Environment

NGO Mobilises Women To Drive Climate Change Mitigation, Response

Published

4 years ago

March 21, 2022

The Women Initiative for Sustainable Environment (WISE), an NGO, has mobilised women to drive climate change adaptation, mitigation and response in Kaduna State.
WISE Founder and Programme Director, Mrs Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, made the disclosure in Kaduna at an event organised to commemorate the 2022 International Women’s Day (IWD).
The event was organised by WISE in collaboration with grassroots women groups and Lush Hair Nigeria, to celebrate the contribution of women and girls in building a safe environment for a sustainable future.
Olugboji-Daramola said that the call was for the women to contribute their quota in addressing environmental challenges in line with the theme of 2022 IWD – “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”.
She said that WISE had developed several programmes that had continued to position women at the frontline of addressing environmental challenges.
She identified some of the programmes as WISE Women Clean Cookstove Entrepreneurship Programme, Sustainable Fuelwood Management to stem the tide of deforestation, and Climate Smart Agriculture for small-land-holder women farmers, among others.
According to her, the programmes have equipped women with the right knowledge and skills to contribute to a safe and just environment for all.
“Women, girls, persons with disabilities are worst affected by climate change and as such, are in a better position to drive the change they want to see.
“WISE will continue to be an advocate of women becoming authors of their own change and women rising up to make themselves informed enough to be called to the discussion-making table.
“We also want to see women creating their own safe spaces, where they can make decisions, take action and bring progress to society,” she said.
She called on men to see women as equal partners in progress and stressed the need for women’s empowerment and involvement in the decision and development process to make society better.
She said: “Our call for gender equality is not a call to fight or contest with men, but a call for partnership.
“It is a call saying, ‘I am a woman with something to offer; just give me space to make my own contribution.”
Also speaking, Mrs Hauwa Yahaya, Special Assistant to the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, also called on women to develop their talents, be credible and support one another.

Environment

Lagos State Government Refuted Resumed Monthly Sanitation

Published

3 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Lagos State Government on Saturday refuted an online media report claiming that the state had resumed the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said no categorical statement had been made regarding the commencement date of the exercise.

Wahab explained that what he told newsmen after a project inspection tour last Sunday was that engagements with relevant stakeholders were still ongoing.

He said the state government had planned to begin with a sensitisation programme last week, but was constrained by logistics issues.

“The truth is, we were meant to start with a sensitisation programme last week, but we had a logistics issue. We need to find a day that is acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the exercise might return very soon, adding that the official date would be communicated by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The commissioner urged law-abiding residents to continue their lawful activities without hindrance, assuring them that adequate notice would be given before the exercise was reintroduced.

The monthly environmental sanitation, previously held on the last Saturday of every month between 7.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m., was suspended in November 2016 following a legal pronouncement restricting movement during the exercise.

However, renewed waste management challenges, including clogged drainage channels and indiscriminate refuse disposal, have sparked calls from residents for its reinstatement.

Environment

RIWAMA In Collaboration With Obio Akpo And Port Harcourt LGA Ban Dumping Of Refuse On Road Side

Published

3 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) in Collaboration with Obio Akpor Local Government Council and Port Harcourt City LGA had advised the public not to dump refuse on the road side.

In a statement signed by the Director of RIWAMA Dr Ibimina Wokoma, Mayor of Port Harcourt Sir Hon Allwell Ihunda and Obio Kpor local government Chairman Hon Dr, Gift Worlu made available to Tide news stated that dumping of refuse on road medians is banned in Obio Akpor LGA, Port Harcourt City LGA, and the entire metropolis.

The statement said all waste is to be properly bagged and taken to the nearest RIWAMA-approved receptacle only between the hours of 6pm and 10pm daily.

“The use of cart pushers for waste collection, evacuation, and disposal is highly prohibited across Obio Akpor LGA and Port Harcourt City Local Government. Corporate organizations are requested to engage only Private Service Providers licensed by RIWAMA, in line with extant laws.

“Scattering of refuse bags at the receptacles or roadside by scavengers, individuals, and organizations engaged in illegal sorting or segregation of waste or recycling business is hereby banned, except as authorized or licenced by RIWAMA at the final dumpsites.

“The Thursday sanitation exercise by shop owners will continue alongside business activities without closing or locking up shops.

The statement also said that , shop owners whose shop environment or surroundings are untidy will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

This notice applies to all residents, businesses, and organizations in Rivers State. Let’s work together to restore our “Garden City” status.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Environment

Ministry Of Environment To Validate A Landmark Policy To Advance Nigeria’s Economy

Published

3 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Ministry of Environment last Thursday convened key stakeholders in Abuja to validate a landmark policy brief aimed at tackling marine litter to advance Nigeria’s transition to a circular economy.

Mrs Falmata Bukar-Kolo, the Deputy Director, Solid Waste Management and Technology Division in the ministry, warned that plastic pollution poses serious risks to aquatic ecosystems and public health.

She stated that microplastics have already entered the food chain through fish consumption, while clogged waterways, soil contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions from burning plastics are worsening the environmental crisis.

Bukar-Kolo said that plastics, though widely used, are non-biodegradable and persist in the environment for years.

She called for improved waste management systems, stronger enforcement of environmental regulations, and behavioural change amongst citizens and businesses.

Mr Clem Ugorji, Regional Coordinator of PROTEGO, emphasised on the urgency of action, saying Nigeria’s marine litter crisis carries environmental, economic, and reputational costs.

He expressed optimism that the 2025 to 2040 roadmap endorsed at the workshop would shift the country from prolonged dialogue to concrete implementation.

The event was organised in collaboration with PROTEGO (Prevention of Marine Litter in the Gulf of Guinea).

Discussions centred on a draft policy input paper titled “Policies, Institutional Set-up and Financing of Marine Litter Prevention in Nigeria,”.

These seeks to present insightful analysis and a set of recommendations to address the structural and financing gaps that have long hindered effective waste management, particularly plastic leakage from inland communities and waterways into the Atlantic Ocean.

The PROTEGO initiative is supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection and led by adelphi, with implementation in Nigeria by WASTE Africa and the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC).

The policy brief is a key delivery for one of the programme’s four impact areas – building capacities of public stakeholders.