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FG Launches Hazard Risk Analysis For Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation

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FG Launches Hazard Risk Analysis For Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation

*** Our goal is to protect citizens from ecological risks, says VP Shettima

By: Our Reporter

The federal government has launched the 2024 Hazard Risk Countrywide Analysis aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts across the country.

To this effect, Vice President Kashim Shettima called for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to address Nigeria’s vulnerabilities to disasters and climate change as well as building a safer and more resilient Nigeria.

Speaking during the launch event on Thursday in Abuja, VP Shettima reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and livelihoods from ecological and other risks.

He said, “This launch is a testament to our resolve as a nation to confront the uncertainties of our ecological realities with informed strategies. We are committed to protecting citizens from ecological risks while building the infrastructure and mechanisms necessary for disaster prevention and response.”

The report, developed under the leadership of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) with technical support from UNICEF, offers a detailed analysis of Nigeria’s vulnerability to hazards such as floods, droughts, and public health emergencies.

It provides policymakers, emergency responders, and community leaders with critical data to improve early warning systems and enhance risk mitigation strategies.

Noting that the nation cannot prepare for risks it does not know, the Vice President said the document provides the foundation for understanding the magnitude of the challenges facing Nigeria, empowering government “to move from reactive to proactive strategies in addressing disasters.”

VP Shettima noted recent challenges in Nigeria, including devastating floods and outbreaks of diseases like cholera, which have displaced thousands and claimed lives, just as he explained that these recurring disasters bring to the fore the urgency of robust preparedness mechanisms.

“While we may not prevent every disaster, we can reduce their impact significantly by institutionalizing risk assessment and continuously monitoring hazards and vulnerabilities. This analysis is not just a tool—it is a lifeline for building community resilience,” the Vice President said.

He commended NEMA, development partners, and other stakeholders for their dedication in producing the report, describing it as a landmark achievement that reflects the administration’s focus on proactive governance.

“This is not the conclusion of our efforts; it is the beginning of a new chapter. We must now work together to use this report as a springboard for policies and actions that will make Nigeria more resilient against future risks,” he added.

He also expressed gratitude to international partners, including UN agencies and NGOs, for their contributions to the nation’s disaster preparedness and response initiatives.

“Protecting lives and property is a collective responsibility, and this launch symbolizes the unity of purpose that we need to build a safer Nigeria,” Shettima concluded.

Earlier in his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, said the launch of the report was timely.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the House of Representatives to leveraging the findings of the report to make legislations that will impact crisis management and disaster mitigation.

Hon. Kalu identified three key areas of the National Assembly’s legislative support for disaster management to include strengthening of early warning systems; funding for risk mitigation and community-centered interventions aimed at building grassroots capacity for disaster mitigation.

In his goodwill message, Chairman of Senate Committee on Special Duties, Sen. Kaka Shehu Lawan, congratulated the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders on the successful launch of the report.

He said the launch of the report is a giant stride and a step in the right direction, pledging the support of the Senate to the actualization of the mandate of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other related agencies in the country, especially in enhancing the preparedness of the country to disasters and crises.

In her remarks, the Director General of NEMA, Dr Zubaida Umar, said the launch of the 2024 Countrywide Risk Analysis for Nigeria marked a milestone in stakeholders’ collective effort to enhance disaster preparedness and response.

She said the document will serve as a vital tool to support the development and review of Nigeria’s preparedness plans and related frameworks which will position the foundation for a safer and more resilient country.

Dr Umar said preparedness is the cornerstone of disaster management and a shared responsibility to ensure that all actors respond swiftly and efficiently to emergencies when they occur.

On her part, the UNICEF Country Representative, Ms Cristian Munduate, said the report provides a countrywide mapping of occurrences such as flash flooding, conflict and disease outbreaks, among others, across the country.

She said the 2024 Countrywide Risk Analysis for Nigeria aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially in building a disaster-resilient nation and caring for the welfare of vulnerable groups.

FG Launches Hazard Risk Analysis For Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation

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Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

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Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), on Monday, called for urgent global action to tackle plastic pollution causing environmental crisis.

APWEN, under its “STEM for All” initiative, North-East zone, made the call, while commemorating the 2025 World Environment Day in Gombe.

Speaking virtually, President of APWEN, Engr. Adebisi Osim, said it is imperative to encourage recycling of plastics, as part of measures to reduce pollution.

Osim noted that the amount of plastics manufactured annually for use had made it necessary for urgent actions to be taken, to ensure a cleaner and safer environment.

“Today’s theme, “End Plastic Pollution” is not just a catchy phrase, It is a wake-up call; a global one and we are answering that call, not with panic, but with STEM-driven solutions and people-centered action.

“According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the world produces over 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, and over two-thirds of that becomes waste.

“Alarmingly, less than 10 per cent is recycled, and the rest clogs our drains, litters our streets, chokes our rivers, and poisons marine life.

“Here in Nigeria, the World Bank estimates that Lagos alone generates 13,000 metric tonnes of waste per day, and 15 per cent of that is plastic.

“We see it daily in pure water sachets lining our gutters, single-use bags littering markets, and microplastics infiltrating our food chains,” she said
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Osim called on stakeholders to invest more in recycling the plastics towards reducing the need for new plastic production, which will in turn lower greenhouse gas emission.

She assured that state chapters are collaborating with young people, to design plastic alternatives, using local materials, and to build waste-sorting systems using simple robotics.

Osim added that the chapters will also explore the conduct of STEM fairs, which are focused on sustainable innovation.

In the same vein, Chairman of the Gombe chapter of APWEN, Engr. Deborah Danladi, urged stakeholders to invest in plastic waste recycling, to save the environment, as well as create jobs and wealth for youths.

Danladi also underscored the need for more action and sensitisation to ensure collective approach to addressing the menace of plastic pollution.

Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

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UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs

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UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations (UN) agencies in Nigeria have hammered on the need for adequate investment in the development of Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to advance economic growth in the country.

The agencies disclosed this during the commemoration ceremony of the 2025 MSMEs Day on Monday in Abuja.

The event was jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Director, UNIDO Sub-regional Office, Abuja, Mr. Philbert Johnson, who was represented by National Programme Officer at UNIDO, Mr. Reuben Bamidele,, said that MSMEs role in nation building cannot be underestimated, therefore the need for adequate investment to ensure their sustainable growth is of uppermost importance.

Johnson said: “We are gathered together today to discuss proper ways to promote innovation and growth within the MSMEs sector.

“In Nigeria, as we know not less than 40million MSMEs are making huge contribution to the economic growth of the country, by providing employment and serving as means of livelihood for people.

“MSMEs, thereby, contribute to the growth of Gross Domestic Products across sectors of the country’s economy. We gathered to dissect the challenges MSMEs face and also, to work closely together towards achieving sustainable growth.”

The ILO Country Representative, Dr Vanessa Phala, stressed the need for strategic measures to be taken to bolster MSMEs impact on the nation’s economy.

Phala, who was represented by ILO’s National Project Coordinator for the Social Dimension of Ecological Transition, Stephen Agugua, said: “We look at how MSMEs can drive the future of the economy through job creation and employment. When you think of job creation and employment that is where ILO comes in.

“MSMEs are key to the growth of every economic sphere: Through this dialogue platform ILO will know the challenges MSMEs are facing and look at pathways for ensuring sustainable solutions collectively.”

The UNDP Deputy-Director, Ms Varsha Redkar-Palepu, represented the National Programme Specialist and Trade Focal Point at UNDP by Claire Henshaw,, described MSMEs as pivotal to nation building.

She noted that MSMEs form the foundation of inclusive and sustainable development in Nigeria, “MSMEs are vital engines for job creation, innovation and social mobilisation, particularly for women and youths. While operating on margins of formal economic systems, we need to put MSMEs at the centre of our development.

“In Nigeria and across Africa, MSMEs holds the key to transforming economic opportunities to meaningful development and the ambition into tangible outcomes,” Phala said.

On his part, Managing-Director of Prohealth, a private organisation, Dr Chinedu Nnabuihe who spoke on behalf of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), commended the UN agencies for putting the event together.

According to him, the event is dedicated to the invaluable role MSMEs play in advancing innovation, creating jobs, increasing inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the country.

“In Nigeria, MSMEs are the engine of our economy, driving local production, supporting livelihood and contributing significantly to national GDPs. This is amidst challenges posed by economic situation, limited access to finance and infrastructure.
“Nigeria MSMEs have continued to demonstrate resilience, creativity and determination. At NECA we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering an enabling environment in supporting MSMEs development,” Nnabuihe said.

The event attracted stakeholders from Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMEDAN), Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nigeria Association of of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Others include, National Insurance Commission (NICOM), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

Highpoint of the event was visit by the stakeholders to the exhibition stand of MSMEs, overview of UNDP engagement with MSMEs, government agencies’ engagement with MSMEs and WIP-intellectual property for MSMEs.
End

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NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission

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NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission

By: Michael Mike

The Commission of the African Union has said the formulation of new action plan on drug control and crime prevention on the African continent would not be complete without inputs from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) because of its central role in law enforcement on the continent.

The AU Commission stated this on Monday during an assessment visit to the NDLEA’s National Headquarters in Abuja by a three-member delegation including the team lead Dr. Olubusayo Akinola, Head of Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention; Dr. Abiola Olaleye, Senior Drug Epidemiology and Research Officer; and Prof. Johan Strijdom, Senior Drug Control Consultant.

The visit was to evaluate the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019-2025).

Akinola said: “We are here to understand the status of implementation of this continental action plan on drug control and crime prevention. We are in the process of re-evaluating and starting another continental action plan that will take us from 2026 to 2030. So, we have identified a few countries to understand how this action plan was actually implemented in the member states. And if there are gaps and the new and current emerging trends that we can include.

“So, we understand very well the work of NDLEA and we believe that the formulation of the new action plan will not be finalized and concluded until we have inputs from NDLEA Nigeria, because you are basically on the forefront when it comes to law enforcement on the entire continent.”

The AU Commission delegation commended the NDLEA for its sustained provision of critical and policy-relevant data, which has significantly informed and shaped the work of the Commission over the years. The visit, according to the delegation, aimed to obtain a comprehensive update on the current status of implementation of national drug control strategies, identify operational and institutional gaps, and explor#####eiiii#ehue#pp7l#######el#e7l77#e7l7#wlAfrican##wle potential areas for technical assistance, particularly in relation to capacity development, forensic science capabilities, canine detection units, and other strategic enablers of drug control efforts.

Welcoming the delegation, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), emphasized the importance of the mission, stating that he considered it imperative to receive the team personally due to the strategic relevance of their engagement.

He said: “We are particularly pleased that the African Union is giving due weight to the implementation of the continental action plan, not merely as a theoretical exercise, but by undertaking direct field consultations with national counterparts. This grounded, evidence-informed approach will undoubtedly result in a more pragmatic and responsive framework for implementation.”

Marwa highlighted the urgency of addressing the continent’s growing drug challenge, adding that while global projections estimate a 10–11% rise in drug use prevalence, Africa is expected to experience a surge of up to 40%. “This disparity signals a looming crisis that demands coordinated and accelerated action. We deeply appreciate the AU’s leadership in this space and commend your proactive efforts,” he added.

NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission

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