The Executive Director, Dave Omokaro Foundation (DOF), Dr Emem Omokaro, says intersections between ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) are key to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire
Omokaro made this recommendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, June 14, 2018 in Abuja.
According to her, the SDGs agenda has a vision for inclusiveness and it is also a gift to humanity, noting that it is the first time that a goal is speaking about all aspects of life.
She said that the foundation believes that the set goals of SDGs needed a transformative approach in order to achieve its mandate.
“There must be a new modern way of governance for the implementation of the goals, if not the vulnerable left behind will still be left behind.
“The approaches we are using is not working, and the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) should include the older persons.
“It is important for each MDA to identify what they can do in a different way to work together without holding tight to their mandates but rather see intersections in it,’’ she said.
Omokaro also suggested for the inclusion of social insurance in the reforms in order to achieve a long term care.
She, therefore, advised that integrated approach, intersection and remodelling of governance be adopted to help achieve a desired goal.
Against the backdrop of the final draft of the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 ºC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said that it is committed to an open, robust and transparent assessment process.
The scientific and intergovernmental body under the auspices of the United Nations recently circulated the Final Draft of the report to governments, with a request for comments on the Summary for Policymakers from June 4 to July 29, 2018.
The full title of the report is: “Global Warming of 1.5 ºC, an IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 ºC above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty”.
The IPCC says that it, during the review stages, actively seeks the collaboration of researchers and practitioners across a broad range of expertise to provide expert comments on the draft reports. As with the normal practice of peer review, this process is designed to ensure that the report is as accurate, comprehensive and objective as possible, it adds.
“The report undergoes revisions between the first and second order draft, and between the second order draft and the final draft. This is in response to thousands of review comments and also because the authors have assessed new literature that has been accepted for publication since the previous draft and before the final cut-off date.
“Draft reports are provided to governments and reviewers as confidential working documents and must not be publicly distributed, quoted or cited. This is out of respect for the authors and to give them the time and space to finish writing before making the work public.”
For these reasons, the IPCC says it does not comment on the contents of draft reports while work is still ongoing.
The IPCC approval session of the Summary for Policymakers of the report is due to take place from October 1 to 5, 2018 in Incheon, Republic of Korea. The IPCC says it looks forward to presenting and discussing the report findings, subject to approval by the Panel, on October 8 and thereafter.
Youngsters have been turning plastic waste into arts and crafts. At an inter-school arts exhibition on Thursday, June 7, 2018 in commemoration of the World Environment Day (WED), students showcased their creative abilities with plastic waste products which they transformed into items like bags, baskets, dresses, wall decoration, hangers and chairs.
A plastics cup attire
The children also learnt about ways the government and other stakeholders are helping to reduce plastic waste production and its adverse effect on people and the environment.
Organisers of the event, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), likewise hosted key stakeholders in the plastic industries to a session of deliberation.
NFC boss and chairman of the occasion, Chief Ede Dafinone, in his welcome address, stated: “Most of the plastic waste generated comes from deliberate dumping of garbage into waterways and mismanaged waste disposal. More than 50% of plastic waste generated comes from inadequate management due to lack or infrastructure associated with an ever-increasing population.”
Plastics dress
Chief Host of the day, the Director General of NCF, Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano, revealed: “Thirty million tonnes of plastics are produced annually all over the world, eight million tonnes find their way into the ocean, while the rest litter our streets; clog our drainages and some flying in the air, causing health problems.”
Guest Speaker of the event, the Country Director, United Nations Information Centre, Lagos, Mr. Raymond Kayanja, made a clarion call on all parties, government, corporate organisations and individuals to come forth to stem the big challenge plastic is putting mankind through, saying that it may lead to serious consequences if not urgently checked.
Eleven secondary schools and seven primary schools (both public and private) across Lagos State participated in the art exhibition competition. The winners in the secondary school category are Mayors Height School, Epe Girls Senior Secondary School and Genesis High School as first, second and third positions respectively. While Refiners School, Genesis Primary School and Learning Ladder Montessori School emerged winners in the primary category as first, second and third positions respectively.
Present also at the event was environmental activist and Chairman of Lagos Urban Forest and Animal Sanctuary Initiative (LUFASI), Desmond Majekodunmi; Environmental & Regulatory Supervisor, Exxon Mobil, Uzochi Osondu; Group Head, IHS International, Jolomi Dudu; Divisional Head, Corporate Services, FCMB, Felicia Obozuwa; representative of Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Titi Raji; MD/CEO, Recycle Points, Mazi Okonu; Vice President, Mandus Maris, Belgium, Prof. Stella Williams; CEO Fabe International, Temitope Okunnu; CEO iRead Mobile Library, Funmi Ilori; COO, Climate Smart Nigeria, Glory Oguegbu; and MD, Charyil Safari & Hospitality Ltd, Bukola Adekanye. They delivered speeches on how their organisations are addressing the plastic waste pollution menace.
The WED is an environmental awareness programme aimed at promoting environmental education, ingenuity, teamwork and general environmental friendliness among children and youths. The theme for this year, “Beat Plastic Pollution”, urges all to adopt more than a single use of plastics.
NCF says it has over the years used the WED to grow environmental literacy among the youths and the students. “Avenue is usually created for the participants to individually or collectively develop solutions to current environmental challenges. The arts exhibition is an idea about up-cycling (converting waste plastics to arts and craft) rather than recycling,” disclosed Aminu-Kano in a statement.
He added: “NCF encouraged stakeholders involved in the production and consumption of plastics, as well as the policy makers to jointly explore sustainable alternatives. Furthermore, to urgently reduce the production and excessive use of single-use plastics polluting our oceans, damaging marine life and threatening human health. Plastic pollution involves the accumulation of plastic products in the environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans.”
The event was sponsored by Exxon Mobil and supported by IHS Towers, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Nigerian Bottling Company Plc and Nestle Water Nigeria.
The event held at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos, which accommodates the NCF head offices.
Ice melt has caused sea levels to rise by eight mm since 1992, according to leading scientists on Thursday, June 14, 2018.
Melting Antarctic ice
Australian scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) teamed up with international researchers to study the Antarctic and concluded that the eight-mm rise in sea levels corresponded to approximately three trillion tonnes of ice melt.
Their research was published in the scientific journal Nature on Thursday.
Using 24 different satellite-based estimates, the group demonstrated a tripling of ice-loss in western Antarctica between 1992 and 2017.
Lead author and senior scientist, CSIRO Oceanographer Steve Rintoul, expressed concerns over the Antarctic ice sheet, commenting that “the largest mass loss is observed where relatively warm ocean waters are melting floating ice shelves from below.”
“As the ice shelves thin and weaken, they provide less resistance to ice flow from the continent to the sea,” Rintoul said.
“A critical question for the future is how ocean-driven melting of Antarctic ice shelves will change as the earth warms.”
“Continued high greenhouse gas emissions risk committing us to changes in Antarctica that will have long-term and far-reaching consequences for Earth and humanity.”
The study is part of a special collection of articles on Antarctica that includes Australian research on the role of the Southern Ocean in sea-level rise.
It explores how Antarctica and the Southern Ocean will change over the next 50 years, and how those changes will impact the rest of the globe.
Two scenarios are considered: one in which greenhouse gas emissions remain unchecked, and one in which strong action is taken to limit emissions and to manage increased human use of Antarctica.
If the high emissions continue, major ice shelves will collapse by 2070, according to the report, which also suggests sea level rise would accelerate to rates not seen in 20,000 years.
Furthermore, ocean acidification and over-fishing will alter Southern Ocean ecosystems, and a failure to manage increased human pressures will degrade the Antarctic environment, the report indicates.
Duanne White, associate professor at the University of Canberra, commended the paper as “a thorough assessment of the current state of knowledge of Antarctic ice loss.”
A cardiologist with Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi-Araba, Dr Akinkumi Afolabi, has said that cigarette smoking hastens the symptoms of stroke in heavy smokers.
Smoking
Afolabi disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, June 14, 2018 in Lagos.
He said smoking could increase the risk of having stroke by at least 50 per cent, causing possible brain damage and death.
He added: “One way that smoking can increase risk of stroke is by increasing chances of developing brain aneurysm.
“This is a bulge in a blood vessel caused by weakness in the blood vessel wall.
“This can rupture and lead to extremely serious condition known as subarachnoid haemorrhage.
“Subarachnoid haemorrhage is a type of stroke which causes extensive brain damage and death.
“Within two years of stopping smoking, risk of stroke can be controlled but the patient needs treatment and proper monitoring,’’ Afolabi said.
He explained that smokers were liable to heart attack, premature aging and other cardiac complications.
He said: “Smoking also increases the risk of having heart attack and coronary heart disease.
“Smokers have increased chance of getting stomach cancer or ulcer, which weaken the muscle that controls the lower end of gullet (oesophagus).
“Smoking also reduces the amount of oxygen that gets to the skin and makes the body to age faster
and look grey and dull. The toxins in the body also cause cellulite.
“However, once people stop smoking, it will prevent further deterioration to the skin.”
The cardiologist urged government at all levels and the Federal Ministry of Health to create more awareness about the risk of tobacco use.
The Anambra State Government says it will spend N4.1 billion on strategic agricultural development initiative in the 2018 planting season.
Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State
Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanisation, Processing and Export, Mr Afam Mbanefo, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, June 14, 2018 in Awka, the state capital.
Mbanefo said that the state would, during the period, evolve and apply sustainable cluster-based farming initiative to boost agriculture.
“The cluster-base is a major method in driving modern agriculture. The ministry will apart from development of cluster farming initiative, provide farm inputs and motorcycles to farmers in the state.
“Gov. Willie Obiano’s administration is keen in empowering small holder farmers and I urge more farmers to get registered with the ministry to benefit.
“Plans are underway to introduce a Mobile App for Agricultural Extension and Farmer Information Management System to develop the sector more.
“A comprehensive four-year development plan has been developed for different agricultural produce and farm types to increase productivity and effective land utilisation,’’ he said.
The commissioner said that government aimed to achieve in the coming years, an agricultural system that would feed the people, protect the environment and return investments.
Mbanefo said that the state received commendation from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, for its effective implementation of good agricultural policies which had improved agriculture.
He said that the ministry had designed programmes to create more jobs and alleviate poverty through favourable agricultural policies.
Experts in the building and construction industry on Thursday, June 14, 2018 in Lagos lauded the Federal Government’s efforts in reviewing the National Building Code (NBC) of 2006.
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
They said in Lagos that the review was a good development, describing it as a right direction and synergy for effective housing delivery in the country.
The Federal Government had on Tuesday announced a new National Building Code that would regulate construction with the aim of improving on measures to safeguard lives and property.
Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister for Power, Works and Housing, made the announcement at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, while inaugurating members of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
“Given the number of deaths and the risk associated with wrong plans for buildings and other construction projects, it becomes imperative for government to adopt deliberate measures to check the avoidable loss of lives and property, hence the new code,’’ Fashola said.
The experts said the NBC, as instituted by professional bodies in the construction industry in 2006, was supposed to be reviewed at five years intervals.
According to them, this is the first time it is being reviewed.
Contributing, Mr Chucks Omeife said that the Federal Government should propose an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for an enabling law/legislation that would enforce the various provisions of the NBC.
Omeife, the President, Chartered Project Management Institute of Nigeria (CPMIN), said that passage of the bill would guarantee orderly and effective building environment.
“In the real sense, it will expand the scope of the code in terms of professionals responsibilities, expanding industry issues relating to materials, science and technology.
“The implementation and enforcement of the Code has been the problem and still remains the problem. It is a scenario of a motion without movement.
“This government can make the difference by putting in place an enabling legislation to back up the Code,” Omeife said.
Also, Mr Kenneth Ndukwu, the President, Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), urged stakeholders in the industry to have positive attitude for the expectations of the building code to be realised.
Ndukwu said that stakeholders should continue to ensure full implementation of the code for a well-regulated and effective operation in the building and construction industry.
“The review and announcement of the new building code is a good development, but stakeholders still expect more.
“The issue of quackery, non-involvement of professionals, poor workmanship, use of untested/substandard materials and neglect of safety standards on construction sites that lead to building collapse will be checked,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Fitzgerald Umah, the Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos chapter, said that the code would promote professionalism in the building industry.
Umah noted that activities and operations of the industry were not properly regulated due to lack of laid down rules.
He said that the enforcement of the building code remained the sure way to penalise any erring professional.
The Project Manager, United Nations Habitat for a Better Urban Future, Prof. Mustapha Zubairu, on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 urged state governments to work assiduously toward developing smart cities.
Smart city
Zubairu, who made the call at the 2018 International Conference of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute held in Abuja, said that states which develop smart cities were likely to become technology and innovation hubs.
The conference, which has the theme: “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Nigerian Construction Industry: Challenges and the Way Forward’’, focuses on creating awareness on the need to implement sustainability in construction practices and evolve new strategies to embed sustainability into construction activities.
According to him, most smart city applications are built around the Internet of Things (IOT)-objects embedded with sensors and wireless connectivity and analytics tools to enable them send and receive data that can be analysed and acted upon.
“The effectiveness and sustainability of cities and towns are hinged on subsisting level of good governance and a paradigm shift is required to build good understanding, mutual respect and partnership between state governments and residents of the cities,” Zubairu said.
He, however, expressed concern over illegal access to data generated from smart cities.
“Among the challenges to overcome in establishing smart cities in Nigeria are that since the internet is a global network, it will be difficult for Nigeria alone to control and prevent illegal access to data generated from its smart cities.
“Most of the private sector organisations that collect and store citizen’s data are not legally bound to protect their rights,’’ Zubairu said.
He called for the amendment of the 2012 National Urban Development policy to incorporate a national goal, objectives and strategies on smart city.
According to him, there is also need to allocate a percentage of the Ecological Fund to finance the development of components of smart cities such as research and development on improving cyber security as well as developing smart digital infrastructure.
As part of its transformation efforts, the Oyo State Government in collaboration with a waste management firm has evolved a technology-driven method of tackling various environmental challenges in the state.
Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Dr Bisi Akin-Akinlabi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, made the disclosure at a news conference on Wednesday in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the news conference held at the Technical University (Tech-U), Ibadan, as part of activities to herald the OYOMESI Festival of Learning.
The Oyo State Model Education System Intervention (OYOMESI) is an initiative of the state government aimed at raising competent civil citizens.
NAN reports that the weeklong event would hold from June 29 to July 5.
Akin-Alabi also stated that the festival would host a competition tagged “Hackaton”, a technology-driven competition aimed at providing IT solutions to identified environmental management challenges.
“Among the challenges to be examined are Waste Collection Billing and Payment System; Reporting of Illegal Dumpsites; City Enumeration and Management, and Recycling Measurement and Reporting,” she said.
She noted that the competition would attract an investment of N2 million for the winners coupled with mentorship and coaching from experienced IT and business professionals.
Mr Paul O’ Callaghan, Managing Director, WestAfrican ENRG Limited, said that the competition was the first in Nigeria, adding that no fewer than 250 participants had signified intention to participate in the competition.
Also speaking, Prof. Ayobami Salami, the Vice Chancellor of Technical University, said the festival of learning in the state coincided with the first anniversary of the institution.
He said the aim of establishing the university was to find innovative solutions to human challenges on daily basis, noting that this aligns with the focus of the Hackaton competition.
The event was attended by Mr Akin Oyedele, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Prof. Adesola Ajayi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Technical University and Mr Alex Oladeji, Registrar, Technical University.
The Director-General, Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NIBBRI), Prof. Danladi Matawal, says additional two billion urban inhabitants are expected by 2030.
Nigeria’s population is said to be equivalent to 2.55% of the total world population
Matawal made this known on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 in Abuja during 2018 NBRRI International Conference.
The theme of the conference is: “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Nigerian Construction Industry – Challenges and the Way Forward”.
According to him, the development will be a consequence of rapidly growing cities in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
“With this rapid growth comes an urgent need for sustainable building and construction through the integrated, global approach and support of UN as well as other country programmes.
Matawal said Nigeria ought to key into the rest of the world for innovative, simple, cheap and user-friendly solutions to develop the nation’s building environment.
He said that such effort would help to harness benchmarks of the UN-SDGs to develop a sustainable built environment to satisfy the needs of the present without destroying the potential of the future.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, said the present administration was committed and determined to rebuild nation’s infrastructure, particularly in the area of housing and roads.
According to him, a good network of roads is vital in the transportation of men, women, children and goods from one part of the country to another.
“We need decent houses for our citizens, the rich and the poor, the old and the young to live in. We also need houses for our schools, hospitals, offices, markets to mention a few.
“We need roads connecting our numerous cities, our rural areas and those leading from urban to rural areas. We also need roads to our farms, homes, schools, hospitals, markets and places of relaxation and entertainment.
“This is very important in getting Nigerians to know the various parts of the country and hence help promote national unity and stability,” he said.
He said that such effort would open areas of business through the utilisation of locally available materials for the construction of roads, houses and creation of wealth for individuals and the nation at large.
Onu said the conference would showcase enormous achievements made by researchers in NIBRRI, adding that the ministry had planned to help the institute to become one of the best in the world.
“Recently NIBRRI protected its intellectual property right by securing a patent for its laminated bamboo board. This product utilises wastes bamboo during construction. This is one of the wastes to wealth initiative of the institute.
“This product is durable and termite resistant, which serves as a heat insulation. Its strength is comparable with those of structural timber product like plywood and provides aesthetics to the interior of a building,” Onu said.
