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
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.
Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.
Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa
The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.
The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.
He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.
“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.
Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.
“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.
He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.
Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.
Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.
“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.
He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.
Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.
He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”
He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.
He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”
Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.
He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.
He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.
He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.
He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.
He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
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