Environmental Body Expresses Concern Over Biodiversity Loss

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May 10, 2023

The acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Designate, BirdLife International, Mr Martin Harper, has expressed concerns over biodiversity loss in the country, especially animal species.

Harper made the disclosure while giving his lecture at the 21st Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos, Nigeria’s south-west.

He said that one in eight species was at the risk of extinction.

The lecture, held in collaboration with Chevron, had “Humanity and the Twin Crises of Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss” as its theme.

Harper said that there were 1,409 globally threatened species with 231 critically endangered.

He added that extinction risk was escalating, stressing that 436 species moved to higher threat category due to deterioration in status.

The NCF Director-General, Dr Joseph Onoja, said that the foundation would continue to create awareness on issues of environment.

“We need to carry everyone along on the issue of conservation of our environment because we need to protect our environment for our environment to protect us.

“We are faced with dual crises which is climate change and biodiversity and by talking about one, it is going to affect the other.

“For instance, if you are preventing deforestation, you are helping biodiversity and on the other hand, you are also helping to fight against climate change,” he said.

He said it was fine for everyone to be aware of the environment, hence the need for the lecture.

The Chairman, NEC, NCF, Chief Ede Dafinone, said that the annual lecture was a forum to look at environmental issues and how to tackle them.

“The emphasis today is on how urgent it is to look into the problems and find solutions which is why the annual lecture was a forum to do this.

“We are ready but we can be readier to tackle this challenges. The problems are getting worse and yet more crimes against the environment are being committed.

“If we don’t all sit down and find a solution and balance, this debate will go on for 10 years and sea levels are rising. Something needs to be done quickly,” he said.

Two doctoral candidates were awarded grants by Chevron Nigeria.

Present at the lecture were captains of industries, secondary schools across Lagos State and other distinguished guests.

Strong Winds, Rough Seas: Sri Lanka Issues Red Warning

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Angel Gimalo

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May 10, 2023

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Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology has issued a red warning for fishing boats over strong winds and rough seas in the southeast Bay of Bengal and South Andaman Sea.

The rough seas were caused by the depression in the southeast Bay of Bengal and would gradually develop into a cyclonic storm on Wednesday, the Department of Meteorology said.

Due to this, the wind speed in the above-mentioned sea areas would be between 50 and 60 kmph, the department said.

At times, winds can increase up to 70 kmph in sea areas, it said, adding that heavy showers or thundershowers can be expected in above-sea areas.

The department urged all naval and fishing communities not to venture into the above-sea areas until further notice.

The department also urged those who were out on the aforementioned seas to return to the coasts or move to safer areas immediately.

Association Says One Million Practitioners Needed To Mitigate Maternal, Infant Mortality

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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May 10, 2023

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The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institution (NANNM-FHI) says about one million midwives are needed to avert millions of maternal and newborn mortalities across the globe.

Mr. Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, National Chairman, NANNM-FHI sector, disclosed this to the newsmen in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday.

He spoke on the backdrop of the 2023 International Midwives Day, with the theme: “Together Again -from Evidence to Reality”.

Newsmen report that the International Midwives Day is usually celebrated annually on May 5 to create awareness of the significant role of midwives worldwide.

Rilwan defined midwifery as the care of women during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, as well as care of the newborn and measures aimed at preventing health problems in pregnancy.

He said that midwifery also included the detection of abnormal conditions, the procurement of medical assistance when necessary and the execution of emergency measures in the absence of medical help.

“About 900,000 midwives are needed to address global gaps in preventing 2.2 million maternal and newborn deaths, including stillbirth that can be averted with investment in midwives by year 2035.

“Nigeria is not left out. Worldwide, 295,000 women die yearly due to pregnancy and childbirth-related complications and 2.4 million newborns die in the first month of life with two million still births.

“Most of these preventable deaths occur in low-income countries and in poor/rural areas.

“This is the reason why NANNM is advocating for improved health workforce for quality healthcare services, involving nurses and midwives in policy making and decision matters in health and politics.”

Rilwan urged that nurses and midwives be appointed into key positions in leadership and governance, adding that adequate compensation and enhanced nurses and midwives salary structure should also be implemented.

“All these efforts is to prevent health sector from collapse because when midwifery is successfully integrated into a health care system –It allows for provision of more effective care for women and infants”

“Midwifery services and contribution within existing health facility can increase not only coverage but also sustainability of quality care and access to life saving interventions,” he said.

NAFDAC Bans Over 30 Firms In Kano State

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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May 10, 2023

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, on Wednesday, said it has banned no fewer than 35 companies in Kano as of the first quarter of 2023.

The NAFDAC State Coordinator, Kasim Idrisa Ibrahim, who made the disclosure to newsmen, while spotlighting the activities of the agency during the period under review, noted that the agency carried out 280 regulatory activities, within the period, adding that the agency equally carried out 85 unscheduled visits to companies and other business premises. In addition, it carried out 108 surveillance, as part of redoubled efforts towards ensuring best practices, among manufacturers in the state.

According to Ibrahim, the affected businesses were sanctioned for various Offence, ranging from non-compliance with NAFDAC guidelines in production to poor storage practices, as well as production of sub-standard products, including other sharp practices, capable of endangering the lives and health of the general public.

Furthermore, the State Coordinator described the poor level of drug storage in Kano, as very alarming, pointing out that the Agency is doing everything humanly possible to address the situation and will leverage the pharmaceutical market, equipped with modern storage facilities on Zaria Road, where all drug sellers in the state are expected to relocate to toward tracking fake and adulterated drugs.

Election Petition Tribunal Adjourns Until May 17

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 10, 2023

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The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has adjourned the hearing on the petitions filed by the Labour Party, LP, to Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

Kenneth Okonkwo, one of the spokespersons for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, made the disclosure on Wednesday, following the second sitting of the court.

Election Tribunal Adjourns Sitting to Tuesday

Okonkwo, who also appeared in court as one of the legal representatives of the Labour Party, LP, said the court adjourned after a brief hearing of petitions.

He wrote: “After a brief hearing of the matter, the court adjourned to Wednesday, 17 May 2023, for a continuation of hearing…I will keep you posted. We believe in God for a positive outcome with your supplications to God.”

The Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member panel had its inaugural sitting on Monday and a continuation of the pre-hearing trial on Wednesday.

NBA play-offs: Warriors Close to Elimination

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Emenike Agu

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May 10, 2023

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Lonnie walker was the unlikely hero for the Los Angeles Lakers as they defeated the golden state warriors to leave the NBA champions on the brink of elimination from the play-offs.

Walker scored 15 points in the fourth quarter as the lakers completed a dramatic 104-101 victory.

It puts them 3-1 up in the best-of-seven series.

The miami heat also moved 3-1 up in their series against the new york knicks after a 109-101 win.

Jimmy butler led the way with 27 points and 10 assists for miami, who had five players in double digits, and the eighth seeds can clinch the series with a win on thursday (00:30 bst) in new york.

The golden state, with stephen curry to the fore yet again, were 84-77 ahead going into the fourth quarter of their match in la.

But the introduction of 24-year-old walker, who has struggled to establish himself since joining the lakers on a one-year contract last year after battling a series of injuries, changed the game.

The Lakers went on to outscore their opponents 27-17 and walker was mobbed by LeBron James and other Lakers team-mates on the buzzer.

UNICEF Distributes 210 Ipad Tablets, Internet Facilities To Adamawa Schools

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Precious Obazee

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May 10, 2023

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The Commissioner of Education and Human Capital Development Wilbina Jackson appreciated the contribution of UNICEF and other partners for contributing to improve access to quality education in the state.

In his remarks, Dr Salihi Ateque, Executive Chairman, Adamawa State Universal Basic Education (ADSUBEB) said that the board would ensure that the equipments are judiciously use.

He also assured for intensive monitoring toward achieving the desired results for quality education

Bauchi field office Abdulrahman Ibrahim has said the Nigerian Learning Passport signifies a paradigm shift, where the power of technology and knowledge converge to create an environment that fosters growth, innovation, and equal opportunities for all.

On his part Joel Jutum, UNICEF’s Education Specialist who disclosed this during the official launching of Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in Yola, said the launching is a journey that will shape the future of education in the state.

Jutum said the NLP is an innovative project using digital technology to deliver interactive and engaging learning experiences to children in rural areas, ensuring that they have access to the same quality education as their peers in urban areas.

JAMB Promises Support Sudan Student Evacuees

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Precious Obazee

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May 10, 2023

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The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this known when the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa led a delegation to the examination body in Abuja to discuss modalities for integrating the affected students into tertiary institutions in the country.

The Registrar empathized with the students and commended NIDCOM for the effective handling of their evacuation, assuring that JAMB would ensure the desired support.

Oloyede therefore called on the students not to tread the path of those who returned to the country over a year ago as a result of Ukraine’s war but refused to comply with the stipulated procedures that would have ensured they continue their academic programmes seamlessly in Nigerian universities.

In her remarks, the NIDCOM chairman,Abike Dabiri-Erewa,who revealed that about 1,730 Nigerians have been evacuated from Sudan, added that majority of them are students eager to continue their education in Nigeria while waiting for the war to be over.

Abike Dabiri who assured that the necessary procedures will be followed to integrate the affected students into Nigerian schools, emphasized that the commission has realized that the laid down processes to integrate them by JAMB are not difficult.

One of the parents of the affected students, Asmau Yerima, however commended NIDCOM and JAMB for ensuring that the students will not be abandoned at home doing nothing.

Shell Wins Legal Case Over Nigeria Oil Spill

By

faith Jegede

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May 10, 2023

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Britain’s highest court has ruled that it was too late for people in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region to lodge pollution claims against energy giant Shell after a huge oil spill more than a decade ago.

The Supreme Court said in a statement that its five judges “unanimously” rejected an appeal over the 2011 spill, upholding prior rulings that claims were not made before a legal deadline.

Nigerian claimants say their shoreline faced a “devastating impact” from a leak at the Bonga oilfield which unleashed 40,000 barrels of crude into the Gulf of Guinea.

Shell said the spill was swiftly contained.

The claimants had sought to overturn rulings from two lower courts, arguing that the oil spill constituted a “continuing nuisance”, a legal definition to which the deadline would not apply.

However, the Supreme Court disagreed and declared the leak was a “one-off event or an isolated escape”, in a judgement which does not affect a separate legal action against Shell over other spillages.

“The claimants’ argument that there is a continuing nuisance, because on the assumed facts oil is still present on their land and has not been removed or cleaned up, is rejected,” said Judge Andrew Burrows.

“There was no continuing nuisance in this case because, outside the claimant’s land, there was no repeated activity by the defendants or an ongoing state of affairs for which the defendants were responsible that was causing continuing undue interference with the use and enjoyment of the claimants’ land.”

The Supreme Court noted however that the 2011 spill was “one of the largest spills in Nigerian oil exploration history”.

The London-listed energy major welcomed the judgement on Wednesday, but said the spill was “regrettable”.

A Shell spokesperson said “It was clear from the start that these claims were unfounded and brought entirely out of time,”.

“Today’s decision… rejected the claimants’ case that Bonga oil could have become trapped and re-mobilised years later, migrating upstream and impacting the claimants’ communities.

“While the 2011 Bonga spill was highly regrettable, it was swiftly contained and cleaned up offshore.”

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude producer, has struggled with oil spills, its effects and its consequences for decades.

Shell faces a separate ongoing legal case in Britain after the Supreme Court ruled in February 2021 that more than 50,000 people in the Niger Delta region can make pollution claims in English courts.

The ruling overturned a 2017 decision against the Ogale and Bille communities, who brought legal claims for clean-up and compensation following decades of repeated spills in the crude-rich region.

Documentation Completed For 10th Batch Sudan Evacuees

By

faith Jegede

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May 10, 2023

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The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has confirmed that the tenth batch of evacuees from Sudan are done with documentation.

Dabiri-Erewa stated this on Wednesday morning while issuing an update on the next batch of Nigerian citizens that would be coming into the country from the war-ravaged Sudan.

“Sudan update: 10th batch of evacuees (126 in all) from Port Sudan completing their documentation,” she posted on her official social media.

Meanwhile, NiDCOM on Tuesday said that a total number of 1,730 Nigerians have returned from Sudan with the latest flight from Port Sudan bringing in 146 evacuees aboard the Tarco Airline.

NiDCOM spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, disclosed that the flight landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 10:05 a.m. on Tuesday while giving an extensive update on the returnees so far.

The crisis in Sudan is now in its fourth week and has sparked an exodus of tens of thousands of Sudanese to neighbouring countries including Egypt, Chad and the Central African Republic.

Hundreds have been killed and thousands wounded since fighting erupted on April 15 between Sudan’s army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo-controlled paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has confirmed that the tenth batch of evacuees from Sudan are already done with their documentation.

Dabiri-Erewa stated this on Wednesday morning while issuing an update on the next batch of Nigerian citizens that would be coming into the country from the war-ravaged Sudan.

“Sudan update: 10th batch of evacuees (126 in all) from Port Sudan completing their documentation,” she posted on her official Twitter account.

Meanwhile, NiDCOM on Tuesday said that a total number of 1,730 Nigerians have returned from Sudan with the latest flight from Port Sudan bringing in 146 evacuees aboard the Tarco Airline.

NiDCOM spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, disclosed that the flight landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 10:05 a.m. on Tuesday while giving an extensive update on the returnees so far.

The crisis in Sudan is now in its fourth week and has sparked an exodus of tens of thousands of Sudanese to neighbouring countries including Egypt, Chad and the Central African Republic.

Hundreds have been killed and thousands wounded since fighting erupted between Sudan’s army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo-controlled paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.