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FG Says there is Urgent Need for Massive Investment in Sanitation for Economic Growth
FG Says there is Urgent Need for Massive Investment in Sanitation for Economic Growth
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has said the nation needs urgent and massive investment and innovation along the entire sanitation to improve public health and the economy.
Speaking at the commemoration of World Toilet Day in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal
while lamenting that about 48 million Nigerians openly defecate, said: “We need urgent and massive investment and innovation along the entire sanitation service chain. Investment in the sanitation sector is good for public health and the economy. For instance, every one Naira invested in toilets and sanitation, up to five Naira is returned in saved medical costs, better health, increased productivity, education and jobs.”
He noted that: “The Federal Government of Nigeria has demonstrated practical commitment to addressing the sanitation challenges through the following actions:
i) Declaration of State of Emergency on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in the Country by Mr. President and the signing of Executive Order no 009 on Open Defecation Free Nigeria by 2025.
ii) Revision and validation of the 2005 National Environmental Sanitation Policy including its policy guidelines on safe excreta and sewage disposal by my ministry and national stakeholders. I will soon present the revised Policy to the Federal Executive Council for its approval.
iii) Community-based intervention on the control of open defecation as well as the clean and green programmes of the Federal Ministry of Environment which are aimed among others at promoting the provision of safe and adequate toilets across the country, particularly in public places and ensuring proper excreta management in Nigeria.”
He said as part of the activities for the commemoration of this year’s event, the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Education carried out advocacy, sensitization and sanitary inspection of Federal Government Unity schools in FCT, adding that findings from the sanitary inspection of Federal Government Unity schools in FCT revealed the following:
“Some of the toilets in the hostels in some of the schools visited were locked because they are not in good condition;
Poor or inadequate water supply in some of the schools which affects the use and access to toilets by the students who obviously practice open defecation as there are evidence of presence of excreta in the surrounding environment; Defective septic tanks which can serve as breeding place for pests and vectors of public health importance such as mosquitoes, rats, snakes etc.”
He called on Unity schools across the country which may likely have similar sanitation challenges to take note and improve on their sanitation situation.
He solicited for the support of Development Partners, NGOs CSOs, the Organized Private Sector, Community Leaders and indeed everyone to promote good sanitation and hygiene practices for overall environmental health protection.
He reminded all stakeholders that the countdown to 2030 has begun and “we must accelerate progress to ensure everyone has access to toilets by 2030, hence, I call on the organized private sector and commercial entities to support the government by contributing their quota to the establishment of functional toilet facilities across the country for general public use.”
On his part, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev said Nigeria is committed to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of which target 6.2 for Sanitation seeks to “
He noted that: “Our commitment is motivated by the realisation that it would contribute significantly to the achievement of our national developmental goals.”
He said: “With only seven years to go, progress on achieving the global SDG Sanitation target of safely managed services is off track and Nigeria is regrettably among those countries lagging behind manifested in high disparities in access across wealth quintiles and locations. Globally, an estimated two-thirds of people who lack basic access to sanitation services live in rural areas, with nearly half of them in Sub-Saharan Africa, while over 90% of the world’s population practising open defecation inhabit these areas. It is estimated that it will require five times the current rate of progress to meet the 2030 target date globally. In Nigeria, only over half of the population have access to basic sanitation services with about a quarter engaged in open defecation. The country will therefore need to quintuple its current rate of implementation and triple its investment in order to stay on course towards meeting our obligations under the SDG targets for sanitation.”
FG Says there is Urgent Need for Massive Investment in Sanitation for Economic Growth
NESREA Moves to Integrate Informal Waste Workers into EPR Framework Through Cooperative Model
By: Michael Mike
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has unveiled plans to formally integrate informal waste workers into Nigeria’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework through a Cooperative-Led Model aimed at expanding inclusion, improving environmental compliance and strengthening the circular economy.
Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Professor Innocent Barikor, disclosed this on Wednesday during a virtual stakeholder sensitization programme on the Cooperative-Led Extended Producer Responsibility Model as a formalization strategy for the informal sector.
Barikor said the initiative is designed to bridge long-standing gaps in the EPR ecosystem by bringing informal waste collectors, sorters and recyclers into recognized cooperative structures that provide access to governance systems, financing, digital inclusion, social protection and environmental compliance support.
According to him, the cooperative-led framework would create opportunities for informal operators to gain legal identity and transition gradually into formal economic participants through digital onboarding platforms, traceability systems and a proposed Cooperative Passport framework.
“The Cooperative-Led EPR Model presents an opportunity to organize waste actors into recognized cooperatives, provide them with legal identity, digital inclusion, financial access and social protection, while simultaneously strengthening national EPR implementation and environmental data systems,” he said.
Barikor described the initiative as both a social and economic transformation strategy capable of improving livelihoods while boosting environmental sustainability and data-driven waste management practices.
Chief Steward of the Nigeria Environmental Stewardship Cooperative Society, Dr. Peter Ayim, who presented the framework, said the model offers Nigeria a scalable pathway toward building an inclusive circular economy.
Ayim noted that the cooperative system would help tackle major structural challenges confronting informal waste workers, including lack of formal recognition, poor access to financing, occupational hazards, health and safety concerns, and social exclusion.
He cited countries such as Brazil, Colombia, India and South Africa, as well as member states of the European Union, as examples where cooperative-led systems have successfully integrated informal waste actors into structured EPR programmes.
“Global experience confirms that cooperative-led systems are the most effective pathway for integrating informal waste actors into structured EPR frameworks, delivering both environmental sustainability and inclusive economic growth,” he stated.
Stakeholders at the virtual meeting included the Recyclers Association of Nigeria, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, E-Waste Producers Responsibility Organization of Nigeria and Rural Women Energy Security, among others.
NESREA Moves to Integrate Informal Waste Workers into EPR Framework Through Cooperative Model
Angwa-Rukuba Killings: Court orders suspects to remain in DSS’ custody*Okays speedy trial
A Plateau State High Court on Friday ordered that four suspects standing trial for their alleged involvement in the March 2026 killings in the Angwa Rukuba community of Jos North Local Government Area, remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The court also agreed to a request by the prosecution to speed up the trial. The matter was adjourned to May 26 to consider the report on the case management conference, and 1st and 2nd July for hearing.
The suspects, identified as Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (also known as Auwalu Dogo), Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (also known as Yaroro), and others, are facing charges of terrorism and criminal conspiracy.
The charges were filed by the State Attorney General, Philemon Daffi, under the Plateau State Penal Code Law, 2017.
On Friday, Mustapha Shabbat (SAN), who announced his appearance for the defendants, objected to their continued detention in the facility of the DSS.
In a short ruling, however, the trial judge held it it remained the discretion of the court to determine where to keep suspects under trial.
“Considering the facts and circumstances of this case, this honorable court has jurisdiction to remand the defendant in the custody of DSS or correctional centr provided the place of custody is safe.
“The defendants are hereby remanded in the custody of the DSS. They must however be allowed to have access to his counsels while in detention pending the prompt conclusion of investigation,” ruled the judge.
Court: Case management has already been taken place in accordance with the provisions of the law. The case is hereby adjourned to 26th May for report of the court on case management and further adjourned to 1st and 2nd July, 2026 for hearing.
The particulars of offence read, in part “That you, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim of Riyom Local Government Area, Auwalu Abubakar (A.K.A Auwalu Dogo) of Jos North Local Government Area, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (A.K.A Yaroro) of Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State; and one Ado Ibrahim (Now at Large) of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, on the 28th day of March, 2025 at Farin Gada, Jos North Local Government Area, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit offences relating to terrorism when you planned, organized, facilitated, aided, and contributed money to carry out the attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court; you thereby committed the above offence.
“That you, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim of Riyom Local Government Area, Auwalu Abubakar (A.K.A Auwalu Dogo) of Jos North Local Government Area, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (A.K.A Yaroro) of Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State; and one Ado Ibrahim (Now at Large) of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, on the 28th day of March, 2025 at Farin Gada, Jos North Local Government Area, did commit the offence of terrorism when you planned, organized, facilitated, aided, contributed and received money to carry out an attack in Angwan Rukuba, which led to the death of over thirty (30) people in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”
Part of the particulars of Alhassan’s offence read, “That you Adamu Isah Alhassan together with one Ibrahim Musa (Now at Large), Imarana Sa’idu (Now at Large), Yusuf Sa’idu (Now at Large) Aliyu Usaini (Now at Large), Yahuza Adamu (Now at Large), Mubarak Yunusa (Now at Large), Yakubu, whose surname is unknown (Now at Large) and others also at large between the months of January to December, 2025 and in January, 2026 at Gwang, Rin Ward, Bachit and Bangai Villages of Riyom Local Government Area and Vom in Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an illegal act to wit: Culpable Homicide Punishable with Death, when you armed yourselves with guns, attacked and killed the residents of Gwang, Rin Ward, Bachit and Bangai Villages of Riyom Local Government Area and Vom in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, and you thereby committed the above offence.”
Angwa-Rukuba Killings: Court orders suspects to remain in DSS’ custody*Okays speedy trial
Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Security at MNJTF Meeting in Chad
By: Zagazola Makama
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation and collective security efforts aimed at combating terrorism, insurgency and transnational crimes across the Lake Chad Basin.
Gen. Christopher Musa, Minister of Defense stated this during the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) meeting held on Tuesday in N’Djamena, Republic of Chad.
Musa, who attended the meeting alongside the joined defence ministers and senior military chiefs from Chad, Cameroon and Benin to review ongoing military operations and strengthen collaborative strategies for regional peace and stability.
According to the CDS, terrorism and insurgency within the Lake Chad region can only be effectively addressed through sustained regional cooperation, intelligence sharing and operational synergy among member states.
“Terrorism, insurgency and transnational threats can only be confronted through regional cooperation, intelligence fusion, synergy and sustained commitment among states,” he said.
He noted that the meeting provided an opportunity for participating countries to assess the progress of ongoing joint military operations under the MNJTF framework and identify areas requiring stronger collaboration.
Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to continue supporting collective security initiatives aimed at restoring lasting peace and stability across the region.
“Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to collective security and the restoration of lasting peace across the Lake Chad Basin,” he said.
The CDS further stressed the importance of coordinated border security operations, intelligence-driven missions and enhanced military cooperation among member countries in addressing evolving security threats within the region.
The MNJTF, established by countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, coordinates multinational military operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other transnational criminal networks operating around the Lake Chad region.
Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Security at MNJTF Meeting in Chad
Troops recover 34 cattle after alleged farm destruction in Plateau community
NESREA Moves to Integrate Informal Waste Workers into EPR Framework Through Cooperative Model
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