Environment
Future Of The Earth, On Groups Raise Concern Over
The fast depletion of the ozone layer, rising sea level, incessant flooding and the soot were some of the issues that dominated the headline as the world marks the 2022 World Environment day
Here in Rivers State Port Harcourt City and environs stood still as some groups rolled out drums to celebrate the event.
This year’s world environment day with the theme, “only One Earth” is being hosted by Sweden.
The first world environment day was held in 1974 and incidentally “only one Earth” was also the theme for the celebration.
Some of the groups which rolled out their drums to mark the day include, the Nigerian Environmental Society(NES),Rivers state the Rivers Network of NGos, Centre for Environment, Human Right and Development, while the ministry of environment was reportedly arranging activities to mark the day.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have called for policies to save the Earth from extinction.
A cross section of stakeholders who spoke in an interview, described the theme of the day as apt inview of human activities that are threatening the Earth.
According to them,urgent attention are needed to curtail activities that are threatening the environment.
They cited the case of gas emission that is contributing to ozone layer depletion,the soot problem in Port Harcourt and other parts of the Niger Delta and rising sea level threatening communities in the Niger Delta and the indiscriminate dumping of wastes into the environment.and gutters, causing flooding.
They decried the high rate of bush burning ,deforestation and other in inimical activities against the environment.
Speaking at the celebration,coordinator of Rivers Network of NGOs (Rinngos)DrMina Ogbanga, said the celebration represents a global platform for inspiring positive change.
Ogbanga said with over 150 countries,participating in the event,The UN international day engaged governments, businesses,civil societies,schools,celebrities,cities and communities,raising awareness and celebrating environmental action.
She said the occasion provided an opportunity for individuals to be drivers of change through business action.
According to her, “in this global celebration, Rivers state civil societies are not left out as with support from the European Union, Agent for citizen driven transformation and the British Council ,Rinngos is implementing the climate Action for Sustainability and Environmental protection.
“This comes as a direct response to addressing climate change impact”..
Ogbanga listed the goals to include combating climate change and its impact,strengthening resilience, climate literacy and advocacy among children and youth in Rivers State.
She said the project will increase support for the participation of CSOs,CBOs and youth to accelerate action to tackle the most pressing environmental problems such as pollution,inadequate knowledge and skills in environmental protection.
State coordinator of Rivers Volunteer Sanitation Marshals, Prince Sodin Akiagba, said human activities can destroy the Earth if it is not checked.
Akiagba said in the light of the celebration,various governments across the country should take practical steps to check pollution in their areas.
He listed some of these activities as kpofire,bush burning incesssnt cutting down of trees and blocking of drainages.
Akiagba further called for programmes to encourage waste recycling as it would create jobs for thousands of people.
On his part, Zonal Director of the National Emergency Management Agency, Godwin Tepikor said people should desist from dumping refuse into the gutters.
He also warned against building on water right of ways of water.
A Port Harcourt based journalist Olalekan Ige, said the celebration should serve to reflect on man’s activities threatening the Earth.
Ige also called on people to stop littering the environment to avoid diseases.
By: John Bibor
The Federal Government has signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to remove tariffs on selected products.
Rep. Sam Onuigbo a member of the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.
Onuigbo said that the agreement signed in Abu Dhabi from Jan. 11 to 15, marked a major breakthrough for Nigeria-UAE economic relations.
NAN reports that Onuigbo, a member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency, served as Chairman, Committee of Climate Change during the 8th Assembly.
“Under the CEPA signed in January 2026, UAE will eliminate tariffs on 7,315 Nigerian products. This includes immediate duty-free access for 2,805 products (38.3 per cent).
” The rest will phase out over three to five years, covering agricultural and industrial goods.
“Similarly, under the Nigeria/UAE CEPA also signed in January 2026, Nigeria has eliminated tariffs on 6,243 products imported from UAE. That agreement creates these wonderful opportunities between Nigerians and the Emirates,” he said.
Onuigbo said that the agreement was massive as it would facilitate an environment for business owners in Nigeria.
He said the pact would enable verified Nigerian business owners to establish offices in UAE, operate for up to three months and return home with expanded commercial networks.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for the agreement, saying it aimed at repositioning the country while also creating an enabling environment for employment opportunities.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness for business, noting that the country also unveiled its carbon market framework policy to attract climate-focused investments
”Nigeria is a nation of nearly 250 million people and has had, over the years, the challenge of enough energy or power to be able to attain its economic and industrialisation targets.
“And because of that, Nigeria has been engaging in different activities, for instance, the Energy Transition Plan, enactment of the Climate Change Act, and the Electricity Act which the President signed barely eight days after he assumed office in 2023.
“This shows the importance of addressing the energy gap having enough energy. Electricity is a fundamental point to developing industrially which Nigeria deems necessary,” he said.
Onuigbo lauded Nigeria’s participation at the Abu Dhabi summit saying that the summit would strengthen global economic opportunity for people.
He added that the President’s collaboration would address the challenges and devastating effects of climate change as well as boost economic growth in 2026
Environment
Over Six Million Benue Residents Exposed To Neglected Tropical Diseases – State Government
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this during a press conference to mark the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, organised in collaboration with Sightsavers and themed “Unite, Act, Eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).”
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Beatrice Tsavmbu, the commissioner announced the successful elimination of blinding trachoma in Gwer East, Gwer West and Ukum Local Government Areas, attributing the feat to years of targeted interventions, strong community participation and sustained implementation of the state’s NTDs Control and Elimination Programme.
“I am proud to announce the elimination of blinding trachoma in three of our most affected areas—Gwer East, Gwer West and Ukum. No longer will these communities face the blindness that trachoma has long inflicted,” she said.
However, Dr. Tsavmbu noted that Benue State remains highly endemic for several NTDs, with all 23 local government areas experiencing overlapping disease burdens. She listed the diseases to include onchocerciasis (river blindness), lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), schistosomiasis (bilharziasis), soil-transmitted helminth infections (intestinal worms), leprosy, buruli ulcer and snakebite envenoming.
“These conditions collectively put over six million people in Benue State at risk,” she stated.
She revealed that the state had treated an average of more than five million people over the past five years through preventive chemotherapy, morbidity management and disability prevention, supported by Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives and integrated vector control.
Dr. Tsavmbu also announced a major breakthrough in the fight against river blindness, noting that onchocerciasis endemicity in the state had been reclassified from ongoing transmission to suspected interruption of transmission.
On lymphatic filariasis, she disclosed that 1,064 hydrocele cases had been successfully managed through free surgeries, while 442 lymphoedema patients received free management kits to prevent disease progression. She added that 44 trachoma trichiasis cases were also treated through free surgical interventions.
According to her, Ukum, Logo and Konshisha LGAs have passed Transmission Assessment Survey 1 for lymphatic filariasis, allowing for the cessation of mass drug administration in those areas. In addition, seven other LGAs—Ado, Apa, Kwande, Obi, Ohimini, Oju and Tarka—successfully passed epidemiological monitoring surveys in 2025.
She attributed the progress recorded to strong inter-sectoral collaboration involving agencies such as the Benue Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA), the State Universal Basic Education Board, the Ministry of Education, civil society organisations and security agencies. She also cited the inauguration of the State NTDs Advisory Committee and improvements in supply chain and logistics management systems.
In a related remark, Prof. Edward Omudu of the Department of Biological Sciences, Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, revealed that the National Universities Commission had recently approved Nigerian universities to offer degree programmes in Water, Sanitation and Health, describing the move as a critical step toward strengthening disease prevention and public health capacity in the country.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
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