National News
FG Advised to Produce Policy Framework to Control Activities of Scavengers
FG Advised to Produce Policy Framework to Control Activities of Scavengers
By: Michael Mike
The federal government has been called upon to come out with a policy framework to
address and control the activities of scavengers in the country.
It is believed that despite their negative reputation, scavengers are finding ways to increase revenue, and though they face many challenges their contribution to the economy of the country has been massive.
However people have continued to advocate for the regulation of their activities in order to eliminate criminalities and maximize their potentials.
Speaking at the weekend at the stakeholders workshop organized by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in conjunction with INCLUDE knowledge platform in Netherland tagged, “Formalizing the Scavenger Economy for sustainable Development in Nigeria”, the Director General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu said: “Whether we like it or not, scavengers are very important to the waste management and our ecosystem, as a matter of fact they are the frontline people.
“As humans we produce waste on a daily basis and this are the people that help us to pick them up from the waste areas to the garbage dump, they are everywhere and it’s so unfortunate to note that they suffer stigmatization, some see them as security threats while others tag them as thief, which is not supposed to be, they are neglected by society which is why we decided to undertake this research”.
He lamented that the activities of scavengers are sub-optimal, but noted that they can have a great impact on Nigerian economy with respect to resource conservation, creation of job opportunities, and reduction of the magnitude of waste disposal problems.
He decried that poor waste management and extreme poverty are twin challenges that contribute immensely to the increase in number of people doing this job even though there are challenges many of them earned their living from their and take good care of their family.
He said the workshop was timely and that scavengers needed to be given maximum priority in view of economic challenges we are facing presently in Nigeria and most especially about diversifying our economy.
He said: “We appreciate partners from Netherlands for providing fundings to enable IPCR carry out the research both in Abuja and Lagos. This research took us to one of the largest dump site in Lagos and you need to see how people live in this side. We also looked at the level of vulnerability of the people there both adults and children and this calls for policy concerns on why we need to zoom in and provide policies through research on this group of people because they are very essential to our lives. A society that takes care of the marginalized is set for progress, development and security. We need to pay a lot of concerns to the waste pickers their access to healthcare, inclusion in terms of finances and other basic amenities.There is also need to ensure that they have the National Identity card to enable them have access to facilities like the bank, etc”
Also speaking at the workshop, Associate Research Professor of law, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Abuja, Dr. Izuoma Adindu said: “Circular Economy principles are making waves globally. Countries are no longer living on linear economy they are moving towards circular economic which means reuse, recycle, and nothing is considered useless everything is considered important can be used to contribute to the economy by way of integrating or strimming this marginalized people who in some countries have gone ahead to have a law and enactment on secular economy, like countries in the Asia Pacific region, that we have almost the same in terms of vulnerability to climate change, have gone ahead to have laws enacted for the sole purpose. In Australia they have a Circular Economy Act that they used to include this people, knowing that they are front liners in the circular economy principle.
“And of course, they’re very important because they help in the mitigation agenda of the climate policies. So we have the Climate Change Act, and that climate change act not even allude to these people. If you look at it, like I said, majority of laws or policies don’t have any provisions for them.“
FG Advised to Produce Policy Framework to Control Activities of Scavengers
National News
Interior Minister Signs Performance Contracts, Urges Agencies to Boost Service Delivery
Interior Minister Signs Performance Contracts, Urges Agencies to Boost Service Delivery
By: Michael Mike
In a significant move to bolster public service efficiency, Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has formalized performance contracts with heads of agencies under the Ministry of Interior. This initiative aims to strengthen institutional legacy and ensure measurable improvements in service delivery.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday at the conclusion of the 2025 retreat of the Ministry of Interior, the minister highlighted the event, which also featured the signing of performance contracts by all board members.
He said: “This initiative is about the effect on Nigerians and on Nigeria as a whole.”
Tunji-Ojo during the signing ceremony, said: “Our Ministry signed a performance contract with Mr. President last year, and after executing that for a year, it is time to extend this level of accountability to each agency.”
The performance contracts, which include measurable timelines for delivery, are designed to improve services to Nigerians and align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, he noted.
The Minister also emphasized that this exercise is not merely symbolic but is intended to have a meaningful impact on Nigeria’s security landscape.
Challenging common stereotypes, Tunji-Ojo commended the ministry’s staff for their commitment and hard work. He said: “Some people often say civil servants are ‘evil servants.’ Personally, I do not share that view. I have had the privilege of working with some of the best people God has created here in the Ministry of Interior.”
The Minister paid tribute to M.T. Umar, who retired after 35 years of service, describing him as central to Nigeria’s passport reforms. “The story of our passport revolution cannot be told without his name,”
He further stated that retirement does not depriving your nation of your knowledge, your character, or your service.
He urged staff to emulate Umar’s loyalty and integrity, stressing that “talent and brilliance are important, but it is loyalty and integrity that sustain a career.”
Addressing the agencies under the ministry the Nigeria Immigration Service, NSCDC, NCoS, FFS, and NIMC the minister commended their achievements but called for greater efforts in immigration reforms, protection of critical assets, correctional transformation, emergency response, and data security.
He said: “Our task is to ensure Nigerians feel our impact in their daily lives through safer communities, efficient services, and systems that inspire trust,” while further reminding the agencies that their collective output contributes directly to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Meanwhile, heads of key agencies pledged to scale up performance following the retreat.
Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, said the exercise offered a chance to review past achievements and correct lapses. “From the contracts we signed last year, we have fared very well. But of course, there are areas for correction, and that is the essence of this retreat,” he said.
Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, described the retreat as timely. “Sometimes when you are busy trying to improve performance, you need to take time to measure yourself. By the first part of next year, we should be able to appraise our progress,” he said.
For his part, Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Samuel Olumode, said the exercise was an “eye-opener” for his agency. “By the next retreat, there will be positive impact, and Nigerians will know there is a new fire service in place,” he assured.
Olumode stressed that the performance contracts were a pledge of accountability. “It’s all about signing a bond to let the Nigerian public know it’s not business as usual. We must strengthen mechanisms that make us perform and give real value to our jobs.”
Interior Minister Signs Performance Contracts, Urges Agencies to Boost Service Delivery
Kaduna police rescue kidnapped woman, arrest two suspects
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kaduna State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped woman and arrested two suspects in connection with the crime in Kachia Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said the incident followed a report by one Williams Ayuba of Azara village, who disclosed that his wife, Theresa Williams, was abducted while working on their farm at Bishini village on Aug. 27.
Zagazola learnt that the operatives from Katari Division, in collaboration with sister security agencies, launched a search operation in the surrounding forests.
Sources added that on Aug. 29, acting on credible information, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Jere mobilised a rescue team which successfully rescued the victim unhurt.
The sources saod two suspects, Ibrahim Abdullahi, of Nasarawa Toto, and Kabiru Abdullahi, of Mallam Tanko village, were arrested.
“The suspects have confessed to the crime and provided useful information to the police. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang,” it added.
The victim, the sources said, was taken to Abaku Hospital for medical attention and has since been reunited with her family.
Kaduna police rescue kidnapped woman, arrest two suspects
Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Four Nigerian soldiers have sustained injuries in a vehicle accident on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State.
The accident occurred on Thursday while the troops were moving across the mountainous terrain of the area, Zagazola reports.
The Emir of Mambilla, Dr. Shehu Audu Baju, was said to have personally joined in the rescue operation to ensure that the soldiers received prompt assistance.
Following the rescue, the injured personnel were evacuated to the 20 Battalion Barracks in Serti for urgent medical care.
Community members and traditional leaders in the area have expressed sympathy and prayed for the speedy recovery of the soldiers, while also calling for the safety of other security operatives on duty.
Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau
Troops rescue six victims of Boko Haram abduction in Adamawa
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA repel bandit attack in Katsina
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA rescue 17 kidnapped girls in Sokoto, two farmers killed
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