data. It refines and analyses these data into free and easy to read formats for stakeholders to use.
“It is available in downloadable formats for Android and IOS based mobile platforms.
“We call on stakeholders to use this year’s international day for tropics to ponder on the current challenges facing Nigeria’s rich ecological environment.
“The government should make specific efforts to document environmental data in a sustainable and effective manner,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
PA/AZU
=====
Edited by Azubuike Okeh
June 28, 2024
Kwara intensifies efforts to prevent outbreak of diseases
Prevention
By Mujidat Oyewole
Ilorin, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Kwara Government says it has put various measures in place to prevent the outbreak of diseases, especially cholera, which is already ravaging some states in the country.
The Permanent Secretary (PS) in the state Ministry of Environment, Dr Abubakar Ayinla, disclosed this at a news conference by the ministry in Ilorin on Friday.
Ayinla said the ministry’s environmental health team in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders would be supervising the clearing of indiscriminate refuse dumped on riverbanks.
The PS said the exercise would be along Sobi Road, near Akerebiata Abattoir, and other neighbouring communities during Saturday’s monthly environmental sanitation.
“We are killing many birds with one stone, just as the National Environmental Sanitation Day is marked every June 28, annually.
“We also need to be weary and proactive so that we do not let loose our guards in keeping cholera and other diseases at bay while undertaking the sanitation exercise,” he said.
Ayinla called on the residents to join hands with the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration in ensuring a clean environment.
He urged them to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse, especially on riverbanks and road medians, saying they should use the waste bins provided at strategic locations across the metropolis.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a modified environmental sanitation exercise will take place on Saturday to mark the National Environmental Sanitation Day.
However, due to the ongoing National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB) examination, the state government allowed free vehicular and human movement but with a charge to the people to clean their environment. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
MOB/MAS
Edited by Moses Solanke
June 28, 2024
NCF, Continental Reinsurance plant trees to boost environmental sustainability
Trees
By Fabian Ekeruche
Lagos, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in partnership with Continental Reinsurance Company on Friday planted 2,000 trees to boost environmental sustainability.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tree planting which took place at the Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) is critical in challenging the impact of climate change within the Lekki Epe corridor.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NCF, Dr Joseph Onoja, noted that the month of June is a very special month for nature with many events aimed at nature conservation.
Represented by Mr Uchenna Achunine, Director, Business Development and Communications, NCF, Onoja extolled the quality of the partnership between the NCF and Continental Reinsurance.
“Though our partnership has not been for many years, we have become a family.
“They have treated us very well as partners,” Onoja said.
He said that the insurance company with presence in six African countries has an ambitious project of planting one million trees in Africa.
“The company invited us to speak to at their ninth Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) summit in Zimbabwe in May; thus giving us the opportunity to talk about nature conservation to insurance CEOs.
“We are working out all the details of playing a key role in that sector and how it can be achieved,” Onoja said.
He noted that the NCF is the foremost environmental conservation organisation in Nigeria and has been advocating environmental sustainability and nature conservation for over 44 years.
Onoja said the foundation launched the Green Recovery Nigeria (GRN) project in 2017 with an ambitious target of restoring and recovering Nigeria’s lost forest cover to 25 per cent.
“Today Nigeria’s forest cover hovers around four to eight per cent.
“It is still a far cry from where it is supposed to be,” Onoja said.
In his goodwill message, the Group Executive Director, Technical Operation, Continental Reinsurance, Mr Chukwuemeka Akwiwu, said that the tree planting event was in line with the GRN project of the NCF.
“We are pleased to support this noble goal with a donation of 2,000 trees for now.
“It is my intention of having this conversation on an annual basis,” Akwiwu said.
He noted that following the participation of the NCF at the ninth CEOs Summit in Zimbabwe, Continental Reinsurance would continue the advocacy for climate change in the insurance industry.
“We will mobilise key players in this regard.
“These trees are not just ceremonial trees, but a symbol of hope in combating climate change,” Akwiwu said.
According to him, NCF’s participation at the ninth CEOs summit inspired our audience of insurance industry leaders by showcasing what NCF does.
He added that the input of NCF at the summit demonstrated how company’s can support such impactful work of the foundation.
“Today’s event is a significant milestone of broader goal of achieving our environmental target as Continental Reinsurance.
“Working together we can amplify our impact and drive meaningful change in environmental conservation.
“At Continental Reinsurance, we are unwavering in our commitment to make a positive difference in our environmental future.
“We believe that through collaboration and shared effort, we can create a lasting impact,” Akwiwu said.
NAN reports that the climax of the event was the tree planting exercise at the conservation area of the LCC. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
FBO/JNC
=========
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
June 28, 2024
FG upbeat on curtailing spread of cholera
Dr Iziaq Salako Minister of State for Environment and Istifanus Shegaje, Chief of Chika Community

Cholera
By Abigael Joshua
Abuja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Federal Government has promised to curtail the spread of cholera through effective hygiene and sanitation practices in the country.
Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment, gave this assurance on Friday at the commemoration of the 2024 National Environmental Sanitation Day (NESD) at Chika community, FCT.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that NESD is commemorated on June 28 annually.
“The ongoing Cholera outbreak in the country comes as a stark reminder that when we fail to prioritise proper environmental sanitation, our public health is jeopardised and our economy adversely affected.
“Nigeria is experiencing the adverse impact of climate change as evidenced by the shift in seasons, rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events like floods, droughts and heat waves with undeniable health consequences.’’
The minister said that the commemoration of 2024 NESD with the theme “Environmental Sanitation in the Era of Climate Change and the sub-theme “Go Greener, Stay Clean, Climate Change is Real” was apt.
According to him, the combination of climate change and poor sanitation, without doubt, poses a double jeopardy to the health of the planet and all creatures on it.
“Our presence here today is to underscore our agenda to transform Chika into a model community for good environmental sanitation practices that can inspire positive changes in other communities.
“This year’s theme is particularly apt considering the devastating impacts of climate change on our planet and the current resurgence of cholera being experienced in our country as in several other parts of the world,’’ he said.
Dr Alexander Chimbaru, the Representative of the World Health Organisation, said that the promotion of personal and environmental hygiene in local communities helped to reduce communicable diseases such as cholera.
“An aggressive adoption of environmental hygiene practices and WASH measures in our communities is needed more urgently to prevent the ongoing spread of cholera in the country.
“Climate change is impacting health in a myriad of ways, including by leading to death and illness from increasingly frequent extreme weather events, such as heat waves, storms and floods.
“It is high time as a country to promote actions that both reduce carbon emissions and improve health,” Chimbaru said.
Responding, Chief of Chika community, Istifanus Shegaje, appealed to the minister to help the community with a compartment to enhance proper waste disposal.
He urged residents in the community to imbibe sustainable environment friendly practices, reduce carbon footprint and conserve their natural resources.
“Together, we can make a difference and ensure a safer, greener and healthier lifestyle both for the present and posterity,’’ he said.
Shegaje also appealed to the FCT administration to help construct concrete drainages and build asphalt roads within the community.
He expressed optimism that by such gesture, the community would enjoy the dividends of democracy and good governance in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AIJ/CJ/
======
Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo
June 28, 2024
N-HYPPADEC reviews flood resettlement centre’s contract in Niger
N-HYPPADEC reviews flood resettlement centre’s contract in Niger
Resettlement
By Mohammed Baba Busu
Minna, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The National Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N- HYPPADEC), says it has reviewed by 100 per cent, the contract for the building and reconstruction of Muregi resettlement centre for flood victims in Mokwa.
Its Managing Director, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, disclosed this during his inspection visit to the site to ascertain the level of work and compliance.
He described the job as ”satisfactory, but a little slow”.
According to him, the settlement will actualise the decades of dream by the victims of the flood disaster in the area
He explained that the review became necessary due to the escalating prices of building materials for the expected 200 units of 2-bedroom flats, out of which 120 units were ongoing, with 82 at between 60 and 80 per cent completion.
According to him, the cost of each building now stands at N12 million from the initial N6million.
Sadiq-Yelwa stressed that none of the contractors was being owed by the commission, saying that they were happy with the review and that was why they remained on the site.
The managing director stated that the target was to ensure the completion of the edifice for occupation by the beneficiaries considering NIMET’s and other agencies warning of likely flooding this year.
Sadiq-Yelwa also promised to renovate the residence of the District Head and the Mosque, provide a health facility and a block of classrooms when the buildings were occupied.
He said that the Bida Emirate, Local Government Area and the State Government would be duly informed so as to facilitate smooth allocations to the benefiting communities.
Sadiq-Yelwa stated that the commission’s concern in improving the lives of the people would not be compromised as a preventive and intervention agency.
He stressed that 60 of such housing units would be constructed in Ketso, 50 units in Shiroro with 30 already ongoing, adding that 100 were targeted but for insecurity affecting the projects.
Sadiq Yelwa maintained that 40 of such houses had been completed in Kwara, 40 in Kebbi and 30 in Benue, respectively.
While charging the benefiting communities to take full ownership of the projects, he enjoined them to ensure effective maintenance, sustainability and usage.
He regretted that several lives, properties like houses, livestock and farmlands were lost through annual flooding before the establishment of N-HYPPADEC.
The managing director said that the losses had drastically reduced due to proactive measures, especially the construction of drainages in Koton-Karfe in Kogi and Benue, to avert perennial flooding.”
Sadiq Yelwa, therefore, called on the Federal Government to dredge River Niger to end flooding.
He also called for the completion of the Baro Port.
He said that the projects would improve the Nigerian economy and generate massive employment opportunities.
The Coordinator in charge of the centre, Mr Mohammed Muregi, expressed satisfaction with the intervention of the commission, describing it as overwhelming and sequel to the concern and commitment of the managing director.
He also commended the standard and quality of work done so far that had changed the narrative of providing a permanent home for the people of the community. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
BAB/BRM
============
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 28, 2024
Kano to plant 3 million trees to secure environment, beautify state
Kano to plant 3 million trees to secure environment, beautify state
Trees
By Muhammad Nur Tijani
Kano, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The Kano State Government through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has unveiled plans to plant three million trees to address climate change and environmental degradation in the state.
Speaking during a news conference in Kano on Friday, Dr Dahiru Hashim, coordinator, ACReSAL project, emphasised the critical need to address climate change and environmental degradation in the region.
The project coordinator explained that the programme would beautify the state and secure its environment.
He said the initiative, tagged “Three Million Trees Planting (3MTP)”, driven by ACReSAL projects, aimed to address climate change, environmental degradation, and deforestation in the region.
“Gov. Abba Kabir- Yusuf, a strong advocate for environmental sustainability, emphasised the vital role of trees in maintaining ecological balance.
“The programme will involve avenue planting, afforestation projects, and shelter belt establishment, engaging community organisations, NGOs, and civil society groups. Training sessions will ensure effective tree planting and maintenance,” he said.
According to him, legislative measures are also being developed to prevent indiscriminate tree felling and enforce penalties for violations, ensuring the long-term survival of the newly planted trees.
“Early efforts under the initiative include the planting of 5,000 seedlings along key roads such as State Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, and BUK Road.
“The programme also plans to plant an additional two million trees through afforestation projects and the establishment of new shelterbelts to combat desertification and promote food security,” Hashim added.
He said a safe environment was key to the continued survival of humanity, adding that the need to preserve the environment was non-negotiable.
The project coordinator called on residents to participate in this historic initiative, contributing to a greener, more resilient state. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
MNT//GOM/FAA
===========
Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Folasade Adeniran
June 28, 2024
KDSG sensitises residents on risks of poor environmental hygiene
KDSG sensitises residents on risks of poor environmental hygiene
hygiene
By Ezra Musa
Kaduna, June. 28, 2024 (NAN) The Kaduna State Government on Friday began a state-wide sensitisation campaign on the health risks of poor environmental hygiene.
Dr Hadiza Balarabe, the Deputy Governor, made this known during a road walk exercise to mark the World Sanitation Day on Friday in Kaduna.
The 28th of June every year was declared National Environmental Sanitation Day by the Federal Government in 2005.
It is a day set aside to create awareness on the essence of proper hygiene practices for the prevention of communicable diseases.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Environmental sanitation in the era of climate change, Go greener, Stay clean; Climate change is real”.
According to her, the aim is to sensitise the residents on proper environmental sanitation and hygiene practices in the face of the Cholera outbreak in the country.
Balarabe said, ” We all know that unsanitary environment are responsible for diseases, so we are raising awareness to ensure that the environment is devoid of harm arising from poor environmental hygiene.”
She said it was also necessary to keep the environment safe in the face of climate change, adding, ”so people can make informed decisions while felling trees and practices that affect the environment.”
Balarabe assured that the state would maintain a clean sanitary environment for a greener state.
Also speaking, Abubakar Buba, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, said the exercise was to help nurture community responsibility and the importance of a healthy environment in the minds of the residents.
He said that the state would close all community dumpsites while commencing on house to house refuse pick-ups.
On sustainability of the sanitation, Buba, assured that the state would be resuming the monthly sanitation exercise for a cleaner environment.
He called on all the residents to ensure that wastes were being packaged properly for evacuation.
Usman Hassan, Chairman, Solid Waste Association, Kaduna chapter, said its members would continue to motivate the residents towards maintaining good hygiene.
He assured that the efforts of the scheme to maintain a clean environment would not be compromised.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
EMZ/BRM
===========
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 28, 2024
Nigeria seeks ECOWAS unity to enhance regional water supply
ECOWAS
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Nigerian Government has called on member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to unite in their efforts to improve water supply in the region.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, made this call at the 5th Ordinary Session of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee (MMC) of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in West Africa on Friday in Abuja.
Utsev said West Africa was blessed with abundance water resources and commended the Water Resources Management Centre (WRMC) for choosing Nigeria to host the meeting.
According to him, if properly harnessed and coordinated, it will serve as a cornerstone for development; impacting positively on health, education, tourism, food security and energy.
“However, lack of proper coordination will lead to underdevelopment and conflict among countries because activities of one country at the upstream could constitute danger to other countries downstream.
“Permit me at this juncture to emphasise on the need for unity amongst member states in the West African sub-region.
“There is a saying that “teamwork makes the dream work”, this can also be said about our sub-region.
“To truly see growth in the sub-region; we need to be united and work as a team especially when it comes to the management of our water resources, both surface and underground.’’
The minister said the sub-region had great potential and, by working together, could address challenges like climate change, poverty, unemployment and inequality.
Utsev thanked the Water Resources Management Centre (WRMC) for selecting Nigeria as one of the few West African countries to benefit from the 2024 ECOWAS Special Project for Access to Drinking Water in Rural Areas.
“We are grateful for this privilege and will use our expertise to ensure the project is delivered seamlessly,’’ he said.
Earlier, Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, represented by Mr Sediko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitisation, expressed gratitude to Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu for hosting the event.
He noted West African states’ ongoing dedication to Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), which began in 1998 after the UN Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro.
According to him, this commitment led to the adoption of a Regional IWRM Action Plan in 2000 and the establishment of a Permanent Coordination and Monitoring Framework (PCMF) in 2001.
Touray said the relationship between challenges in the water and energy sectors, emphasising the urgency to expedite projects that provide clean water and sanitation.
He called for technical and financial support for a regional programme focused on improving access to clean water in rural and peri-urban areas.
Touray expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for hosting the meeting and expressed confidence that the discussions would be a significant milestone for implementing IWRM in West Africa.
He also thanked the Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for his leadership in the PCMF.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Abuja meeting, held nearly nine years after the last session in Dakar, Senegal.
It aims to rejuvenate the PCMF and evaluate the implementation of the West Africa Water Resources Policy (WAWRP), adopted in 2008.
The WAWRP is a distinctive initiative aimed at developing a unified sectoral policy among West African regional organisations.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
TAK/CJ/
======
Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo
June 28, 2024
Foundation donates 500 economic trees to FCT community
Trees
By Abigael Joshua
Abuja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Gee Foundation on Social Justice and Development, an NGO, has donated 500 stands of economic trees to Gasaki Jeje community in Karshi, FCT, during a one-day sensitisation visit.
Mrs Gloria Agema, Executive-Director Gee Foundation, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
She said that the foundation was working towards addressing land degradation in order to enhance climate resilience for improved women’s livelihood.
Agema said it was pathetic that only one borehole served four communities and promised that the NGO and its partners would intervene by providing the community with more boreholes to follow up with the trees planted.
The executive director said the community had been badly affected by erosion and has suffered landslides in recent past.
“So, we felt it was wise to carry out land management practices by supporting the community with planting of trees.’’
Agema explained that the project was funded by the French Embassy in Nigeria to plant 500 economic trees to address erosion and land degradation in the community.
She added that her foundation was also in partnership with the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation.
“We gave no fewer than 100 women that were targeted; two economic trees each, while the remaining trees were shared with the other members of the community.’’
Agema expressed worries over the felling of trees in the community but expressed optimism that the chief of the community, Zaki Tanko, had assured them that such practice would be reduced.
She said that the trees would be monitored to ascertain that the women achieved the desired aim of planting the trees.
NAN reports that the economic trees were namely oranges, mangoes and palm trees. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AIJ/CJ/
========
Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

June 28, 2024