News

ERA/FoEN Pushes For Zero Waste Environment

Published

3 years ago

May 29, 2022

Editor

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) says it is committed to attaining a zero waste environment in Nigeria Edo State in particular.

This was the resolution reached at the organization’s Zero Waste Ambassadors Parliament held in Benin over the weekend.

The parliamentarians who were later paired into three groups with a mandate of proffering a way forward in achieving a clean and zero waste environment in Edo State came up with different recommendations.

In his welcome address, Executive Director, ERA/FoEN, Chima Williams, Esq., said in ERA they believe that no individual can single handedly achieve a zero waste environment, hence the setting up of the Zero Waste Ambassador, which according to him had been on for almost a year now.

While declaring that the activities and engagements by the programme have been yielding positive results since its inception, Chima said: “For us at ERA/FoEN, we believe that nobody can do it alone. The problems are so much enormous. Neither you nor me, neither the government can individually solve our problems. So, this is the time for a collective action; this is the time for a collective engagement; this is the time for a collective projection and collective work, because this is the only way we can solve our problems.”

Tobi Yusuf, in her contribution and recommendation on behalf of other group members, on the sub topic ‘Keeping Liters of our Streets: Our Collective Responsibility,’ attributed indiscriminate dumping of refuse to ignorance, saying that many people do not know that dumping of refuse on the roadside is creating problem to the environment.

She therefore called for periodic enlightenment of members of the pubic on the dangers associated with dumping of refuse on the roadside and what it could cause to the environment.

She also called for the use of alternative such as clothing bags which according to her could serve for months.

While advocating for sorting and segregation of waste, Yusuf said there was need for waste managers to be up and doing in the timely picking up of waste from different locations rather than keeping them for days.

On her part, Hannah Akpan, from group two of the parliament said waste managers need to be trained for effectiveness and efficiency, adding that another challenge of refuse collection is unavailability of waste managers after packaging such waste for days.

Dr. Ekene Biose of group three who said Nigeria needs a system that works, added that in a society that works, waste are properly sorted and disposed without much delay.

Earlier, Mr. Ubrei- Joe Mariere, of ERA/FoEN said the Waste Parliament was introduced by ERA as a way of bringing the government, community, everybody into a common room and chat.

“There is an issue with our environmental policies, there are issues with our Waste Management Policies that is why we are having the Waste Management crisis that we are having in our society today.

“To tackle this, we came up with Zero Waste Ambassadors, they have become our own exit strategy, they in turn were able to come up with Brand Auditing, which is something that even the state government have never done,” he said.

News

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

9 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

9 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

9 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.