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FG to Establish Air Quality Monitoring Stations Across the Country

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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

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Troops Neutralise Two Bandits, Recover Weapon in Plateau

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Troops Neutralise Two Bandits, Recover Weapon in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 3 Division and Operation SAFE HAVEN have neutralised two suspected bandits and recovered a fabricated AK-47 rifle during a military operation in Plateau State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation took place on May 15 at about 10:00 p.m. in Nemaledu village, Gimbi District, Wase Local Government Area of the state.

The sources said the troops, acting on credible intelligence, laid an ambush at a known crossing point used by the bandits.

“During the operation, the troops made contact with the bandits and in the ensuing exchange of fire, neutralised two of them.

“One fabricated AK-47 rifle was recovered from the neutralised bandits,” said the source.

Troops Neutralise Two Bandits, Recover Weapon in Plateau

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NAF Obliterates Terrorist Enclave, Kill scores of ISWAP in Timbuktu Triangle

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NAF Obliterates Terrorist Enclave, Kill scores of ISWAP in Timbuktu Triangle

By: Zagazola Makama

The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has successfully conducted a precision air interdiction mission that neutralised scores of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and destroyed key logistics structures in the Timbuktu Triangle general area of Borno State.

Intelligence sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama that the airstrike took place on Thursday at approximately 1500 hours, targeting a known terrorist enclave in Chiraliya within the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious ISWAP stronghold.

“Acting on credible intelligence and real-time surveillance, our platforms conducted a deliberate and highly coordinated air interdiction at the Chiraliya terrorists’ hideout,”the sources said.

“We achieved direct hits on multiple targets, including makeshift shelters, logistics stores, and enemy movement corridors.” he said.

The source explained that the Battle damage assessment revealed the effective neutralisation of several terrorist fighters and the destruction of critical infrastructure supporting their operations.

Survivors are observed abandoning positions and blending into the forest, indicating heavy losses and a successful disruption of their operational momentum,” he noted.

“The ISR footage clearly showed secondary explosions, indicating the presence of arms and fuel depots, while fleeing terrorists were tracked and eliminated through follow-on engagements,” the sources added.

The operation, part of sustained offensive air campaigns under OPHK, was aimed at disrupting ISWAP’s capacity to regroup and launch attacks on troops and civilian communities in the region.

NAF Obliterates Terrorist Enclave, Kill scores of ISWAP in Timbuktu Triangle

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Another Pipeline Bursts

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Another Pipeline Bursts

…Trans Niger Pipeline eruption in B-Dere community in Ogoniland

By: Michael Mike

The Trans Niger Pipeline erupted and triggered streams of crude oil flowing through B-Dere community, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The incident happened on May 6th, 2025, and the cause of the explosion is said to be equipment failure.

Recalled that a similar explosion occurred in the Bodo community on the 17th of March 2025, which caused a massive fire that spread through the mangroves. 

These spils show very clearly the massive risks the communities will be exposed to if the desire of the federal government to resume oil extraction in Ogoniland happens. Many of the B-Dere community people have been internally displaced while those already impacted by the spill are living in fear over the health and safety.

On a visit by  HOMEF team along with other CSOs a visit to the spill site, we met distressed indigenes of the community who expressed the high level of pain and a sense of exposure and abandonment.

The woman leader of the community, Chief Mrs Augustina Biebie, stated that the level of restlessness in the community has only worsened. “The spill brought crude oil into houses of many of our people. The thick smell of crude oil has affected our health. Breathing has become a problem, and it has become difficult to even feed because some of us cannot light fires in our kitchens.” 

Pastor Kpobari Bani, whose house  was affected, stated that “Since this incident started, I have not been able to cook for fear of explosion. My mother has been displaced and has moved to a neighbour’s house for fear of the explosion. Shell said it has sold to Renaissance Oil, who now owns the pipeline. So we call on them to come and stop the spill. We also call on the government and other relevant authorities to come to our aid and bring remedy to the land.” 

The Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Dr. Nnimmo Bassey expressed disappointment over the level of neglect to communities. 

“We are in a disaster zone and further disasters can erupt from even an accidental a spark of fire. The slow response of government and oil companies underscores the lack of care for the people and the environment. This level of laxity is absolutely unconscionable. The fact that this spill that happened a week ago is yet to be  stopped sends a very strong point to why government should focus on cleaning up Ogoniland and not seek to open new oil wells. The old wells should be shut down, and decommissioned. Our communities must not continue to be sacrificed on the altar of petrodollars.” 

Bassey further calls on all relevant authorities to move into action to curtail the spread of the flowing crude. 

“The government cannot be silent at a time as this.  This is a time when all agencies should be here to stop halting the shit down the pipeline, stop the pollution  and carry out urgent clean up and remediation. We call on NOSDRA, NESRA, MENA and HYPREP to move into swift action to stem the unfolding ecological and human crises.” 

Also, Celestine Akpobari, an environmental activist, stated that “This is one of the reasons why we have rejected the idea of restarting oil exploitation in Ogoni. The exploitation has not started, but the situation is becoming more volatile with spills of this nature. This is supposed to be a remediation site, but as you can see it is an ecological crime scene. We are afraid that if this is not properly contained, the damage will be far worse than what we see.” 

HOMEF calls for a swift action to plug the leakage, remediate the land and carry out a thorough health audit on the exposed people of the community. Government must show that they care for the people and the environment. Aged oil facilities should be decommissioned and retired, and all alleged divestments should be nullified to ensure that those who have made our communities literal land mines do not walk away from accountability.

Another Pipeline Bursts

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