Environment

Agency Harps On Menstrual Hygiene …Tasks Stakeholders On Stigma, Taboos

Published

9 years ago

July 31, 2017

WaterAid Nigeria last Thursday called on all stakeholders to make pragmatic effort to break the stigma and taboos relating to menstruation in the Nigerian society.
Ms. Blessing Sani, WaterAid Communication and Advocacy Assistant, said this at a meeting of the Task Group on Sanitation in Abuja.
According to her, menstrual hygiene management in the country concerns issues pertaining to human rights infringement, social inclusion, education, health and livelihoods.
Sani, quoting a Joint Monitoring Programme Report, said that no fewer than 40 school days were often lost by girls due to absenteeism because of the lack of appropriate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene WASH facilities in schools.
She said that, menstrual hygiene management was a human rights issue, underscoring the need to peovide water, soap and other W ASH facilities for women and girls.
She said that, there were certain cultural beliefs and myths about menstruation in the society often portrayed women and girls as inferior to men and boys respectively.
According to her, the development reinforces gender inequality and often constitutes discrimination which has negative impact on the fulfilment of the umversal human rights of women and girls to dignity, health and education.
Sani said that WaterAid Nigeria recently carried out a study on Menstrual Hygiene Manageme Benue, Bauchi, and Plateau States.
She said that the goal of the study was to explore and evaluate existing MHM practices and the contact that might impact positively or negatively on the implementation of a MHM programme in the country.
She said that the study revealed deeply rooted attitudes and myths about menstruation, including an erroneous belief that a menstruating woman or girl was cursed and possessed by evil spirits – the harbingers of bad luck.
“Such beliefs result in restriction being placed on girls and women during their menstrual cycle, including their exclusion from attending religious services and even holding their infants.
“In some communities in West Africa, women and girls are not allowed to use water sources andn latrines during menstruation – the very facilities they need the most during this time”, she added.
Sani stressed that everyone must move away from the paradox of placing value on menstruation as a sign of fertility, celebratingn the birth of new life and, at the same time, excluding women and girls during their menstruation.

Environment

LWC, Julius Berger seek stronger coordination on Lagos infrastructure

Published

3 months ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has commenced discussions with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to strengthen coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.

This is contained in a statement issued by the corporation.

The corporation said the engagement followed a courtesy and familiarisation visit led by its Managing Director, Mr Mukhtaar Tijani, to Julius Berger’s Ijora office.

It said the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional relations and creating opportunities for deeper collaboration between both organisations.

The corporation stressed the importance of cordial relationships with neighbouring organisations and strategic stakeholders to promote future collaboration.

The meeting focused on road construction, water pipeline protection, water infrastructure development and sustainable water supply across Lagos Island and its environs.

Both organisations highlighted the need for early communication and technical coordination to prevent conflicts between road projects and existing water infrastructure.

Julius Berger Regional Commercial Manager, Region West, Mr Alexander Bauer, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable engineering solutions rather than short-term fixes.

Bauer stressed the importance of early stakeholder engagement and proper coordination before construction activities begin.

The meeting also examined access to project drawings and technical information required to improve coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.

Julius Berger explained that releasing detailed project drawings remained subject to approval from the appropriate client.

Both organisations therefore agreed on the need to engage the Lagos State Government to secure necessary approvals and strengthen technical collaboration.

The discussions also focused on accurate pipeline information and its importance in planning future water infrastructure and urban development projects.

The LWC delegation raised concerns about uncoordinated borehole drilling and its potential effects on groundwater resources and the ecosystem.

Participants noted that stronger public water supply systems could reduce dependence on individual boreholes and help protect underground water resources.

Construction & Maintenance

They also agreed on the importance of sharing information on construction activities, road conditions, project schedules and potential disruptions.

Security and community considerations were also discussed, with Julius Berger highlighting its engagement with relevant authorities on security infrastructure within the area.

The meeting ended with a shared commitment to open communication, stronger technical coordination and exploring further opportunities for collaboration.

The engagement is expected to strengthen synergies between water and road infrastructure planning and support resilient and sustainable infrastructure development across Lagos.

Environment

IYD: Climate experts advocate investment in African youth

Published

3 months ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

Some Climate Experts across Africa have called for investment in African youth to enhance future security.

They made the call on Wednesday during a webinar organised by Planet, People and Peace Foundation (PPPF), a non-governmental organisation, to observe 2026 International Youth Day (IYD).

According to them, there is a need to invest, listen and create opportunities for young African people.

The Tide source reports that the 2026 theme of the IYD is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations’’.

Miss Bisi Kumuyi, the Secretary, Climate Beyond Border Caravan (CBBC), Nigeria, who canvassed for investment in youth, said the future of Africa would be determined by the opportunities the continent created for its young people today.

The CBBC, an initiative of PPPF, is a pan-African, youth-led campaign promoting climate action, cross-border cooperation and green economic transformation across the continent.

‘‘As Africa joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Youth Day on Aug. 12, 2026, we celebrate the energy, creativity, resilience and determination of young Africans who continue to shape the continent’s present and future.

‘‘This year’s theme reminds us that young people across Africa live in different social, economic and cultural circumstances.

‘‘They share common aspirations: access to quality education, decent employment, innovation, peace, inclusion, environmental sustainability and opportunities to fulfil their potential,’’ she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Nouran Farouk, an Egyptian Climate Activist, called for urgent investment in Africa’s youth.

According to her, Africa is the world’s youngest continent, and its youthful population represented one of its greatest assets.

Environment

PWDs: CCD Unveils Report On Climate Change Impacts, Urges Implementation

Published

3 months ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has unveiled a research report on impacts of climate change on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), calling for its implementation in the country.

The Acting Director CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, made the call at the public presentation of the report titled: “Disability-Inclusive Greenhouse Gas Emission and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Nigeria” on Wednesday in Lagos.

The event brought together government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, persons with disabilities and other key stakeholder to foster dialogue, collaboration and stronger commitment to disability-inclusive climate change adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria.

Unumeri urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and policy commitment toward building climate resilience and ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response.

He noted that valuable insights and recommendations from stakeholders at a validation workshop in February had been incorporated into the report.

According to him, effective implementation of the recommendations requires sustained collaboration, strong policy commitment, adequate resource mobilisation and coordinated action across sectors.

“By working together, we can translate these findings into practical interventions that strengthen climate resilience and ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response,” he said.

In her remarks, the General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, urged the stakeholders to ensure that the report would be translated into practical interventions to enhance full inclusion of PWDs particularly in climate change policies.