National News
FG Assures Nigerians that Measures are in Place to Address Plastic Pollution
FG Assures Nigerians that Measures are in Place to Address Plastic Pollution
By: Michael Mike
The federal government has assured Nigerians that they need not be afraid of plastic pollution as needed measures are put in place towards addressing the menace of plastic waste in the country.
The National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) had posited that by 2030, plastic waste is expected to double to 165 million tonnes in African countries. Most of these will be in Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria, Morrocco and Tunisia, calling for concerted and whole value chain approaches to addressing and curbing plastic pollution in Africa.
Also, reports have it that the world’s oceans contain an estimated 100 million metric tonnes of plastic with about 90% of this quantity originating from land-based sources.
Scientific findings also stated that the world’s marine life is endangered through the exposure of nanoparticles of ingested plastics which penetrate through the blood-brain barrier of seabirds, this is seen as quite alarming as every human being on the face of the earth has a connection with plastics in one way or the other.
Given the assurance of Nigerians safety from expected plastic pollution on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako at the stakeholders meeting on the Draft National Guidelines for the Implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for (Plastic) Packaging, said because of the threats the federal government “is therefore putting in place measures towards addressing the menace of plastic waste from our environment, by way of developing a Sector-Specific National Guidelines for the implementation of the up-coming Plastic Waste Control Regulations under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme.”
The Minister, who was represented by a Director in the ministry, Dr. Ahmadu Jibrin,
said the federal government through the National Environmental Standards and Regulations (NESREA), responding to its global commitment to the Basel Convention.
He noted that the primary purpose of this draft National Guidelines when in force, is to provide far-reaching guidelines that will serve as a road map to all stakeholders in the Plastic Packaging value chain for the effective implementation of the EPR Programme as well as clearly defining the various obligations of all sector stakeholders in Nigeria.
He disclosed that: “This Document is also poised to amongst others, aid the establishment of a Plastic Packaging Registry in the country which is very germane, align with circular economy principles and sustainability efforts ultimately galvanizing towards the overall elimination of plastic pollution and the reduction of the adverse impacts of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) from our environment. It is thus expected that this Draft Document has been reviewed by the stakeholders in the 36 States and FCT by key stakeholders, and the submitted comments had been incorporated accordingly.”
He said: “We are here today to finalize the review comments towards birthing a robust instrument that will stand the test of time in the management of the Plastic Packaging, plastic Waste and plastic pollution across their life cycle.”
In his remarks, the Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor said: “Today, we stand at a critical juncture in our collective efforts to address the pressing challenges posed by plastic waste in our environment. The guidelines we are discussing are not just a regulatory framework; they represent a commitment to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and the health of our communities.”
He added that: “As we are all aware, the proliferation of plastic packaging ((Bottles (PET, PP or HDPE/PS), Flexible mono-layer materials, Rigid mono-layer materials, multi-layer and multi-material plastics) has led to significant environmental degradation, affecting our ecosystems, wildlife, and ultimately, human health. The need for a robust and effective waste management system has never been more urgent.
“The EPR Programme is designed to shift the responsibility of waste management from local authorities and taxpayers to the producers of plastic packaging. This innovative approach encourages manufacturers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, from design to disposal.”
He volunteered that: “”In this draft National Guidelines, you will find detailed outlines of the key responsibilities of each stakeholder group, as well as specific targets for collection and recycling. These targets are not merely aspirational; they are essential benchmarks that will guide our progress and hold us accountable. It is crucial that we engage in open dialogue and consultation to refine these targets based on stakeholder input and current data.”
FG Assures Nigerians that Measures are in Place to Address Plastic Pollution
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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