The Ministry of Science and Technology Innovation, on Thursday said it is establishing effective policies and programmes, using science and technology innovation, to tackle environmental challenges in the country.

Dr Ogbonnanya Onu, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, disclosed this in Abuja, at a National innuaguration of School Safety Projects, with a theme, “Environmetal Science Technology and Innovation Hub”.

Onu, represented by Dr Peter Ekweozoh, Director, Environmental Sciences and Technology in the ministry, said that the programmes would address the environmental challenges through innovative policies.

He said that some of the policies focused on securing the environment and industries as the effort would promote development in the country.

He, however, commended the institute on the laudable programme, adding that the effort would improve environmental protection among the students as well as the public.

Also, DCP Sulaiman Abdul, who represented the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Usman Baba, said that the police are committed in ensuring the safety of the students, the school authorities and its environs and entire public.

He appreciated the effort made by the institute in promoting the schools environment and other laudible programmes the organisation is creating to improve the environment of the country.

Dr Gloria Oboh, Director, Environmental Biotechnology and Bioconservation Department (EBD), National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), said that environmental issues in schools deal with adverse environmental contaminations.

Oboh said that such environmetal contaminations includes physical, chemical and substances of biogical origin which affect air quality and other sources of water used in schools.

She said that environmental safety in schools can only be achieved when a foundation for school safety has been laid and nurtured to maturity.

She said that the agency would work effectively with the organisation to improve safe schooling in the country.

An electricity sustainability framework that will provide reliable power to residential and industrial areas in Lagos State has been unveiled by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Governor, launched the State’s Electricity Policy at an energy stakeholders’ event organised by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.

The framework forms one of the technical components of the proposed Lagos State Electricity Law currently being developed to drive interventions towards improving access to electricity.

Partnership with private players in the power sector is the main thrust of the policy, which requires sustained capital investment in raising the capacity of the existing power infrastructure, while also generating from off-grid network.

Sanwo-Olu said the electricity policy unveiled articulated constitutional, legal, engineering and commercial foundations for creating a viable sub-national electricity system that would cater for energy needs of the State, while enabling socio-economic growth for Lagos and the nation.

The Governor said the State moved to explore alternative energy supply channels in response to growing demand occasioned by population growth and emergence of new residential and industrial areas. Energy requirement that will keep Lagos economy on the path of growth, Sanwo-Olu noted, has far exceeded the current 1,000 megawatts being supplied from the national grid, necessitating the move to explore alternative sources.

He said: “Given Lagos State’s status as the commercial nerve-center and economic hub of Nigeria, it is our firm belief that the attainment of universal electricity access in the State would accelerate the same across other parts of the country. Increased electricity access is one of the priority mandates of this administration, given its significance in driving sustainable economic development.

“There will be no economic development without sustainable energy. The economy needs energy to run and our objective as a Government is to deliver sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity to all Lagosians. The electricity policy being unveiled today does not only articulate the problems in the sector, it is also futuristic in the implementation of its provisions.”

Sanwo-Olu said the State would ramp up procurement of pre-paid meters for distribution to residents as part of the implementation of the electricity policy. This, he said, would promote transparency in the supply chain, while curbing electricity theft and discouraging estimated billing from the suppliers.

The Governor stressed that the set objectives of the electricity policy would only be realisable if the private partners showed equal commitment as the Government to boost capacity in off-grid generation and distribution network.

“As a Government, we believe one person cannot do it all. We need ideas and knowledge from each other, and form real partnership for coordination in the implementation of this framework,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Lere Odusote, said the electricity policy, apart from clearing out constitutional and legal framework for investors’ assurance, also provided for the establishment of an autonomous regulatory body and independent system operator.

Odusote said Lagos Government would hinge its partnership with the industry players on well-funded and well-managed generation, transmission and distribution.

The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo, SAN, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, said the framework was the first step to bringing Lagos out from constitutional obstruction that restricted the State from exploring electricity supply options.

The tone for the Government’s partnership with the private energy investors was set by a panel of discussion moderated by Soji Awogbade, an energy lawyer and founding partner of Aelex.

The panelists included chairman of Ikeja Electric Plc and Egbon Power Plc, Mr. Kola Adeshina; co-founder of Falcon Corporation, Mrs. Audrey Joe-Ezigbo; Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company Limited, Mr. Chinua Azubuike; Deputy Chief of Party, Power Africa, Mr. Tunde Gbajumo and Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

The stakeholders praised the Lagos Government for its commitment to boost power supply through the electricity framework; they argued that the implementation must focus more on supply for industrial consumption and productive activities rather than residential for sustainability of the plan.

Stakeholders also urged the Government to explore the options of clean and renewable energy infrastructure in order not to worsen environmental challenges facing the State.

Manchester’s famous Christmas markets are well over half way through with just under two weeks until stalls are closed for another year.

And despite some grim weather conditions this week traders have welcomed the markets back with open arms.

Responses from traders old and new were positive with business picking up as we get closer to Christmas day.

Horwich family business Vegan Infinity was at the markets for the first time, but vowed to be back again after a hugely successful time.

Dasha Doyle, who runs the stall six days a week while Aliona is working tirelessly in the kitchen, said: “We have been looking to grow the business so though the markets were a good opportunity to do this.

“Our application was a bit late and we only had a short amount of time to get the stall ready and stock it but it has been completely worth it.

“We just wanted to see if people would like the product really but we’ve been so popular, it’s fantastic.

“There have been a lot of sleepless nights trying to keep the stall stocked, we’ve sold out completely on a lot of days so Aliona can’t leave the kitchen. We are so busy.

“She’s been working some days from 6am through to midnight.

“We will definitely be back again next year.”

The same could be said for Tracy Bailey at the Great North Pie Co. stand also in St Ann’s Square.

She said: “I haven’t traded here before and am just working here for the company.

“I saw a job vacancy and thought it would be a good place to work but I’m definitely coming back next year with my own stall.

“Everybody’s really positive, it’s been so good this year.”

Angela Bell and John Etherington have been working at the markets for nearly a decade with Angel Belle Jewellery in St Ann’s Square.

They said they have seen many more first time traders this year but despite the lack of markets last year due to Covid, this market has been going very well.

John said: “I think overall there’s less foot traffic this year because there is less tourists but business is actually going better.

“People aren’t just walking around and just browsing this year people are actually interested in what’s being sold and are buying it.”

Angela added: “It’s gone surprisingly well this year, there’s definitely been more business compared to 2018 and 2019, it’s been good.”

Although they wouldn’t say everything was perfect.

“We asked many times if we could change the position of our stall because we always get put in a place where we’re battered by rain, which really affects our stall,” John said.

“There’s only been two times where people from the council have come to check how we are, they don’t really listen to us.”

Maria, who was working at the Manchester Wonderland stall in King Street, said things were definitely different this year but business was still good.

“People are definitely feeling very Christmassy and enjoying coming out to get their gifts.

“I usually have my own stall in Albert Square but we couldn’t get that together this year because of Covid. Albert Square was definitely the best place to be because everyone was so packed in but it’s still a good year for the markets without that.”

Indre Baeauskiene had come from Lithuania to work at the markets for the sixth time.

She was working with the family business Unikalus Vaizdas who hand make ceramic houses for incense and candles.

“People are enjoying looking for these types of unique products again that you can only ever get at the Christmas market.

“It’s been very busy and everyone has been really nice so far. It is still getting busier and busier too despite the weather.

“All the traders are in a happy mood too with everyone helping each other out.”

Lisa, working at Zara’s Cakes in Exchange Square, believed footfall was increasing by the day, and that everything had been going very positively so far.

It was one of the busiest markets she had seen in her time too.

She said: “This week has been the busiest it’s been so far. I’ve worked in Piccadilly too and it’s been absolutely packed.

“It’s been going really well so far. I’ve been working here since around 2018 and this is definitely one of the busiest years we’ve had.”

Manchester City Council is very proud of the event that has been put on this year, hailing what it believes is one of its busiest ever years.

Coun Pat Karney, Manchester’s Christmas spokesperson, said: “We have been very proud of our Christmas Markets for two decades and the number of people who have enjoyed them already this season is testament to their popularity.

“Feedback from traders this year has been overwhelmingly positive and it’s great to see visitors of all ages – and in their droves – enjoying the attractions in the city. A welcome festive tonic following an extremely difficult year for our traders and residents alike.”

The last day of the Manchester Christmas Markets is Wednesday December 22.

Fox News has replaced a 50-foot-tall artificial Christmas tree that was set on fire a day earlier outside its headquarters in New York City.

A man was arrested on Wednesday and charged with setting fire to the original tree in the early hours. The police said that security at the headquarters had observed the man, Craig Tamanaha, climbing the structure before the fire broke out around 12:15 a.m.

Mr. Tamanaha, 49, was arrested and later charged with seven counts including criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and arson.

The fire did not cause any injuries, and the police said on Wednesday that the authorities were still investigating the cause. But the spectacle surprised onlookers, including a network host who announced the fire in a live broadcast.

“This is the Fox Square in New York, outside of Fox headquarters,” the host, Shannon Bream, told viewers shortly after midnight. “It appears that our giant Christmas tree there, just a couple of minutes ago, was completely engulfed in flames.”

A few minutes later, as a live feed showed smoke billowing above the tree, Ms. Bream said that the fire seemed to have been put out. “But we’re going to monitor the situation to try to figure out what sparked this whole thing,” she added.

The tree had been ceremonially lit in the network’s “All-American” Christmas special, which was broadcast on Sunday.

In a companywide memo on Wednesday that was provided by Fox News Media, Suzanne Scott, the company’s chief executive, condemned the vandalism and said that the tree would be replaced.

“We will not let this deliberate and brazen act of cowardice deter us,” Ms. Scott said. “We are in the process of rebuilding and installing a new tree as a message that there can be peace, light and joy even during a dark moment like this.”

The police said they believed that Mr. Tamanaha was homeless, and that they were investigating whether drugs or mental illness had played a factor.

He was last arrested in March for smoking the synthetic drug known as K2, the police said.

It was not immediately clear whether Mr. Tamanaha had retained a lawyer.

Fox reported this month that the original tree, on the Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan, was 50 feet tall and had been decorated with 10,000 ornaments and 100,000 lights.

The lighting ceremony last weekend was part of an annual tradition that began in 2019. The tree and its replacement were both supplied by American Christmas, a company based in Mount Vernon, N.Y.

“This holiday season serves as a reminder that at the end of the day, there will always be more that unites us than divides us,” Dana Perino, a Fox News host and a former press secretary for President George W. Bush, said during a live tree-lighting ceremony at the site on Thursday.

Ms. Perino thanked the New York Police Department and the Fire Department for responding to the fire.

Ms. Perino added that Fox News Media and the Fox Corporation had both made a $100,000 donation to Answer the Call, a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to the families of officers from the N.Y.P.D., the F.D.N.Y. and other cities agencies who have been killed in the line of duty.

Officials in Oakland, California said this week that they were investigating an episode in which at least one person set fire to a 52-foot Christmas tree in Jack London Square early Monday.

An aerosol can was found near the tree after the fire was extinguished, The Sacramento Bee reported.

The authorities in Chicago are also investigating the apparent arson this month of a Christmas tree at the corner of Garfield Boulevard and Martin Luther King Drive, The Chicago Tribune reported.

The tree, installed as part of local charity’s project to light up the city’s South Side for the holidays, is the third to be vandalized at the site in three years.

Two of the cases are suspected arsons.

A police spokesman said a gasoline canister had been found at the scene after the latest fire.