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NESREA Releases New Environmental Audit Guidelines
NESREA Releases New Environmental Audit Guidelines
By: Michael Mike
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has unveiled new guidelines on environmental audit in the country.
This was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja at a workshop-cum-report release programme organized by NESREA in partnership with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a global think tank based in New Delhi, India, having in attendance over 350 participants comprising NESREA accredited consultants and staff of the agency.
According to the Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor, an environmental audit is a series of activities undertaken with respect to the operations of a facility or an organisation to evaluate its environmental performance, noting that it is not a one-time step but an ongoing activity that aims to identify and correct environmental issues that arise during the operation of a project and improve operating and environmental conditions in industries.
He said the review of the guidelines was necessitated by observations that existing audit reports lacked essential technical data, hindering accurate assessments of industrial performance.
Barikor while officially unveiling the Environmental Audit Guidelines and manual, said: “The Agency has observed that audit reports received from consultants come in different formats, lack important information, and in some cases they do not reflect the actual status of the process of the operating facility. Also, these reports do not adequately cover the information included in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) developed during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The new guidelines are intended to streamline the processes associated with undertaking and review of the environmental audits”.
Barikor added: “This revised guideline is an outcome of the collaborative efforts between CSE and NESREA. I would like to extend my appreciation to CSE for the support they have provided to NESREA in the development of these guidelines, needed to standardize environmental audit reports in our country. Going forward the Agency will be verifying the parameters in the Audit Report submitted by consultants and will also take a decisive action against any consultant that engages in falsification, fabrication and plagiarism”
In preparing the guidelines, officials of NESREA and CSE reviewed the existing audit guidelines and the corresponding environmental audit reports from different sectors and concluded that the existing audit reports lacked technical data and information required for depicting the performance of the industries.
Speaking at the event, Ishita Garg of CSE said: “A thoroughly performed environmental audit allows industries to analyse the ambiguities in the implementation of management plans and take corrective measures. It also helps industries improve the process efficiency by optimizing the usage of resources, increasing production and thereby resulting in monetary benefits”.
She added that on the regulatory front, “a comprehensive audit report can be helpful as it will assist in assessing the compliance status of the industry and understand its environmental performance. Comparing data of two to three years can ascertain whether the performance of an industry is improving or declining.”
Garg said: “Most of the audit reports had enough of qualitative information but lacked in basic quantitative data like the production capacity, energy and water consumption, quantity of wastewater and solid waste generated. The reports also have only one-year data which makes it difficult to compare the performance of the industry with the previous years. In the absence of sufficient data, the whole audit process becomes ineffective,” she adds.
The Director, Inspection and Enforcement, NESREA, Mr. Isa Abdussalam, said: “The new guidelines are more robust, focusing on quantitative and technical data from the industries along with the information on mitigation measures taken in various sectors over the years. Apart from being of immense use for project proponents and assistance to experts in conducting audits, these guidelines would also be useful for the regulatory bodies to review the submitted audit reports.”
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is Nigeria’s foremost environmental protection and enforcement Agency. The agency has the mandate to enforce all environmental laws, guidelines, policies, standards regulations in Nigeria. NESREA also has the responsibility to set standards, to prohibit processes and the use of equipment or technology that harm/ undermine the environment, and to enforce compliance with provision of international agreements, protocols, conventions and treaties to which Nigeria is signatory.
NESREA Releases New Environmental Audit Guidelines
NIGERIAN ARMY BURIES LATE BRIG GEN EF ZAMANI (RTD) IN ZONKWA, KADUNA STATE
By: Musa Yahaya
The Nigerian Army has bid a final farewell to the late Brigadier General Elias Fadda Zamani (Retired) on 15 March 2025, in his hometown of Zonkwa, Kaduna State. Late Brigadier General Zamani who was a member of the 14th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy passed away in Abuja on 27 February 2025, after a brief illness.
Born on 21 July 1952, in Zonkwa, Kaduna State, Brigadier General Zamani’s illustrious military career began at the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he was commissioned into the Infantry Corps on 13 December 1975. He rose through the ranks, holding various command, staff, instructional, and extra-regimental appointments, before he voluntarily retired on 31 May 2006, after over three decades of distinguished service in the Nigerian Army.
At the funeral ceremony, Major General Mayirenso Lander David Saraso, representing the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede NAM, described Brigadier General Zamani as a highly trained and disciplined professional soldier. He highlighted the late general’s exceptional leadership traits, professionalism, and commitment to duty, earned or exhibited during his attendance of various military courses in Nigeria and abroad.
The COAS further eulogized the late senior officer, describing him as a silent worker, a brilliant, resourceful, and self-assured senior officer with impeccable integrity. He added that Brigadier General Zamani was a transformational leader and a true patriot, whose contributions to the Nigerian Army left lasting marks of excellence. His dedication to the welfare of his troops and the harmonious and cordial relationship with his colleagues were widely recognized, respected, and commended.
The solemn military ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including Her Excellency, Mrs. Agyin Agbu Kefas, wife of the Executive Governor of Taraba State, senior military officers, coursemates of the deceased senior officer, family members, and friends, all gathered to pay their last respect to a man who dedicated his life to serving the nation.
NIGERIAN ARMY BURIES LATE BRIG GEN EF ZAMANI (RTD) IN ZONKWA, KADUNA STATE
Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister in Nigeria to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
By: Michael Mike
Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs is in the country to explore avenues for deepening bilateral ties with Nigeria in the areas of healthcare, education, agriculture, science and technology, and cultural exchange.
A statement on Sunday by the Acting Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Kimiebi Ebienfa read that: “Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes His Excellency, Mr. Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, on his official visit to Nigeria. This visit underscores the strong and cordial bilateral relations between Nigeria and Cuba, which have been nurtured over many decades of mutual respect, solidarity, and cooperation.
“The sterling role played by both countries in the abolition of apartheid and in support of liberation movements as well as the actualization of independence for many African nations is the rallying point for the relations.”
According to the statement, the visiting Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar on Monday to explore avenues for deepening bilateral ties in areas such as healthcare, education, agriculture, science and technology, and cultural exchange. Both nations will also deliberate on enhancing collaboration within multilateral frameworks to address global challenges and promote sustainable development.
Part of the schedule lined up for the visiting Cuban Foreign Minister is the meeting with
Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima to deliver a special message from the Government of Cuba. He is also expected to engage in high-level discussions with the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Nigeria and Cuba are members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Group of 77 plus China. Both countries share similar positions on numerous global issues, particularly on the advancement of global peace and security, new international order and sustainable development.
The statement said the visit of the Cuban Foreign Minister is a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to reinvigorate Nigeria-Cuba relations and to foster greater South-South cooperation, noting that Nigeria remains committed to working closely with Cuba to advance shared interests and to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in our regions and beyond.
Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister in Nigeria to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
THE REMAINS OF LATE CAPTAIN KEZIAH GODIYA AYUBA LAID TO REST WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS
By: George Okupe
The Nigerian Army paid its final respects to the Late Captain Keziah Godiya Ayuba, who was laid to rest with full military honours on Friday 14 March 2025, in her hometown, Sambon Gida, Jaba Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
In a heartfelt tribute, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede mni NAM, represented by the Commander 1 Division Supply and Transport, Brigadier General Philip Ebuk, described her as a dedicated officer whose service was marked by professionalism, integrity and unwavering commitment to duty.
Born on 9 July 1987 in Shogunle, the Late Captain Ayuba hailed from Jaba Local Government Area, Kaduna State. She completed her education at Police Children School, Ikeja and Toamy Private College Egbe, before earning a Higher National Diploma in Public Administration from Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic. She was commissioned into the Nigerian Army on 3 July 2017 as a member of Direct Short Service Course 23.
Throughout her career, Late Capt Ayuba served in key roles, she was Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport and Staff Officer of Grade 3 Information and Publication at 81 Division Army Public Relations. She was also known for her leadership, discipline and dedication, earning the respect of her colleagues and superiors.
A highly trained officer, she completed several courses, namely the Young Officers’ Course (Public Relations), Media Operations Officers’ Course and Legal Aspects of Combatting Terrorism Course, excelling in all. She was widely admired for her intelligence, teamwork and mentorship, particularly among female soldiers. In recognition of her service, she was awarded the General Operations Medal. Until her passing, she remained a pillar of excellence in military public relations, known for her composure, eloquence and professionalism.
Describing her as a vibrant officer with exceptional capabilities, the COAS noted that she would be deeply missed by her family, the Nigerian Army and the Nation. As a final mark of respect, the military rendered a 21-gun salute and her Next of Kin was presented with the National Flag along with her military accoutrements.
THE REMAINS OF LATE CAPTAIN KEZIAH GODIYA AYUBA LAID TO REST WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS
NIGERIAN ARMY BURIES LATE BRIG GEN EF ZAMANI (RTD) IN ZONKWA, KADUNA STATE
Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister in Nigeria to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
THE REMAINS OF LATE CAPTAIN KEZIAH GODIYA AYUBA LAID TO REST WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS
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