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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
Troops Foil Armed Berom Militias Moving To Attack Fulani Communities in Mangu, Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have engaged armed Berom militias following reports of their movement from Barkin Ladi Local Government Area to carry out attacks in some fulani communities in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that troops of Sub-Sector 81, reinforced by additional personnel from Headquarters Sector 8, mobilised to the general area at about 7:00 a.m. on August 11, 2026, following an advance report on the movement of the armed group.
The militias were reportedly moving towards Gwomgada, Dorong and Kaduno communities in Langai District of Mangu LGA.
The troops subsequently made contact with the armed group at Makera and Kaduno communities, leading to a firefight.
The engagement forced the militias to withdraw towards the general area of Jos East Local Government Area.
The troops are currently pursuing the fleeing group to deny them freedom of action and prevent further attacks on communities.
In a reinforcement effort, a detachment of the Special Forces has also been dispatched from Headquarters, Operation Enduring Peace, to support the troops operating in the area.
Further details on the operation are expected as the military continues its efforts to contain the threat and secure affected communities.
Troops Foil Armed Berom Militias Moving To Attack Fulani Communities in Mangu, Plateau
Troops Repel Fulani Bandits Attack, Secure Farmlands in Mangu, Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have repelled an attack by suspected armed Fulani bandits during a response to reports of farmland destruction at Manja Forest in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:45 p.m. on August 11, 2026, following reports that armed herders suspected to be Fulani militias were destroying farmlands in the area.
The troops swiftly mobilised to the location and made contact with the armed group.
A firefight ensued, during which the troops employed superior firepower and forced the militias to withdraw in disarray.
The source said the troops expended 10 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm ammunition and 19 rounds of 12.7mm x 108mm ammunition during the engagement.
Following the encounter, the troops maintained dominance of the area to prevent the attackers from regrouping or launching further attacks against farmers and other residents.
The troops also engaged community leaders and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), urging them to sustain neighbourhood watch activities and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by Operation Enduring Peace to protect farming communities, prevent attacks and maintain security across vulnerable areas of Plateau State.
Troops Repel Fulani Bandits Attack, Secure Farmlands in Mangu, Plateau
NIDEC 2026: No Room for Jamboree Under Tinubu’s 4Ds Agenda — Enikanolaiye
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has said the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference (NIDEC), scheduled to hold in Toronto, Canada, is not a diplomatic jamboree but a strategic platform to attract investment, create jobs and increase foreign exchange inflows into Nigeria.
Enikanolaiye stated this in Abuja, while addressing journalists ahead of his departure with a Federal Government delegation to the four-day conference.
Responding to concerns that previous international engagements had yielded limited tangible results, the Minister said the Tinubu administration had no room for ceremonial or unproductive foreign trips.
“This administration does not travel for jamborees. We travel for results. Mr. President has mandated a high-powered delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, because NIDEC 2026 is a deal room for Nigeria’s growth,” he said.
According to the Minister, the conference aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s realigned 4Ds Foreign Policy Agenda — Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.
Enikanolaiye said NIDEC 2026 would provide an opportunity to deepen Nigeria-Canada economic relations, with senior Canadian officials, including Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali and ministers from Ontario, expected to participate.
He said discussions would focus on new trade agreements, SME partnerships and improved market access for Nigerian products in North America.
The Minister also highlighted the participation of key Nigerian economic agencies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).
He said the delegation would promote incentives for diaspora capital repatriation, export expansion and remittance-backed investment vehicles, with the aim of increasing foreign exchange inflows and creating jobs in Nigeria.
Enikanolaiye said the participation of five governors from Anambra, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau and Zamfara would strengthen sub-national investment partnerships.
The governors, he explained, would directly engage potential investors on projects spanning infrastructure, agriculture, technology and mining, thereby extending investment opportunities beyond Abuja.
The Minister said the participation of NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa would support Nigeria’s efforts to secure partnerships in digital innovation, fintech and information technology capacity building.
He said such partnerships would contribute to the Federal Government’s broader digital economy and skills development agenda.
On diaspora engagement, Enikanolaiye said NIDEC was designed to connect investment-ready Nigerian projects with high-net-worth Nigerians in the diaspora, while also addressing bottlenecks faced by Nigerians abroad who want to invest in the country.
He noted that Nigeria received more than $20 billion in diaspora remittances last year, stressing that the objective was to transform the goodwill represented by those remittances into equity, factories and businesses capable of employing Nigerians.
@NIDEC 2026 is economic diplomacy in action. Nigeria is open for business. And we are going to Toronto to close deals,” he said.
The four-day NIDEC 2026, themed “Invest Nigeria, Thrive Abroad,” is scheduled for August 12–15, 2026, in Toronto, Canada.
The conference is being organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa and the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the conference is intended to serve as a bridge connecting global capital with bankable investment opportunities in Nigeria.
NIDEC 2026: No Room for Jamboree Under Tinubu’s 4Ds Agenda — Enikanolaiye
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Troops Repel Fulani Bandits Attack, Secure Farmlands in Mangu, Plateau
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