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Global Warming: Expert Warns Against Food Wastage In Yuletide
A climate change expert, David Terungwa, has urged Nigerians to avoid food wastes during the Yuletide, as refuse generated from such can increase global warming and climate change.
Terungwa, Team Lead, Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) gave the warning while addressing newsmen on the impacts of climate change in the environment, in Abuja, Wednesday.
Terungwa, who is also the Africa Coordinator, Citizens Climate International, said food wastes ending up in landfills produced a larger amount of methane greenhouse gas than even carbon dioxide (CO2).
According to him, excess amount of greenhouse gases, such as methane, CO2 and chlorofluorocarbons absorbs infrared radiation and heat up the earth’s atmosphere, thus causing global warming and climate change.
He said food wastes represented a waste of fresh water and groundwater resources, with agriculture accounting for 70 per cent of the water used across the world.
Terungwa further stated that in addition to money being wasted, discarded food had negative impacts on the environment, as it contributed to global warming.
He added: “Consider the energy and natural resources expended in processing, transporting, storing and cooking of food.”
The expert said that packaging of many food products were excessive, adding that there was a growing awareness that such packaging was not environmental-friendly and could land-up in landfills.
“The rate of food wastes during festivities is very alarming. For instance, many of the food prepared during the yuletide will never be eaten.
“Many of us don’t give a thought to the quantity of food we waste daily, weekly, monthly and yearly, with increased tons of food wasted during festivities, including Christmas and New Year.
“Food waste in this context refers to food left over; too much food prepared and not used, all generally land in dumpsites.
“Food wastage is a bad attitude, particularly in a nation where we have children who spend days with empty stomach. Our leftovers could be someone’s first meal.
“For every food you waste and throw away, there is a stomach that is hungry and going to bed without food,’’ he said.
Terungwa quoted the United Nations as estimating that one in every three people in the world does not have access to sufficient food to lead a healthy life.
According to him, in Nigeria, it is no longer news that the prices of food have skyrocketed majorly due to high inflation, effects of climate change, COVID-19 pandemic and widespread insecurity.
“Even with the situation, 40 per cent of food produced in Nigeria goes to waste, mostly during the production-to-processing stage of the food supply chain,” he said.
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor