Medical experts have cautioned Nigerians against panicking in the face of the present heat wave across the country, but rather take necessary precautions to avoid dehydration.
Above-danger heat stress: A man cools off amid searing heat wave
The experts, who spoke in separate interviews in Calabar, Cross River State, on Sunday, February 18, 2024, attributed the heat wave to climate change.
While warning that the situation might persist in the coming days, the medical experts appealed to the people to ensure adequate intake of water to remain hydrated.
Dr Felix Archibong, Chairman, Cross River chapter, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), and Dr Ezekiel Edino, Medical Director, General Hospital, Igbokoda, Ondo State, agreed that the heat wave might come with some ailments.
They noted that this might only occur in a situation of dehydration.
They listed elated respiratory issues and increased vulnerability to chronic conditions as the likely ailment to be caused by the heat wave.
According to the chairman NMA, Cross River, dehydration may cause headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps, and dizziness.
Archibong said: “Drinking plenty of water, staying in naturally humid environment like under a tree may help during this period.
“People should also ensure frequently bathing, not necessarily with soap and increase water intake.”
On his part, Edino, Medical Director, General Hospital, Igbokoda, explained that dehydration could lead to more serious problems like heat exhaustion, heat stroke, skin infection, mental health and even death if left untreated.
He said the heat wave could also cause spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy, preterm contractions and general discomfort.
“It’s important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, especially when exercising or spending time in hot weather. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of dehydration, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible.
“To remain hydrated this time, it is important we do more fruits and vegetables intake, wear light clothing, avoid overcrowded and congested environment.”
The medical director also attributed depletion in ozone layer and environmental pollution to be responsible for the heat wave.
However, both medical experts say there have been no record of ailment associated to the heat wave in their hospitals.
The air temperature has hit almost 41°C over the North and 39°C over the South.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted haziness and cloudiness across the country from Monday, February 19 to Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
Cloudy weather
NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday, February 18, in Abuja forecast moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km over the northern and North Central states.
“Except Benue, Kogi and Kwara where patches of cloud in hazy atmosphere is anticipated. Patches of clouds are expected over the Inland of the South throughout the forecast period.
“Patches of clouds are expected over the Coast in the morning with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Lagos, Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa states during the afternoon and evening hours,” it said.
According to NiMet, moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km is expected over the northern and North central region on Tuesday.
It said with the exception of Kwara, Benue and Kogi where patches of clouds in a hazy atmosphere was anticipated.
“Patches of clouds are expected in the morning over the Inland of the South and the Coast.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Lagos, Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa states,” it said.
The agency envisaged slight dust haze over the northern region on Wednesday.
It forecast patches of cloud in a hazy atmosphere over North central region except over parts of Plateau, Kwara, Benue and Kogi states where isolated thunderstorms were expected later in the day.
NiMet envisaged patches of clouds over the inland of the South and the Coast in the morning with prospects of isolated thunderstorms.
“(This will be) over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Edo, Oyo, Ondo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Delta states later in the day.
The agency advised people with respiratory issues to wear face masks where possible.
“People with respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather situations. Children and the elderly should wear warm clothing at night.
“Special attention should be paid to your skin, eyes and lips. Moisturise your skin and lips as much as possible.
It also advised Airline operators to obtain updated weather reports and forecast from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.
An international energy conference kicked off in Egypt on Monday, February 19, 2024, to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition.
Egypt s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inaugurates the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES) 2024, held under the theme Driving Energy Transition, Security, and Decarbonisation
The Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES 2024), which runs from Feb. 19 to 21, is themed “Driving Energy Transition, Security, and Decarbonisation” and aims to showcase the latest technologies and innovations in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi welcomed the hundreds of experts and officials who participated in the conference and said the event eyes technology with high costs and investments.
Egypt’s Petroleum Minister, Tarek El-Molla, said the conference was held at a time when the world was facing serious climate change threats that endangered the future of sustainable development.
He stressed Egypt’s commitment to the global trend of using hydrogen and clean energy sources, saying EGYPES 2024 would help shape a better future for the energy sector and the human resources involved.
He also urged more aid and soft financing for African countries to achieve a fair and secure energy transition, in cooperation with international institutions.
The conference would feature more than 80 sessions and 300 speakers, covering six key topics, including energy security, decarbonisation, digitalisation, innovation, investment, and human capital.
Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interviews, the conference would address the most pressing issues and opportunities facing the oil, gas, and energy industry at the regional and global levels.
A key step to achieving climate neutrality in the European Union is to rapidly shift from fossil fuels to electric technologies powered by renewable energies, a new study shows.
Felix Schreyer, PIK scientist and lead author of the study
At the same time, hydrogen produced from electricity will also be indispensable in hard-to-electrify sectors such as aviation, shipping and chemicals. By 2050, electrification and hydrogen are the key strategies to reach climate neutrality based on renewable power.
Future EU transformation scenarios modelled by scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research PIK investigate the roles of electrification and hydrogen and find that shares of 42-60% for electricity and 9-26% for hydrogen-based energy are required in total energy consumption by 2050.
“Previous research has shown that our power system can be transformed to renewable sources like wind and solar at low cost and low environmental impact. However, the next question is how this renewable electricity can be used to substitute fossil fuel use in the buildings, industry and transport sectors. Our analysis shows that the direct use of electricity, for example, via electric cars and heat pumps, is critical for a broad range of sectors, while the conversion of electricity to hydrogen is important only for few applications,” says Felix Schreyer, PIK scientist and lead author of the study.
The study, published in “One Earth”, is the first to analyse the interplay of electrification and hydrogen in EU climate neutrality scenarios at greater sectoral detail. The analysis shows higher potentials for electrification and identifies a more confined deployment range for hydrogen-based energy than earlier studies. Using the energy-economy model REMIND, PIK-scientists investigated plausible combinations of both strategies in EU energy system transformation pathways under different scenario assumptions.
They found that, across scenarios, direct electrification is the dominant strategy for passenger cars and low-temperature heating in buildings and industry, while hydrogen and synthetic fuels produced from electricity are needed primarily for aviation, shipping, the chemical industry and as electricity storage. Hence, electrification and hydrogen are largely complementary, while they compete for a small share of only about 15% of final energy. These uncertain segments include sectors like truck transport and high-temperature industrial process heat.
Three cornerstones for a successful transformation: Advancing the expansion of renewables, removing obstacles and providing incentives
“Ramping up renewable electricity supply and switching to electric technologies wherever possible is by far the fastest and cheapest way of eliminating carbon emissions in most sectors. We therefore expect the share of electricity in final energy to increase from 20% to 42-60%,” says co-author Gunnar Luderer, leader of the Energy Systems Group at PIK. This is because electric technologies are increasingly available and use electricity very efficiently, while the conversion to hydrogen and synthetic fuels and their combustion come with significant energy losses.
Overall, EU electricity demand increases across their scenarios by 80-160% in 2050 depending on the amount of hydrogen imports and the role of electrification and hydrogen in uncertain sectors. This means that around twice as much power as today will have to be produced by then.
The authors also discuss the current state of EU policy with regards to electrification and hydrogen and outline three critical cornerstones for a successful transformation: Policymaking should 1) prioritise electrification and hydrogen respectively in sectors where they are preferred across all scenarios, 2) remove barriers to renewable power expansion and 3) incentivize the scale-up of hydrogen supply chains.
“Our study highlights that policymakers should respect the different sectoral roles of both strategies: By promoting electrification via electric applications for road transport and heating while prioritising hydrogen and synthetic fuels for applications where they are indispensable,” says PIK scientist and co-author, Falko Ueckerdt.
A host of new measures to safeguard migratory species have been adopted at the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), which closed on Saturday, February 17, 2024, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Delegates gather at a morning plenary to discuss various scientific assessments and reports
Among the measures agreed: the addition of 14 species to the coverage of the Convention, including the Eurasian Lynx, Pallas’s Cat and Sand Tiger Shark. Other measures were adopted to safeguard species such as the chimpanzee and giraffe.
Resolutions and decisions and concerted actions were adopted on over 100 distinct topics by representatives of the world treaty’s 133 member states.
After nearly two decades of inconclusive negotiations, agreement was also reached on a Central Asian Flyway spanning 30 Range States of migratory birds. The adopted initiative includes the establishment of a coordinating unit in India with financial support from the Indian Government.
The week-long UN wildlife conservation conference, the first-ever United Nations COP held in Central Asia, was opened by Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister, Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov, on Monday, February 12.
“COP14 in Samarkand represents a milestone. With the scientific backing of the first-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report launched at the start of the COP, we must now implement CMS mandates. The ambitious goals set at COP14, coupled with the new Samarkand Strategic Plan for Migratory Species, offers us a clear roadmap for action,” saidAmy Fraenkel, CMS Executive Secretary.
Key outcomes of COP14 include:
Cross-cutting issues
Strengthened resolution on climate change and endorsement of the report on the climate change on migratory wildlife.
Strengthened measures to address the illegal and unsustainable taking of migratory species.
Actions to advance ecological connectivity.
New global guidelines addressing the impacts of light pollution on migratory species.
Recommendations on addressing linear infrastructure development and impact assessment.
Endorsement of a new scientific report “Insect Decline and its Threat to Migratory Insectivorous Animal Populations”, and a call for the CMS Scientific Council to develop new guidelines.
Adoption of a new Decision on Wildlife Health encouraging CMS Parties to implement the recommendations of the scientific report ‘Migratory Species and Health: A Review of Migration and Wildlife Disease Dynamics, and the Health of Migratory Species, within the Context of One Health’ also endorsed by the COP.
Amendments to CMS Appendices to include fourteen additional species in need of international conservation, such as the Eurasian Lynx, the Pallas’s Cat, Sand Tiger Shark, and the Magellanic Plover.
New Concerted Actions as priority conservation measures for six species, including the Chimpanzee, the Straw-colored Fruit Bat, and the Blue Shark, and extension of existing Concerted Actions for nine species such as the Giraffe, the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin and the Antipodean Albatross.
Migratory Aquatic species
New mandate on addressing the impacts of deep-seabed mineral exploitation on migratory species, their prey, and their ecosystems.
Strengthened mandate on tackling bycatch and aquatic wild meat, a global concern for small cetaceans, sharks, marine turtles and seabirds.
Three new Action Plans for aquatic species, the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin, the Hawksbill Turtle and the Angelshark.
New resolution on reducing the risk of vessel strikes for marine megafauna, based on a new scientific report presented to the COP “Limiting global ship strike on whale sharks Understanding an increasing threat to the world’s largest fish” which focusses on the Appendix I & II-listed Whale Shark.
Migratory Birds
Agreement on an Initiative for the Central Asian Flyway, which spans 30 Range States, after nearly two decades of inconclusive negotiations. The adopted initiative includes the establishment of a coordinating unit in India with financial support from the Government.
A new approach agreed to global flyways coordination under the CMS umbrella for CMS and non-CMS parties and partners.
Expansion and reinforcement of the prevention of illegal killing, taking, and trade of migratory birds with a call for strengthening the recently created Asia-Pacific Intergovernmental Task Force and agreement on the launch of a new Task Force in Southwest Asia, based on the successful model of the Task Force in the Mediterranean region.
Migratory terrestrial species
Numerous species-specific and Range States-wide initiatives, such as a new Transboundary Jaguar Initiative.
Establishment of a new Initiative in northern Africa on the Sahelo-Saharan Megafauna based on the successful model of the CMS Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI). The Initiative includes ambitious Action Plans for critically endangered species such as the Addax and the Dama Gazelle.
As part of CAMI, Uzbekistan announced a new programme to introduce the Cheetah in the country.
“Regional cooperation and close partnership with Central Asian states is one of the key priorities. We share common history, culture, environmental and climatic characteristics, as well as migrating species. In addition to the beauty of our architecture, crafts and scholarship, one of the most significant features is that we always had a strong connection to nature.
just as our ancestors revered and drew inspiration from the natural world we must also learn to live in harmony with nature.” said H.A. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan and Host of COP14.
Extension of CMS regional agreements and strengthened partnerships.
With the context of the COP being held in Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan jointly signed the CMS Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (CMS Raptors MOU) bringing the membership of this specialised CMS instrument to 64 Signatories. In a similar move, Argentina signed the Memorandum of Understanding on The Conservation of High Andean Flamingos and their Habitats (CMS Andean Flamingo MOU) on the third day of the COP.
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and CMS extended their decade-long partnership protecting Dugongs, African-Eurasian birds of prey and other migratory animals of regional importance. A donor agreement was signed during the High-level Segment event.
On the second day of the COP, CMS and the IUCN also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the priorities of the Joint CITES-CMS African Carnivores Initiative (ACI).
New global initiatives
In a direct and immediate response to some of the key recommendations from the flagship CMS report, “The State of the World’s Migratory Species,” a new Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity (GPEC) was launched during a special event of COP14. This alliance aims to ensure that ecological connectivity is maintained, enhanced, and restored in critical areas for migratory species. Initiated by the CMS, the partnership includes key entities with mandates to work on these issues, including the Centre for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC), Climate Chance, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
The governments of Belgium, France, Monaco, and Uzbekistan are among the CMS Parties supporting this initiative.
The COP’s opening was preceded by a political High-level Segment (HLS) meeting, convened on February 11, under the theme “Working together for migratory species and sustainable development in Central Asia.” This event featured special dialogues among Ministers, Executives of International Organisations, and other high-level representatives, focusing on strengthening transboundary cooperation for the conservation of migratory species in Central Asia and sharing experiences of transboundary cooperation from other regions of the world.
The first-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report (https://bit.ly/3OM9HBx) was launched at the opening press conference on the first day of the COP. The landmark report revealed a shocking decline with many of the world’s migratory species of animals declining and the risk of global extinction increasing. It issued a clear wake-up call and provided a set of priority recommendations for action to the COP.
On the sidelines of CMS COP14, the highly anticipated ceremony of the Migratory Species Champion Programme recognised nine champions for their exceptional efforts and commitments to the global effort to conserve migratory species. The recipients of the award were the Governments of Uzbekistan (Host of COP14), Monaco, India, Germany, and the United Kingdom, along with the European Commission, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the National Centre for Wildlife of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. These entities were honoured for their contributions to initiatives that range from addressing the illegal killing, taking, and trade of birds to conserving Central Asian mammals, among many others.
“You could see countries working together to address the known threats to migratory species in a more integrated way. This meeting was all about how to address the findings of the State of Migratory Species report. How do we tackle that decline in a big, big way and in a new way. Only the UN, across the board can do that. So, it is us or nothing,” said Colin Galbraith, Deputy Chair of COP14 and outgoing COP-Appointed Scientific Councillor for Climate Change.
The meeting in Samarkand marked a COP of many firsts It was the first COP of any global environmental treaty to take place in Central Asia, a region that provides habitat to numerous migratory species, including the Saiga Antelope, the Snow Leopard, and many species of migratory birds. The meeting registered over 1700 participants, with 92 CMS Parties, 16 UN Agencies and over 240 participants from various conservation organisations, including many delegations attending a CMS COP for the first time.
This included high-level representation from entities including the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), the World Bank, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), and the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Additionally, Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, made her first visit to the Central Asian region.
With the conclusion of COP14, the Government of Uzbekistan now holds the mantle of the CMS COP Presidency and will carry the momentum from this meeting into the next three years, not only in Central Asia but also for all regions of the world, for the conservation of migratory species and their habitats.
British universal bank, Barclays, has published a revised Climate Change Statement to progress its climate strategy, announcing intention to stop directly financing new oil and gas projects.
Barclays
Following Barclays’ commitment to finance $1trillion of Sustainable and Transition Finance by 2030, Barclays also released a Transition Finance Framework to support meeting that target and facilitate the transition finance needed to decarbonise high-emitting sectors.
The updated Climate Change Statement outlines that no project finance, or other direct finance to energy clients, for upstream oil and gas expansion projects or related infrastructure.
It has also put in restrictions for new energy clients engaged in expansion, non-diversified energy clients engaged in long lead expansion and additional restrictions on unconventional oil and gas, including Amazon and extra heavy oil.
Laura Barlow, Group Head of Sustainability, said: “Addressing climate change is a critical and complex challenge. We continue to work with our energy clients as they decarbonise and support their efforts to transition in a manner that is just, orderly and addresses energy security. Today we strengthen our commitment to the energy transition, with policies that will focus our capital and resources to the energy companies that play a key role in the transition.”
In the International Energy Agency NZE scenario, new long lead time upstream oil and gas projects are not required on a 1.5°C-aligned pathway. For current and future (declining) global demand to be satisfied, investment is needed to support existing assets while clean energy is scaled. Barclays understands the critical importance of energy being secure, reliable and affordable for our customers and clients.
Barclays say they will continue to support an energy sector in transition, focusing on the diversified energy companies investing in low carbon and with greater scrutiny on those engaged in developing new oil and gas projects.
Daniel Hanna, Head of Sustainable Finance, Corporate and Investment Bank, adds: “Publishing our Transition Finance Framework reinforces our commitment to be transparent in how we are mobilising $1trillion of Sustainable and Transition Finance by the end of 2030 while Barclays continues to be a leading global clean energy adviser and financier, unlocking growth from the energy transition.”
The Federal Government says it will adopt a multifaceted approach to accelerate adoption of a sustainable and environmental friendly transportation solutions in the country.
Minister of Transportation, Sen. Saidu Alkali
Minister of Transportation, Sen. Saidu Alkali, said this while delivering a speech at the opening of the Executive session of the 18th National Council on Transportation Conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday, February 16, 2024.
He said that the conference would help to deliberate on importance issues on transportation with a view to aligning the sector with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, there is need to modernise the country’s transportation systems by pioneering the frontier of green manufacturing and industrialisation with a focus on natural gas as a transition fuel alongside other renewable energy sources.
The minister said that prioritising innovative technologies in the transportation sector would help to mitigate energy challenges, while promoting sustainability and economic growth was also important.
“Another transportation solution is in engendering innovative and transformative initiatives for the development of new renewable energy sources and Smart city concepts.
“Consciously prioritising budgetary appropriation to tackle energy challenges and creating incentives to attract private sector investment in de-carbonisation and other alternative technology,” he said.
Alkali further said that in recent years, the Federal Government had shown commitment to implement policies and strategies to develop a safe, secure, affordable, and sustainable transportation system.
He said that the Federal Ministry of Transportation had carried out notable technological advancement that would foster an environmentally and economically friendly transportation solution in the country.
Alkali noted that the ministry had developed a National Land Transport Policy which dealt extensively on components such as Alternative Energy Climate change
“This policy draft has reached 80 per cent completion and we are looking forward to inviting you all to brainstorm and finalise the draft policy for onward transmission to the Federal Executive Council for approval,” he said.
The minister, however, commended the efforts of the state government in promoting Multimodal Transport and championing the course of e-mobility and Gas Mobility Projects.
He reiterated that an efficient transportation system remained a win to every endeavour of human life, saying that the onus was on everyone to innovate and accept new technologies in the transportation ecosystem.
In his remarks, Gov. Dapo Abiodun said that the theme of the conference indicated the sector was fully cognisant of current challenges, realities, and limitations and ready to proffer sustainable solutions.
Abiodun, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said that transportation sector played a pivotal role in the sustainable growth and development of the nation and the state’s economy.
On World Pangolin Day observed on Saturday, February 17, 2024, Nigeria’s leading personalities from the realms of music, comedy, sports, and business have come together to shine a spotlight on the urgent need to address the devastating impacts of the illegal wildlife on pangolins and the use of Nigeria as an export hub for trafficking pangolin scales.
The Pangolin. Pangolins are believed to be the world’s most trafficked mammals
The campaign, spearheaded by Wild Africa Fund and supported by a wide array of Nigerian media organisations, has brought together a stellar lineup of renowned Nigerian personalities including 2Face, Davido, Ali Baba, Emanuella, Alex Iwobi, Josh2Funny and several other celebrities who have committed their voices and influence to amplify the escalating threats posed by the illegal wildlife trade, particularly on pangolins.
“By leveraging the power of public figures and the influence they wield, this campaign aims to turn the tide for pangolins and make Nigeria a regional leader in fighting wildlife crime,” said Dr. Mark Ofua, Wild Africa Fund’s West Africa spokesperson.
Pangolins are said to be the most trafficked mammals in the world, partly because their scales are in great demand for use in traditional medicine in Asia. As pangolin populations in Asia have declined, shipments from Africa have greatly increased to meet soaring demand. According to the Wildlife Justice Commission, 55 percent of pangolin scale seizures worldwide between 2016 and 2019 were linked to Nigeria.
A recent survey of 1,000 Nigerians conducted by Lagos-based Market Surveys International found that 88 percent are aware of Wild Africa Fund’s campaign with 97 percent of people aged 10-17 years reporting that they remember the campaign.
Additionally, 86 percent said they would no longer kill or consume because of learnings from the campaign and 31 percent said they have stopped consuming bushmeat due to the campaign. Furthermore, 91 percent signified their intention to substitute bushmeat with other sources of protein like chicken, fish, and meat from goat, cattle and turkey.
The impact and reach of the campaign could be attributed to several factors, including increased coverage of wildlife issues by Nigerian news organisations, Wild Africa Fund’s widely seen public service announcements featuring Nigerian celebrities as well as several other engaging content like Dr. Mark’s Animal Show which targets kids and teenagers and has been broadcast by several TV channels in Nigeria, including Silverbird TV, StarTimes, and Teen Africa TV.
Founder and CEO of Wild Africa Fund, Peter Knights OBE, stated: “Once aware of the issues, leading Nigerians and media have been incredibly supportive of better wildlife protection and we truly believe the country can lead the region in safeguarding pangolins and other endangered wildlife.”
A scholar, Prof. Basil Okeahialam, has warned that the prevailing high humidity in parts of the country can damage heart health if not properly managed.
It is said that the prevailing high humidity in parts of the country can damage heart health
Okeahialam, a Professor of Cardiology, University of Jos, Plateau State, gave the warning in an interview on Saturday, February 17, 2024, in Umuahia, Abia State.
The don said that people prone to developing hypertension and other heart diseases would likely do so earlier under the current weather condition if no proper care was taken.
“Yes, definitely, it does; high humidity has adverse effects on heart health; there is something we call thermal stress.
“When the temperature is high and humidity is high, the body comes under what we call intense thermal stress because much pressure is put up on the heart to make it work harder.
“As human beings, our temperatures are not permitted by nature to swing over a wide range because the core temperature has to be maintained within a narrow range for the body to function normally.
“But when temperature and humidity is high, the heart makes greater effort to keep the temperature within the required low range because the gradient that easily removes heat from the body to the environment is narrowed,’’
According to Okeahialam, it is the process of working to normalise body temperature to suit proper body functioning that keeps thermal stress on the heart.
He said that when the heart came under thermal stress, a healthy heart would cope reasonably with it but the human being would be uncomfortable and seeking to cool off.
“But if the heart is diseased, and needs rest to function optimally but is under thermal stress and you are giving it excess fluid, it could go into heart failure.
“Weak hearts that are presented with high thermal stress are prone to going into heart failure during weather conditions like this.’’
Okeahialam said that under high humidity weather condition, people lost fluids and electrolytes through sweating which was body’s mechanism for heat removal from the body.
He noted that drinking water alone was not enough but could cause another problem for the body if only fluids and not electrolytes were replaced.
The academic recommended staying in cool places, wearing light clothes and eating fleshy fruits like watermelon, cucumber, cashew, opete (Costus afar) to replace fluids and electrolytes.
He also warned of over-staying under the air conditioner which he said would also give the heart much stress as it struggled to keep a core temperature for the body’s optimal functioning.
Okeahialam, reacting to an item from the guide to safety purportedly coming from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), said avoiding proteinous foods was unnecessary.
He said that a high humidity weather exerted stress not only on the heart but also on the kidneys; hence, the need to care for them too.
The professor said a high protein diet would add to the kidney’s stress under a high humidity weather stressing that Nigerians needed not heed that advice because they did not take enough protein in their diets.
“In Europe, a man may eat a quarter of a goat at a meal so the quantity of protein in a European diet may create more work for a kidney that is facing thermal stress.
“But for us here, I don’t think reducing protein is the way to go because we do not take much protein in our meals,’’ he said.
The Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) has urged property owners and construction professionals to get the required permits for their projects.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State
The Director, Public Affairs, LASPPPA, Abimbola Emdin-Umeh, gave the advice in a statement on Saturday, February 17, 2024, in Lagos.
According to him, this aligns with the state government’s THEMES+ agenda for development.
“The LASPPPA has renewed its call on property owners and practitioners in the built environment to voluntarily obtain planning permit for their proposed and built constructions.
He said the call was reiterated by the General Manager of the Authority, Tpl. Kehinde Osinaike, during an interactive meeting with selected real estate developers to evolve strategies to expand the authority’s contribution to the achievement of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Agenda.
He noted that many property owners in Lagos were carrying out construction without the necessary permits, relying solely on a “Green Sticker” or “Letter of Authorisation.”
According to him, this is a serious concern to the authority as these approvals don’t replace proper building permits.
Emdin-Umeh said that getting a planning permit before starting construction was mandatory in Lagos.
He quoted Osinaike as saying, “this is a breach of Section 27, Sub-Section 1 of the Lagos State Planning Permit Regulations, 2019 as amended.
“It is mandatory to have a Planning Permit before proceeding to the Lagos State Building Control Agency for Letter of Authorisation to Commence Construction, in line with relevant sections of the laws.”
Osinaike also condemned the illegal change of use of buildings by converting a residential building into a commercial one without approval.
This, he said, violated zoning regulations and the state’s operating development plan.
He said that the general manager directed the commencement of a state-wide audit of existing buildings in the state to confirm their conformity to the development plan of the state.
Osinaike advised property owners not to change a building’s purpose without the approval of LASPPPA as the sole authority adding that doing so would attract penalties.
“The operation of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning Development Law 2019, as amended, is vested in the Office of the Commissioner, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
“It is important to obtain permits before commencing construction, it is essential for proper urban planning and development control in the state, which will ultimately lead to a more organised and sustainable built environment in Lagos.
“I advise stakeholders in the built environment to contact LASPPPA’s head office or any of her 57 district offices situated around the state for change of use consideration and subsequent approval if possible,” he said.
Osinaike, however, reiterated the authorities commitment to enforcing regulations urging property owners and professionals to comply.
