Environment

Don calls for comprehensive stocktaking in agric, environment sectors

Published

6 years ago

June 3, 2019

Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi Prof. Nasiru Idris, has urged the present administration to embark on a comprehensive stocktaking to understand the challenges of various sectors, especially that of agriculture and environment.

Idris, who is the Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences in the university made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

He said that environment and agriculture sectors needed proper attention to achieve Federal Government’s efforts in ensuring food security in the second term of the administration.

He urged the Federal Government to encourage cottage or small and medium-scale industries on value addition to agriculture commodities such as cocoa, rubber, groundnut “and numerous fruits that are being wasted during season’’.

“Each local government area in the country should have at least three tractors for farmers’ use during the cropping season.

“Government should provide fertilisers at affordable rates and silos in the country should be well maintained so that large food and cash crops that require storage in the rural communities will be properly preserved.’’

According to him, agricultural research centres, universities and colleges of agriculture in the country should be encouraged to carry out research from time to time for better crop yield.

“Agricultural extension workers should also be provided for so that they can help farmers in the rural areas with better farming knowledge, driven by modern technology,’’ he said.

On environment sector, the don said that government should also focus on how to mitigate climate change issue as a global problem that required international attention.

“Government should also focus on the three Rs of Waste Management -Reduce, Reuse and Recycle through establishment of recycling plants; sanitary landfills in major towns and cities as well as provision of incinerators in most institutions.

“There is a need to reduce gas flaring, oil pollution and land degradation in the country through carbon credit and organise afforestation programmes, while emphasising on green and ‘livable’ cities as against slums and shanties,” he said.

Idris said that beyond the celebrations and excitement of a new government, Nigerians were expecting real positive elevation to `the Next Level’ in all sectors of the economy.

He also urged the Federal Government to change the face of Abuja and its suburbs, especially in transportation to ease the pains of workers living in those areas.

“The Federal Government should go into partnership with the Nasarawa, Niger, Kaduna and Kogi state governments in the provision of railway lines from their state capitals to the FCT to ease the pains of commuters to Abuja.

“I pray for wisdom for the President as he strategises towards his Next Level and repositioning of Nigeria, and also pray for peace, progress, growth and development in our dear fatherland.’’

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Environment

Royal Commonwealth Society Kicks Off Clean Oceans Campaign in Nigeria

Published

3 months ago

July 8, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Commonwealth Games Nigeria, has officially launched the Clean Oceans Plastic Awareness Campaign in Nigeria, aiming to combat the growing threat of plastic pollution across the Commonwealth.

The campaign was flagged off on Wednesday at Jabi Lake, Abuja, with a strong message of environmental responsibility, especially for Nigeria’s youth.

The initiative is designed to raise awareness about plastic pollution, encourage proper waste disposal, and promote environmental stewardship—particularly around the country’s waterways.
Speaking at the launch, the Country Director and CEO of the Royal Commonwealth Society Nigeria, Mr. Blackson Olaseni Bayewumi, emphasized that the campaign is part of a global Commonwealth-wide effort to curb plastic waste and protect ocean ecosystems.

He highlighted the critical role of sports as a tool for engaging young people and driving meaningful change in environmental behavior.

“The Commonwealth accounts for one-third of the world’s ocean waters, and nearly half of its member countries are Small Island Developing States that suffer disproportionately from plastic pollution,” Bayewumi noted.

According to him, the Royal Commonwealth Society’s Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign aims to prevent at least one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways.

The campaign blends grassroots education with direct community action, urging people to reduce their plastic footprint, embrace alternatives, and promote cleaner oceans.

A major component of the campaign is its integration with the King’s Baton Relay—a hallmark of the build-up to the Commonwealth Games. In a groundbreaking move, the 2025-2026 relay will spotlight sustainability and environmental protection, beginning with its launch by His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day 2025. The Baton Relay is now on a 500-day journey across all Commonwealth nations and territories ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

In each country, including Nigeria, the Baton Relay will bring together youth, athletes, local communities, and environmental groups for a week of activities—most notably, organized plastic clean-up drives.

The urgency of this campaign is underlined by alarming statistics: the world produces 400 million tonnes of plastic every year, with over 12 million tonnes ending up in the oceans.
Without urgent action, scientists predict that by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea.

Plastic waste poses a deadly threat to marine life—suffocating birds, fish, and mammals while damaging key ecosystems.

Moreover, as plastics break down into microplastics due to ocean erosion and sunlight, they enter our food, water, and even air.

Although the full health implications of microplastics remain unknown, early research suggests they may disrupt vital bodily functions—and there is currently no method to fully remove them from the environment or our bodies.
The campaign supports multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

SDG 12: Responsible, Consumption and ProductionSDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water

It also reflects the core principles of the Commonwealth Charter, especially: Article 9: Sustainable Development. Article 10: Protection of the Environment and Article 14: Recognition of the Needs of Small States

As the world grapples with escalating environmental challenges, the Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign represents a significant step in uniting nations, communities, and young leaders under a shared mission: to protect our oceans, preserve biodiversity, and build a cleaner, safer world for future generations.

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