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FG Launches the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy for Environment Sector
FG Launches the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy for Environment Sector
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has intensified the fight against antimicrobial resistance, which is estimated to lead to a global US$ 1 trillion additional healthcare costs by 2050, and US$ 1 trillion to US$ 3.4 trillion gross domestic product (GDP) losses per year by 2030, with the launch of the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy for Environment Sector on Thursday
Speaking at the Launch in Abuja, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako noted that a lot still needs to be done for the environment sector to come up to speed and be at par with other One Health sectors with regards to AMR management. He said: “It is in this context and in line with the mandate of the ministry that this policy on national antimicrobial resistance for the environment sector has been developed.”
The Minister said: “You will agree with me that antibiotics play a critical role in reducing the burden of communicable disease all over the world. However, resistance to previously potent antibiotics has become a major problem of major public health significance requiring a range of interventions and multidisciplinary approach. This growing trend of resistance to antibiotics calls for global action to monitor and control unnecessary use of antibiotics in humans and animals which eventually gets to the environment.”
Salako added that: “Antimicrobial resistance is not only a public health threats, it has huge implications for global economic wellbeing and security, affecting both developed and developing countries. AMR is listed by the World Health Organization as one of the ten top threats to global health. According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), AMR is a global crisis that cannot be understood or addressed separately from the triple planetary crisis.”
He noted that: “The report of the 2022 Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) report highlights alarming resistance rates among bacterial pathogens that causes the deadliest infections with other pathogens like virus, fungi and protozoa also becoming resistant. This report shows that AMR threat is growing at an alarming rate making treatment challenging with longer hospital stays, increased mortality and higher healthcare cost. The World Bank estimates that AMR could result in US$ 1 trillion additional healthcare costs by 2050, and US$ 1 trillion to US$ 3.4 trillion gross domestic product (GDP) losses per year by 2030.”
The Minister said: “Nigeria as a responsible member of the global community is committed to adopting a holistic approach to addressing AMR to ensuring all of sector involvement, no duplication and efficient use of scarce resources. To achieve this, and protect public health, food security and the environment, the recognition of the interconnectedness between human, animal and environmental health in line with the One Health principles is central.”
Salako noted that: “In this regard, the Federal Ministry of Environment has embarked on a number activities aimed at laying a solid foundation for AMR surveillance in the environment sector of our country. This includes: AMR situation analysis in environment sector conducted in 2020 including laboratory and capacity needs assessment of environmental reference laboratories domicile with NESREA to pave way for setting up AMR surveillance in the environment sector and provide recommendations for strengthening capacities for AMR surveillance within the sector.
“Establishment of the Integrated National Environmental Health Surveillance System (INEHSS) in 2022 for real time environmental health and sanitation scientific data collection and processing for informed policy decisions, planning, monitoring, evaluation, early warning signals and response to environmental health challenges including disease outbreak. The INEHSS provides a premise for AMR surveillance in the environment considering the unsound release of antimicrobial residues in our environment.”
He revealed that with collaboration with other stakeholders, the Federal Ministry of Environment intends to create AMR surveillance system in the environment sector by integrating AMR into INEHSS which is an existing surveillance system in the environment sector, in order to provide timely alerts on AMR spread; regulate the discharge and distribution of antimicrobials into the environment; promote public knowledge and awareness on AMR and implication of indiscriminate Antimicrobial Discharge (AMD) into the environment; establish national standards for monitoring and controlling antimicrobials in the environment through the development of
roadmap for monitoring AMR in the environment, standards for Antimicrobial residue, Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (ARG) and Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria (ARB) discharge into the environment
He said this includes database of all allied industries, institutes, healthcare facilities and farms in Nigeria and most importantly strengthening of Environmental Health Officers’ capacity to track the activities of the culpable facilities.
On his part, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Representative Ad-Interim in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Koffy Kouacou Dominique said: “The antimicrobial resistance scourge affects humans, animals, plants, and the environment. It is estimated that 10 million people would die annually by the year 2050, and the economies of nations negatively affected if this challenge is not mitigated.”
He insisted that: “It is therefore important for countries to put in place actions that will reduce and control this scourge.”
Dominique added that: “Antimicrobial resistance which is a One Health issue needs to be tackled by all sectors. It is for this reason that the FAO in 2022 supported the Federal Ministry of Environment to develop the National AMR Policy and the National Strategic Plan (2023 – 2027). This support was also to assist in enhancing the capacity and capabilities of the environment sector to participate actively in development and implementation of multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary AMR control plans at the national and subnational levels.”
FG Launches the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy for Environment Sector
Dabiri-Erewa Advises Youth, Hard Work Pays
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has advised Nigerian youths to embrace hard work, discipline and dignity, saying these values open doors to success.
Speaking on Day Two of the 2025 National Diaspora Day Youth Empowerment Summit at the weekend in Abuja, Dabiri-Erewa shared her personal journey from journalism to national leadership.
She said: “As a journalist at NTA, I did my job well and was proud of it. That hard work got me nominated for a Harvard course, thanks to the then Rev. Father Kukah. Though the fee was $10,000, Arcor Group sponsored me. That changed my life.”
She added: “After Harvard, she left Newsline on NTA and entered into politics. With support from Senator Remi Tinubu and encouragement from now President Bola Tinubu, she contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives, serving for 12 years before becoming SSA on Diaspora and later NiDCOM boss.
“My hard work earned me respect. Wherever you are, work hard and carry yourself with dignity,” Dabiri-Erewa told the youth.
Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, on his part thanked the NIDCOM Boss for always involving the youth. “Commitment is the key to success,” he said, urging youth to stay focused and believe in their potential.
Speaking in the same vein, Hon. Bobby Digi-Olisa from New York, also advised youths to know themselves and take bold steps.
Similarly, Prof. Fene Osakwe advised youth to always make Nigeria proud wherever they find themselves.
On migration, Alex Oturu from National Commission For Refugees and Migration warned that overstaying visas or ignoring travel rules can make one an irregular migrant. He also cautioned youths on the risks of human trafficking.
Ms Pelumi Nubi, who drove from London to Lagos, encouraged youths to dream big despite challenges. “Start with what you have and trust yourself,” she said.
Miss Diaspora Nigeria-USA, Oyemen Ehikhamhen, also shared how the arts gave her purpose and confidence. “My crown is not just beauty — it’s a symbol of power and storytelling,” she said.
Twelve students were awarded laptops, with six overall science students sponsored by Arcor Group. Six desktops were also given to the schools, while others won laptops through a raffle draw.
The summit, which was part of the activities lined up for National Diaspora Day, continues to inspire youth to lead, innovate, and contribute to Nigeria’s growth, at home and abroad.
Dabiri-Erewa Advises Youth, Hard Work Pays
Police arrest man for attempted suicide in Ogun church premises
By: Zagazola Makama
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 29-year-old man, Victor Kalu, for attempted suicide at the premises of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) in Ibafo.
Zagazola Makama reports that the incident occurred late Friday night at about 10:45 p.m., when the suspect was caught trying to hang himself from an electric pole.
Police sources said that the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the church apprehended the suspect and handed him over to the police at about 10:10 a.m. on Saturday.
Kalu, a resident of Plot 7, Oluwa Sesan Street, Ejigbo Road, Ikotun, Lagos State, confessed during interrogation that he attempted to end his life due to mounting financial pressure from a loan he obtained from an online bank.
“He said the lender had threatened him to repay the loan, and with no hope of getting the money, he decided to hang himself on the electric pole at the church premises,” the police sources said.
Police detectives visited the scene, recorded statements from the complainant and the suspect, and took photographs for documentation.
The command said the suspect is in custody and the case is under investigation.
Police arrest man for attempted suicide in Ogun church premises
VP Shettima Arrives In Addis Ababa For UN Food Systems Summit
** Nigeria gifts Ethiopia 2,000 cashew seedlings
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has arrived in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, to represent Nigeria at the second United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit being held from July 27 to 29.
The Vice President’s aircraft touched the ground around 4:26 p.m. local time at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
On arrival, he was received by the Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Temesgen Tiruneh, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy, Ethiopia, Amb. Nasir Aminu, Dr. Suleiman Dauda, Finance Attaché, Wing Commander Gabriel Batubo, Deputy Defence Attaché (Air Force) to Ethiopia, the Deputy Head of Mission, Amb. Macy Ogbede, First Secretary, Mr. Jangado Ishaku, and other top officials of the embassy.
Immediately after his arrival, the Vice President met with members of the Nigerian delegation, including the Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy to Ethiopia, Amb. Nasir Aminu, and the Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture and Executive Secretary of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), Marion Moon, among others. During the meeting, he was briefed on Nigeria’s expected deliverables at the summit.
VP Shettima will join global leaders at the high-level event on advancing the transformation of the coffee value chain, roundtables and meetings aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s food security drive. #UNFSS2025
The summit will bring together global leaders to reflect on progress made since the inaugural 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and accelerate commitments towards building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems.
The Vice President will also participate in other events on the sidelines of the summit, designed to spotlight real-world examples of food systems transformation, promote knowledge exchange and partnership.
One of the events on the sidelines of the summit is a ministerial roundtable on public finance, trade, and responsible investment to accelerate the transition, field trips, and networking sessions.
At a recent briefing by the Task Force on the 2nd UN Food Systems Summit, VP Shettima had outlined three key objectives for Nigeria’s delegation: positioning Nigeria as a leader of thought on African food systems reform, leveraging international partnerships aligned with domestic priorities, and advancing a private sector-led model for continental food transformation.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has presented Ethiopia with 2,000 cashew seedlings and 100,000 cashew seeds.
The donation, sufficient to cultivate approximately 600 hectares of land, was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Efa Muleta Boru, as part of a shared commitment between both nations to sustainable agricultural development across Africa.
The exchange builds on Ethiopia’s earlier donation of 2,000 Haas avocado seedlings and 2,000 coffee seedlings to Nigeria in June 2025.
The initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agricultural transformation agenda and highlights Nigeria’s commitment to “Green Revolution Diplomacy” as a tool for strengthening diplomatic ties while addressing food security challenges.
VP Shettima Arrives In Addis Ababa For UN Food Systems Summit
Dabiri-Erewa Advises Youth, Hard Work Pays
Police arrest man for attempted suicide in Ogun church premises
VP Shettima Arrives In Addis Ababa For UN Food Systems Summit
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