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Group urges LASG to provide smoke-free public places

Published

2 years ago

March 23, 2024

The Protecting and Activating Communities (PACT) Against Tobacco, a youth-led initiative, has called on the Lagos State Government to provide smoke-free public places to ensure implementation of the Tobacco Control Act of 2015.

This is contained in a statement in Lagos on Friday by Lagos Lead Officer of PACT, George Adjete,

Adjete urged the government to take decisive action towards a smoke-free future by banning smoking in public spaces and putting up smoke-free signage in all public spaces.

He said PACT gave the advice during the CleanAirNaija Stakeholders’ meeting organised in Lagos, saying the call was to strengthen the implementation of the tobacco.

The reports have it that the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015 regulates all aspects of tobacco control including smoke free places, tobacco advertising, sponsorship, tobacco packaging and labeling.

Adjete said, “Nigeria, according to the reports, has the fourth-highest number of deaths from second hand smoke in Africa, with 27.6 million Nigerians exposed to smoking in public places.

“The urgent need to create smoke-free public places in Lagos State cannot be overemphasised and the government’s response to this call is eagerly awaited.

“Lagos is a pioneer member of C40 Cities, a global network of major cities that work together to address climate change and sustainable environmental practices with a focus on quality air.

“It is important to mention that tobacco smoke is a harmful pollutant because it’s an aerosol full of particles from burning tobacco and additives.

“These particles are numerous than those emitted by an idling diesel engine, to give you an idea, if you smoke three cigarettes, in 30 minutes you emit 10 times more harmful particles than a diesel engine.

“Government officials should converse with young people to enforce laws and implement policies against tobacco misuse, especially in public spaces within the state.”

Adjete added that smoke-free spaces were critical for the health, and economic growth of the nation

“Government should create awareness/campaigns to enlighten people on the dangers of second-hand smoke and avoid further construction of designated smoking areas to avoid indoor smoking,” he said.

Mr Lana Promise , the President of Lagos State University Medical Students Association, also called on government’s agencies saddled with the responsibility of enforcing the tobacco act collaborate with youth-led movements to ensure implementation.

Mr. Babatunde Ajayi, the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), said youth engagement, public awareness campaigns were among steps being taken by the state government to address tobacco control.

(NAN)

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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

4 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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