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

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
National News
At UN Food Summit, Nigeria Maps 10-year Youth-led Agricultural Renewal Plan

At UN Food Summit, Nigeria Maps 10-year Youth-led Agricultural Renewal Plan
** We’ve doled out $538m for SAPZs, created 785,000 jobs, says VP Shettima
By: Michael Mike
The Nigerian government has unveiled a 10-year Strategic Action Plan (2026–2035) to transform its agricultural sector, with Vice President Kashim Shettima declaring that the youth-led innovation will be central to the country’s food systems transition.
The plan is part of Nigeria’s national strategy to implement the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration (2026–2036), adopted by African Heads of State to strengthen food and nutrition security across the continent.
Speaking on Tuesday at a high-level dialogue between African youth agri-food entrepreneurs and African leaders during the United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Vice President Shettima emphasised the importance of investing in young people to drive innovation and resilience across food systems.

“A nation that is prepared for the future is not known by the promises it makes but by the place it gives to its youth in shaping those promises. To see African youths leading the charge in this essential sector speaks more eloquently than any speech,” VP Shettima stated.
He explained that Nigeria has already inaugurated an Agricultural Sector Working Group and a Technical Committee to coordinate national implementation of the Kampala Declaration and develop the 10-Year Strategic Action Plan.
According to him, the plan will align national and subnational priorities, promote public-private partnerships, and embed strong youth engagement at every level.
The Vice President also noted that the Federal Government has recapitalised the Bank of Agriculture with ₦1.5 trillion ($1 billion) to support the Youth Agricultural Revolution in Nigeria, providing loans of up to ₦1 million to young farmers and agri-groups across the country.
“This is not charity. It is strategic inclusion. It is resilience engineered into policy,” VP Shettima said.
The Vice President listed several ongoing initiatives, including Nigeria’s collaboration with the Netherlands, CGIAR, and IITA under the Youth in Agribusiness Initiative, which is targeting 10,000 youth, with 40–50% of them women, across innovative hubs in horticulture, poultry, aquaculture, and cassava processing.

He also cited investments in mechanisation, greenhouse expansion, and irrigation systems, along with the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project with Brazil, which is enhancing year-round agricultural productivity and value chain efficiency.
“We launched the first 2,000 tractors in a 70-million-dollar investment, targeting over 550,000 hectares of land and reaching more than 550,000 farming households. In partnership with John Deere, we are deploying 10,000 tractors over five years,” he said.
Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s call for increased investment in value addition and agro-processing to end the export of raw commodities and build more resilient local economies.
The forthcoming 10-Year Action Plan, he added, will prioritise training and mentorship in agro-technology and agribusiness, with a strong monitoring and evaluation framework.
“This is not a sprint. It is a generational relay that requires collective action, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to shared responsibility,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima also addressed the Plenary Session on Transforming Food Systems in Complex Settings, where he disclosed that Nigeria has already committed $538.05 million to the first phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, a flagship initiative aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, improving rural livelihoods, and accelerating agro-industrialisation.
“The SAPZ programme in Nigeria is being implemented in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and other key development partners. The initiative is projected to attract $1 billion in total investments by 2027, reduce post-harvest losses by 80%, and has already generated over 785,000 jobs across targeted regions,” he noted.
VP Shettima added that African youths hold the key to the continent’s agri-food future and thus, no stone should be left unturned in mobilising this greatest asset.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling food insecurity, noting that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a State of Emergency on Food Security, reactivated over 500,000 hectares of arable land, deployed strategic food reserves, and expanded access to seeds and extension services.
VP Shettima also emphasised the importance of security sector reforms to ensure farmers can access their lands safely and continue food production in rural communities.
In addition, he called for international collaboration to recharge the Lake Chad Basin, expand sustainable irrigation systems, and establish a national farm database.
He also advocated for anticipatory action to climate shocks, emergency school feeding programmes in conflict-affected areas, and resilience-building initiatives to secure long-term stability.
“Food security is the trust anchor of peace,” the Vice President stated.
Also speaking, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, decried worsening global food insecurity, noting that “over 37 million children under five who faced acute malnutrition this year are almost the entire population of Canada.”
“Short-term interventions disconnected from long-term development planning are not the solutions we are seeking. We must choose transformation over dependency,” she said.
She commended leaders, including President Tinubu, who are embedding resilience in national strategies, combining global, digital and traditional knowledge to create inclusive and sustainable food systems.
“We need coordination as a people and not just bureaucracies. Bureaucracies are important; we need strong public institutions, but our efforts must translate into impact in people’s lives,” Mohammed added.
Other speakers at the summit included World Food Programme Executive Director, Cindy McCain; Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, Salah Jama, and Moubarack Roubo from the Ministry of Agricultural Production and Industrialisation, Chad, among others.
At UN Food Summit, Nigeria Maps 10-year Youth-led Agricultural Renewal Plan
National News
One killed, another injured as gunmen invade Gari Village in Niger State

One killed, another injured as gunmen invade Gari Village in Niger State
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men have attacked Gari Village in Masamagu area of Niger State, killing one person and abducting another in a violent incident that occurred on Wednesday night.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the attack happened at about 9:30 p.m. on July 24, when six unidentified gunmen stormed the community and macheted a 55-year-old man, Umaru Zakiru, to death.
They also abducted one Hussaini Muhammed to an unknown destination, but the victim later escaped from captivity with a gunshot wound.
A tram of security forces responded promptly and evacuated both the deceased and the injured to the General Hospital in Kontagora for autopsy and medical treatment.
A manhunt has been launched to track down the assailants and bring them to justice.
One killed, another injured as gunmen invade Gari Village in Niger State
National News
Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them

Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Tinubu on Friday assured Nigerians in Diaspora of his administration’s determination to continue to provide the enabling environment and policies that will boost their active participation in the country’s governance.
Tinubu gave the assurance at the opening of the National Diaspora Day celebrations 2025 at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
This year’s celebration is themed: “Optimizing formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and growth”.
The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said: “We will continue to provide an enabling platform for effective policies for the Diaspora with the view to galvanizing your support for this administration and concretizing our democracy, optimizing your potentials and setting a good example for other African countries to emulate.
“Let me also state that we will look into the Challenges NiDCOM has enumerated with a view to ameliorating same so that we can harvest maximally the benefits of migration through the engagements with our Diaspora for national development and growth.”
He added that: “It is a great delight to address our over 20 million Nigerians in the diaspora on this auspicious occasion of the celebration of our National Diaspora Day 2025.”
“Only Nigerians both at home and abroad can develop Nigeria,” Tinubu stated.
The President highlighted the contributions of the diaspora, which include increasing remittances, pointing out that in 2024 alone, “Nigerians abroad sent home $20.9 billion through official channels—more than four times the value of the country’s foreign direct investment.
He said: “The Nigerians in the diaspora are also actively investing in our health care, agriculture, education, information, communication technology, housing and real estate, sports, transportation, oil and gas, and other sectors.
“This, I must say, is commendable and in our enlightened self-interest.”
The President stressed how highly the government rates the Nigerians in diaspora, saying “Our renewed hope for foreign policy recognises the diaspora as the fourth pillar for the agenda—namely democracy, demography, development, and diaspora.
In his goodwill message, the minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said:
“When you go to any part of the world, maybe in Asia, Africa, South America, you will see Nigerians excelling. Nigerians breaking barriers. Nigerians breaking ceilings. And Nigerians using ceilings as springboards to greatness.”
The Minister highlighted the economic potential of diaspora remittances—comparing Nigeria’s $21bn in 2024 remittances to $32.91bn in oil earnings and India’s $135.46bn diaspora inflows.
He said: “What does that tell you? It tells you that the power of economic emancipation, a lot of this resides within you, beyond your own imagination,” he said.
The minister also explained that the administration is laying the foundation for long-term national prosperity—even if short-term sacrifices are required.
“You cannot cure a tumor by virtue of a paracetamol. It is important that the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President came into being. And today, we can see the results. We can see the economic stability of this country,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo also spoke on the reforms in his ministry which include immigration and the protection of critical national infrastructure.
He therefore called on the diaspora community to trust in the country’s direction under President Tinubu’s leadership.
“Nigeria has never been ready for investment more than now. We are ready for investment.
“I assure you, under the leadership of this President, you will never regret your investment. Nigeria loves you. Nigeria cares about you. And this particular administration cares about you,” he said.
Earlier, in her remark, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said “The theme is apt to appreciate the efforts of both the government and the diaspora community in nation building and also to discuss how to make diaspora engagements better for national development.”
She emphasised the role of Nigerians in diaspora in the country’s development.
Dabiri-Erewa announced a proposed Diaspora Presidential Fellowship Programme. The initiative would allow professionals in the diaspora to take part in six-month sabbaticals in Nigeria, aimed at promoting knowledge transfer and innovation across sectors.
“It will strengthen their role in nation-building and serve as a knowledge-driven giveback to the fatherland,” she added.
Highlights of the event was the unveiling of a new Diaspora Home and Abroad Housing Platform, aimed at providing secure housing opportunities for diaspora Nigerians seeking to invest back home.
Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them
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