ECOWAS Calls for Investment in Plastic Eco-innovation to Ward of Threat of Pollution

…Reaffirms commitment to clean environment

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called upon all stakeholders in the region to Invest in eco-innovation and plastic alternatives as part of the efforts to address plastic pollution in the region.

The West African sub-region is said to generate nearly eight (8) million metric tonnes (MT) of plastic waste every year, a figure that is set to rise by 52% in the next five years.

More than 80 per cent of plastic waste is reported to be poorly managed in West Africa, adversely affecting human health, ecosystems and blue-economy sectors such as fishing and tourism.

ECOWAS made the call in Abuja on Tuesday at an occasion commemorating the World Environment Day, with the theme: “Together, We Can Beat Plastic Pollution”.

The Commission expressed worries that plastic pollution has become a transboundary problem that requires a coordinated regional response.

The Commissioner, Economic Affairs & Agriculture, Massandje Toure-Litse, speaking on the need to tackle plastic pollution,, said, is a test of the region’s resolve to act together, as governments, private sector actors, civil society, and citizens.

Toure-Litse, who was represented by the Acting Director, Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Yao Bernard Koffi, therefore reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to a clean environment.

The ECOWAS commissioner said: “There is growing recognition that plastic pollution is a transboundary problem that requires a coordinated regional response.

“Tackling plastic pollution is a test of our resolve to act together — as governments, private sector actors, civil society, and citizens.

“ It is fitting that in this landmark year, we reaffirm our commitment to a clean, resilient, and sustainable environment for future generations.

“The theme for this year, “Together, We Can Beat Plastic Pollution”, resonates deeply with our regional priorities. Plastic pollution is not only a global menace but a regional and national crisis.

“There is growing recognition that plastic pollution is a transboundary problem that requires a coordinated regional response. ECOWAS has therefore committed to addressing persistent challenges by adopting Regulation C/REG.17/12/23 on plastics management in 2023, requiring member states to harmonize regulations on plastic products and adopt best practices in plastic waste management.

“Let us be reminded that this challenge is not insurmountable.”

The Commissioner also noted that it is not all gloomy as Ghana and Nigeria are witnessing innovative approaches, scaling up circular economy initiatives.

She also revealed that Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire have introduced plastic bag bans and extended producer responsibility frameworks, while noting that the ECOWAS Commission is supporting Member States to harmonize environmental standards and promote green industrialization.

The Commissioner added that: “But we must do more collectively and urgently. The ECOWAS Vision 2050 identifies environmental sustainability as a pillar of inclusive development. Tackling plastic pollution is a test of our resolve to act together — as governments, private sector actors, civil society, and citizens.

“To this end, a draft regional plastics management plan has been developed with support from the World Bank.

“We call upon all stakeholders in the region to: Invest in eco-innovation and plastic alternatives; Support community-led waste management solutions; Strengthen enforcement of environmental regulations; and Foster youth-driven climate action, because the future belongs to them.”
She further added: “As we celebrate World Environment Day in this Jubilee Year, may our legacy be one of action over words, solutions over excuses, and unity over indifference. The ECOWAS Commission stands ready to work side-by-side with Nigeria and all partners to beat plastic pollution not tomorrow, but today.
“Let us rise to this moment. Let us protect our environment.”

On his part, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said “Plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue but also an economic and public health crisis.”

He decried that every minute, plastic waste is being dumped into our oceans, rivers, and drainage systems, endangering wildlife and contributing to flooding in our urban centres.

He decried that: “Like many other nations, Nigeria faces significant challenges in managing plastic waste.”

He said the country suffers from burden of unchecked plastic pollution.

Lawal said: “Our cities and rural communities suffer from the burden of unchecked plastic pollution ranging from sachet water bags littering our streets to microplastics entering our food chain and causing public health concerns.”

He therefore assured ECOWAS of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s commitment to a cleaner, greener, and more resilient environment.

“I would like to assure you that the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is committed to a cleaner, greener, and more resilient environment. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are taking decisive steps to address plastic pollution at all levels,” he said.

The Minister also listed efforts made by the Nigeria government to tame plastic pollution to include: developing and implementing a National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, which provides a strategic framework for reducing plastic use, promoting recycling, and encouraging innovation in alternatives to single-use plastics.

He also noted that the ministry is supporting innovative circular economy models to drive recycling and promote plastic alternatives, especially across government ministries, departments, and agencies.

He added that the ministry launched the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, which mandates producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their plastic products—from production to disposal.

He said that “The Ministry is collaborating with key stakeholders across government, industry, and civil society to ensure that environmental policies translate into meaningful impact.”

ECOWAS Calls for Investment in Plastic Eco-innovation to Ward of Threat of Pollution

At 4th ASIF Meeting, President Tinubu Demands Collective Action To Develop Africa

** Urges relevant institutions to utilise continent’s sovereign wealth funds with sound financial discipline

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for collective action and regional cooperation among African countries in actualising transformative development on the continent.

Specifically, he said shrewd utilisation of sovereign wealth funds is crucial in ongoing efforts to close the infrastructure gap, build climate change resilience and create job opportunities for the growing youth population on the continent.

The President gave the charge on Monday in Abuja when he declared open the 4th Annual Meeting of the Africa Sovereign Investors Forum (ASIF), hosted by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

President Tinubu who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that the forum’s meeting with the theme, “Leveraging African Sovereign Wealth Funds to Mobilise Global Capital for Transformative Development in Africa,” was holding at a time the world is witnessing rapid transformation and is under pressure to think outside the box.

For Africa, the Nigerian leader said it is time to position the continent to seize the opportunities rooted in the wave of global change, just as he asked African nations to take a cue from evolving sovereign wealth funds across the world, which have moved beyond serving as mere fiscal buffers to become architects of national transformation.

“Our future lies not in working in silos but in pursuing regional cooperation and collective ambition. Our sovereign wealth funds must become the anchors for pan-African investment platforms that de-risk projects, standardise processes, and deliver sustainable outcomes at scale. This is not just a strategy. This is a necessity,” he declared.

Acknowledging that Africa is currently facing a development dilemma, as it contends with limited fiscal space amid growing expectations and demands for long-term capital to fuel inclusive and sustainable growth, President Tinubu, however, identified creativity as a solution to the puzzle.

He said, “There can be no greater inspiration to reimagine how we invest, whether in setting up critical infrastructure, strengthening our climate resilience, promoting food security through agricultural innovation, supporting micro, small and medium enterprises, or embracing the digital economy to create jobs and expand opportunity.

“None of these is possible without catalytic institutions that combine strategic foresight with sound financial discipline. This is why the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority stands not only as a steward of our sovereign capital but as a vehicle for the delivery of strategic infrastructure.

“It is a catalyst in our national quest to redeem renewable energy, healthcare, agriculture, and much more. It is also a hub for pioneering innovative capital mobilisation solutions tailored to the realities of our continent.”

The President noted that ASIF has the pan-African apparatus to harness the collective strength of the continent’s sovereign investment institutions, just as he maintained that the time to act was now.

“We must act and act now to close the infrastructure gap, build resilience to climate change, and create jobs for our expanding youth population. This is precisely why platforms like the Africa Sovereign Investors Forum are not just relevant but essential.

“ASIF offers a pan-African mechanism to harness the collective strength of our sovereign investment institutions. It gives us the power to share knowledge, co-invest across borders, and speak with a unified voice in the global financial ecosystem. Through this kind of collaboration, we will attract the scale of capital required to unlock Africa’s latent potential,” he stated.

President Tinubu applauded the formal launch of the ASIF Investment Platform, saying it is a strategic initiative that deepens collaboration among Africa’s sovereign wealth funds.

The platform, according to him, is not just an innovative tool but also a bold move that pools the continent’s capital, expertise, and networks to mobilise financing for high-impact, cross-border projects, as well as “a step forward in advancing inclusive and sustainable development across the continent.”

He expressed delight that the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA, as a founding member of ASIF) has taken an active role in advancing the vision, even as he commended its leadership for “mobilising like-minded African funds and international partners to design long-term, impactful investment solutions”.

Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, listed priorities for stakeholders at the forum to include capital mobilisation at scale, regional and intercontinental collaboration, human capital and policy alignment, noting that they are critical for transformative development across the continent.

He expressed hope that the ASIF meeting would birth significant transactions that can mobilise the required resources, drive economic transformation across Africa, forge impactful partnerships and build a sustainable future.

In his remarks, President of AfreximBank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, emphasised the need for stakeholders to keep African sovereign wealth funds on the continent by investing in domestic markets.

He noted that the forum can help reshape Africa’s development financing in a manner that gives the continent greater opportunity to determine its development trajectory.

The AfreximBank boss dismissed insinuations that Africa does not have bankable projects, noting that the potential across the region is huge and the challenge lies with stakeholders, especially managers of sovereign wealth funds in the continent, to rethink strategies for investment, prioritising domestic investments.

On his part, Chairman of African Sovereign Investors Forum (ASIF), Mr Obaid Amrane, said while Africa is open for business, the forum is committed to facilitating the participation of sovereign investors in Africa’s transformation.

He said in just three years, ASIF has made significant strides in enhancing Africa’s global positioning, closing the infrastructure funding gaps across the continent and promoting greater collaboration among governments and sovereign investors in transformative projects that impact lives across the length and breadth of the region.

In his remarks, the Managing Director, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Mr Aminu Umar-Sadiq, explained the focus of the meeting, noting that private capital plays a critical role in driving investments in infrastructure development on the continent.

He outlined the priority areas of the meeting and noted that the forum will catalyse investments across Africa and beyond, impacting lives through projects across diverse fields.

For his part, Pan-African activist, Prof. PLO Lumumba, called on leaders across Africa to leverage huge resources domiciled on the continent to invest in the future of unborn generations by investing more within the continent, noting that sovereign funds should be invested within and not outside Africa.

He said it is an intergenerational duty for political and economic leaders on the continent to cater for generations yet unborn, adding that Africa’s resources are inexhaustible, hence leaders must invest in the future of generations to come.

Also present at the event were Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; President/CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, Mr Samaila Zubairu; CEO & Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair, UN-Energy, Ms Damilola Ogunbiyi; Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr Zacch Adedeji; CEO of Africa50, Mr Alain Ebonisse, and Director General, International Solar Alliance, Mr Ashish Khanna, among others.

At 4th ASIF Meeting, President Tinubu Demands Collective Action To Develop Africa

Special features: Borno Health sector, why Zulum is in a hurry to move it to the next level

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state is a man of many parts as he has displayed in his handling of ministries departments and agencies (MDA’s)
of government since inception.
One area he has displayed very empathetic and competent tendencies for his people is the health sector. From the onset this academic turned politician left no one in doubt that he was ready to turn around this critical sector battered by war to a much more service oriented one. He pays specific attention like a father who wants the facilities to be good enough for his immediate family members to receive treatments long after he has left office.

His midnight visits to General hospitals in Borno State to see who is sincerely working for the people or not is an indication that he is not ready to tolerate mediocrity for any reason. Apart from that he had already drafted a ten points agenda of which revamping of the health sector was one of the strong pillars and was going to follow it to the letter. These acts of leadership by example manifested in the very early days of his reign as Governor.

With these leadership actions by visiting hospitals were the most vulnerable receive treatments to get better, he endeared himself to many residents in the state. Some medical workers started wondering if the Professor turned politician slept at night or not. This was because most times he will show up at such wee hours to inspect the register of attendees himself and take special note of their basic challenges. Many of them who never took their call duties important started adjusting because Zulum could appear by 2 am the next morning to check him out. It was obvious a new sheriff was in town and everyone in the medical team must be serious or face the hard music for dereliction of duties.

This to many observers is a major achievement in a war torn sub national economy where the health sector was not spared by the aggressors who destroyed the entire infrastructure of at least 22 out of 27 council areas. Both the primary and secondary sub sectors were rendered useless due to lack of basic infrastructure and manpower. It was like starting all over when Zulum took over and his night visits allowed him to see things for himself and correcting same the following day or week. Many of the secondary hospitals which used to survive on touch lights were given instant solar panels and batteries to keep them out of darkness.

Consequently, before the end of his first term, Governor Zulum knew he had to hurry up to fix most of these infrastructure which were brought down so that the people will benefit from them. By the end of his first term, a lot of primary and secondary facilities had been built in areas were they were non existent before now. And within the last two years, he has set the foundation for a state teaching hospital to come on stream at least for the first set of medical students of the Borno State University (BOSU) to acquire practical experience from cadaver to real patients. The maiden board has been created for the State Teaching hospitality and the respected Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) Professor Ahmed Ahidjo was appointed the chair.

Professor Ibrahim Kida was appointed the maiden chief medical director of the facility located at the jimtilo area of greater Maiduguri. Professor Kida is a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians, Senior Registrar West African College of Physicians, and Registrar West African College of Physicians, specialising in infectious diseases and epidemiology with a special interest in HIV/AIDS management. Alongside Prof Kida, Zulum appointed Professor Usman Tela as Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC). Similarly, Ali Mohammed was appointed Director of Administration of the Hospital and Secretary to the Management Board. Other members of the management board include a representative of the Ministry of Health; a representative of the Medical College, BOŞU; representative of the Senate, Borno State University; representative of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA); representative of the Allied Health Professionals in Borno; representative of the UMTH, and a representative of the Vice Chancellor, Borno State University. Others include Abba Marte, Samson Dibal, and Dr Musa Aji, who will represent the public interest from the three senatorial districts of Borno State. A statement then by the spokesman of the Governor Dauda Ilya quoted Zulum as saying, “Our goal is to provide our people with the best possible healthcare while also training the next generation of medical professionals.” Off course, the appointment of Professor Kida as the first CMD is a landmark because this is a man who gave his all during the covid infection years. When many thought that covid was a clear death sentence and should be avoided, Kida gave his life at the UMTH to ensure that residents of the state were well and alive. He was the live wire of the state that period because many people who should have gone to the great beyond are still alive today.
Without mincing words, obviously this is the only way to set the foundation of his own man power base which has eluded the state long before the beginning of insurgency. The appointment of Profs Ahmed Ahidjo and Ibrahim Kida is one of the best decision taken by Prof Babagana Zulum.

Primary Healthcare Sub Sector

Two years into his second term, some residents spoken to by this reporter stated that they were comfortable with the new arrangements in which solar powered primary health centres are now located in their areas. Some of them called on the Governor to bring in foreign doctors to assist at this critical primary level to ease the stress on the secondary sub sector.

They however commended him for the increase in primary health centres at almost every ward of municipal (mmc) and jere council areas of greater Maiduguri. A typical example was the building of an ultramodern primary health centre in Wulari and many other areas within greater Maiduguri which has the highest population because it still houses residents who came to stay with relatives due to the lingering insurgent war and have not gone back.

To further demonstrate his seriousness in taking the primary facilities to every council area in the state, the government has established six new Primary Healthcare Centers ( PHC) at Milda (Kwaya Kusar), Diyar (Kwaya Kusar), Ngwa (Hawul), Danbitam (Bayo), BOSU and MCH Kwaya.

Complete renovation has also taken place in 44 PHC and 3 Maternal Health Centers in 14 LGAs. They include: Mbulatawiwi, Kwajjafa-harang, FSP Askira, Jaradali, Jaragol, Teli, Gumsuri, Gora, Kubo, Lakundum, Dr. Falmata Babagana Umar, Gwoza town, Benesheikh, Mainok, Furram, Hoyo, CBDA, Dalaram, Fori, Ngomari, Gongulong, Jiddari, Maimusari, Mashamari, Dalori, Njimtilo, Jakana, MCH Konduga, Mafa, Ngwom, Mala Kyariri, Abbaganram, Bulabulin, Fatima Ali Sheriff, Gamboru, Herwa Peace, Kaalmari, Mala Kachallah, Gwange I, Gamboru Main, Gwange III, Yerwa MCH, FSP Tandari and Maternal Health Centers at Magumeri, Gubio and Bama.

With these achievements due to the right leadership, simple ailments which some residents used to rush to secondary facilities like Umaru Shehu, General Hospital Biu and the state specialist hospital could now be handled easily at these primary levels.

The second most tormenting challenge the government was facing was recruiting the right human resource to maintain these facilities. Most of the doctors working to save lives were overstretched. Nurses had the non governmental organizations (NGO’s) daily dangling carrots at them to cross over. And hundreds of nurses have indeed crossed over in the last 15 years of lingering insurgency. In spite of that the Governor Professor Babagana Zulum has been encouraging them with mouth watering scholarships to enable them finish their training and start work.

To retain more doctors, special quarters like the Buba Marwa Doctor’s Quarter’s were built for them to stay. Leaving the service meant leaving the quarters. That alone was a major attraction to keep the doctors in the state service. The second attraction activated by Governor Zulum to keep the man power was the implementation of federal pay package for doctors. That was seen as a good move by observers and it has really helped to keep the doctors down in Borno.

Achievements in the secondary health sub sector

A lot has been achieved in this sub sector which needed infrastructure and man power. Some of it includes the establishment of 150 bed capacity General Hospital Damboa, completion of the reconstruction of General Hospitals in Azare (Hawul), Uba, Magumeri, Gubio and Mafa Borgu (Shani).

While waiting for the tertiary sub sector to take off fully, the specialist hospital located at the post office area of the centre of Maiduguri has been chewing a lot more than it can bite because of its strategic roles in the well being of residents of the state Capital and beyond. So as a result of this, tremendous developments has been taking place within the complex even after the flood of September 10th last year.

As part of the achievements of Governor Zulum in this specialist hospital, there is an on going construction of a 3 storey orthopedic ward for patients. Others include the consultant offices, conference room, complete renovation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) department (including the Labour ward and Theatre), Anesthetic dept, Pharmacy, Specialist Out Patient Department (including departmental consultants’ offices), surgical wards, Accident and Emergency (A&E) and maintenance units at State Specialist Hospital.

Others include: General renovation of Theaters, 7 Bedroom staff quarters at General hospital Ngala, two theaters, and seven bedroom at General Hospital Damasak, Maternity wing, staff quarters, wards, theaters, Pharmacy and Records office at General Hospital Gwoza and off course staff quarters at General Hospital Benisheikh.

To ensure efficiency in this sub sector the government had to purchase and install power supply facilities in many general hospitals where the lingering war had caused enormous damages to these facilities. Some include the installation of 100 KVA solar power supply to the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at the specialist hospital, 77.5 KVA generators distributed across departments and units at State Specialist Hospital, 70 KVA generator at Mamman Shuwa Memorial Hospital, 40 KVA generator each at Brigadier Abba Kyari hospital, Maryam Abatcha Women and Children Hospital, Nganzai, Ngala, Mafa, Konduga, Gwoza and
Bama General Hospitals, 75 KVA generator at Damasak and 25 KVA at Rann.

Further procurement and supply of equipment was made in the Hematology, Histopathology, Labour and Theater departments. Supply of dialysis reagents and consumables were also made to the Abdulkadir Aliyu Kidney Center in the State Specialist Hospital where dialysis is still free. During the period under review supply was made of clinical equipment, office furniture at Mamman Shuwa Memorial Hospital and procurement, installation of
manual X-ray machines at Ngala, Gwoza, Mobbar, Biu, Askira, Monguno and Rann General Hospitals.

Again to boast power supply in the absence of supplies from the grid, installation of solar power system was made at Umaru Shehu Ultra-Modern Hospital Maiduguri.
End