Nation
Styrofoam Not Good For Environment, Human Health-Environmentalists
Environmental experts have appealed to states and Federal Governments to ban the use of styrofoam containers in Nigeria, saying it causes havoc to the environment and human health.
They made the appeal in separate interviews with The Tide’s source, weekend, in Lagos.
Styrofoam is a kind of expanded polystyrene used especially for making food containers.
They urged the three tiers of governments to ban the usage of styrofoam containers in the country because chemicals can leach into them and contaminate food, affecting human health and reproductive systems.
An environmentalist, Mr Alexgreat Akhigbe, the founder of African Cleanup Initiative, said styrofoam is causing huge havoc to human health and pollution to the environment.
Akhigbe said the major problem of styrofoam is that no one had been able to pick up the used ones for recycling to other items.
He added that styrofoam had not been getting any attention from people because it does not really have a recycle value.
“I think for now, some cement companies have been able to collect this kind of waste together and others that are not recyclable so they can use for production.
“Apart from these companies, we don’t have any recycler that will take the waste, that is why we have them littered all around,” he said.
“The country does not have policies on the ground to check this menace.
“For instance, if I were to be in government, I will have a conversation with those people producing this styrofoam, tell them to have a plan of recovering the waste product from the street.
“They cannot come and dump waste into the society with the aim of making money.
“So, they should have a plan of sustainability when it comes to recovering this waste from the society,” he said, pleading with the governments to check the menace.
Another environmentalist, Mr Emmanuel Emechete, told the source that the styrofoam containers used by food vendors had little or no recycle value.
“If it can be banned, it will be more helpful because it ends up causing havoc to the environment. It gets littered in the gutters thereby causing blockage.
“Yes, we know it is very cheap and due to the economic situation in the country, people prefer to use it but apart from causing environmental hazards, it also has health implications on humans.
“Chemically, they are harmful because it contains chemicals that are not good for the body.
“For instance, when you put a hot soup in a styrofoam, you will discover that some part of the styrofoam is already melting into your soup because it is very light.
“All these chemicals affect the lungs and kidneys,” he said.
He called on the government to ensure the circulation of the stytofoam is minimal to avoid more environmental and health hazard.
Some users of the styrofoam told the source that it was in circulation because of high demand and cost implication.
A food seller, Mrs Kudirat Olawunmu, who spoke with the source, said people prefer to buy thier food in the styrofoam because it is cheap.
“If I get the other plastic plates, people won’t buy it because it is expensive,” she said.
Another food vendor, Miss Kadijat Ibrahim, said she does not use any other take away pack than the styrofoam.
“Although I know this styrofoam is always littered everywhere even in the gutters too after use but there is nothing we can do about it,” she said.
Another food vendor, Mr Shola Asumo, when asked why he preferred to use the styrofoam than any other take away plate, he said he used them due to popular demand.
“When I ask my customers which takeaway plate they want, most of them prefer to go with the styrofoam because it’s cheaper.
“I also have the other takeaway plates but it is only few people that request for them,” he said.
Another food vendor, Micheal Onyebuchi, while speaking with NAN, said that the stytofoam is easy to handle, light and cheap, adding that he can not use any other take away pack.
The Niger Delta Diocese Anglican Youth Fellowship Nigeria(AYFN) has launched a N2.5 million youth empowerment scheme that will cover the 19 archdeaconries of the diocese.
Dieocesan President of AYFN, Festus Kalio made the plans public during the 2024 Annual Diocesan Bible Study Conference held at St Alban’s Anglican Church , Obuama, Kalabari West Archdeaconry recently.
Kalio explained that the scheme will cover scholarships, skills and other activities that will improve the wellbeing of youths in the diocese.
The AYFN president appealed to well meaning members of the church to support the project geared towards redirecting young people to fruitful ventures.
Calling on the Governor of Rivers State, Sir. Siminialayi Fubara to make youth employment a priority, Kalio observed that, “the rate of unemployment of youths is quite alarming…The agricultural and digital sectors should be well utilised.”
He, however, lauded the governor for promotion and implementing N3O,000 minimum wage for local government workers, and the promotion of civil servants after eight years.
On the theme of the Bible conference, “ Stand Firm and Take Action,” Kalio urged christian youths to be steadfast in their faith just like Christ and others stood to defend their convictions.
Meanwhile, the AYFN has honoured over seven personalities for their support to the group over the years.
This include a staff in the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Ms. Tamunoitemem Barango,Head of Editorial Computer Unit.
Barango, who was also Mother of the Day at the 2024 Youth Bible Conference, according to the president has been a strong pillar of support to youth programmes and activities in the diocese.
Kevin Nengia
The Rotary International District 9141 Governor, Chinedu Ikegwuani, has called on members and Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Central to give their full support to the new President of the club, Ifunanya Bertrand.
According to him, the new president needs their support to succeed and move the club to a higher level.
Ikwugwuani stated this recently in his remark shortly after the installation of Rtn Ifunanya Bertrand as the 38th President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Central in Port Harcourt.
He said as prime movers, they are ready for the task ahead and to ensure development to the club, adding that Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Central is agenda friendly.
He congratulated the past president and also congratulated the new president while commending the former President, Joy Madukanya for increasing the club’s membership with four new members and returning four old members to the club.
“ I congratulate Joy and I want the directors and board members of the club to give their full support to Ifunanya for her to succeed.
“ She needs all the suppport for her to succeed.
“She has set goals for the club so we need to support her because Rotary needs all hands to make sure the club progresses”, Ikwegwuanu said.
In her acceptance speech, the newly inducted President, Mrs Betrand expressed happiness over the mantle given to her to run the affairs of the club 2024 to 2025 year, adding that the year is full of promise and potential.
She said that during her tenure she will achieve great things in rendering services to humanity, adding that with the theme, of this year, Magic of Rotary, that she counts on every member of the club to support and achieve the club’s set goals.
She pointed out that all the projects she is going to develop and implement will also be in line with district emphasis for the year which is food, clothing and medicals, and also on the Rotary International areas of focus.
“ I am very happy to serve this great club and the society at large.
“One of the great things to achieve is service to humanity.
“Let us give our time in bringing succour to the society and you will experience the ‘Magic of Rotary” she stated.
Bertrand said her focus will be on community development, feeding of the less privileged and providing them with clothes and also to organise free medical outreach, basic education and literature development as well as to provide school desks for children in schools with dire need.
Highlights of the event include awards presentations, induction of new members and new board of directors of the club.
Kiadum Edookor
The Senate has passed a bill to ensure the tenure of Inspector-General of Police runs till the end of the tenure as stipulated in the letter of appointment.
The bill is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Police Act and for Other Related Matters.” got an accelerated passage following a mild debate on the general principles of the executive bill sponsored by the Senate Majority Leader , Senator Bamidele Opeyemi. The bill was read for the first time on same day .
Presenting the bill , the Majority Leader said the bill sought to enable a person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment.
“The bill aims to revolutionise police operation by enhancing accountability, modernising policing method and fostering a more harmonious relationship between the police and the community”, he said .
Contributing to the debate, ,former President of the Senate , Senator Ahmad Lawan ( Yobe North ) urged his colleagues to exercise caution on the amendment to avoid creating IGPs who may abuse the office relying on the provisions of the Act if signed into law . He also advised that the bill be stepped down for further consultations.
Sen. Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) in his contribution said, “What this Senate is being invited to endorse is that by this appointment if passed, the person will stay in office for 10 years.
“This Senate should rather think of a holistic review of the Police Act aimed at strengthening the institution and insulating it from political pressures.
“We should elevate the office of the Inspector-General to a level of Justices of the Supreme Court.”
However , Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, said that there was no ambiguity in the intendment of the bill.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, thereafter called for a voice vote. The bill was read a third time and was passed.
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