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Unsung heroes: One woman’s goal to clean up Nigeria’s beaches, empower women and youth

Michael Simire
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Unsung heroes: One woman’s goal to clean up Nigeria’s beaches, empower women and youth

Doyinsola Ogunye founded multiple organisations in Lagos – including the Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC) and the Recycling Scheme for Women and Youth Empowerment (Reswaye) – in an attempt to tackle the waste problem while also engaging and empowering women and youth.

“I spend most of my free time on the beach,” Ogunye said. “I was opportune to have parents who allowed me to go out and put my legs in the sand and get injured or just play and just be kids. But right now, a lot of children don’t even go out.”

Ogunye’s work with children not only helps rein in the problem of plastic pollution on beaches, but also connects them to the nature around them.

Doyinsola Ogunye
Doyinsola Ogunye, the founder of multiple environmental awareness organisations in Lagos, Nigeria

“We need to expose children to nature because they are a part of nature,” Ogunye said.

Ogunye’s work with MEDIC is just one way of fostering that connection to the environment. 

Children who are enrolled with the initiative help pick up plastic from the local beaches and learn invaluable information on how to lessen their impact on the environment. They learn how to recycle and upcycle waste, how to plant trees and about aquatic biodiversity.

Doyinsola Ogunye
Doyinsola Ogunye teaches children about the importance of clearing waste from local beaches in Nigeria

In addition to her work with the young, Ogunye also strives to empower women through sustainable practices. Through Reswaye, more than 4,000 women have registered across 41 communities to make money by recycling and living sustainably.

Seeing how common it was that people would burn or dump their trash on the beach, Ogunye decided to show them another way. 

“We thought, ‘why don’t we educate them and orientate them and also let them know that you’re able to make money with recycling… you’re able to pay school fees for your children… you’re able to afford a proper meal and also start other businesses that you’re passionate about’.”

Doyinsola Ogunye
Doyinsola Ogunye encourages locals to earn money through recycling

Reswaye purchases plastic from these women and children, giving them another source of income. The plastic is then sent to recycling plants where it is sorted, compressed and repurposed into bottles, hangers, toys and more.

Taking sustainability one step further, Reswaye also connects with the community. Anyone who would like to can donate their collected plastics, and, instead of taking the proceeds for themselves, they can give it to a woman or family in the community that they know might be struggling.

“Some people and some organisations will support us with their recyclables and say, ‘I don’t have funds for these recyclables but I need you to support this pregnant woman, for example.

“Or, ‘I’m going to be giving you all my plastic so that when it is sold we’re able to support this community’, and so on and so forth,” Ogunye explained.

The work that Ogunye does focuses on the future of the planet, but also on the current status of vulnerable people and communities. She wants to ensure that people have the right – and knowledge – to live sustainable lives.

“There are a lot of ‘no’s’ when it comes to the great outdoors: parents don’t want the children to go to the beach; they don’t want the children to swim in the water,” Ogunye said.

“It limits people in their mindset… We need to move away from that and come out and adventure.”


By Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, Daily Maverick

Nigeria targets 2050 for self-sufficiency in palm oil

Michael Simire
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Nigeria targets 2050 for self-sufficiency in palm oil

The National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) says the country will be self-sufficient and meet its global market share of oil palm by 2050.

This, it said in Abuja on Saturday, April 4, 2026, was possible through the effective efforts towards the implementation of National Oil Palm Development Strategy.

Mr. Alphonsus Inyang, National President of NPPAN, said this during an interview on the sidelines of National Oil Palm Development Strategy validation meeting.

Oil palm plantation
Oil palm plantation

Inyang said that, with the guideline, the country’s current production capacity of 1.4metric tonnes to 1.5metric tonnes annually, would increase to nine metric tonnes or 10 metric tonnes between now and 2050.

Inyang, also the Vice Chairman of the Technical Working Group for the development of the National Oil Palm Development Strategy, emphasised that the feat would be achieved by empowering smallholder farmers to enhance production.

Inyang further explained that the country intended to extend oil palm production to Taraba, Niger and Kogi states under the framework.

He said that leveraging some northern states among other intervention was part of the ways to achieved 2050 self sufficiency and global market targets.

“Taraba with with 69,000 square kilometers land is well placed to cultivate oil palm trees than the whole southern part of the country

“Taraba State has a longer sunshine than southern Nigeria; it also has water in some parts.

“So those are the things we are going to leverage. Niger State too has areas that can produce oil palm, Kogi also,” he said.

Inyang said the strategy was designed to reposition the country as a major player in the industry at the global level.

Inyang explained that the framework would encapsulate the establishment of a National Oil Palm Council (NOPC), an Oil Palm Development Fund and a National Smallholders Development Fund.

According to him, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) will be transitioned into a Nigerian Oil Palm Board to oversee research, development and innovation in the sector.

Inyang frowned at the rating of the country as number five oil palm producing country globally.

“We are number one palm oil producing country in Africa, number one importer, exporter and number one consumer.

“We produce more, we import more, we consume more and we export more than any other country in Africa,” he said.

He attributed poor investment and growth in the sector over the years to the absence of a clear governance architecture and structure

Inyang said that the gap led to a fragmented system without central regulatory authority to guide investors

“Governance architecture and governance structure are key to drive the sector.

“The strategy will have a structured governance architecture similar to what is obtainable in Malaysia and Indonesia, the leading oil palm-producing countries.

“There will be a structured governance architecture that will be formed by the strategy with the oil palm development fund to manage 25 per cent of tariffs that are being collected for palm oil among other funds. that will be generated.

“With the development of the framework government has created an enabling environment to support growth in the sector.

“Therefore, private sector players and investors should take advantage of the new policy framework,” he said.

Dr Fatai Afolabi, Managing Consultant, Foremost Development Services, said the  mission was to build a sustainable palm oil production for the country and  ensuring self sufficiency, competitiveness and inclusive production.

“Its mission is leveraging a hybrid development model-integrating large-scale estates and smallholders through sustainable practices, research and efficient supply chains,” he said.

By Felicia Imohimi

Use marble to produce electricity, engineer advises Oyo

Michael Simire
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Use marble to produce electricity, engineer advises Oyo

An electrical engineer, Mr. Toyese Oyerinde, has advised the Oyo State Government to exploit the huge deposits of marble in Igbeti, Olorunsogo Local Government Area, to generate electricity.

In an interview in Ibadan, the state capital, on Saturday, April 4, 2026, Oyerinde said that President Bola Tinubu has significantly provided electricity for Nigerians by removing power generation from the exclusive list.

He said that the amendment of the Electricity Regulatory Act by the President has allowed states to also generate, distribute and transmit electricity.

Marble
Marble mining in Nigeria

According to him, if the over 25km land stretch of marble deposit in Igbeti town is subjected to further scrutiny, it can be used to generate electricity not only for Oyo State, but also for Nigeria.

“You see, what is called marble is just the exposure of the limestone to the atmospheric pressure and all you need to do is to break the components of the marble and remove the limestone.

“Then, combine the limestone with coal, the gas generated could be piped to the gas turbine to produce electricity.

“Also, the limestone that was broken down in the process could be used to manufacture cement and it would be of high quality,” Oyerinde said.

Equally, the electrical engineer expressed sadness that waste generation had become a menace in the state rather than being a blessing.

Oyerinde said that it was a well known fact that waste could be converted to generate power.

“Oyo State is next to Kano when it comes to availability of manmade dams, but they are not thinking of utilising those facilities located in Alabata in Ibadan, Okeogun and Eruwa.

“For instance, the dam at Alabata in Akinyele Local Government area of Oyo State has two million generating capacity.

“The old Western Region government of Awolowo saw the need to put a power generating system in place and built one Arstol turbine at the State Secretariat to provide electricity for Bodija and Secretariat, but the project has remained abandoned till date.

“Even if the current government has done something, it has no effect yet.

“I would have expected that Gov. Makinde would generate power and ask the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to remove the entire Old and New Bodija, which are now commercial centres, from its power distribution.

“Today, it is sad that the state government has sold most of those lands with water around them to real estate agents,” he said.

Also Nigeria’s former envoy to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Faronbi, suggested that the country could adopt multiple approaches in solving the epileptic power problem.

Faronbi argued that Philippine was able to resolve its electricity problem within four years through multiple generation approaches.

He further said that a combination of hydroelectricity, coal, gas, solar, windfarm and so on might be the permanent solution to Nigeria’s power problem.

“Many countries such as United States of America, South Africa and others still generate electricity from coal. Why can’t Nigeria?

“From what I know, Nigeria has one of the best in terms of quality and huge deposit of coal in the world because the one available in Kogi does not really smoke compared with that in Enugu.

“In addition, considering solar as a means of electricity generation is one of the easiest for Nigeria given the country’s location two to three degree from the equator.

“We have the capacity to retain about 85 per cent of our solar energy unlike Germany that has only 20 per cent retention rate.

“This means that we can begin to have solar power at least in the rural and local government areas, housing estates and so on.

“Moreover, given the kind of topography we have in northern Nigeria, we have windfarms, which could also be suitable to generate electricity.

“About six, seven years ago, Germany was generating electricity from windfarm and electricity being generated from it became so surplus that they had to start paying people to be using it.

“So, Nigeria does not have to solely rely on gas and thermal means of electricity production.

“Each of solar, windfarm, petroleum, gas, hydro means of electricity generation and so on would have areas where they could be best produced and not just relying on only one,” the elder stateman said.

Faronbi stressed the need for the government to carefully look at the capacity to transmit what is generated that is, to evacuate from the generating centre to the distributing centre.

He said that transmission of electricity should also be privatised just like generation and distribution stages for there to be stable electricity in the country.

“Our generating capacity is higher than our transmitting capacity because the old transmitting cables have not been replaced.

“It took Philippine only four years to solve their electricity problem, if we are serious, it should not take us more than that,” a broadcaster said.

By Olawale Akinremi

Expert urges shift to value-driven petroleum strategy

Michael Simire
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Expert urges shift to value-driven petroleum strategy

An energy economist, Prof. Wumi Iledare, has urged a strategic shift, warning Nigeria’s vast hydrocarbon reserves may yield little value without stronger production and investment growth.

Iledare, a Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics at Louisiana State University, disclosed this in an interview on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Lagos.

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said reserves fell to 37.01 billion barrels as of Jan. 1, 2026.

Prof. Wumi Iledare
Prof. Wumi Iledare

Iledare said Nigeria’s reported reserves remain substantial, but warned that underlying structural challenges could limit their economic value without corresponding production growth.

He said reserve growth without production expansion delivered little benefit, stressing that sustainability depends on commercially recoverable and financeable proven assets.

“The real test of sustainability is no longer reserve volume, but quality, specifically what can be commercially recovered and financed as proven assets.

“In a decarbonising global economy, projects must compete on cost efficiency, carbon intensity, and fiscal attractiveness,” he said.

He warned that reserves failing these thresholds risk becoming stranded, technically viable but economically unviable in a rapidly evolving energy market.

“In this context, sustainability is shifting towards investment-grade reserves capable of attracting capital despite tightening ESG standards,” he said.

Iledare stressed that “reserves growth without commensurate production growth is economically sterile,” urging a focus on viable and financeable assets.

He said only reserves competitive in cost, carbon intensity, and fiscal terms would attract funding in an era of selective capital flows.

“Reserves that cannot compete risk becoming stranded assets,” he said, noting sustainability now depends on converting resources into bankable opportunities.

Iledare urged a shift from resource control to value creation, noting that production growth depends more on investor confidence than resource size.

He acknowledged the Petroleum Industry Act as progress, but called for refinement in cost recovery limits, contract stability, and fiscal clarity.

“Capital does not respond to reserves; it responds to risk-adjusted returns,” he said, stressing the need to reduce delays and improve transparency.

On gas, he described Nigeria’s position as paradoxical, with vast resources alongside persistent energy poverty and limited industrialisation.

He attributed this to treating gas as a by-product rather than a central driver of economic development.

“To unlock value, gas must be repositioned as a domestic economic catalyst,” he said.

He advocated stronger focus on gas-to-power reliability and expansion of gas-based industries, including fertiliser, petrochemicals, and methanol.

He cautioned against allowing export ambitions to overshadow domestic utilisation priorities critical for industrial growth.

On pricing, he said gas must balance affordability with commercial viability, warning failure would constrain demand and upstream investment.

Iledare noted regulatory improvements by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, including licensing rounds and digitalisation initiatives.

However, he stressed that investor confidence depends on consistent execution rather than policy pronouncements.

“The real test is whether regulatory actions reduce timelines, ensure transparency, and enforce rules predictably. Credibility in this sector is cumulative,” he said.

On energy transition, he said Nigeria’s challenge was sequencing, not choosing between hydrocarbons and climate commitments.

He maintained hydrocarbons, especially gas, remain essential but must be developed with greater efficiency and lower emissions.

He called for reduced gas flaring, improved carbon management, and reinvestment of revenues into energy diversification.

“Nigeria’s transition must be pragmatic, anchored on energy security, economic inclusion, and environmental responsibility,” he said.

Iledare said Nigeria’s petroleum future depends more on policy quality than reserve size in a tightening global energy landscape.

“The transition era narrows the margin for inefficiency. Nigeria needs alignment between reserves, investment frameworks, and regulatory credibility,” he said.

By Yunus Yusuf

Electricity privatisation yet to meet expectations, as traders cry out

Michael Simire
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Electricity privatisation yet to meet expectations, as traders cry out

The Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity (CARE) says Nigeria’s power privatisation has yet to fully deliver the expected improvements in electricity supply and service delivery.

Mr. Chinedu Bosah, National Coordinator of CARE, said this in an interview with on Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Lagos.

Bosah said the reform had not achieved all its intended objectives, noting that many electricity consumers still experience challenges in accessing reliable power supply.

National grid
National grid lines

He said electricity distribution companies (DisCos) needed to strengthen service delivery and address concerns relating to estimated billing and metering.

According to him, some consumers continue to incur additional costs in accessing electricity services, which include investments in infrastructure such as transformers and meters.

Bosah also noted that stakeholders in the sector must continue to work toward improving generation capacity and strengthening transmission infrastructure.

He emphasised the importance of sustained reforms and investments to enhance efficiency and ensure better outcomes for electricity consumers.

On the way forward, Bosah called for increased transparency, accountability and stakeholder engagement in the management of the power sector.

He added that collaborative efforts among government, operators and consumers would be critical to achieving stable and affordable electricity supply.

Bosah further underscored the need for policies that support equitable access to electricity and promote long-term sustainability in the sector.

He said addressing challenges in the power sector remained vital to economic growth and improved living standards for Nigerians.

Meanwhile, many traders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) say their businesses are folding up following the power outage being presently witnessed.

They described the situation as frustrating and embarrassing.

Some of traders who reside in Karu, ACO Estate, Deidei and Dutse said this in an interview in Abuja on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

Most of the traders disclosed that they depend on power to run their businesses.

Many parts of the territory, especially the satellite towns had been without power for days, even weeks.

Mr. Andrew Okorie, who runs a cold room in Karu, said that he spent a lot on diesel to preserve some perishable items in his freezer.

“I spend nearly N20,000 daily on diesel to run my cold room, It’s not funny at all and I am making little or no profit, especially with this unstable power supply,” he said.

He appealed to the Federal Government to do everything within its power to fix electricity to cushion the effect on consumers.

Mrs. Agnes Odiase, who also runs a restaurant in Karu, described the situation as “frustrating and chaotic” as her customers were not comfortable due to the incessant power outage.

“I can’t boast of power supply for one hour at a stretch. It just comes and goes every one or two hours and this is affecting my business seriously,” she said.

A barber in ACO Estate on Airport Road, Mr. Segun Ayomide, said that he had to increase the price for his services from N500 to N1,000 for an ordinary haircut in order to meet up with his expenses on fuel.

Ayomide said that in the past three days, power supply had not been stable in the estate and this was making him lose money.

Mr. Raymond Okon, a fashion designer in Dutse, said that the power outage was affecting his business and as such he was unable to meet his customers’ demand.

Okon said that, for days, there might be no electricity in his area, adding that he needs it to do the job.

”I am unable to meet up with my customers demand because of the power supply in my area and I am aware some electricity consumers are getting up to 18  hours supply, especially those on Band A.

”My appeal to government is to do everything possible to improve power supply in the country to reach every citizen and not  favour some and abandon others,” he said.

Mrs. Caroline Uneru, who sells cold drinks and water in Dei-Dei, said that the electricity situation in her area was discouraging.

Uneru said that the little business she was using to feed her family had gone down due to poor power supply.

“I am tired of the situation; the little business I am doing to feed my family is going down every day because there is no electricity to freeze my goods.

“In this heat period, nobody wants to buy hot drinks or water, so I am appealing to government to do everything it can to alleviate our suffering,” she said.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) had attributed the continued decline in electricity generation on the national grid to the persistent gas supply constraints affecting several thermal power plants

The Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, had assured Nigerians that power supply would improve within two weeks.

He also apologised to Nigerians for the current epileptic power situation in the country.

“With the committee we have set up, the feedback from gas suppliers, and the timeline for repairing the gas pipelines, I can say that within two weeks we should start seeing improvements in power,” he said. 

By Yunus Yusuf and Constance Athekame

LPG price hike driven by supply constraints, global pressures – Marketers

Michael Simire
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LPG price hike driven by supply constraints, global pressures – Marketers

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) says the recent rise in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices is driven by supply constraints and global market pressures.

Mr. Edu Inyang, NALPGAM President, who said this in an interview on Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Lagos, attributed the increase to higher depot prices caused by reduced local supply and rising international benchmarks.

He said lower volumes from the Dangote Refinery had impacted domestic supply, making product access more difficult for marketers.

LPG
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

“Obtaining the product has become increasingly difficult, with allocations no longer as frequent as before,” he said.

According to him, some off-takers are unable to secure supplies for extended periods, while those with access are responding to prevailing demand conditions.

He added that supplies from the Nigeria LNG Ltd. were also coming at higher costs, further pushing up depot prices nationwide.

Inyang linked the trend to developments in the global energy market, noting that international price movements continued to influence domestic pricing.

“Nigeria is not insulated from global energy shocks. Developments in the international market inevitably affect local LPG prices,” he said.

He said reliance on imported inputs and foreign exchange dynamics also contributed to rising costs.

The NALPGAM president noted that depot operators factor in landing and operational costs, which are reflected in retail prices.

“Private depot operators cannot sell below their landing and operational costs, and this ultimately impacts the final price to consumers,” he said.

He, however, expressed optimism that increased investment in gas infrastructure would improve supply.

“We have experienced similar cycles before. With the right investments, supply will improve and prices will stabilise,” he said.

Inyang called for the development of more gas processing plants and greater private sector participation to boost domestic production.

He added that improved output from existing and upcoming gas projects would help stabilise the market and moderate prices.

By Yunus Yusuf

Pakistan urged to end illegal production, trade of mercury-added cosmetics

Michael Simire
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Pakistan urged to end illegal production, trade of mercury-added cosmetics

Ahead of World Health Day on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the toxics watchdog group, EcoWaste Coalition, has taken the Government of Pakistan to task for its apparent failure to enforce the global ban on mercury-added cosmetics.

The Minamata Convention on Mercury, ratified by Pakistan and the Philippines in 2020, set a 2020 phase-out deadline for the manufacture, export, and import of mercury-added cosmetics, such as skin lightening products. In 2023, the phase-out deadline was adjusted to 2025 to address evident gaps and loopholes hindering the effective implementation of the ban.

Mercury in cosmetics
Mercury in cosmetics marketed to lighten the skin tone is said to be highly toxic and can harm users and their families through skin absorption and inhalation of mercury vapours.

The EcoWaste Coalition, which has been exposing dangerous skin lightening products with mercury additives since 2011, deplored the persistent violation of the global ban on mercury-added cosmetics following its detection of outrageous levels of mercury up to 33,970 parts per million (ppm) in 18 out of 20 newly-purchased products labeled as made in Pakistan, including eight products bearing the Pakistan Standards mark.

“The unrelenting manufacture of so-called beauty creams in Pakistan with hidden mercury content is unlawful and unacceptable. Exported with impunity and offered for sale in the marketplace, these highly contaminated products pose a serious threat to the health of women and their families, especially the young children,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

“We join the over 20 international health and environmental organisations that have earlier called on Pakistan to stop the domestic production and global trade of these dangerous cosmetics with mercury. If not now, when?” added Lucero.

“I am thankful to EcoWaste Coalition for vigilantly watching over women’s health in campaigning tirelessly against mercury-laced cosmetics, particularly skin-whitening products.  Mercury is purported to hasten the skin lightening effect of cosmetics by inhibiting the production of melanin– our body’s natural sunscreen,” said feminist Jean Enriquez, Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women – Asia Pacific (CATW-AP).

“Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and sellers continue to sell such cosmetics targeting Filipinas and other women who are clueless about the long-term health effects of mercury in their bodies and the ecosystems,” stated Enriquez.

From March 1 to 31 this year, the EcoWaste Coalition, as part of its observance of the National Women’s Month, purchased a total of 20 products manufactured by 14 Pakistan cosmetic companies that claim to lighten the skin tone and remove signs of ageing. Thirteen of these products were purchased from third-party online sellers at Lazada and Shopee, and seven from beauty product stalls operating in Pasay City. Five of the products are marked “export quality.”

Of the 20 products purchased and analysed using a handheld Olympus Vanta M Series X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device, 18 contained mercury up to 33,970 ppm, of which 11 had mercury above 20,000 ppm. All the 18 products had mercury way in excess of the 15 ppm limit for waste contaminated with mercury and should be declared hazardous waste. Also, 13 of the mercury-tainted products were manufactured in 2025, two in 2024, and three in 2023, way past the 2020 and 2025 phase-out deadlines.

The discovery of highly contaminated skin lightening products sparked fresh calls for parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, such as Pakistan, to firmly enforce the ban on mercury in cosmetics. It also reinforced calls for women to embrace their natural skin colour and to resist colourism and objectification, and for erring companies to be held accountable.

“I call on women to resist the pressures from patriarchal, racist, and capitalist culture, to resist succumbing to the use of cosmetics that belittle us, that reduce our worth to our looks. This women’s month and always, we have to resist by believing and knowing that our worth goes beyond our physical attributes,” said Enriquez.

“As Filipinas, we have to resist messaging by corporations and merchants that our brown colour can be equated to lower status, or to objectification. Buo ang ating pagkatao, tayo ay may talino, galing, lakas, puso at lalim.  Hindi hiwalay ang ating katawan sa ating lalim at kaluluwa. We have to value ourselves as persons equal to men, and we have to defy corporate interest to profit from our historical subjugation,” she pointed out. “Make these companies accountable. Uplift all women, regardless of colour.”

The analysed products with the highest concentrations of mercury include: Yaz Beauty Cream Double White + Vitamin C with 33,970 ppm; Arena Gold Beauty Cream, 31,370 ppm; Arena Gold New Fairness Cream for Men, 30,130 ppm; Yaz Gold Beauty Cream Active White + 24K Gold Dust, 29,870 ppm; Goree Day & Night Beauty Cream, 28,640 ppm; Chandni Day & Night Whitening Cream (black packaging), 28,330 ppm; Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene, 27,600 ppm; Goree Gold 24K Beauty Cream, 25,760 ppm; Zoya Gold Beauty Cream, 22,090 ppm; Aima Gold Beauty Cream, 21,720 ppm; and Face Fresh Beauty Cream, 20,510 ppm.

Also found adulterated with mercury were: Golden Pearl Beauty Cream, 17,580 ppm; Due Beauty Cream, 16,590 ppm; Parley Goldie Advanced Beauty Cream, 15,750 ppm; Sandal Beauty Cream, 13,900 ppm; Super White Anti-Marks Cream, 1,214 ppm; Super White Beauty Cream, 852 ppm; and Tibet Snow, 75 ppm.

Mercury was not detected in the analysed Face Fresh Cleanser Cream and Glow & Clean Beauty Cream.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines has already issued public health warnings on the three variants of Goree Beauty Cream, Golden Pearl Beauty Cream, Parley Goldie Advanced Beauty Cream, and Sandal Beauty Cream. It has yet to advise the public on the adverse effects of using the other products with mercury content, as reported by the EcoWaste Coalition to the FDA on April 1, 2026.

Proposed $1.6bn NOAA budget cut would endanger Americans, harm ocean health – Group

Michael Simire
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Proposed $1.6bn NOAA budget cut would endanger Americans, harm ocean health – Group

The Donald Trump administration on Friday, April 3, 2026, released its fiscal year 2027 budget request to Congress, proposing significant reductions to federal science agencies, including a $1.6 billion cut to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

While boosting defence spending to $1.5 trillion, the largest such request in decades, reflecting his emphasis on U.S. military investments over domestic programmes, Trump proceeded to initiate cuts to green energy, housing and health programmes, canceling over $15 billion from the Biden-era bipartisan infrastructure law, including funds for renewable energy projects and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) grants.

NOAA
Signage outside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, US, on Monday, March 3, 2025. Photo credit: Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

By implication, the Trump Administration FY2027 Budget Request has slashed NOAA funding by 32%, threatening weather forecasting, fisheries and coastal protection.

White House also proposed a 19% cut in the Department of Agriculture, ending certain university grants, a 13% cut for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and about a 12% decrease to the Health and Human Services department, including cuts to a low-income heating assistance programme.

Katherine Tsantiris, Ocean Conservancy’s director of government relations, responded: “The proposed cuts to NOAA fly directly in the face of the clear bipartisan support Congress showed earlier this year by protecting funding for this critical agency.

Slashing NOAA’s budget would weaken weather forecasting, disrupt fisheries management and stall ocean research – putting American lives, livelihoods and global scientific leadership at risk. Congress should once again reject these cuts to ensure NOAA has the resources it needs to support our economy, protect our ocean and keep Americans safe.”

Finance Minister lauds NUPRC as daily production hits 1.84m

Michael Simire
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Finance Minister lauds NUPRC as daily production hits 1.84m

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for piloting the petroleum sector to hit a production level of 1.84 million barrels in recent days.

Edun said this when the Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, visited the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

“It is heartening that you can tell us that you are doing 1.84 million barrels per day. That is fantastic news. That is totally in line with the mandate of President Bola Tinubu,” he said.

NUPRC
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, with Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan

 “Clearly, you have started on a very good note. Please keep it up,” Edun told the NUPRC boss.

The finance minister described the war in the Middle East as unfortunate but said President Bola Tinubu had mandated an increased production even before the crisis began.

He therefore called on the NUPRC to push the industry harder to hit 2mbpd.

“I wish you continued success. What matters is not just reaching certain heights but sustaining it. We don’t want any stopping along the way. The trajectory should be maintained and of course the magic figure is 2mbpd,” Edun stated.

Speaking earlier, the Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC said recent daily crude oil production had hit 1.84 million barrels per day.

 “We are doing 1.84 million barrels per day. That is a remarkable feat but I am sure we will do more,” she assured the minister.

The NUPRC chief executive attributed the prior dip in production in February to some unfortunate incidents on some strategic facilities as well as turnaround maintenance.

“But all that has been fixed and we are seeing production ramping up,” Eyesan said.

With regards the 2025 licensing round, Eyesan said the Commission is now in the technical and financial stage.

She expressed optimism over the growth of the petroleum sector in the near future especially because of provisions like the “drill or drop” in the Petroleum Industry Act which empowers the Commission to revoke leases of dormant acreages.

The NUPRC boss revealed that some of the acreages that were put on offer could see production as soon as a year, adding that indigenous companies were showing an impressive capacity.

Eyesan also noted that the Commission had fully complied with the Executive Order 9 of 2026, which directs the immediate suspension of the 30% Frontier Exploration Fund (FEF) deduction from profit oil and gas, alongside other management fees and the direct remittance of same to the Federation Account.

River Basin Authority to resume dam construction after 40 years

Michael Simire
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River Basin Authority to resume dam construction after 40 years

The Hadeja-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority has restarted construction of the Kafin Zaki dam project, in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State abandoned for over 40 years.

The authority’s Managing Director, Rabiu Bichi, dropped the hint during an interview in Kano on Friday, April 3, 2026, shortly after inspecting the project.

Bichi said that the project, initiated under Ibrahim Babangida military regime, was halted shortly after commencement.

Rabiu Bichi
Managing Director, Hadeja-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Rabiu Bichi

“I just visited the  Kafin Zaki dam site signaling government’s renewed commitment to complete the project,” he said.

He said the authority was reviving the project in partnership with the Bauchi State Government.

Bichi said that compensation was paid to affected farmers 40 years ago, but its abandonment led to resettlement issues.

He explained that efforts were underway to relocate residents and provide alternative settlements.

The dam’s completion is expected to boost irrigation, water supply, and agriculture in Bauchi State and beyond.

It is seen as key to unlocking agricultural potential and addressing water management challenges in northeastern Nigeria.

By Aminu Garko

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