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UN Calls for Urgent Action on Plastic Pollution in Nigeria
UN Calls for Urgent Action on Plastic Pollution in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
United Nations (UN) has called for urgent action against plastic pollution in Nigeria, insisting that “Nigeria’s plastic pollution has reached an alarming scale, with neither urban nor rural areas escaping this blight.”
Speaking at the 50th Environment Day celebration organised by the UN and Green Hub Africa, at the UN House in Abuja, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mathias Schmale decried that Nigeria uses over 1.5 million metric tons of plastic each year, one of the highest in Africa.
He equally lamented that much of this is single use such as plastic bags, bottles, and straws, noting that Lagos alone uses 10 million plastic bags a day.
He said: “Waste management remains a challenge across the country. A large portion of plastic waste ends up in open dumps, landfills, water bodies, drainage systems, and along coastal areas. In fact, a mere 10% of plastic is recycled according to the Federal Ministry of the Environment.
“We need to urgently address plastic pollution in Nigeria if we are to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs.”
He explained that this however is a problem that can be solved, adding that: “A new report by the UN Environment Programme shows that we can reduce plastic pollution by 80 per cent by 2040. But we must act now.
“We need collaborative efforts from all stakeholders – a whole-of-society approach – including Government, private sector, CSOs, and international partners to enhance policy implementation, promote a circular economy, and reduce plastic use.
“Innovative solutions and new technologies are required to tackle plastic pollution effectively in Nigeria. R&D is essential to develop sustainable approaches and alternatives to single-use plastic.
“Raising awareness among the general public of the impacts of plastic pollution is equally important. Education campaigns, clean-up drives, and recycling initiatives can move us as a society towards more responsible consumption and waste management.”
Schmale, who was represented by the UNDP Representative in Nigeria, Mohamed Yahya, promised that the UN will continue to work with its partners in Nigeria to tackle plastic pollution.
He said: “For instance, UNIDO has been supporting the Government in advancing its waste management policy. UNEP is involved in another project called ‘Circular and POPs-free Plastics in Africa’ which aims to reduce persistent organic pollutants from the plastics value chain.”
He said: “The UN commends the Government of Nigeria for playing an active role at the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee meetings for the development of this global plastic convention.
“We look forward to working closely with the new administration on this issue and others related to plastics. The UN stands ready to provide technical expertise, capacity building, and financial aid as we combat this pollution together.”
He said: “On this World Environment Day 2023, let us remember that each one of us has a role to play. We can all take action in our daily lives by making sustainable choices. As individuals and consumers, we can act now to reuse, recycle, reorient, and diversify away from plastics. Together, we can Beat Plastic Pollution.
“A greener Nigeria and a healthier planet are essential for a prosperous and peaceful future.”
On his part the Chief Executive Office/ Founder GreenHubAfrica, Mr, Henry Bassey, explained that: “We are a non-government organisation that promote environmental sustainability through education, edutainment, advocacy using media platforms and programmes. We redesign, repurpose and disseminate simple programmes for better comprehension an awareness of local environmental issues. The goal is to leave the earth better by provoking a mindset shift towards climate action for a healthier and sustainable Africa”.
The theme for this year’s World Environmental day is “Solution to plastic pollution”.
UN Calls for Urgent Action on Plastic Pollution in Nigeria
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and Police Command in Katsina State, have foiled an attempted attack by armed bandits in Malumfashi Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 7:35 p.m. following credible intelligence that armed bandits on motorcycles were heading towards Gora village.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and other security operatives, intercepted the bandits and engaged in a fierce gun duel.
The bandits fled in disarray under superior firepower. No casualty was recorded, and calm has since returned to the area,”said sources.
The sources added that aggressive patrols and clearance operations had been intensified to track down the fleeing criminals.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina
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“When nations come together, we can overcome the hardest challenges”- UN Resident Coordinator Insists
“When nations come together, we can overcome the hardest challenges”- UN Resident Coordinator Insists
By: Michael Mike
In advancing its advocacy and sensitisation of critical stakeholders on the ‘Pact for the future’, the United Nations in Nigeria in collaboration with partners, has convened a strategic dialogue on the United Nations at 80 and the Pact.
At the dialogue, convened in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), and the Office of Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), and held at the UN House in Abuja, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, reiterated the importance of international cooperation in solving the world’s most challenging issues.
He said: “Peace is fragile. Inequalities grow. Climate change accelerates. Technology advances faster than governance. Yet one truth remains constant: when nations come together, when people come together, we can overcome even the hardest challenges,” adding: “That is why the Pact for the Future matters.”
Fall further said that the Pact rested on five pillars: Sustainable development, Peace and security, Science and technology, Youth and future generations, and transforming global governance.
He noted that the pillars were not abstract ideas, as they represent the foundation of the world we want. A world of peace, dignity, equality, and sustainability.
“That is why the United Nations is working hand in hand with Nigeria on the Pact for the Future. We are aligning our cooperation with the five pillars of the pact and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as we know that the SDGs are lagging. We are leaving no one behind.” The UN Resident Coordinator added.
Former Head of State and Chairman National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalam Abubakar (Rtd) said in his video message: “Dialogue must now lead to tangible results. Our commitment must be credible, time-bound and deliverable. Anything less can lead to distrust and weaken our democracy.”
To the participants he charged, “Your responsibility is to commit to concrete steps that will align every peacebuilding effort towards real progress. Nigeria’s future will be secured only by our unity of purpose and the sincerity of follow-through.”
The Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Syndoph Endoni, expressed the Permanent Mission’s appreciation of the dialogue, stating that it was not merely an exchange of views, but a collective effort to advance the effective realization of the Pact for the Future and reinforce Nigeria’s peace building framework.
He disclosed that Nigeria was reviewing existing peacebuilding frameworks and initiatives by identifying key achievements, gaps, and opportunities for reform; prioritising critical areas of focus, including security sector reform, women’s participation in peace and security and youth engagement; and addressing cross-border terrorism, organized crime, and proliferation of small arms and light weapons, as well as climate-related security risks.
Speaking at the event, Director of the United Nations’s Team for Pact Implementation, Themba Kalua, underlined Nigeria’s leadership role in this new era of multilateralism. According to him, Nigeria was an active voice in negotiating the Pact, pushing for progress on poverty eradication, digital cooperation, Security Council reform and climate justice.
The Pact for the Future, he said, “strongly resonates with Africa’s Agenda 2063. Both envision a just, peaceful and prosperous continent, powered by inclusive development and regional solidarity. Aligning the Pact with African priorities and national strategies will be essential to translate words into real change. Nigeria’s experience and leadership at regional and global levels make it a vital partner in this endeavour.”
The Chairman of Savannah Centre and Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs Professor Ibrahim Gambari, referenced the New Agenda for Peace, a United Nations policy brief, launched in July 2023 by Secretary-General António Guterres, that outlines a vision for strengthening international cooperation to prevent conflict and build sustainable peace.
Gambari, who was also a former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, emphasised that the Agenda remained a living guide to everyone in promoting trust, solidarity, and universality through concrete actions like investing in prevention and peacebuilding, empowering women and youth, reducing strategic risks from new technologies and climate change, and adapting to new forms of violence.
“When nations come together, we can overcome the hardest challenges”- UN Resident Coordinator Insists
Bandits raid villages in Rafi LGA in Niger, rustle cattle
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have attacked three villages in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, rustling an unspecified number of cattle.,
Sources said that the attack, occurred on Aug. 29,
Zagazola gathered that, the assailants in large numbers invaded Ungwan-Buteri, Ungwan-Bagoma, and Ungwan-Landibo villages, carting away livestock from the homes of Alhaji Dankawo, Alhaji Chukuba, and Alhaji Juli, all of Ungwan-Buteri in Tegina District.
The sources said that security operatives and other security forces had since launched a manhunt for the bandits, with a view to recovering the stolen cattle and restoring normalcy in the area.
Bandits raid villages in Rafi LGA in Niger, rustle cattle
Bandits ambush C-Watch operatives in Katsina, kill 8, burn patrol vehicles
Troops barbecued scores of bandits in Kankara, Katsina
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