Connect with us

News

USAID, SON Partner to Reduce Lead Poisoning and Protect Nigerian Children

Published

on

USAID, SON Partner to Reduce Lead Poisoning and Protect Nigerian Children

By: Michael Mike

The United States Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Nigeria, through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), have agreed to collaborate on mitigating lead poisoning in the country.

By this arrangement, they plan to enhance surveillance, regulation, and enforcement of standards related to consumer goods and paints in Nigeria.

Lead can affect individuals of any age, but children are particularly vulnerable due to their behavioral patterns and susceptibility to toxicity at lower exposure levels.

Globally, an estimated one-third of children have blood lead concentrations that impair cognitive development and contribute to learning disabilities and attention deficits. A 2011 survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that unsafe mining and ore processing are the leading causes of lead poisoning in Nigeria.

USAID/Nigeria Mission Director, Melissa Jones in a meeting with SON Director General Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, said: “USAID is committed to leading the Government of Nigeria’s mitigation efforts to save Nigerian children from further risk of lead exposure.”

A statement on Thursday said USAID will provide technical assistance to SON to raise awareness about the safe use of products that contain lead, support Nigeria in joining the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (Lead Paint Alliance), and aid SON in enacting legislation to identify lead-containing products and its manufacturers. SON will lead engagement with other federal agencies working on lead removal in high-risk communities.

SON Director-General Dr. Okeke said that to limit lead in consumer goods and paints, SON adopted global and regional standards prohibiting the production and importation of paint products with lead concentration beyond 90 parts per million.

In April 2024, SON will participate in the United States and Nigeria Bi-National Commission meeting, contributing to technical discussions on policy framework, regulation, and sensitization on lead mitigation in Nigeria.

USAID, SON Partner to Reduce Lead Poisoning and Protect Nigerian Children

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Borno police arrest 15-year-old over infanticide in Monguno IDP camp

Published

on

Borno police arrest 15-year-old over infanticide in Monguno IDP camp

By: Zagazola Makama

The Borno State Police Command has arrested a 15-year-old girl for allegedly dumping a newborn infant’s body in a pit toilet within the Charamari Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Monguno.

According to a Police source on May 22, 2025, at about 9:15 a.m., it was reported that earlier the same day at around 6:00 a.m., the body of a newly born infant was found abandoned in one of the camp’s pit toilets.

The sources said that the suspect, identified as Yafalmata Alhaji Mustapha, aged 15 years, and a resident of the camp, is currently in police custody for investigation.

“Police and medical experts visited the scene where photographs were taken, and the infant’s body was evacuated to General Hospital Monguno. The medical doctor confirmed the infant dead upon arrival, and the corpse was deposited at the hospital for autopsy,”said the sources.

Following the autopsy, the body was released to the Camp Chairman of Charamari IDP Camp for burial according to Islamic rites.

Borno police arrest 15-year-old over infanticide in Monguno IDP camp

Continue Reading

News

Angry villagers killed two Armed robbers in Gubio, Borno

Published

on

Angry villagers killed two Armed robbers in Gubio, Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Two armed robbers were fatally injured by angry villagers following an attack at Charimeleri Bush in Gubio Local Government Area, Borno State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred occurred on May 21, 2025, at about 5:30 p.m., when two unknown armed men armed with machetes, knives, bow and arrow pursued two young boys, Abdu Ali and Abba Ali who were grazing a flock of 25 sheep in Charimeleri Bush.

The suspects stole the entire flock and fled, but the boys ran home to alert their father, Bukar Umara. Villagers quickly mobilized and followed the rustlers’ footprints, eventually intercepting them and recovering the stolen sheep.

A violent confrontation ensued during which one of the robbers stabbed a villager, Fannami Bukar, in the chest. The villagers retaliated, fatally injuring both suspects, leading to their death.

Security forces promptly visited the scene, documented the incident with photographs, and recovered exhibits including a bow and arrow, a sheath knife, and two head veils.

The two injured robbers were rushed to Gubio General Hospital where they were certified dead by the attending doctor.

The stabbed victim was taken to the Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) Gubio for treatment and is reportedly responding well to medical care.

Angry villagers killed two Armed robbers in Gubio, Borno

Continue Reading

Crime

Police officer arrested over alleged Cybercrime, Fraud in Ogun

Published

on

Police officer arrested over alleged Cybercrime, Fraud in Ogun

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Police Force in Ogun has arrested one of its officers, Police Constable Idris Oloyede, over alleged involvement in conspiracy, stealing, cybercrime and other related offences.

Zagazola was reliably informed that the arrest was carried out on Wednesday by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta.

A police sources told Zagazola that Oloyede, who bears Force Number 537972, is attached to the patrol team at Odeda Divisional Headquarters.

According to the police sources, the arrest followed credible intelligence and investigation that linked the officer to the suspected crimes.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Odeda Division immediately released the officer for further interrogation upon the arrival of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. The suspect has been transferred to the SCID for detailed investigation.

Police officer arrested over alleged Cybercrime, Fraud in Ogun

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights