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‘Value Of Wealth In Waste Enough To Lift Economy’

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3 years ago

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The Director General, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr Olawale Fasanya, has said the value of wealth that lies in waste management is enough to contribute more than 35 per cent to the Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking on Monday, during events marking the 2023 World Home Economics Day at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Fasanya said this can be achieved with the right approach.
He said, “a holistic life cycle approach to waste management in the country would create opportunities for environmental sustainability, employment, income and wealth creation along the entire waste value chain.
“Nigeria generates over 32 million tonnes of waste annually. Converting such wastes will contribute to the use of technology and economic activities needed in this period of emphasis on green and blue economy”.
He encouraged Universities to key into the waste to wealth service for revenue generation to the school and as an effective way of economic engagement of students.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, while declaring open the event, lauded the Department of Home Economics, Hospitality and Tourism, and the Directorate of Entrepreneurship, for the synergy.
He also commended them for the reduction of waste through the conversion of waste to wealth, and for “progress, growth development and value through the regeneration”.
He expressed dismay that the petroleum industry housing the economy should ordinarily add value to the system, “not just dig out crude oil, sell it to the international market, generate revenue and then share the revenue accruing from the oil among the three tiers of Government without adding any value to it.
“The country cannot grow that way!”
In his remarks, the Dean, Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, Professor Isaac Ogundu, said the event serves to highlight the many ways through which “waste can be turned into useful products and services that can generate adequate funds”.
He expressed appreciation to the Acting Vice Chancellor for the love shown to the Faculty, adding that the array of art work and other produce displayed are eloquent testimonies of the support enjoyed by the Faculty.
In her speech, the Head of the Department of Home Economics, Hospitality and Tourism, Dr Anne Ifeoma Asouzu, said the theme of the celebration, “Waste literacy”, is relevant for a time like this “when families need knowledge for effective resource management within the home in order to avoid waste resource management in the areas of time, money, energy, food, water, heat, light, space and even fresh air, which are all precious materials for the goal of improving lives”.
She stressed the need for these materials to be saved and conserved.
The Director of Entrepreneurship Centre, Dr Patience Spencer, in a presentation on business ideas from waste products, enumerated the gains and benefits gathered by students that the Directorate trained in collaboration with the Department of Home Economics.
She noted that all the items displayed at the event are the handiwork of students trained on how to use waste in producing useful items for domestic consumption.
The event featured unveiling of the Department’s second annual magazine, cutting of cake, fashion parade and cultural display.
The International Federation for Home Economics was founded in 1908 as a non-governmental organization to serve as a platform for international exchange within the field of Home Economics.
The theme for the 2023 celebration “Waste Literacy” highlights the need to come up with better ideas to minimize waste generation and preserve natural resources.
Home Economics Day is celebrated every March 21 but was put on hold by the Department till Monday due to the 2023 general elections.

By: Sogbeba Dokubo

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Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.
Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.
She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.
“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.
Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).
Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.
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Youth Body Condemns Killing Of Member … Demands Immediate Suspension Of Bike Operation

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta,  Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.
The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.
According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.
The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.
It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.
The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.
It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.
Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.
It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.
While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.
The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.
As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.
By: King Onunwor
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NDDC, REA Seal Pact On Sustainable Electricity Expansion In N’Delta

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.
The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.
Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”
According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.
The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.
“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.
He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.
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