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Urgent climate action needed to address agricultural vulnerabilities – AATF

Michael Simire
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Urgent climate action needed to address agricultural vulnerabilities – AATF

Urgent and coordinated climate action is essential to mitigate the growing impact of climate change on agriculture and to protect vulnerable smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), according to Dr. Kayode Sanni of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).

AATF
A group photograph of participants at the meeting. Photo credit: AATF

Dr. Sanni made this call at the opening of a high-level conference titled “Climate Resilience in Action: Collaborative Approaches to Adaptation,” co-hosted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Abuja by AATF, Michigan State University (MSU) and Sahel Consulting with the support of the Gates Foundation and the Government of Gombe State.

“As climate change accelerates, its impact on Africa’s agricultural systems is becoming more severe and more personally felt most by smallholder farmers who rely on predictable seasons, fertile soil, and sustainable ecosystems to feed their families and the nation,” Dr. Sanni stated.

He noted that women and youth who constitute the backbone of the continent’s agricultural workforce are disproportionately affected.

“They are not only vital to today’s food production but also crucial to the future of food and nutritional security in Africa,” he added.

Dr. Sanni emphasised AATF’s commitment to a resilient and prosperous Africa through innovation. “At AATF, our vision is clear: A prosperous, resilient, food and nutrition secure Africa that is powered by inclusive, scalable technology and strong partnerships. Since the challenges we face are too vast for any single actor to solve alone.”

Highlighting one of the foundation’s collaborative initiatives, he spoke about a current project with Michigan State University, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Benue State University, the Government of Gombe State, and the Cereal Growers Association of Kenya. This project focuses on empowering women- and youth-led MSMEs in the rice value chain.

The initiative supports MSMEs with a Climate Smart Decision Support System, equipping them with actionable data on weather, agronomic best practices, and soil health. This enables farmers to make informed decisions, improve productivity, and build resilience to climate shocks. While the current implementation spans three Nigerian states, Dr. Sanni called for broader scaling to amplify impact.

He urged conference participants to be bold in vision and deliberate in execution. “Let us build enduring partnerships, replicate what works, and equip our farmers not just to survive climate change, but to thrive in the face of it.”

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Daniel Uyeh, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University and lead on weather station development, showcased recent technological advancements.

“We have developed an open-source, affordable, and locally manufactured weather station system,” Dr. Uyeh said. “These stations are already delivering hyper-local, real-time forecasts that help farmers in Nigeria and Kenya adapt to changing weather patterns.”

However, he emphasised that while technology is crucial, it must be complemented by strong collaboration and community engagement to effectively address the challenges of climate change.

Also speaking, Prof. Charles Anosike, Director General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, emphasised the importance of investing in modern weather infrastructure.

“More than 60% of weather data in Nigeria is collected manually, often by non-professionals. We must increase our network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) to improve accuracy and reach,” he said.

He called for the deployment of digital tools and mobile-based early warning systems to enhance agricultural productivity and mitigate climate risks.

20m Nigerians live with mental health issues, says WHO

Michael Simire
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20m Nigerians live with mental health issues, says WHO

A report by the World Health Organisation says 20 million Nigerians, representing 20 per cent of the country’s population, live with mental health conditions.

Tedros Ghebreyesus
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO)

Dr Azubike Aliche, the Secretary, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria-American Institute for Mental Health (NAIMH), said this at a mental health GAP Action training programme organised by the institute, in Owerri, Imo State, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

The training was organised in collaboration with the Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE), a Non Governmental Organisation.

Aliche said that the training, sponsored by the Nigeria Mental Health Practitioners (NMHP) USA Incorporated, would equip non-psychiatrists to be able to conduct screens to identify mental health symptoms and work with people to manage those symptoms.

He described as “alarming” the caseload of depression in Nigeria which, he said, was reportedly the highest in the world and called for deliberate efforts to change the narrative.

“Available reports indicate that only 10 per cent of people living with mental illness have access to care in Nigeria and this has to change.”

Speaking, an Executive Member of the NMHP USA, Rev. Sr Josephine Nzeke, said that the four-day training would capture a total of 25 health care professionals, five from each of five council areas of Imo in its pilot stage.

She said that the trainees would return to their different community health centres after the training to provide grassroots services.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Chioma Egu, described the mental health crisis as a  “global challenge” and called on the institute to leverage government’s mental health policies.

One of the training facilitators, Mr. Justice Ulunta of the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, called for the allocation of adequate resources by the government for the training of mental health experts and equipping of facilities.

Also, CSAAE’s Chief Operations Officer, Miss Francisca Ekwonu, said that the organisation was open to effective collaborations to tackle the challenge head on.

“As Nigerians grapple with hardship and young people are subjected to information overload, it is part of our mission, through our C-Health programme, to propagate mental health support at the grassroots.

“Our toll-free line 08009001000 is open and our mental health support specialist will be there to provide support,” she said.

By Victor Nwachukwu 

Nigeria on track in preparation, submission of NDC 3.0 – NCCCS director

Michael Simire
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Nigeria on track in preparation, submission of NDC 3.0 – NCCCS director

A Director with the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), Halima Bawa-Bwari, is optimistic about Nigeria submitting its copy of the third round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) before COP30 in Brazil in November 2025.

NDC 3.0
Director, National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), Halima Bawa-Bwari (4th right), with some participants during the workshop in Lagos

Nigeria failed to meet the initial deadline of February 10, 2025, set by the UNFCCC to submit the 2025 NDC.

Bawa-Bwari told a gathering of stakeholders in Lagos on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the “Consultation, Engagement and Data Collation Workshop for the Preparation of The NDC 3.0 of Nigeria” workshop to double their efforts in ensuring the document’s reality.

She said at the workshop organised by the NCCC in preparation of Nigeria’s NDC 3.0: “The NDC 2.0 was Nigeria’s commitment to the international effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions up to 20% on our own and up to 47% with the help of international community. So, we had to do a revision of NDC 2.0 for the NDC 3.0 because scenarios have changed. There have been different policies, different activities and different programmes have been introduced between 2021 and 2025 which necessitated the need to review every country’s NDC to understand it in action and global greenhouse gas reduction.”

The first two days of the workshop, which were dedicated to stakeholders from the south geo-political zone of Nigeria, is the right call in the right direction, according to her.

“The NCCCS, having done for the northern part of the country, the ongoing workshop is to ensure that almost everyone’s voice is heard and almost everyone’s voice that has an input to provide to the NDC data that is required is heard to make it a much more inclusive NDC process so that, at the end of the day, we have a much more robust, much more inclusive NDC that will be much more implementable at the national, sub-national and global level.

“Before this time, we have done the northern part of the country, and it went very well. And there has been a good, enthusiastic approach from the states and the ministries and departments and we did the community services, and we have done almost everybody that needs to be involved in the process.

“From what I have seen so far, coming from stakeholders from the south geo-political zone, it’s been very well attended and there’s a lot of good participation and very good data and information coming in from the states as to where Nigeria was at the two months ago. Especially with the President’s removal of the subsidy and how it is positively affecting climate action and greenhouse gas emission. Generally, I think we’ve had a very good outing so far and I believe with the amount of work put into the task into this; we will do everything humanly possible in ensuring that we beat the deadline set for us.”

On the deadline set by the UNFCCC, the Director stressed: “Being a party to the UNFCCC, we were expected to send in a reviewed NDC in February, but just like most other African countries, we were unable to, and the challenges were recognised and acknowledged by the UNFCCC, and they gave us further extension of time to submit, and Nigeria has set a time that it should submit, I do believe we can meet up with that.

“For one, we have very competent and experienced consultants, and we also have very enthusiastic Nigerians, who are trying to have whatever data they have, push it to the consultants so that all the work and the scenario building and the projections can be made, and a document put together for onward submission to the UNFCCC,” she maintained.

In his reaction, Mr. Wakedei Davidson Ere, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Marine and the Economy in Bayelsa State commended NCCCS for organising such an interesting training. According to him, the workshop highlights key areas of gaps that are existing in Nigeria’s climate change reportage.

He said: “One of the things that are very key is knowing the kind of data and the quality of the data that needed to be sourced. You know, every nation has a reporting obligation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, but because of this lack of depth on the kind of data that is being requested for, we have not gone far enough.

“And in a climb under the Paris Agreement, and that we are talking about enhanced transparency framework, and the need to have concise, evidence-based reports has necessitated this kind of training, and for most of the participants, including myself, it’s an eye-opener. They have deepened our horizon of knowledge, and I think we will have a better, finer quality of data that will be coming out from the states.”

Ere, a former Director Climate Change, Ministry of Environment in Bayelsa State, affirmed the possibility of beating the deadline as a stakeholder in the South geo-political zone of the country.

He said: “Even as I came for this workshop, my team back home have sent me an update while we are here, and one of the things we agreed as a South-South region is that let us all go back home and write letters or memos to our principals to inform them of the June deadline, and so that with that sense of urgency, every one of us will have to. In fact, for me, giving myself a target of this month end. I believe that once we touch down, we will be able to activate the process for completing all the remaining fields.

“I am sure most of the South-South states and indeed most of the states present here will beat the deadline,” he posited. 

On her part, Mrs. Enene Sebastine Alo, Principal Scientific Officer, Ministry of Environment, Cross Rivers State, who noted that the workshop was a successful one and very impactful, also confirmed that most of the states present at the workshop turned up to bring their own inputs on signing the National Determinant Contribution 3.0.

Alo, who also promised to do her best in ensuring the actualisation of turning in the report before the June 6 deadline, said: “My take home would be that most of the issues that were discussed, data was a major issue. Most of the statistics that were supposed to be taken could not be taken because the data was not inadequate. So, for me, as I go back home, we’ll meet with all relevant agencies to get the statistics. And then when we get the statistics, we’ll try and verify the statistics to know if those are the actual statistics. And then we’ll forward them to the National Council for Climate Change for forwarding to the NDC.” 

The week-long “Stakeholder Consultation, Engagement and Data Collation Workshop for the Preparation of the NDC 3.0 Of Nigeria” organised by the NCCCS continue on Wednesday with representatives from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Academia and members of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in attendance.

By Ajibola Adedoye

Ethiopia finalises new policy of water, energy

Michael Simire
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Ethiopia finalises new policy of water, energy

The preparation of new Water and Energy Policy is well under way in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the target of serving the nation for the coming years, the Ministry of Water and Energy has revealed.

Habtamu Itefa
Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa

A discussion forum was held on Monday, May 26, 2025, with relevant stakeholders of water and energy to enrich the draft policy with additional inputs.

Opening the discussions, Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa, said the water sector is interrelated with the country’s security, and foreign policy affairs.

Accordingly, he stressed the policy has been drafted based on all necessary considerations, noting the need for additional input from participants.

Stating that the policy also prioritised the participation of the private sector, he said that it has incorporated on how to engage the private sector with the objective of ensuring inclusiveness and equal benefit in the sector.

The draft policy is expected to serve the nation for the next 20 years, ensuring fairness and accessibility to all citizens with fair distribution is one of the basic principles of the water policy.

It has also considered issues related to integrated water resource management, environmental protection and safety of the society, cooperation, and mulita-sectoral benefits, among others, it was indicated.

On energy sector, the minister further noted that it incorporated mainly ensuring accessibility, and the participation of the private sector, among others.

Considerations have also been given to modern energy transformation, enhancing fair accessibility, ensuring energy security and accelerating the sector’s development, among others.

1.2m Nigerians displaced by floods in 2024, says NEMA

Michael Simire
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1.2m Nigerians displaced by floods in 2024, says NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said that 1,243,638 Nigerians were displaced by floods in 2024, with 1,237 lives lost.

Flooding in Maiduguri
Flooding in Maiduguri

Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said this at a stakeholder’s engagement on national disaster preparedness and response campaign 2025, held in Owerri, Imo State, on Tuesday, May 27.

Umar, represented by NEMA’s Head of Partnership and Collaboration, Mr. Evan Niko, said that the floods which affected a total of 5,264,097 persons, also affected 1,439,296 farmlands and left 16,469 persons injured.

Speaking on the theme: “Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Preparedness and Response”, Umar called for more attention to the grassroots to save lives and build communal resilience across Nigeria.

She said that NEMA had developed climate-related risk implications, preparedness, mitigation and response actions to reduce the would-be impacts of the 2025 floods, based on the predictions by Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.

“We have embarked on various activities aimed at preventing and mitigating the expected impacts of the disaster with a view to reminding stakeholders about their responsibilities in flood disaster management.

“ Today’s downscaling exercise of the 2025 seasonal climate prediction is further aimed at acquainting major emergency management stakeholders about the predictions and what is expected of them, to mitigate the expected impacts of the disaster,” he said.

Speaking, a Principal Relief Officer with NEMA, Mr. Michael Ajide, described Imo as “one of the high-risk states of flooding”, with Oguta and Ohaji-Egbema LGAs topping the charts.

He urged governments at all levels to invest in drainage and dam infrastructure to encourage flood resilient planning in riverine zones.

Also speaking, NEMA’s Head of Operations for Abia and Imo states, Mr. Nnamdi Igwe, called for remote sensing for flood mapping, rehabilitation of local drainages and strengthening of community liaison desks to ease communication and avert disasters.

Mr. Ekene Ahaneku, a Healthcare Officer with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, called for more collaborations with state emergency management agencies to decentralise relief efforts and achieve optimal outcomes.

The Deputy Chairman, Imo Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Fred Nwachukwu, however, expressed readiness to effectively implement strategies for better governance outcomes at the grassroots level.

By Victor Nwachukwu

Hypertension: Case for sodium consumption regulation, healthier diets

Michael Simire
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Hypertension: Case for sodium consumption regulation, healthier diets

World Hypertension Day is observed annually in May, serving as a reminder of the importance of blood pressure awareness and management. This global health initiative carries even more significance as the world continues to adapt to lifestyle changes, rising stress levels, and an increasing prevalence of hypertension.

Hypertension
Hypertension

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition when the blood pressure in the blood vessels is continuously elevated. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your blood vessels, the higher your blood pressure.

High blood pressure typically does not cause symptoms, but in the long-term can result in coronary artery disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, arrhythmia, dementia, heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases, making awareness and regular monitoring of blood pressure vital. This absence of symptoms and because it is also a major cause of premature death, affecting millions worldwide, including in Nigeria has given hypertension the nickname the “silent killer.”

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 46 percent of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition. Less than half of them (42 percent) are diagnosed and treated, while only approximately 1 in 5 adults (21 percent) have their hypertension under control. In-country, the Nigerian Hypertension Society (NHS) estimates that no fewer than 30 percent of the Nigerian adult population lives with hypertension, while only about 10 per cent of them are currently receiving treatment for the condition. Worse yet, less than 2.5 per cent of Nigerians with hypertension achieve blood pressure control or normal blood pressure.

One of the global targets for non-communicable diseases (NCDs since 2010, has been to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 33 percent by 2030. Central to this aim is curbing the major risk factors for hypertension: unhealthy diets – particularly those high in sodium (or salt), saturated and trans fats –, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity. Sodium is of particular significance. It is vital for nerve function and fluid balance, but excessive sodium intake increases risks of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

The WHO recommends 2g sodium daily (5g salt), yet global consumption – including in Nigeria – exceeds this, driving preventable illnesses. Nigeria records an estimated daily salt consumption reaching up to 5.8 grammes per day, which exceeds the WHO’s recommended limit of two grammes of sodium per day or less than five grammes of salt per day, equivalent to just one teaspoon of salt daily.

Highlighting the scale of the problem during a ceremony to mark the 2024 Salt Awareness Week, Coordinating Minister of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW), Ali Pate stated that no less than 10 percent of cardiovascular disease deaths in Nigeria are attributed to the burden of excessive sodium consumption.

Towards addressing the issue, Nigeria launched a National Sodium Reduction Guideline in April, a major milestone in the government’s efforts to reduce salt consumption, create a healthier food environment and prevent cardiovascular disease. The guideline was developed by the FMoHSW with support from Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) and other key local and international partners,

At the launch, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to begin enforcing sodium limits and called on the food industry to embrace product reformulation, noting that these changes would not undermine profit or commerce but are essential for reducing the national burden of NCDs such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Recognising where salt hides in our food is essential, as many processed and packaged foods contain high levels of sodium, often without our awareness. Hence, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the Federal Government to expedite the development of regulations aimed at enforcing salt targets in processed and packaged foods.

Furthermore, CAPPA strongly supports the implementation of front pack labelling on food products as an effective strategy to combat excessive salt intake. Clear and concise nutritional information displayed prominently on packaging allows consumers to make healthier choices. Instead of deciphering complicated lists of ingredients and nutrition facts, consumers can quickly assess the sodium content of a product at a glance.

These labels serve not only to inform consumers but also to encourage manufacturers to reduce salt levels in their products. With growing awareness about the health risks associated with excess sodium, companies may feel compelled to reformulate their recipes, leading to a healthier food supply.

Additionally, quitting smoking and moderating alcohol intake are vital steps toward heart health.

Let’s take the opportunity to prioritise our health by becoming more aware of our salt consumption. By making conscious, informed choices today, we can work towards a healthier, more balanced future for ourselves and our communities.

By Esi-ife Arogundade, Healthy Food Advocate at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)

Association urges collective action against environmental degradation

Michael Simire
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Association urges collective action against environmental degradation

The Petroleum, Environment and Solid Minerals Degradation Awareness Association (PESMDAA) has raised an alarm over the rising environmental degradation in regions affected by petroleum and solid mineral extraction.

Oil spill
Oil spill site

Dr Robert Adah, National Chairman of the Association, raised the concern during the official inauguration of the association’s Bauchi State and local government executives on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Bauchi, the state capital.

He emphasised the urgent need for awareness and advocacy to combat the negative environmental impacts of resource exploitation.

Adah, represented by Dr James Ugah, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the association, said: “The petroleum industry has long been a cornerstone of our economy, providing energy and employment.

“However, it also poses significant environmental risks that must be managed responsibly.”

He noted that the solid minerals sector, though full of economic promise, had been plagued by irregularities and unsustainable practices, endangering both the environment and local livelihoods.

“Our association is founded on the belief that awareness and continuous sensitisation are powerful tools for change,” Adah said.

The inauguration is with the theme: “Sensitisation to Eliminate Degradation and Irregularities in the Petroleum and Solid Minerals Sectors.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police in Bauchi, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, represented by Deputy Commissioner, Operations, Mohammed Hassan, called for collaboration among government, industry, and civil society.

“The collaboration will help to enforce stricter regulations, invest in sustainable technologies, and promote policies that prioritise environmental health,” he said.

Mr. Yusuf Ishiyaku, the newly inaugurated State Commissioner of the association, reiterated the task force’s resolve to engage communities and institutions at all levels.

“We will take our awareness campaigns to schools, churches, mosques, markets, and other public places to ensure everyone is involved in protecting our environment,” he stated.

By Ahmed Kaigama

U-Recycle Initiative Africa launches project to help Nigerian varsities curb plastic pollution menace

Michael Simire
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U-Recycle Initiative Africa launches project to help Nigerian varsities curb plastic pollution menace

U-Recycle Initiative Africa, a youth-led environmental non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Nigeria, has announced the launch of the second edition of its flagship fellowship initiative – PlasticWize 2.0 – to help address the issue of plastic pollution in Nigerian universities.

PlasticWize fellows
PlasticWize fellows, University Campus Advisors, and U-recycle Initiative Africa Executive Team members during the Campus Leaders Training in Abuja

The group, which is committed to promoting environmental education, advancing a circular economy, and driving climate action across Africa, stated in a press release issued on Monday, May 26, 2025, and signed by its Director of Communications, Timilehin Abioye, that it intends to accomplish this by empowering student leaders and lecturers to implement behavioural and systemic changes on their campuses.

Launched in 2022, this initiative is titled “Redefining Sustainable Campuses” and is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The inaugural fellowship engaged over 2,000 students from 100 universities, deploying innovation workshops, providing training for young women, and installing “talking bins” to encourage waste reduction. Additionally, it developed a gamified learning platform and conducted research expeditions throughout Nigeria.

In 2024, PlasticWize 2.0 intensifies its focus on influencing systemic and behavioural changes to foster sustainable campus environments. Eight fellows have been chosen to assist in achieving this goal from four esteemed Nigerian universities: Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), and the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Each university is represented by two fellows, supported by four distinguished lecturers serving as campus advisors. These advisors provide mentorship and institutional guidance to ensure the success of the fellows’ projects.

The fellowship commenced with a four-day Campus Leaders Training held in Abuja from December 11 to 14, 2024. Over 18 experts led more than 20 training sessions on topics including the circular economy, sustainable waste management, project execution, and grant writing.

Dr. Olaoluwa Ogunkunle, a lecturer from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), lauded the organisers for the campus leaders training programme.

According to him, “This is one of the best programmes I’ve attended in recent times, considering the age range of the participants and the expected outcomes of the training.“

Adeyemo Fathiat, a student at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), revealed that as a health practitioner in the making, she has always wanted to learn more about the issue of plastic pollution.

Her desire, she added, sprang from her discovery as a nursing student that plastic posed serious health risks.

“The Campus Leaders Training swept me off my feet, and I have learnt more than I expected,” she disclosed.

In her remarks at the induction ceremony, Oluwaseyi Jesuton, Executive Director of U-recycle Initiative Africa, expressed the sincere gratitude of her organisation to all of the fellows, campus advisors, partners, speakers, and stakeholders who helped make the campus leaders training a success.

After the campus leaders’ training, campus teams returned back to their respective universities to host stakeholder workshops. These workshops engaged internal stakeholders, including restaurant managers, food and snack vendors, lecturers, student association representatives, and staff association representatives.

The focus was on consulting with the university stakeholders on suitable solutions to tackle plastic pollution on the campuses, hearing about the support they need to address plastic pollution and training them on ways to get started with tackling plastic pollution.

Mr. Princewill Nwosa, who owns a business at the University of Benin, said that the stakeholder workshop reinforced his craving to adopt a more appropriate means of disposing of waste.

“I am beginning to see the possibility of using innovative ways of encouraging students to do away with the use of single-use plastics,” he asserts.

As an organisation committed to advancing youth-led innovation to tackle plastic pollution, U-recycle Initiative Africa has outlined a series of ambitious plans- through the PlasticWize fellowship 2.0 beginning now up until 2026- geared towards reshaping the realities of plastic pollution in Africa.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

Minamata Convention: Study proposes ‘leapfrogging’ implementation of children’s amendment

Michael Simire
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0
Minamata Convention: Study proposes ‘leapfrogging’ implementation of children’s amendment

A recently published article has proposed a unique strategy on oral health policy as a cost-effective strategy for African countries to achieve mercury-free dentistry.

Children
The Children’s Amendment to the Minamata Convention is to protect children from the harm of mercury containing fillings

Tagged “leapfrogging”, the strategy, according to the authors, could also be adopted by developed economies with underserved communities as well as developed economies who desire to save costs.

The unique, cost-effective strategy is to “leapfrog” the implementation of the children’s amendment to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP 4.2) in Africa and other developing economies.

According to the paper, titled “Update of Oral Health Policy to Implement the Children’s Amendment to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP 4.2)”, the cornerstones of the strategy include update of dental training institutions curricula, review of health insurance policies, integration of the principles of minimum intervention dentistry (MID) into oral health policies with an integration-prevention-promotion-partnerships (‘II-PPP’) framework with the WHO Basic Package for Oral Care.

“We hope this approach will enhance the speedy implementation of the children’s amendment particularly in Africa and other developing economies with poor infrastructure for managing waste,” submitted Professor Godwin Arotiba, the lead author.

The article was published in the Journal of Oral Health & Dental Science.

The founder of Dentists for a Mercury-Free Africa and the former Dean of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Professor Arotiba engaged with several Nigerian professors from his and three other top-notch universities, plus NGO leaders in Nigeria and Cameroun, to produce the landmark paper.

“We have been at this for so long now since 2014 to date. We need to leapfrog to mercury free 21st century dentistry by 2030 in Africa, Other developing economies and developed economies with underserved communities, plus developed economies who desire to save costs as well,” said Aritoba.

The paper concluded: “’Leapfrogging’ to mercury free 21st century dentistry is a feasible, desirable and achievable strategy to adopt for Africa and other developing economies with poor infrastructure for managing wastes.

“It can also be adopted by developed economies with underserved communities as well as developed economies who desire to save costs. The top priorities should include update of dental training institution’s curricula; retraining of general dental practitioners through workshops, conferences, and webinars; update of health insurance policy to favour mercury free restoratives and update of oral health policies with the ‘II-PPP-BPOC’ framework.

“Poverty should not be an excuse to continue the use of dental amalgam (45-55% mercury) in under-served communities and further compromise their well-being. This is a very important consideration in Sub-Saharan Africa where UNEP and WHO have reported a higher percentage (35%) of diseases traced to environmental pollution compared to 25% world-wide.”

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. It contains, in support of this objective, provisions that relate to the entire life cycle of mercury, including controls and reductions across a range of products, processes and industries where mercury is used, released or emitted.

The Children’s Amendment to protect children from the harm of mercury containing fillings entered into force on September 28, 2023, and became mandatory for Parties to the Minamata Convention.

Henceforth, all the 152 nations who are Parties to the treaty must take affirmative steps – ranging from recommendations to complete abolition – to end amalgam use for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

Ex-CBN director lauds Dangote Refinery for reducing petrol price

Michael Simire
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0
Ex-CBN director lauds Dangote Refinery for reducing petrol price

A former Director, Budgetary Department of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Titus Okunronmu, has commended the Dangote Refinery for reducing pump price of petrol from N885 to N870.

Dangote Refinery
Dangote Refinery

Okunronmu made the commendation in an interview in Ota, Ogun State, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

Dangote Refinery had on May 22 reduced the pump price of petrol nationwide by N15, thus making it six times this year that Dangote had adjusted the petrol price.

According to him, that is very good for Nigeria and its citizens, adding that which other products in the national  markets that Nigerians enjoyed falling prices.

“There is the need for federal government to create enabling environment for the refinery to thrive as we are enjoying the benefits of Dangote Refinery investment.

“Dangote can meet our domestic demands with excess production for exports and foreign exchange earnings. Importers of refined petroleum products have no interest of  Nigeria at heart,” Okunronmu said.

 Okunronmu urged the Federal Government to make concerted efforts to halt the importation of refined petroleum products into the country.

Okunronmu noted that the federal government has no justification for granting import licenses for importation of refined petroleum products, adding that lets develop the Nigerian Economy.

By Ige Adekunle

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