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Minister Lists Nigeria’s Key Environmental Challenges
The Minister of Environment, Mr John Odey, has identified water pollution, indoor and outdoor pollution, industrial pollution as some of the key environmental challenges facing Nigeria.
He spoke in Abuja at a two-day dialogue between federal and regulatory authorities on the “Implementation and Operationalisation of Environmental Regulations/Review of New Regulations”.
Odey listed other environmental challenges to include biodiversity loss, erosion, land degradation, desertification, sprawling urban solid wastes, open bush burning, noise pollution, climate change, and ozone depletion.
“Our disregard for environmental control measures, including laws and regulations, have aggravated the problems,” he said.
The minister, represented by Mr Bello Yayaha, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said the environment could be conceived as “a global life-support system or ecosystem within which living organisms interact with the physical element”.
He declared: “In its natural setting, the environment functions as a source of raw materials and energy, a provider of services and a sink for waste.
“Unfortunately, these functions are under threat arising from human activities and natural disasters.”
Odey said that environmental governance was very vital to achieving sustainable development.
He said that effective environmental governance presupposes putting in place relevant institutional arrangements and legal instruments to protect the environment.
“In the last two decades, environmental governance has been central to government’s efforts to implement a wide range of environmental programmes,” he added.
Odey said Section 20 of the 1999 Constitution had invested responsibilities of protecting the environment in the Federal Government.
He stressed the need for the 36 states and the FCT to assist the Federal Government in protecting the environment.
“We should, however, not allow this noble collaboration between the states and federal government to be tainted or marred with cases of misuse and abuse of authority,” he said.
Dr Ngeri Benebo, Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), said the dialogue was part of efforts to involve regulatory agencies at the state level in the operationalisation and implementation of 11 environmental regulations.
“The dialogue is also part of efforts to carry the state regulatory agencies along in the review process of 13 new draft regulations developed by NESREA,” she added.
She urged the participants to find the best way of ensuring effective implementation of national environmental regulations at the state and local government levels.
Benebo said the deliberations would cover issues relating to the application of the relevant tools, as well as the roles of officials at the federal, state and local government levels.
“This is absolutely necessary so that we can avoid duplication of efforts, waste of resources and unnecessary rivalry among agencies,” she added.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
