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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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Jos DisCo offers Gombe Staff free medical care, drugs

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Jos DisCo offers Gombe Staff free medical care, drugs

The management of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) has conducted a free medical examinations as well as distributed free drugs to its staff in Gombe State Office, as part of its health advocacy to improve wellbeing of its employees and boost productivity.

As part of JEDC’s health initiative, a fitness walk was also organised on Saturday for all employees in Gombe State.

A fitness coach, Jauro Dauda, who led the walk urged officials of JED to prioritise regular exercise as part of efforts to maintain good health and boost productivity.

The exercise began at the company’s state headquarters, from where officials trekked to Pantami Stadium.

At the stadium, staff members participated in various physical exercises before returning to the office premises for medical examinations.

Speaking to participants, Dauda emphasised the need for a healthy lifestyle through eating nutritious foods and regular exercise.

“For you to function well, you need to keep your body fit. So I advise each and every one of you to create time at home. You can take your wife on a walk.

“The content of what we eat today can cause a lot of health issues like hypertension and diabetes. Knowing your health status is very important; knowing it is good to living long,” he said.

Also speaking, the Gombe State Operating Officer of JEDC, Rilwan Shehu, expressed satisfaction with the turnout and encouraged staff to sustain the culture of exercise beyond organised events.
“We are happy that we can exercise not only in the stadium; you can exercise at home,” Shehu said.

He added that the company operates an inclusive system that promotes unity among staff.

“We in JEDC operate an open-door policy; there is no junior or senior cadre. We do things together and we win together,” he said.

Jos DisCo offers Gombe Staff free medical care, drugs

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Customs officer killed in gun attack after cannabis seizure in Ogun

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Customs officer killed in gun attack after cannabis seizure in Ogun

By: Zagazola Makama

A senior officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), ASC Akinyode Mustapha, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen following the interception of a vehicle loaded with cannabis in Imeko area of Ogun State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that a team of officers from the NCS Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, led by DSC Ogundana Oluwademi, had on Feb. 2, at about 11:40 p.m., intercepted a Sienna bus loaded with suspected cannabis at Oke-Agbede via Imeko.

The driver of the vehicle, however, escaped on foot.

“While the team was returning to Lagos with the seized exhibit vehicle, they came under gunfire by unknown assailants at the Immigration checkpoint, Idofa, Imeko,” the sources said.

The sources added that a bullet struck ASC Akinyode Mustapha, aged 50, during the attack.

He was immediately rushed to the General Hospital, Ilaro, where he was later confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty.

Upon receipt of the report on Feb. 4 at about 3:30 p.m., security forces stormed the scene. No expended ammunition or cartridge was recovered at the location, and photographs of the scene were taken.

The team leader reportedly released the corpse to the deceased’s family for burial, while the seized exhibit vehicle had earlier been taken to the NCS base in Lagos.

The sources said preliminary investigation was ongoing to verify the claims and unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Further developments will be communicated, the command said.

Customs officer killed in gun attack after cannabis seizure in Ogun

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VP Shettima Leads FG Delegation To Condole With Victims Of Kwara Attack

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VP Shettima Leads FG Delegation To Condole With Victims Of Kwara Attack

***Assures all hands are on deck to restore peace, tranquility to Kaiama

***Says President Tinubu has directed NEMA to mobilise resources to support distressed communities

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has reaffirmed the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that peace and tranquillity are restored in Nuku and Woro villages in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State in the aftermath of Tuesday’s attacks on the communities by terrorists.

He assured the people of the communities that while the President had ordered the deployment of a battalion of the Nigerian Army to Kaiama, all hands were already on deck to rid the affected communities and the entire state of insecurity.

Senator Shettima gave the assurance on Saturday when he led a Federal Government delegation to commiserate with the people of Kaiama Local Government and the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, over the deadly terrorist attack that claimed several lives.

The Vice President disclosed that President Tinubu has instructed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to mobilise all resources, in partnership with the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency, to provide succour and support to the distress communities.

“Your Excellency, we are here at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commiserates with you and the good people of Kaiama and Kwara State, by extension, over the tragedy that befell our communities of Woro and Nuku on the evening of Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

“That tragic killings had shocked Nigerians because the victims were peaceful members of the communities that were dedicated to building peaceful livelihood, while they practice their religion in the peaceful and harmonious manner that the injunctions of Islam has instructed,” he said

VP Shettima extended what he described as the heartfelt condolences of President Tinubu and the Federal Government to the government and those who lost their loved ones in the gory attacks, noting that all hands were already on deck to restore peace in the community.

“Please, accept our heartfelt condolences, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A battalion of the Nigerian Army had been deployed to Kaiama and all hands are on deck to ensure that peace and tranquility is restored to those communities,” he assured.

The VP did not disclose the measures being taken to restore peace in the area, observing however that “security issues are sensitive issues and we do not have to divulge most of the actions that are being taken by our security establishment.

“But I’m here fundamentally to commiserates with the government and people of Kwara and the people of Kaiama, in particular, over the tragic loss of lives and to reassure the good people of the state of harmony. Our prayers are with you, our empathy is with you,” the Vice President added.

Earlier, Chairman of the North East Governors Forum, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, extended the condolences and sympathy of the North East Governors to the people and government of Kwara State over the tragedy.

He said, “As Muslims, we believe in destiny and it is our sincere hope that, by God’s grace, this act will not happen again. Our prayers are with you and it is our sincere prayer that Almighty Allah will forgive those that have lost their lives and grant them Aljannah firdaus,” Governor Zulum prayed.

Responding, the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRazaq, applauded the swift response of the Federal Government to the incident, saying “as confirmed by the Local Government Chairman, troops are already on ground and the Operation Savannah Shield is in motion.

“As you can see, we were welcomed at the airport by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Second Division of the Nigerian Army. A DIG is on ground. We truly appreciate the response of the Federal Government, and representatives of NEMA have been on ground since the incident happened.”

The Governor called for continued prayers for better a situation and better security in Nigeria, just as he said, “One is short of words and what to say but we will continue to support our President, the Vice President and our leadership for God to guide them in the affairs of this nation.”

Also, the Chairman of Kaiama local government area, Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar Danladi, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for the immediate deployment of a military battalion in the area, and thanked the Governor of Kwara state for his leadership.

On his part, the Emir of Kaiama, HRH Alhaji Mu’azu Shehu Omar, also applauded President Tinubu for the prompt action taken after the massacre that in Kaiama.

“We really appreciate the effort of President Tinubu. Since the incident happened on Tuesday, he has shown concerned toward us. The security personnel and other relevant agencies are adequately deployed to arrest the situation,” the traditional ruler said.

Other dignitaries present during the visit include the Director-General of NEMA), Zubaida Umar; Sen. Ali Mohammed Ndume; Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd (NDPHC), Eng. Jennifer Adighije; former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, and members of Kwara State House of Assembly, among others.

VP Shettima Leads FG Delegation To Condole With Victims Of Kwara Attack

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