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FG to Establish Air Quality Monitoring Stations Across the Country
FG to Establish Air Quality Monitoring Stations Across the Country
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to establish air quality monitoring stations across the country to generate reliable database for sound policy making aimed at ensuring clean air.
It said will also will ensure viable environmental management by deploying mobile App that would give realtime Air Quality Index for every major city in Nigeria.
Speaking at the weekend during the commemoration of this year’s International Day of Clean Air for Blues Skies, with the theme “Invest in Clean Air Now Join the National Campaign #BreatheEasyNigeria”
held in Abuja, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako stated also noted that the agenda for the day is to reduce all forms of air pollutants to 50% globally by 2030.
The minister stated that: “If we fail to take action and reverse the current high level of air pollution in our country and in the world, the repercussions for public health, our economy, the environment and our survival is far reaching.”
He noted that: “According to United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), air pollution is estimated to cost the global economy 8.1 trillion USD per year equivalent to 6.1% of the global GDP due to increased healthcare cost.”
He disclosed that the Ministry of Environment is actively engaging stakeholders in the development of the National Policy on Air Quality Management as well as a Youth-led National Clean Air Programme which will work with celebrities and high network individuals as Clean Air Ambassadors.
He disclosed that The National Clean Air Campaign #BreatheEasyNigeria is expected to be launched soon
Salako while noting that the day is aimed at raising awareness at all levels on the importance of clean air for human and environmental health, productivity and economic growth, said: “Globally, there is a growing concern about air pollution and the threat poor air poses to our existence with air pollution now regarded as the world’s single largest environmental health risk. It is estimated that 99% of the world’s population is breathing polluted air with dire consequences for everything we hold dear.”
He said the challenges of air quality management are common to every part of the country with activities of humans being the main driver.
Salako said In order to address the challenges, we need everybody well informed and on board taking actions to improve our air quality. We count on you our ally in the media to inform Nigerians, create awareness and take the message home that our lungs deserves clean air. In the words of a popular evolutionary biologist and environmentalist, Guy McPherson; “you can’t count your money, while holding your breath”
He revealed that Nigerian government is working to establish a national framework to guide States that are setting up vehicular and generator Emissions Testing Centres in line with minimum standards developed by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
He said: “We have commenced a pilot scheme for Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Industrial Emission Monitoring Scheme (I.E.M.S) as a vital initiative designed to enhance the capacity to manage and mitigate industrial pollution across the country effectively. In the coming days, we plan to commence a national roll out of the QA/QC IEMS.”
He however noted: “Nigeria, as a country is faced with significant air pollution challenges and was ranked the 3rd most polluted country in Africa by the 2021 world air quality report. In 2023, the average PM2.5 concentration in Nigeria was 4.8 times of the World Health Organisation annual air quality guideline value.
“Like most parts of the world, vehicular emission is the greatest contributor to air pollution, with the situation complicated in our country by the many old, second hand , third hand, infact several hand automobiles plying our roads. Other sources include industrial activities, illegal refining, gas flaring, burning of refuse, household cooking and power generation.”
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr Ibrahim Kambari, represented by the Director Human Resource Management in the Ministry, Mrs Mariya Rufai, said there is need for more awareness to created in the society especially for the elderly, women and children who are more vulnerable to air pollution.
He said that air pollution is hazardous to the society because it brings alot of problems to the human beings and well-being of the society at large.
He noted that the meeting is to help deliberate and find a lasting solution to the environmental challenges bedeviling the country.
He said: As you are aware clean Air is very important all over the world because it’s a great enablers for good health, healthy environment, enhance productivity and a vibrant economy.”
“I think we should embark on a more and a wider sensitisation or enlightenment campaigns towards educating our people on the dangers and the effect of consequences of air pollution in our society, all these chemicals pollution, soil and water contamination we have in our society are the causes of all these air pollution and as long we don’t take measures to prevent these issues occuring in our society will never have it funny i think this forum is a good one to help us deliberate on this solutions to our air pollution that is bedeviling our society at large.”
Registrar, Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, ECHON, Dr Yakubu Mohammed Baba said all agency and department under the Ministry must work together to address these challenges, while also recognizes the vital importance of clean air to human health and the environment.
He said: “Today’s event is also very apt because it will help our community, stimulate our economy and increase the public health and well-being of our future generation, let us all work together across all sectors to support the initiatives so that the issue of our Air remains clean and also equitable one.”
The international Day of Clean Air for Blues Skies, is a day set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to “strengthen international cooperation in improving air quality and reducing air pollution” since 2020.
FG to Establish Air Quality Monitoring Stations Across the Country
War on Terror: NHRC Insists Protection of Civilians Must Be Top Priority
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission has issued a strongly worded response to the recent surge in terrorist violence across Nigeria, warning that the country risks deepening insecurity if the protection of civilians is not made the central pillar of national security strategy.
In a statement released by its Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, the Commission conveyed condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces and to governments and citizens of states hardest hit by the attacks, including Borno State, Niger State, Benue State, Kaduna State, Kwara State, Sokoto State, and Plateau State.
The Commission said it is “deeply concerned” about the increasing frequency, coordination, and geographic spread of attacks, noting that both military formations and civilian targets—including markets, places of worship, and public institutions—have come under sustained assault. Particular concern was raised over coordinated attacks on military bases in the North-East, especially in Borno, and suicide bombings in civilian areas such as Maiduguri.
Ojukwu described the pattern of violence as a “grave and systematic assault” on fundamental rights, including the right to life, dignity, and personal security, as enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution and international obligations like the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He stressed that deliberate attacks on civilians and security personnel by non-state armed groups constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Beyond condemnation, the NHRC raised alarm over what it described as an evolving and more dangerous phase of insecurity—marked by coordinated military assaults, mass village raids, suicide bombings, and a widening spread from the North-East into the North-West and North-Central regions.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of the military, the Commission argued that Nigeria must confront a critical gap in its security architecture. “The protection of civilians cannot remain incidental to security operations—it must be their central objective,” Ojukwu said.
To address this, the Commission called for the urgent development and implementation of a comprehensive national policy focused on civilian protection. It said such a framework must place human rights at the core of all security responses, prioritise the prevention of harm in vulnerable communities, enforce accountability for violations by both state and non-state actors, and provide effective support systems for victims and survivors.
The proposed policy, according to the NHRC, should also ensure strict adherence by security forces to the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution in military operations, while strengthening early warning systems and community engagement in high-risk areas.
Ojukwu emphasized that civilians must not be treated as “collateral damage” but as rights-holders whose protection and dignity are non-negotiable. He added that a human rights-based approach to national security is not a sign of weakness but a legal and strategic necessity.
“Global evidence shows that sustainable peace can only be achieved where the state consistently protects the rights of its people,” he noted.
The Commission reaffirmed its solidarity with affected communities and security forces, pledging continued collaboration with the Federal Government, state authorities, and civil society to ensure that Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts reinforce, rather than erode, democratic and human rights principles.
War on Terror: NHRC Insists Protection of Civilians Must Be Top Priority
Troops recover pistol, arrest two suspects in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation OPEP have arrested two suspects in possession of a pistol during a stop-and-search operation in Kuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on April 11 while troops of Sector 6 OPEP were conducting routine checks in the area.
According to the sources, the suspects were intercepted with one pistol loaded with four rounds of 9mm ammunition, two mobile phones, a jackknife and the sum of N1,700.
The sources added that the suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation to determine the source of the weapon and possible links to criminal networks.
Troops recover pistol, arrest two suspects in Plateau
Troops recover three kidnapped victims in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of CSI Battalion have recovered three kidnapped victims during a patrol operation in Garin Bagobiri, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 11:30 a.m. on April 12 as troops exploited the general area following an air strike on suspected terrorist hideouts on April 10.
According to the sources, the victims were recovered during the patrol and subsequently profiled by the troops.
They added that the rescued persons were handed over to an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Futuk for further care and documentation.
The sources noted that ongoing operations in the area are aimed at consolidating gains from recent offensives and denying terrorists freedom of movement.
Troops recover three kidnapped victims in Bauchi
War on Terror: NHRC Insists Protection of Civilians Must Be Top Priority
Troops recover pistol, arrest two suspects in Plateau
Troops recover three kidnapped victims in Bauchi
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