An environmentalist, Chief Alagoa Morris, has said that the Feb. 16, 2025, oil leak from Shell’s pipeline in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State has raised the toxicity of Obololi River leading to death of fishes.
Chief Alagoa Morris
Morris said on Wednesday, March 5, in Yenagoa, the state capital, that the pollution caused by the leak was massive and affected the biodiversity in a negative way.
Morris, who is also the Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa Governor on Environment, said that a team he led on a field trip to the impacted areas showed empirical evidence of abnormal toxicity of the waters.
“I led a team to the spill site and witnessed oil industry induced pollution first hand and the evidence of pollution starred us in the face.
“We saw a lot of dead fishes, from the pungent smell of crude everywhere, the respiratory health of the community people are in jeopardy in addition to the water pollution,” Morris said.
Morris explained that the impact of the spill had adversely affected the predominantly fishing and farming occupation of the Obololi people.
The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) traced the source of the leak to a 16 inch Nun River-Kolo Creek underwater pipeline operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).
It was learnt from Obololi community sources that recovery of spilled crude into plastic tanks was already ongoing.
Mr. Michael Adande, a Spokesman for SPDC, earlier said that the oil firm has shut oil feeds into the leaking pipeline.
Adande pledged to update on relief, remediation and response efforts but has yet to do so.
The Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering a stable and reliable electricity to Nigerians.
National grid lines
Mr. Bolaji Tunji, the Special Adviser on Strategic Communication to the minister of power, said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him, the commitment of the Federal Government is evident in the recent achievements recorded in the sector.
He said that the sector had recorded unprecedented milestones in power generation, evacuation, and daily energy output, signaling a new era of progress and development.
According to him, Nigeria achieved a record available power generation of 6,003 megawatts (MW), the highest in the nation’s history.
“This is followed by another landmark within the period when the country recorded a peak generation evacuation of 5,801.84 MW and a daily maximum energy output of 128,370.75 Megawatt-hours (MWh).
”These achievements represent a significant leap forward in the sector’s capacity to meet the growing energy demands in the country, and on-going reforms in the power sector.
“The achievements demonstrate the avowed commitment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to ensure regular electricity supply in order to galvanise the nation’s economy,” he said.
“The record available generation of 6,003 MW, the peak evacuation of 5,801.84 MW, and the daily maximum energy output of 128,370.75 MWh are testaments to the hard work, dedication, and strategic reforms being implemented by minister of power.’’
He said: “The achievements are not just numbers; they represent a brighter future for Nigeria, where businesses can thrive, households can enjoy uninterrupted power supply, and the economy can grow sustainably.
“We pray for the sustainability of these landmark records and look forward to further improvements on all parameters in the coming days,” he said.
Tunji said that the recent milestones were the result of concerted efforts by the ministry of power, in collaboration with key stakeholders in the sector to address longstanding challenges and optimise the nation’s power infrastructure.
He listed the efforts to include rehabilitation and upgrading of transmission and distribution networks, the implementation of innovative technologies, and the introduction of policy reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency and accountability.
According to him, the minister has been at the forefront of these initiatives, driving a comprehensive agenda to transform the sector and ensure that Nigeria achieves its full potential in power generation and distribution.
Tunji said that his leadership had been instrumental in fostering collaboration between government agencies, private sector players, and international partners, creating an enabling environment for growth and innovation.
“One of the key factors contributing to the recent achievements is the electricity tariff review which has ensured liquidity in the sector and created a more sustainable and investment-friendly environment for the power sector,’’ he said.
“By ensuring that tariff reflect the true cost of power generation and distribution, the government is paving the way for increased private sector participation and the mobilisation of much-needed capital for infrastructure development.
Tunji quoted the minister as saying: “The regularisation of tariff will play a critical role in unlocking the sector’s full potential and driving further improvements in power generation and distribution’.
“By the time the tariffs are fully regularised, we will be moving closer to 7,000 MW of available generation capacity.
“This will mark another significant milestone in our journey towards a stable, reliable, and efficient power sector that meets the needs of all Nigerians.”
Farmers in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) say they are confident that Genetically Modified (GM) crops can boost their farm yields.
Director General, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Mustapha Abdullahi
The farmers, who spoke on the sidelines of the Farmers Field Day on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Kuje, Abuja, called for government’s support in the provision of farm inputs.
The event was organised by National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).
Mr. Cyprian Ede, who owns three hectares of Tela maize farm, rejected claims that no other crop could be planted or grown where a GM crop was planted.
Tela maize (GM maize) are hybrids genetically engineered to contain Bt genes that protects the maize against insects like stem borer and the fall armyworm and helps the crop tolerate moderate drought.
“At least, I did post emergency weed management which means grass can grow, as you can see.
“I will not waste my money trying to manage grass inside this maize farm; these were grasses on the farm which were cleared.
“As the effect of the post emergency herbicide subsided, grasses started growing on my farm again.’’
Ede, who said he turned to farming due to economic downturn, said he had been in farming since 2017.
He also spoke on the yield of the Tela maize.
“In 10 plots which is a hectare of land, if I should factor in the theft, I think it is about 42 bags,’’ Ede said.
Ede said in comparison with other varieties that yielded relatively good after treating fall armyworm, there was no insect threat in the Tela variety which was also drought tolerant.
He called on the Federal Government to support farmers with farm inputs by subsidising the seeds to enable them to get better yields to bolster the economy.
Mrs. Judith Okpanachi, a beans farmer, said that in her three years of planting Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea, there was no case of other crops unable to grow on the same soil.
Mr. Ndaman Dantani from Chibiri Community said that before he started his two hectares PBR cowpea farm four years ago, he was afraid as a result of the negative claims.
“But when we began using the variety for some years, we realised that there were great advantages over the other ones.
Dantani said one of the advantages was that he was not spending much money on chemicals, unlike conventional bean seeds he sprayed seven to eight times.
“With the PBR variety, you spray less, like two or three times which is more economical.
“Also, during harvest, if you do not harvest on time, it will be falling down and you will lose your farm; but this one, it will wrap and still stand erect.
“And again, the most advantageous part of it is that if you harvest, the leaves will still remain green,’’ Dantani said.
Dantani said PBR farming provided the resources to take care of his family responsibilities such as payment of school fees, feeding, among others.
He urged government to expand the initiative of GM crops to other communities.
“Government should also send more extension agents with this type of seed variety, and they should make the seeds available for the reach of the common man.”
Analysis published March 2025 by Carbon Majors reveals that half of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions in 2023 originated from just 36 fossil fuel companies, including industry giants like Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil, and Shell. These companies collectively contributed over 20 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions last year, exacerbating the global climate crisis.
Carbon emission
Indeed, the new analysis of the latest emissions data for the Carbon Majors companies reveals that overall emissions from the world’s largest oil, gas, coal, and cement producers increased in 2023 compared to 2022, with over 50% of these emissions linked to just 36 high-emitting companies.
Despite overwhelming scientific evidence connecting greenhouse gas emissions and catastrophic global warming, 93 of the companies in the Carbon Majors database increased their emissions in 2023, including 50 investor-owned companies.
The top five state-owned emitters – Saudi Aramco, Coal India, CHN Energy, National Iranian Oil Co., and Jinneng Group – were responsible for17.4%of all CO₂ emissions in 2023(7.4 GtCO₂e). Notably, Coal India, CHN Energy, National Iranian Oil Co, andJinneng Groupall increased their emissions in 2023 compared to 2022.
The top five investor-owned emitters – ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, TotalEnergies,andBP – accounted for4.9%of global CO₂ emissions in 2023(2.2 GtCO₂e).
The Carbon Majors dataset covers emissions from 1854 to 2023, revealing that 67.5% of anthropogenic industrial CO₂ emissions since the Industrial Revolution can be traced to 180 corporate and state-producing entities in the database. Over this period, just 26 entities accounted for more than one-third of global CO₂ emissions. This latest update also includes newly disaggregated coal emissions from China, Russia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan, which were previously reported only at the national level.
Christiana Figueres, former UNFCCC Executive Secretary, said: “The Carbon Majors are keeping the world hooked on fossil fuels with no plans to slow production. While states drag their heels on their Paris Agreement commitments, state-owned companies are dominating global emissions – ignoring the desperate needs of their citizens. The science is clear: we cannot move backwards to more fossil fuels and more extraction. Instead, we must move forward to the many possibilities of a decarbonised economic system that works for people and the planet.”
Emmett Connaire, Senior Analyst at InfluenceMap, said:“The latest analysis of the Carbon Majors database reveals, that, despite global climate commitments, a small group of the world’s largest fossil fuel producers are significantly increasing production and emissions. InfluenceMap’s research highlights the disproportionate impact these companies have on the climate crisis, with some now facing legal action in the US under Climate Superfund laws, informed by findings from the database. This underscores the critical role of Carbon Majors in tracing emissions, driving systemic change, and supporting efforts to enforce corporate responsibility.”
Kumi Naidoo, President of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “We are living at a critical moment in human history. And the alarming reality is that the world’s largest fossil fuel companies are not only increasing their emissions, but they are doing so against a backdrop of climate events that are having devastating impacts on people’s daily lives. It is essential that governments step up and use their authority to end the root cause of the crisis we find ourselves in: the expansion of fossil fuels. We urgently need to transition to more sustainable, fair and affordable economic and energy models for all, or what will be left for future generations will be a broken planet.”
Savio Carvalho, Head of Regions at 350.org, responded: “That a mere 36 companies are responsible for half of the world’s CO₂ emissions is both alarming and unacceptable. This underscores the urgent need for systemic change in our energy policies and corporate accountability mechanisms. Fossil fuel companies have long prioritised profits over the planet, and it’s high time we hold them accountable for their outsized role in driving the climate crisis.
“As global temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, the imperative to transition to sustainable energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels has never been more critical. Super-rich corporations and individuals continue to chase short-term profit for themselves and shareholders, and cannot be trusted with fixing the climate crisis or leading the transition to renewable energy we so badly need.
“The climate crisis isn’t going away, and neither is public demand for urgent action to fund the switch to safe, affordable renewable energy. This report is another alarm bell for governments, policymakers, and civil society to intensify efforts in combating climate change and to demand accountability from governments and entities most responsible for driving the climate crisis.”
According to 350.org, the report strengthens the argument for holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their significant contributions to global warming. Notably, the International Energy Agency has stated that new fossil fuel projects initiated after 2021 are incompatible with achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
It adds that, despite global climate commitments, many of these companies have continued to expand production, with emissions reaching record highs.
Last week BP announced its intent to dramatically cut renewable energy investment and ramp up its oil and gas production.
Asteven Energy Institute has celebrated 23 students who are currently enrolled on the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) Soar Photovoltaic Installation (SPVI) Course. The students are preparing to take the COREN SPVI examination to become certified Solar PV installers under Nigeria’s Clean Energy Certification Scheme.
L-R: Mr. Ayoola Adeshina (representing NABTE), Dr.Magnus Onuoha (Rector, Asteven Energy Institute), Mr. Ola Oresanya (Hon. Commissioner for Environment, Ogun State), Dr. Sunny Akpoyibo (Chairman, Governing Council, Asteven Energy Institute), Mr. Sam Nwosu (representing REEA & Council for Renewable Energy) and Chief Kasumu Jamiu Shonola, Baale of Aseese Community during the March 2025 Graduation Ceremony of Asteven Energy Institute
Dr. Sunny Akpoyibo, Chairman, Governing Council of the institute, while speaking during the graduation ceremony on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, noted that it is very exciting to see young Nigerians who have decided to sharpen their skills by enrolling for the six-weeks training and coming out with a specialised certificate from COREN as solar technicians.
Dr. Akpoyibo, who said he is convinced that the young graduates from the institute would bridge the gap within the renewable energy sector in Nigeria, added: “The skills being developed by Asteven Energy Institute gives us the opportunity to partner with various institutions, Federal and State Governments because there is a huge capacity gap. So, we want to bridge the gap so we can increase job opportunities for the young people and also create an opportunity to scale our energy inefficiency from fossil fuel to green energy.
“We have organisations such as Renewable Energy and Energy Alliance (REEA), Council for Renewable Energy and National Board for Technical Education (NABTE) with us here working on policy and regulation so that the skill development will be mandatory for every installation just like COREN Certification in Civil Engineering, things like that, so in solar installation, that is the step we are taking,” stressed Dr. Akpoyibo.
In his remark, Dr. Magnus Onuoha, Rector, Asteven Energy Institute, stated that what the institute stands for training students on carbon which is focusing on emission reduction processes.
“What we going to help our host community, especially the Ogun State Government having already done the Energy Audit by taking them in the carbon market to earn carbon credit.
“You can see that most of our graduates here are young CEOs who earn sustainable profits in the sense while they are earning profits, they are engaging people by employing young men and women and also protecting the integrity of the environnent,” Dr. Onuoha maintained.
On his part, Mr. Ola Oresanya, Commissioner for the Environment in Ogun State, stated that an institute filling the gap in capacity building such as Asteven Energy Institute needs the collaboration with the state government because government as an enabler should be able to give policies.
According to Oresanya, “Human capacity has been the bane of development in Nigeria especially in technical and vocational training.
As at today, we lack the capacity as everybody run to the university to get certificates and at the end of the day, they are not employable.
“So, an institution such as this needs the support of government because they are providing training towards solving a major problem which is developing skill in renewable energy.
“Renewable energy is a major issue that will assist the Federal, State and the private sector in the migration from fossil fuel into clean energy, apart from that, it will assist the nation to leapfrog into compliance with Article 6 of Paris Agreement where we have the unconditional 20% diversion of carbon and the conditional 47% which we have the support of the global community.
“In achieving our unconditional role, we need capacity development, the technical capacity and also the business capacity, so they are filling the gap with technical capacity to make sure that industries are able to migrate into renewable energy programme and government can also be able to train a quantum number of youths not just for Nigeria needs but also Africa energy evolution,” he stressed.
Speaking on behalf of National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), Mr. Ayoola Adeshina advised Nigerian youths to focus on sharpening their skills in ensuring that they are independent and make a living out of their skills.
He said: “Renewable energy is another opportunity just created in Nigeria, we have not gone deep into it but just scratching it on the surface and in a few years from now, those going into solar energy technology will be a hot cake in the market.”
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include Sam Nwosu representing Renewable Energy and Energy Alliance (REEA), Council for Renewable Energy, Chief Kasumu Jamiu Shonola, Baale of Aseese Community, among others.
Shell has called for the development of infrastructure to promote the growth of domestic gas and monetisation of the resource.
Ralph Gbobo, Managing Director Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG), during the panel session
“The infrastructure will support the delivery of gas from producers to consumers in an efficient way that is also transparent and cost effective,” Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG), Ralph Gbobo,said at a panel session at the just concluded Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja.
Gbobo described infrastructure as the bedrock of a thriving gas industry, citing the Escravos – Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) which feeds the domestic gas market as an example.
He said: “If we can fully implement our regulations, a key one being the Network Code and maintain a stable Network where investors can get their returns, I can guarantee that we will see more players come into this space.”
SNG which was established in 1988 has led the way in the provision of gas infrastructure in Nigeria, building gas distribution systems in Rivers, Abia and Ogun states through which it delivers gas to over 140 domestic, industrial and commercial customers.
Last year, the company signed an agreement with the Oyo State Government to build a gas distribution infrastructure with the intention of delivering gas to businesses in the state and beyond.
Gbobo explained: “Our experience at SNG shows that the task of expanding the Nigerian domestic gas market is a collective responsibility and not to be done by just a few players. It requires inputs from the regulatory, upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. The key to unlocking all these inputs is driving and implementing the right polices. The implementation of clear policies and incentives, allows for more investors to come into the domestic gas market be it in terms of gas production or infrastructural development. Investors need to be assured of a stable regulatory and fiscal market where their investments are guaranteed.”
Gbobo added: “Shell Companies in Nigeria have invested across the entire value chain of gas – Upstream, Midstream and Downstream having understood the potential of the commodity to accelerate industrial and economic growth in Nigeria.”
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to promoting clean energy solutions as a key pillar of women’s empowerment, particularly in underserved communities across Nigeria.
Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, made this statement on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Northeast LPG Penetration Programme and distribution of LPG cylinders in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The minister highlighted the urgent need to address energy poverty among Nigerian women.
Quoting data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), she revealed that more than 98,000 Nigerians die annually from complications related to household air pollution, largely caused by cooking with firewood and other solid fuels.
“This is one of the highest rates in the world. Yet, for too long, this issue has been ignored, and women have paid the price with their health, time, productivity, and security.
“Experts say the smoke a woman inhales daily from cooking with firewood is equivalent to smoking more than 100 cigarettes a day.
“That is far more than the average smoker,” she said.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim decried Nigeria’s position among the top five countries globally with the highest number of people relying on solid fuels for cooking, in spite of having Africa’s largest gas reserves.
She pointed out that this reliance on firewood significantly contributed to deforestation, environmental degradation, and climate change.
“Women and children are disproportionately affected, inhaling dangerous pollutants that contribute to lung disease and heart conditions.
“For a country with the largest gas reserves in Africa, which can meet domestic energy needs for decades and position Nigeria as a global clean energy leader, it is unacceptable that millions of households still rely on firewood for cooking.
“This highlights the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions that can improve the lives of millions while also advancing Nigeria’s role in the global clean energy transition,” she emphasised.
She explained that the LPG cylinder distribution event represented more than just providing cooking gas, it symbolised the government’s commitment to transitioning Nigerian families from firewood to clean, safe, and efficient cooking solutions.
“The ministry has established the Steering Committee for the Nigerian Women Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Scale-Up and Empowerment Initiative to ensure the sustainability of this transition.”
Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that about one million households would be transitioned to clean cooking solutions over the next three years, with a focus on underserved areas.
She also emphasised that the initiative would provide women with economic opportunities in the LPG value chain through training, entrepreneurship, and financial support.
While interventions like LPG cylinder distribution were crucial, she stressed the need to remove systemic barriers to clean cooking adoption.
“The government is advocating fiscal incentives to make LPG more affordable and collaborating with state governments to integrate clean energy into social intervention programmes.
“The ministry’s Strategic Roadmap for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Clean Energy Adoption will focus on mobilising resources, fostering partnerships, and implementing targeted interventions to eliminate energy poverty.
“We cannot continue to lose our mothers, daughters, and children to preventable health conditions caused by indoor air pollution.
“We cannot afford to destroy our forests at an alarming rate when a cleaner, safer alternative exists.
“We cannot, in good conscience, claim to be working for women’s empowerment while leaving them trapped in a cycle of energy poverty.
“The ministry will not rest until every Nigerian woman, no matter where she lives, has access to clean, affordable cooking solutions,” she said.
She also acknowledged the support of stakeholders and Gov. Babagana Zulum for their contributions to women’s empowerment.
She urged men to champion the transition to clean cooking, emphasising that a healthier home would benefit everyone.
The Ondo State Government has decried poaching and illegal killing of wild animals for bush meat, warning that the practice could lead to extinction of some rare wildlife.
Participants at an event to commemorate the World Wildlife Day, at Ifon, Ose LGA, Ondo State
Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Olumide Kinga, condemned the practice on Tuesday, March 3, 2025, in Ifon, Ose LGA, at an event to commemorate the World Wildlife Day.
The event was jointly organised by the state government and L’Extinction Thorn Carving Makers, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), to draw attention to fast extinction of some wildlife in the state.
Kinga frowned at “the stark reality” of illegal killing of wildlife and bush meat trading in the state.
The Permanent Secretary said that the event was also to celebrate the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora in 1973.
“Every year, we must recognise the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet and sensitise people on the illegal killing of wildlife for consumption as bush meat.
“The ministry has been collaborating with L’Extinction Thorn Carving Art Creators to sensitise people to appreciate and protect nature because art is not limited to celebrating talent.
“It also plays a fundamental role in raising awareness on nature causes and prompting significant action,” he said.
Kinga said that the aim of the event was also to seek collaboration with stakeholders, including community leaders to foster more open communication with hunting communities.
“The ministry will continue to synergise with heads of Ondo hunting communities, especially in Idanre where the killing of an elephant occurred in 2018, which was described as self defence.
“Cruelty to animals is a crime which our laws frown at,” he said.
In her speech, Mrs. Bolajoko Ayeni, one of the brains behind L’Extinction artwork, stated that nature had always served as a source of inspiration for artists.
Ayeni added that representation of wildlife with thorn carving could provide a unique window of miniature pieces into the natural world.
“Art possesses truly invaluable powers for the transformation and protection of wildlife around the world,” she said.
Mr. Olulaja Akeredolu, an associate in L’Extinction, said that thorn carving could be used to promote economic incentives and offer hunters and youths alternative income sources to reduce reliance on bush meat sales for income.
Akeredolu, while teaching youths and hunters on use of thorns to carve giraffe postures, used a pen knife to meticulously carve intricate designs of giraffe directly onto the thorn’s surface,
He said the proceed of money realised from the sales of L’Extinction thorn carving of wildlife could be used to empower hunters to minimise killing of wildlife and bush meat sales.
Also, Mrs. Olayemi Olapeju, an artist, who spoke on the theme of the 2025 World Wildlife Day – “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” said one out of every eight elephants seen in Idanre forest was killed in 2018.
Olapeju, who is the Ondo State Goodwill Ambassador for Environment, said that statistics showed that Nigeria had an estimated 300–400 elephants remaining, while there are approximately 415,000 African elephants left in the world.
Olapeju said that “No To Extinction” art exhibition, which was held recently was to highlight the stark reality of poaching, killing of wildlife and bush meat trading.
“The society needs to accelerate efforts to fight against illegal killing of wildlife and bush meat trading, which is the human-induced reduction of species.
“The elephants in Nigeria are critically endangered and may go into complete extinction in a few years’ time if we don’t put an end to illegal killing and trading of wildlife,” she said.
The event featured art fair for hunters, market women and youths at Osse River Park in Idoani and display of several L’Extinction artworks of critically endangered wildlife and informative art paintings.
The artwork and paintings, Olapeju said, illustrated the detrimental effects of illegal killing of wildlife on the environment.
To commemorate World Obesity Day (WOD), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has renewed its call for comprehensive healthy food policies to strengthen local diets and tackle the country’s rising obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden.
Sugar-sweetened beverages
In a statement made available to EnviroNews on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the civil society organisation (CSO) highlighted the alarming data on the global obesity scourge, saying it reinforced CAPPA’s advocacy for urgent measures to discourage Nigerians from excessively consuming sugary drinks, which are a risk factor for overweight and obesity.
These measures, CAPPA said, include raising the tax imposed on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) Tax from the current N10, to N130 per litre or by any rate that is not less than 20 per cent of the product’s retail price.
World Obesity Day encourages practical solutions to help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight, undertake proper treatment, and reverse the obesity crisis.
CAPPA aligned with the WOD theme of “Changing Systems, Healthier Lives” which puts the onus on systems that influence the drivers of obesity and related chronic diseases to act.
The NGO noted that these include the food systems, healthcare services, governments, media, and workplaces and communities.
“These systems are directly or indirectly linked to the increasing rates of obesity,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director.
The NGO argued that the case for speedy action is reinforced by the grim reality of local and global forecasts on diabetes.
According to the World Obesity Federation (WOF), 1.9 billion or 1 in 4 people will be living with obesity in 2035, costing the global economy about $4.32 trillion. This is twice the figure for 2010. Worse yet, there will be a 100 per cent increase in childhood obesity between 2020 and 2035, while 1 in 4 people are likely to be living with obesity by 2035.
“Ten years after the international health community set aside March 4 as World Obesity Day, it is disheartening to see a condition once thought to be more prevalent in wealthy nations, steadily creeping among populations in low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria,” Akinbode said.
He noted that as of 2020, there were more than 21 million overweight and 12 million obese ‘persons in the Nigerian population aged 15 years or more, accounting for an age-adjusted prevalence of about 20 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively, according to the National Library of Medicine.
CAPPA urged the government at all levels to pay attention to the worrisome practice of food corporations flooding the markets and grooming Nigerians with unhealthy, ultra-processed food products targeted at children and other classes of the country’s teeming youth population, to the detriment of their health and nutritious, indigenous diets.
Oluwafemi noted that these junk foods have been linked to overweight and obesity, adding that this unhealthy diet crisis is costing the country invaluable manpower and productivity loss due to hospitalisation and chronic disability of NCD victims.
Referencing the WHO, he added that obese children are at higher risk of developing serious health problems including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and other respiratory problems, sleep disorders and liver disease.
“Childhood obesity also increases the risk of obesity, non-communicable diseases, premature death and disability in adulthood,” he added.
“Taking action on obesity is a critical step in reducing the burden of other chronic non-communicable diseases, hence the call for a raise in the SSB tax – a pro-health levy – to N130 per litre and the proceeds ploughed into the healthcare sector.”
The Edo State House of Assembly has opened its doors of partnerships with Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), to ensure environmental safety and protection for the people, with environmental laws and policies that conform with global environmental best practices.
Members of the Edo State House of Assembly with the visiting Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) team
This was established when EDEN paid an advocacy visit to the House Committee on Environment of the Edo State House of Assembly, to familiarise with the lawmakers and to chat the way forward on environmental health and protection in the state.
Speaking to the lawmakers, the Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Williams, who led the EDEN team, spoke on the importance of environment health as relates to the health of the people, emphasising that environmental protection is a collective duty that must take a wholesome approach.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s state of environment is at its lowest, because we have not been able to upscale our environmental laws to meet up with modern standards that have been tested and proven effective in other developed climes.
Williams stressed that the legislative arm of government is the bedrock of developmental policies, which places their duties at the front burner of every advocacy effort that is geared towards environmental and human right protection, while tackling policies that safeguards the people against plastic pollution, the destruction of biodiversity, harmful extractive practices, water and air pollution, and other environmental issues.
Responding to EDEN’s drive for environmental change, a member of the House Committee on Environment and lawmaker representing Akoko Edo Constituency II, Okogbe Donald, spoke on the menace of polythene packaging and single-use plastics as a major environmental concern in the state.
He intimated the EDEN team on plans by the House Committee on Environment to develop a bill that will restrict the use of polythene packaging and single-use plastic, which will also encourage a take-back policy to rid the state of polythene and plastic waste, as we move towards a total ban.
Okogbe added that EDEN as a network with research and projects around environmental issues will be instrumental in setting up policies and laws that will improve the environmental health of the state.
On his part, the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment and member representing Igueben constituency, Inegbeboh Ojie Eugene, added that there are several environmental policies that have been tested and proven progressive in other countries that can be implemented in Nigeria and Edo State, to ensure a clean and safer environment for the people.
He also added that EDEN’s expertise in waste management, extractives and other areas that concern the environment will be a highly welcomed addition to the bills that the committee is working on.
He appreciated EDEN and its team for the great initiative, assuring the team that the doors of the committee are always open to EDEN for partnerships, collaborations and discussions that are geared towards the good of the environment.
Earlier, EDEN also paid advocacy visits to the Edo State Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Health respectively, to strengthen environmental protection in the state, through partnerships with the key stakeholders.
