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UN sustainability scheme targets female smallholder farmers

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UN sustainability scheme targets female smallholder farmers

Female smallholder farmers are the primary players and beneficiaries of a programme aimed at improving food security in the country.

Female smallholder farmers
Female smallholder farmers

Executive Director, Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), Dr. Hajia Salamatu Garba, who made the disclosure at a two-day consultation workshop held in Abuja recently, noted that the scheme would support efforts to scale-up more sustainable and more resilient approaches, practices and technologies across the targeted agro-ecological systems. These include innovative approaches to improving soil health, water resource management and vegetation cover with direct benefits to the most vulnerable land users.

Project promoters, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has selected seven states for the project, which is tagged: “Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for Food Security in the Savanna Zones of Northern Nigeria.” Valued at about $7 million, it comes under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as one of three integrated approaches that were agreed as part of the GEF sixth replenishment scheme.

Executive Director, Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), Dr. Hajia Salamatu Garba
Executive Director, Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), Dr. Hajia Salamatu Garba

The states include Benue, Nassarawa, Adamawa, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano and Katsina spanning the Guinea Savannah, Sudan-Sahel and Sudan Savannah ecological regions.

The Food Security Integrated Programme is targeting agro-ecological systems where the need to enhance food security is linked directly to opportunities for generating global environmental benefits.

Through the programme, the GEF support will specifically promote mechanisms for multi-stakeholder coordination, planning and investment in sustainable land management at scale, with engagement of the private sector. This will be crucial for integrating ecosystem services into mainstream development investments to support agriculture and food security across multiple scales, according to the UNDP.

The lead expert, Prof. Emmanuel Oladipo, said that the programme would contribute to enhancing long-term environmental sustainability and resilience of food production systems of Nigeria to achieve improved national food security.

Specifically, the meeting discussions focused around the three main components: enhancing the institutional and policy environment for achieving improved food security; scaling up sustainable agricultural practices and market opportunities for smallholder farmers in the target agro-ecological zones to increase food security even under increasing climate risks as well as addressing gender disparities and youth unemployment.

Oladipo explained that there is a growing consensus about the need to incorporate ecosystem services into resource management decisions at all levels. The programme is therefore both crucial and timely, he added. “Consistent with the programming objectives of the land degradation focal area, the GEF, through the programme, will leverage investments by other development partners to ensure that the flow of agro-ecosystem services is maintained or improved,” he added.

The programme will build on planned or existing initiatives, partnerships and institutional frameworks that address genetic resources, the use of and access to agricultural inputs, as well as access to markets and extension services with a view to mainstreaming sustainable land management practices for enhanced agro-ecosystem services and food insecurity.

Additionally, the programme is fostering supportive policies and incentives for smallholder farmers to adopt sustainable and resilient practices (including low-emission technologies and biodiversity considerations) and promote increased private sector investment in climate-resilient and low-emission food value chains.

Nigeria not at crossroads over food security, says Gidado

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Nigeria not at crossroads over food security, says Gidado

Coordinator of the Open Forum for Biotechnology (OFAB) in Nigeria and an Assistant Director at the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Dr Rose Gidado, has faulted claims by the duo of The Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) and Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) that Nigeria is at a crossroad in the struggle for sustainable agriculture, safe food, biosafety and biosecurity.

Dr Rose Gidado
Dr Rose Gidado

The duo’s position, expressed recently at a meeting, was based on the fact that the country was introducing genetic modification into the food chain process and therefore contaminating the country’s natural agriculture process.

But, reacting to the issue, Gidado stated that it was important to note that, to achieve developmental strides in economic diversification, food security, improved health systems, cleaner energy, job creation, wealth generation and poverty reduction, Nigeria must be determined to deploy every safe technology and invest purposefully in the training of manpower for the deployment of such technologies.

While commending the efforts of the organisers, Gidado noted that the onus lies on them to ensure that the citizenry get correct information.

“The integrity of a conference at which official and sponsored speakers made comments seeking to disparage the national programme on immunisation which has been scientifically proven to reduce the incidence of polio in Nigeria as a disguise to give Nigerian children oral wild virus to kill them and reduce the population of Nigeria is worrisome,” she said.

She described comments made that genetic engineering consists of indiscriminate and blind shooting of genes into plants and that it involves taking genes from a fish and inserting same indiscriminately into tomatoes as quite unfortunate.

Equally alarming, according to her, is the surreptitious attempt of the meeting to mix applied science with religion, the attempt to intimidate and sow fear in people by hiding under the veil of religion as demonstrated at the meeting in question, and the refusal to provide balanced information to a carefully chosen, mostly scientifically under-informed population.

She noted that because modern biotechnology was still considered as a new technology and the advancement in these areas have been so rapid, it has been the object of some doubts, fears, concerns as well as intense and divisive debate. These all bother on the potential risks to human health, the environment and society, and so are understandable.

Dr Gidado argued that even as the debates rage, mostly in technologically developing nations, agricultural products of modern biotechnology have been consumed without deleterious effects for 25 years, even as she underlined the need to understand that perceptions of the impacts of any technology were more complex than simple perception of benefits or risk.

She said: “As for any new or emerging technology, we must develop the capacity to balance benefits and risk of alternative technologies, while respecting human autonomy, justice and the environment.”

Fresh funds emerge for developing country climate action

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Fresh funds emerge for developing country climate action

Additional funds are now available for ambitious emission reduction action in developing countries, with the announcement of up to Euro 60 million from the NAMA Facility to support the implementation of transformational climate action plans laid out in countries’ Nationally Appropriate Mitigations Actions (NAMAs).

paris agreement
Climate change mitigation: Women sell mango and sweet potato jam at the food processing shop in Bantantinnting, Senegal. They produced the jam with a Multifunctional Platform Project (MFP) introduced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), helping women and girls to no longer spend several hours a day gathering firewood or collecting water. MFP is a diesel engine to which a variety of end-use equipment can be attached, including grinding mills, battery chargers, vegetable or nut oil presses, welding machines and carpentry tools. Bantantinnting, Senegal. Photo credit: United Nations Photo Gallery

Transformational NAMAs can be projects, policies or programmes that shift a technology and/or sector in a country onto a low-carbon development trajectory. With the right support, NAMAs can be an important channel for achieving countries’ nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which are the main pillar of last December’s landmark Paris Climate Change Agreement.

This is the fourth Call of its kind for NAMA support project outlines and will run until 31 October 2016 (12 pm CEST/GMT+2). This additional funding brings the total made available to more than Euro 260 million, with 14 NAMAs already being supported in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Some changes in the 4th Call aim to simplify the application procedures and strengthen the readiness and financial structuring of NAMAs.

The NAMA Facility was established by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) and the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in 2012. Denmark and the European Commission joined in 2015.

Support is provided for projects to carry out a range of financial and technical measures. However, the main focus is on the mobilisation of additional capital investments to foster transformational change in the partner country. All projects submitted during the three previous Calls were evaluated against pre-determined selection criteria, which ensured that the most ambitious and transformational NAMAs would be selected for funding. The projects selected are listed below.
First Call:

  • Chile: Self-supply Renewable Energy
  • Colombia: Transit-oriented urban development
  • Costa Rica: Low Carbon Coffee
  • Indonesia: Sustainable Urban Transport Programme

 

Second Call:

  • Burkina Faso: Biomass Energy
  • Peru: Sustainable Urban Transport
  • Tajikistan: Forestry
  • Thailand: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

 

Third Call:

  • Colombia: Domestic refrigeration
  • China: Integrated waste management
  • Guatemala: Efficient Use of Fuel and Alternative Fuels in Indigenous and Rural Communities
  • Kenya: Mass rapid transport system for Nairobi
  • South Africa: Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings Programme (EEPBP)

 

Detailed information on the 4th Call of the NAMA Facility, including all relevant application documents, are available here.

Important dates and upcoming events:

Deadline for submission: 31 October 2016
Webinar: 4th Call Introduction, 27 July 2016
Webinar: 4th Call Introduction, clarifications and FAQs, 7 September 2016

Germany to help developing countries implement Paris treaty

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Germany to help developing countries implement Paris treaty

Germany has unveiled an initiative that will assist developing nations to implement climate change commitments made last December in Paris, France. Many developing countries at the COP21 UN climate conference made their first ever commitment to complying with climate targets with the adoption of the Paris Agreement.

German Federal Environment Minister, Barbara Hendricks Photo credit: Stephanie Pilick/dpa
German Federal Environment Minister, Barbara Hendricks. Photo credit: Stephanie Pilick/dpa

However, a new implementation partnership now aims to help them transform these targets into specific strategies and measures, thanks to disclosures made recently by the German Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks and Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue.

The implementation partnership has been initiated jointly by the German Ministry for the Environment and Building and the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development together with the World Resources Institute (WRI). Its goal is to support developing countries in specifying and implementing their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). It also aims to help merge existing climate and development goals and to achieve greater harmonisation among the various donor programmes. The partnership will be officially launched at the Marrakesh climate conference in Morocco (COP22) in November.

Hendricks said: “In Paris we all pledged to stop dangerous climate change. We now have to achieve the targets we have set ourselves and to breathe life into the Paris Agreement. We are ready to support developing countries in tackling this challenge and to share our experience with them. This should also give our partner countries new opportunities for development. I believe that this initiative will send an important political signal at the next Marrakesh climate conference.”

Müller’s words: “Climate change is driving millions of people out of drought-stricken regions in Africa and coastal regions in Asia. We will only be able to achieve a world without hunger and poverty if we all join forces to drive forward effective climate action. This is a key challenge for the international community in the 21st century and the prerequisite for peace, and for equitable and fair globalisation.”

Developing countries, donor countries, institutional partners and NGOs will participate in the partnership. Membership is open to all countries, it was gathered. To support the set-up of the partnership, the German Ministry for the Environment and Building and the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development will finance the establishment of a secretariat in Washington and Bonn. Additionally, the climate action projects of both ministries will focus to an even greater extent on implementing the nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement.

One of the implementation partnership’s key tasks will be to organise quick access to tailor-made advice for developing countries. The partnership will draw on the know-how and work of numerous organisations, initiatives and platforms. There will also be a contact point for developing countries with specific climate-related questions – for example on developing the use of renewable energies, sustainable urban development and climate-resilient agriculture to name but a few. The partnership also aims to ensure that the various donors in different countries work hand in hand in implementing the Paris Agreement.

Training schemes to boost cancer care access in Africa

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Training schemes to boost cancer care access in Africa

Access to cancer care in Africa is receiving a boost, following the disclosure on Sunday in Darmstadt, Germany that some indigenous doctors have been pencilled down for medical training programmes in Kenya and India.

Merck, University of Nairobi and oncology experts discussing the first Merck Africa Medical Oncology Fellowship Programme for sub-Saharan African countries. Merck will sponsor nine medical doctors from Sub-Saharan African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Africa for a period of two years
Merck, University of Nairobi and oncology experts discussing the first Merck Africa Medical Oncology Fellowship Programme for sub-Saharan African countries. Merck will sponsor nine medical doctors from Sub-Saharan African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Africa for a period of two years

The initiative, which is also aimed at increasing the number of oncologists on the continent, will see nine medical doctors from sub-Saharan countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Africa benefit from a two-year programme sponsored by Merck, a leading science and technology company.

Merck announced on Sunday that it is starting the first Merck Africa Medical Oncology Fellowship Programme for sub-Saharan African countries in partnership with the University of Nairobi, Kenya, where the programme will be conducted. The firm says the gesture is part of efforts to improve access to cancer care and strengthen the healthcare system in emerging markets.

The Kenya training is the first step of the programme, disclosed Merck, adding that it will be extended to other African countries in the following year. Also, Merck will support another five African doctors to participate in a paediatric and adult medical fellowship programme, which will be held annually at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India. This programme will start in August this year.

“We are committed to improving patient’s access to healthcare all over the world,” said Rasha Kelej, who, as Chief Social Officer of the healthcare business sector of Merck, leads the implementation and coordination of activities designed to have a positive impact on societies in developing countries.

“In Africa, where the number of oncologists is very limited, this starts by building additional medical capacity. Our new programme aims to increase the number of qualified oncologists across the continent. The scarcity of trained healthcare personnel capable of tackling prevention, early diagnosis and management of cancer is a bigger challenge in Africa than the lack of financial resources. Therefore, we firmly believe that initiatives like ours are very helpful for Africa and also in a further step for more developing countries,” Kelej added.

Prof. Isaac Kibwage, Principal of Colleges of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, said: “We believe that the only way to effectively prevent, detect and treat the rising number of cancer cases in Africa is through establishing public private partnerships between health ministries, academia, and industry in implementing successful programs such as the partnership with Merck. This fellowship program will not only target Kenyan doctors but doctors from sub-Saharan African countries as well with the aim of improving the quality and accessibility of cancer care in the continent.”

Health experts believe that shortage of oncologists threatens cancer care in Africa. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), by 2020 there are expected to be 16 million new cases of cancer every year, 70% of which will be in developing countries where governments are least prepared to address the growing cancer burden and where survival rates are often less than half those of more developed countries.

According to research done by Merck Kenya only has 13 oncologists, most of them based in Nairobi for a population of 47 million, which means one oncologist per 3.6 million people. For reference, in the UK there are around 13 oncologists per one million people. In Ethiopia, there are only four oncologists, all based in Addis Ababa for a population of around 100 million inhabitants.

Merck disclosed in a statement that, over the past years, that, in addition to its cancer drug Erbitux, which made Merck is a pioneer in targeted cancer therapy, the company is also making progress in the field of immuno-oncology, which is aimed at mobilising the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.

Government abandons Sokoto flood victims

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Government abandons Sokoto flood victims

A week after a heavy flood destroyed 52 houses in Wurno town, headquarters of Wurno Local Government Council of Sokoto State in North West Nigeria, no action has so far been taken as at the time of filing this report.

floodInvestigation by EnviroNews reveals that, in spite of the fact that the incident occurred on July 4th 2016, the local government council is yet to formally or informally liaise with neither the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) nor the zonal office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Although the chairman of the local government council, Alhaji Abdulkadir Jelani, told a group of journalists that the flood was caused by the blockage of drainages in the town as well as the indiscriminately dumped refuse and firewood in the drainage channels, calls by this reporter to the council chairman were not successful.

Jelani had told the journalists that the victims were now squatting with neighbours, relatives and other good Samaritans, yet EnviroNews confirmed that the plight of those affected by the flood were not communicated to government agencies.

When EnviroNews contacted the Director General of SEMA, Hassan Maccido, and the head of the Sokoto Field Office of NEMA, Thickman Tanimu, in desperate telephone interviews, both confirmed they had no full report on the incident.

“I have not got full report on the flood. I cannot therefore comment on it,” Maccido said.

“Has any flood occurred in Wurno? When was that? I have not received any report in that regard. In any way, I have been transferred from Sokoto and will likely handover on tomorrow (Monday),” Tanimu said.

Although no life was lost, the flood also destroyed farm produce, including onions, garlic, rice, wheat and beans.

The local government was reported to have set up a 13-man committee to assess the extent of damage caused by the flood and recommend assistance to the victims.

However, EnviroNews confirmed from one of the victims that no form of assistance has been extended to them. “For now, no one or government has come to our aid,” he disclosed.

By Abdallah el-Kurebe

Images: Dr Femi Olomola, 21st NITP president, laid to rest

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Images: Dr Femi Olomola, 21st NITP president, laid to rest

National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Dr Olufemi Amos Olomola, who passed away after a brief illness on the 31st of May 2016 at his residence in Lagos, has been laid to rest. He was the 21st President of the NITP.

Dr Olomola was buried on Friday, July 8, 2016 in his home town in Ilesa, Osun State. Prior to the burial/interment, Service of Songs & Tributes sessions held in Lagos on Tuesday, July 5. They were organised by the Olomola Family, NITP, Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON) and Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos.

Members of the Olomola Family at the burial
Members of the Olomola Family at the burial
Dr Olomola's children at the burial
Dr Olomola’s children at the burial
Ministers at the burial
Ministers at the burial
Pallbearers at the funeral
Pallbearers at the funeral
Guests at the funeral
Guests at the funeral
National Secretary of the NITP, Alex N. Ogbodo (left) with Second National Vice President, Lekwa Olugu Ezutah, at the burial
National Secretary of the NITP, Alex N. Ogbodo (left) with Second National Vice President, Lekwa Olugu Ezutah, at the burial
Faces at the burial
Faces at the burial
More faces at the burial
More faces at the burial
Dr Olomola's widow and children during the Service of Songs & Tributes
Dr Olomola’s widow and children during the Service of Songs & Tributes
The Olomola Family at the Service of Songs & Tributes
The Olomola Family at the Service of Songs & Tributes
Faces at the Service of Songs & Tributes: Dr. C. L. Odimuko (Past President of the NITP), Tpl Waheed Kadiri (Past President of the NITP), Tpl Toyin Ayinde (former Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development), Tpl Mrs Catherine George (for Chairman, Lagos NITP), Tpl Moses Ogunleye (former Chairman, Lagos NITP), Tpl Bunmi Adeyeye (former Chairman, Lagos NITP) and Tpl Olaide Afolabi
Faces at the Service of Songs & Tributes: Dr. C. L. Odimuko (Past President of the NITP), Tpl Waheed Kadiri (Past President of the NITP), Tpl Toyin Ayinde (former Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development), Tpl Mrs Catherine George (former Chairman, Lagos NITP), Tpl Moses Ogunleye (former Chairman, Lagos NITP), Tpl Bunmi Adeyeye (former Chairman, Lagos NITP) and Tpl Olaide Afolabi
At the Service of Songs & Tributes (L-R): Idreez Salako, Muyiwa Adelu, Ayo Adediren and Moses Ogunleye
At the Service of Songs & Tributes (L-R): Tpl Idreez Salako, Tpl Muyiwa Adelu, Tpl Ayo Adediran and Tpl Moses Ogunleye
Tpl (Dr) Moses Olubunmi Ajayi (Past President of the NITP) at the Service of Songs & Tributes
Tpl (Dr) Moses Olubunmi Ajayi (Past President of the NITP) at the Service of Songs & Tributes
Tpl Waheed Kadiri (Past President of the NITP) at the Service of Songs & Tributes
Tpl Waheed Kadiri (Past President of the NITP) at the Service of Songs & Tributes

World Population Day 2016: Investing in teenage girls

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World Population Day 2016: Investing in teenage girls

Development Communications (DevComs) Network writes in commemoration of the World Population Day 2016 that the occasion draws attention to the numerous challenges faced by teenage girls around the world who are forced by their families and communities into marriage

Outcome of child marriage: Mahafaly girl carrying her sibling, Madagascar
Outcome of child marriage: Mahafaly girl carrying her sibling, Madagascar. Photo credit: Frans Lanting

The population of the world continues to grow in spite of the socio-economic turns of poverty, unemployment, and pollution. There are concerns that this population explosion needs to be checked as it poses even more danger to mankind. The World Population Day is an annual day observed around the world to bring awareness about population growth, and focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues.  It also focuses on challenges presented by the world of 7.02 billion people. With the continuous rapid growth in the last 200 years, it has become very important for people on earth to realise and act on healthier lives and importance of small families.

This year’s theme “Investing in Teenage Girls” draws attention to the numerous challenges faced by teenage girls around the world who are forced by their families and communities into marriage, with resultant early pregnancy and debilitating condition from childbirth. Many are forced to leave school, damaging their future prospects and denying them of their human rights. These challenges are worse among marginalised girls such as those from ethnic minorities or those from poor households.

Studies have found that, around the world, 10 percent of girls have initiated sex before the age of 15, about 3.2 million girls have gone through unsafe abortion, and the second leading cause of death among girls between the ages of 15 and 19 is complication from pregnancy and child birth. Despite prohibitions, child marriage remains widespread around the world. About 37,000 child marriages take place each day.

When teenage girls are empowered, know their rights and are given the tools to succeed, they are more likely to realise their full potential and become positive force for change in their families, communities and nation. Policies and investments in education and health that empower teenage girls and create economic conditions that lead to jobs are particularly important in countries with large, emerging youth populations. Such countries stand to realise a demographic dividend, which has the potential to strengthen and speed up economic growth.

UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, says, “Leaders and communities must focus on and stand up for the human rights of the most marginalised teenage girls, particularly those who are poor, out of school, exploited, or subjected to harmful traditional practices, including child marriage. Marginalised girls are vulnerable to poor reproductive health and more likely to become mothers while still children themselves. They have a right to understand and control their own bodies and shape their own lives.”

Policymakers play an important role in ensuring that human rights are universal and thus enjoyed by all, including teenage girls, who worldwide face obstacles to their rights to education, health and freedom from violence. Communities, non-governmental organisations, youth-led groups, activists, faith-based institutions and girls themselves also have a vital role to play in shaping policies that affect their lives and in making sure that these policies are translated into real, positive transformation.

How to phasedown mercury dental amalgam use, by experts

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How to phasedown mercury dental amalgam use, by experts

The Federal Government has been called upon to initiate a coordinated multi-sectoral approach for an effective phasedown of dental amalgam use in the country.

mercury-fillingsThe authorities were also asked to raise awareness about dental mercury and promotion of alternatives as well as a transition to alternatives.

These formed the fulcrum of agreements arrived at by participants at a day-long stakeholders’ forum on “Phasing Down of Amalgam – The Alternatives in Nigeria” that held last week at the University of Lagos, where a deadline of December 2017 was set for public and private establishments to discourage and stop amalgam use in children’s primary teeth.

Similarly, mid 2017 was set as target following an immediate review and updating of dental schools’ training curriculum to emphasise mercury-free dentistry.

Apart from the creation of special fund for dental schools, it was also recommended that demonstration projects (pilot hospitals) should be initiated, as well as the application of best available technology and environmental practice in the management of dental amalgam.

Participants likewise underscored the need for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to include phasedown programme in her awareness campaign which, they added, should include engaging the media in awareness creation on the health impacts of mercury in dental amalgam.

The forum brought together over 140 participants drawn from government, medical/dental, dental associations, practitioners (doctors, nurses, technicians and therapists), academia, finance, pharmaceutical industry, media and civil society groups, who deliberated on phasing down of dental amalgam use in Nigeria.

In his opening words, Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. Godwin Arotiba, said that the phasing down of dental amalgam is an issue of global importance that requires an urgent national action.

Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, represented by Mrs. Stella Olagunju, stated the willingness of the ministry to accept the decision on dental curriculum change in Nigeria with emphasis on phasedown from dental amalgam use to mercury-free alternatives into the national education curriculum.

On the other hand, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Salman Bello, represented by Prof. B.O. Sylva, noted that the Faculty of Dental Sciences, as a centre of excellence in dental practice, is more strategic to the promotion of dental amalgam phasedown initiatives for dental practice in the country. He further stated that the University of Lagos currently has facilities for scientific research and analysis to support the phase down programme.

The Federal Ministry of Environment representative (Mr Olubunmi Olusanya) who stood in for Dr Idris Goji, Deputy Director, Department of Pollution and Environmental Health in the ministry, noted that mercury emission and releases pose health and environmental concerns, even though satisfactory alternatives to dental amalgam are available in Nigeria. He further called for a national road map in line with the national phase down plan which would help to save lives.

The representative of NAFDAC Dr. Anthony Hotton, noted that NAFDAC regulates the importation, sale, use, manufacture and distribution of chemicals which are grouped as general, controlled or restricted chemicals. He stated that mercury and its compounds are placed under restriction due to their health impact.

The keynote speaker, Prof. Adeyemi Oluniyi Olusile, a past President of National Dental Association (NDA) and presently the President of African Regional Organisation of World Dental Federation (FDI), outlined the effect of mercury on the environment and health especially occupational exposures. He called for the inclusion of dental amalgam alternatives filling materials in the National Health Insurance Scheme in Nigeria.

He added that curriculum changes into dental amalgam alternatives is already in place in some institutions like LUTH, University College Hospital, Ibadan; Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH); Obafemi Awolowo University and other schools.

“The reality is that, whether we like it or not, soon and very soon, amalgam will no longer be available for use. We do not manufacture amalgam in Nigeria, we import it and if the countries from where we import no longer export, we have to use the alternatives,” submitted Prof. Olusile.

During the meeting participants observed the following:

  • Mercury is recognised as a chemical of global concern due to its ability transport in the atmosphere, bio-accumulate in ecosystems and significant negative effect on human health and the environment.
  • The Minamata Convention on Mercury signed by Nigeria in October 2013 stipulates measures to be taken by parties to phase down the use of dental amalgam and oral health.
  • Low level of awareness among Nigerians on the dangers of mercury.
  • Dental amalgam is still widely used in Nigeria.
  • Limited number and distribution of dental clinics and centres to provide services for the Nigeria’s teeming population.
  • Inadequate number of dentists and other auxiliary personnel to provide dental services to patients.
  • Alternative direct restorative materials such as composite, compomer and ceramics can be used for restoration of carious and posterior teeth based on specific selection criteria and indications.
  • That most government pediatric dentistry units have long stopped the usage of dental amalgam also due to other associated reasons.

Competition hunts for climate inspiring videos

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Competition hunts for climate inspiring videos

Courtesy of the Film4Climate Global Video Competition, young filmmakers have been invited to showcase their talents and create inspirational videos about climate action.

Italian film director and screenwriter, Bernardo Bertolucci, will chair the jury. Photo credit: sensesofcinema.com
Italian film director and screenwriter, Bernardo Bertolucci, will chair the jury. Photo credit: sensesofcinema.com

The event has been described as the centerpiece of the Connect4Climate initiative to promote sustainability in the creative industries through active engagement with young people in finding solutions to climate change.

The competition will be open for submissions through September 15, with the winners to be announced at a high-profile awards ceremony at the United Nations COP22 Climate Summit in Marrakesh, Morocco in November.

The winning entries will receive cash prizes of $8,000, $5,000, and $2,000 for first, second and third place in each of two categories: an under one-minute Public Service Advertisement (PSA) or a Short Film up to five minutes.

The competition offers filmmakers a chance to have their work reviewed by a jury chaired by Bernardo Bertolucci, and including other preeminent directors, producers, writers and political leaders.

At the competition’s announcement in Cannes, producer and jury member Lawrence Bender said, “In every country, every city, people have different stories on climate change…there are many stories that can be told. If this worldwide film competition creates a critical mass of ideas and energy, it could help tip the balance in terms of focusing people’s attention.”

As the next five years will be critical to advancing and scaling up climate action around the world as part of the SDGs, the COP22 climate summit aims to encourage countries to implement ambitious climate actions, with youth playing a vital role in the agenda.

“It is not our role to inspire youth, it is they who inspire us every single day. Our mission is to provide them with a platform, and COP22 will be the opportunity to show the world the creativity of young filmmakers and how they are taking action on climate change,” stated Dr. Hakima El Haite, Delegate Minister in Charge of Environment, Morocco, Special Envoy for Mobilisation of COP22, and High-Level Champion of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Nick Nuttall, Spokesperson/Head of Communications at UNFCCC, adds, “In order to unleash the full potential of the Paris Climate Change Agreement towards a better, more climate-safe world, all sectors of society and all walks of life need to be on board, including the creative industries. We are therefore delighted to be working with Connect4Climate to raise awareness on how the film industry can fast forward its contribution, and to showcase these achievements in Morocco in November at the next UN climate change conference.”

Sheila Redzepi, Vice President of External and Corporate Relations, World Bank Group, says: “Climate change is a real and global threat affecting people’s wellbeing, livelihoods, the environment and economies. Communication is a powerful tool in furthering understanding of its impact and inspiring action to tackle it. That’s why I welcome this initiative and the support it has received from partners who, in their own fields, are leading the way in finding solutions.”

In addition to the main cash prizes a number of special prizes will be awarded to outstanding entries. These include a People’s Choice award, a MENA-Award for the best entry from the Middle East and North Africa region, and a “Price on Carbon Pollution” award. Other prizes, including worldwide distribution by Vulcan Productions, will be awarded as determined by presenting partners. Vulcanpreviously partnered with the World Bank Group’s Connect4Climate programme to produce the spectacular large-scale architectural projection and public art display of images of climate change on St. Peter’s Basilica in December 2015, as a gift to Pope Francis, which was seen by an audience of several billion people.

Carole Tomko, General Manager and Creative Director of Vulcan Productions, states, “We know the immense power of storytelling to change the way people view an issue, to raise awareness and inspire progress. We are looking for submissions that energize and communicate in a fresh manner, and demonstrate innovative storytelling of key issues of our time.”

“This competition is a chance for young people to tell a story that may change the world,” said Lucia Grenna, Programme Manager of Connect4Climate, the global partnership programme behind the competition. “The science of climate change is beyond debate. Politicians are moving in the direction of a solution. What we need now is the creative push that the passion and imagination of young people can provide. We need their images and words to tell a story that inspires individual responsibility and collective action on a global scale.”

The competition is the outcome of a partnership between the World Bank Group’s Connect4Climate program, the United Nations, Vulcan Productions, and the Italian energy company Enel, which has endorsed the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and targeted carbon neutrality for its operations by 2050. Other presenting partners include the UNFCCC, UN Sustainable Development, UNEP, The Global Brain, and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco. In addition, more than 50 collaborating partners are supporting the competition.

Connect4Climate receives support from the Italian and German governments, as well as from the private and public sectors, and academia.

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