News Agency of Nigeria
Stakeholders urge review of 2006 National School Health Policy
Health

Stakeholders urge review of 2006 National School Health Policy

By Alex Enebeli

Stakeholders in health and education sectors, have pushed for the review of 2006 National School Health Policy (NSHP) to meet the present health conditions school children face.

They made the move during a “Roundtable Iterations on Revising the 2006 NSHP,” organised through Protect Urban School Children’s Health (PUSH) project led by University of Nigeria’s Health Policy Research Group (HPRG), on Friday in Enugu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project is supported by the River State Ministry of Health, University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom and CHORUS Urban Health Research Consortium.

The stakeholders were representatives of the Federal Ministries of Education, Health and Social Welfare, Women Affairs and Budget and Economic Planning, World Health Organisation (WHO) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Others were the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA), Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Paediatrics Association of Nigeria (PAN).

Speaking at the event, the Principal Investigator PUSH project, Dr Prince Agwu, said the review, revise and fully implementation of NSHP was necessary to accommodate emerging health issues of children across schools in Nigeria.

Agwu said during the policy review for the project, they discovered that a lot of policies pertaining the health and well-being of children such as the Child Rights Act, National Policy on the Health and Development of the young people were not effective.

According to him, the group also discovered that the school-based health services were not optimal, alarming neglect of essential health indicators and complete breakdown of links between schools and health system, particularly primary healthcare.

“The consequences of these failings reflect a lack of collective and committed attention to the health of school children evidenced by an outdated school health policy,” he said.

He equally listed governance, financing operational plans and implementation as some of the issues in 2006 NSHP, adding the group had been able to contribute by developing a new chapter which they were recommending to be added to the policy.

The principal investigator explained that they deployed series of research methods such as qualitative, quantitative and geographic information system to study the various health challenges facing by students and pupils.

“It was in that process, it became clear that we need to work on the national school health policy to meet the current realities.

“We held policy dialogue by engaging children. So we made sure that the voices of children are well integrated into the evidence we have produced.

“We are hoping that the Federal Ministry of Education, as a team will continue working with us to see how we can push this policy to the next phase of validation and implementation based on evidence we produced,” Agwu said.

Mr Ogwuche Itodo, the Assistant Director, Programmes, Federal Ministry of Education,  noted that the policy had been long overdue for revision, pledging the ministry’s commitment to work on the new evidence to achieve inclusive healthcare for students.

“By the grace of God, we’ll put our report to the Permanent Secretary for onward transmission to the National Council on Education who takes decisions on the issue of education.

“Once that is done, the whole state, the local government will have a key, and then the policy will be implemented,” Itodo said.

Contributing, the Senior Medical Officer, NPHDA, Dr Peter Wuya, noted that the operationalisation of the policy had been obsolete, hence the need to revise it to meet present day situation.

Wuya explained that different stress disorders, learning disabilities and emerging issues such as addiction from social media, sexual perversion, abuse drug and abuse disorders that school children face would be tackled in the new policy.

He added that primary healthcare centre were being renovated and revitalised with adequate infrastructure, human resources to provide 24-hour services to people.

On her part, the Professional Officer, Education Sector, UNESCO, Oyebukola Adeleye, assured of the organisation’s willingness to provide technical support to ensure that new health policy was produced for students.

The President, Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), Prof. Ekanem Ekure, represented by a member of the group, Prof. Maduka Ughasoro, said the policy would ensure that schools were optimal in terms of good structure, ventilation, lightning and adequate meal.

He said the new curriculum would look into issues concerning health, physical education, wonderful environment and serve as the linkage between the schools and communities. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Weather: Expert warns Nigerians to stay warm
Health

Weather: Expert warns Nigerians to stay warm

By Folasade Akpan

Dr Olusegun Adeoye, a public health specialist, has advised Nigerians to adopt healthy habits to stay warm and avoid illness as cold weather continues across parts of the country.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, Adeoye warned that exposure to intense cold could lead to pneumonia, influenza, respiratory infections, and aggravate conditions like asthma and arthritis.

He explained that the ongoing spell of chilly mornings and evenings was due to seasonal weather changes bringing damp and windy conditions.

The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) recently warned of lower-than-normal temperatures, especially at night and in the early morning, possibly lasting into September.

Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised are most at risk.

To stay protected, Adeoye recommended: Dressing in layers of breathable, warm clothing, Using thick blankets, insulated bedding, and proper home insulation and light physical activity like exercise or dancing generating body heat.

He also advised drinking hot beverages like tea or cocoa, eating nourishing hot meals like soups, stews, and porridge, taking warm baths and using heating devices where available.

Adeoye also cautioned against prolonged exposure to cold and wet conditions and urged the use of scarves, hats, gloves, and thick socks when outdoors.

“Prevention remains the best protection,” he said, adding that many Nigerians underestimated the health risks of cold weather.

Adeoye called on parents to ensure children were properly dressed during the day and kept warm at night. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Bingham@20: VC reaffirms commitment to innovation, research
General News

Bingham@20: VC reaffirms commitment to innovation, research

By Blessing Ibegbu

Prof. Haruna Ayuba, Vice Chancellor of Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, has reiterated the university’s commitment to nurturing innovative thinkers, fostering groundbreaking research, and contributing meaningfully to national and global development.

Ayuba made this known at the 3rd Postgraduate Workshop organised by the university, themed “Innovative Research for Sustainable Development – Celebrating 20 Years of Academic Excellence,” on Thursday.

He stated that the workshop was one of the key activities planned by the School of Postgraduate Studies to commemorate the university’s 20th anniversary.

Reflecting on the university’s journey, Ayuba noted it had been marked by resilience, growth, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge aimed at addressing society’s pressing challenges.

“Established in 2005, Bingham University today boasts 16 faculties, 54 departments, 48 undergraduate programmes, and 59 postgraduate programmes,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor emphasised that the workshop highlighted the university’s strategic focus on sustainable development, stressing the need to leave a better society for future generations.

He said the workshop was designed to provide a platform for participants to explore innovative solutions that could shape a more sustainable future.

Outlining the key objectives behind the workshop’s theme, Ayuba mentioned fostering Cutting-Edge Knowledge as a priority.

He emphasised that postgraduate students and researchers must stay abreast of the latest trends, methodologies, and innovations in their respective fields.

This, he said, was essential to ensure that their research remained relevant, impactful, and capable of addressing real-world societal challenges.

In encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, he said sustainable development required diverse perspectives.

“Collaborative research across disciplines is essential for developing holistic solutions.”

He said the workshop also aimed to build research capacity among postgraduate students by equipping them with the skills and tools needed to carry out innovative and policy-relevant research.

The goal, he added, was to move beyond the narrow focus of publishing in high-impact journals.

On addressing real-world challenges, he noted that the workshop encouraged research efforts that focused on the socio-political, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability.

According to him, the goal is to generate solutions that bring about measurable, positive change in society.

He further highlighted the importance of networking and partnerships, noting that collaboration were essential in driving meaningful research outcomes.

He explained that the workshop served as a platform for students, faculty members, policymakers, and industry leaders to share ideas and strengthen the real-world relevance and impact of academic research.

In addition, he emphasised the workshop’s alignment with both national priorities and global development frameworks, particularly the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stressing the need for researchers to contribute meaningfully to those broader agendas.

Addressing unethical practices in postgraduate research, he raised concerns about the exploitation of students by some supervisors, including cases of harassment and manipulation.

He called for an end to such misconduct and encouraged students to report any unethical behaviour, assuring them that the university’s management would take prompt and decisive action.

Ayuba reiterated that the overarching aim of the workshop was to nurture a new generation of researchers and innovators capable of building sustainable, resilient communities and ecosystems.

Also speaking at the event, the Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Okoli Bamidele, said the workshop provided an opportunity to reflect on the school’s progress and chart a dynamic path forward.

He expressed pride in the school’s growth since its inception in 2017, when it started with just six programmes.

“Today, the school has grown into a vibrant community of more than 2,000 scholars.

“We now offer 59 postgraduate programmes, including PhDs, academic and professional master’s degrees, and diplomas across 15 dynamic faculties.

“Our researchers are out there tackling some of society’s toughest challenges,” Bamidele said.

Looking ahead, Bamidele outlined several priority areas that will shape the university’s future research direction.

He emphasised the need to focus on entrepreneurship in Africa, particularly research that addressed the continent’s unique challenges while creating sustainable and locally adaptable business models.

According to him, another key area is disruptive technology, where researchers are encouraged to explore transformative innovations in a responsible and ethical manner.

He also highlighted sustainable architecture, calling for the integration of indigenous knowledge with modern environmental solutions to create buildings that were both functional and eco-friendly.

He said other focus areas included socio-legal research tailored to Nigeria’s legal and social contexts, and the development of ethical AI frameworks to ensure technology was deployed in ways that upheld human dignity.

Additionally, he stressed the importance of interdisciplinary research, especially using AI to break down barriers between academic fields and accelerate meaningful discoveries.

He stressed the school’s commitment to strengthening industry partnerships, promoting ethical innovation and deepening global collaboration.

Bamidele urged postgraduate students to be bold and committed, encouraging them to challenge the status quo and engage in research capable of transforming their communities.

He also encouraged faculty members to continue mentoring with integrity and innovation, inspiring the next generation of scholars.

In his keynote address, Professor Victor Dugga, shed light on several pressing challenges confronting postgraduate education and research in Nigeria and across Africa.

He emphasised the persistent issue of funding, noting an over-reliance on erratic government support and foreign grants.

He said external funds, while sometimes helpful, were frequently misaligned with local needs and priorities, resulting in projects that did not effectively address the continent’s developmental goals.

Dugga, a Provost of Postgraduate Studies, University of Lafia, also pointed to severe infrastructure deficits that continued to hinder academic and research progress.

He highlighted poor electricity supply, limited internet access, and inadequate laboratory facilities as critical barriers that restrict the ability of postgraduate students and researchers to engage in cutting-edge scientific work.

According to him, these deficiencies not only delay research timelines but also discourage innovation and limit global competitiveness.

Another major concern, he raised was the industry-academia gap, where weak collaboration between universities and the private sector had stifled the commercialisation of research outcomes.

“Additionally, the ongoing brain drain, driven by better pay and working conditions abroad, is depriving African institutions of their brightest minds.”

According to Dugga, these challenges require urgent and coordinated action to create a more robust and self-sustaining postgraduate education and research ecosystem on the continent.

Quoting a World Bank report (2002), Dugga warned that developing countries risked further marginalisation in the global economy if their tertiary education systems were not equipped to harness knowledge creation and use.

He said that innovative research in African universities was not a future goal, but a current necessity.

“With resilience, creativity, and a focus on sustainability, African universities can lead the way in redefining inclusive and equitable development in the 21st century,” Dugga said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

NOA urges FCT residents to embrace government initiatives, national values
General News

NOA urges FCT residents to embrace government initiatives, national values

By Angela Atabo

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), FCT Directorate, has called on residents to gain a deeper understanding of government initiatives.

The FCT Director of NOA, Mrs Acharu Opaluwa, made the call at a town hall meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

Opaluwa said the meeting provided a platform for dialogue between government institutions, community leaders, civil society organisations, and residents of the FCT on issues of national concern.

She noted that the town hall focused on five key thematic areas: government policies, flood mitigation, security awareness, national values reorientation, and the Nigerian identity, values, and charter.

“There is a need for citizens to gain a deeper understanding of government initiatives, because collective awareness and alignment will strengthen governance and improve service delivery,” she said.

Opaluwa urged participants to listen attentively, ask questions, and take the knowledge back to their communities to help promote safer, stronger, and more inclusive societies.

Mrs Theresa Ezeh, Deputy Director and Head of CVDE at NOA-FCT, reiterated the importance of preserving national identity, respecting national symbols, and implementing the National Values Charter.

According to Ezeh, the Charter serves as a framework for promoting patriotism and responsible citizenship.

Speaking on behalf of schools, Mrs Cecilia Nwanko, representing the Principal of Area one Junior Secondary School, Garki, stressed the importance of instilling discipline and positive values in young people.

Nwanko emphasised the shared responsibility of schools, parents, and society in shaping the character of future leaders.

On the topic of flood mitigation and disaster preparedness, Zakari Abubakar, Head of the Abuja Operations Office at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), stressed the importance of proactive measures.

He stated that early warning systems and sensitisation campaigns were vital to reduce the impact of floods and other natural disasters.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that discussions also addressed the importance of community vigilance, intelligence sharing, and strong partnerships with security agencies to tackle insecurity within the FCT.

The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to deepen public awareness, foster collaboration, and uphold shared responsibility in building peace, unity, and national development across the FCT. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Africa holds demographic competitive advantage for digital economy expansion- IFC
Economy/Business

Africa holds demographic competitive advantage for digital economy expansion- IFC

By Rukayat Moisemhe/Funmilola Gboteku

International Finance Corporation (IFC) says Africa possessed demographic competitive advantage for digital economy expansion with Nigeria positioned as the ground zero base for activity.

Dr Dahlia Khalifa, Regional Director, Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, IFC Nigeria, said this on Wednesday in Lagos at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Nigeria 2025 conference.

Khalifa noted that across Africa, the digital economy was expanding at remarkable speed powered by internet adoption, mobile penetration, and a generation of young innovators rewriting its future.

She added that the demographic realities in Africa meant that its total population would grow from 1.5 billion to 2.5 billion over the next 25 years.

She also said that the population increase would bring 600 million youths, possibly entering the job market, charting the future leading to the fastest growth in the world.

“With more than 60 per cent of Africans under the age of 25, and smartphone adoption rising steadily, Africa is home to one of the largest pools of digital natives in the world.

“Over the past decade, Africa’s digital economy has been one of the fastest growing in the world and is quickly becoming a centre of attraction.

“By 2030, it is projected to contribute to about $180 billion to Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” she said.

The IFC regional director further said that in Africa, Artificial Intelligence (AI) was not just about efficiency but about transformation.

According to her, AI holds extraordinary promise that can enable Africa scale traditional barriers to growth, and accelerate progress across sectors such as health, education, agriculture, finance and business.

Khalifa however, warned that unless Africa invested in infrastructure, including energy, broadband, digital connectivity and skills, the benefits of AI could bypass the continent.

She quoted IFC’s recent report titled “Digital Opportunities in African Businesses” that stated that the digital transformation could benefit over 600,000 formal businesses and 40 million micro-enterprises.

This development, she said, would boost productivity, raise wages, and create better quality jobs and livelihoods for all.

“This is why the role of the private sector and public-private dialogue is decisive.

“Infrastructure is the foundation, but entrepreneurship is the engine and to seize this opportunity, we need reliable broadband, robust data centres, modern digital infrastructure, and more energy, particularly clean energy that is sustainable.

“We need investment in skills and training programmes that prepare Africa’s youth for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

“We need partnerships between governments, the private sector, and international institutions to create the right policies, foster trust, and mobilise capital at scale,” she said.

She revealed that the IFC was committed to helping to unlock the future of Africa’s digitalisation.

Khalifa noted that over the last decade, IFC had financed over $6 billion in Africa’s digital infrastructure, from data centres to fibre networks to affordable broadband.

“By harnessing AI and digital technology responsibly and building the right partnerships, Africa can shape a digital economy that is inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive,” she said.

Trixie Lohmirmand, Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Center, lauded the zeal and resilience of Lagos startup innovators, saying they thrived in spite of power issues and developing infrastructure.

She described start-ups in the country as the fastest rising, fastest growing emerging stars in the world, beating Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Turkey among other nations.

“Nigeria scales with resilience and there is mega high speed space for technology to thrive in Lagos and Nigeria.

“In Lagos where the unicorns are coming out from, they build new infrastructure and industry all together, nothing ever before and we would not deny Nigeria access to thrive,” she said.

Mrs Olu Olufemi-White, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alami Capital, also speaking said that great things happened when visionary leaders create space.

She described GITEX as a great space for innovation and ideas and a launchpad for new generation to forge digital frontiers.

She said that Nigeria was embracing the challenge and boldly trying to forge forward adding that the next stage of innovation could built on local demands.

“The future of technology would be shaped by the drive of Nigerian people to solve problem with the support of institutions,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker

Plan international Nigeria advocates for gender balance in governance
General News

Plan international Nigeria advocates for gender balance in governance

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Plan International Nigeria has emphasised the urgent need for gender balance in governance, stating that women and girls continue to be excluded from key policy and decision-making processes.

The Country Director of the organisation in Nigeria, Charles Emmamuzou-Usie, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, on the sidelines of the Gender Inclusion Summit.

“Why equality for girls? Every day, through our policies and decisions, women and girls are being left behind, in education, healthcare, and financial inclusion,” he said.

He noted that the summit was organised to foster conversations that could close the gender gap and promote inclusive governance, budgeting, and service delivery that reflected the needs of women and girls.

Plan International Nigeria, he said, was committed to advocate for children’s rights and equality for girls, particularly by increasing access to education and supporting girls to stay in school.

“You can imagine that because a girl is menstruating, she misses several days of school. These are the gaps we must address,” he added.

Emmamuzou-Usie revealed that Plan International Nigeria currently operated in 19 states across Nigeria, implementing projects aimed at improving access to education, especially for girls.

“As of last year, we built, renovated, and equipped 540 schools across 19 states. We are also training teachers to improve the quality of education for children,” he said.

He added that empowering girls with equal opportunities and skills was key to achieve true gender equality and societal progress.

He also urged the public to continue encouraging women and supporting girls to thrive and lead in future generations.

NAN reports that Plan International Nigeria is a global humanitarian and development organisation, founded more than 85 years ago to advance children’s rights and gender equality.

The Gender Inclusion Summit is an annual event organised by the Policy Innovation Centre under the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) .(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

FG, stakeholders move to strengthen livestock sector
Economy/Business

FG, stakeholders move to strengthen livestock sector

By Vivian Emoni

The Federal Government and stakeholders at both local and international levels have agreed to collaborate effectively to strengthen and promote the livestock sector across the country.

The commitment was made at a Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, ahead of the upcoming Trade Fair and Exhibition and the Annual Livestock Development Summit.

The meeting was organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) in partnership with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

Mr Agabaidu Jideani, Director-General of ACCI, said the essence of the meeting was to consolidate partnerships with stakeholders to advance livestock development.

Jideani added that President Bola Tinubu had given assurance that all bottlenecks hindering the agricultural sector’s potential, including livestock production, would be removed.

He said that the collaboration would strengthen and promote the sector, adding that they would help to achieve the mandate and objective of the administration.

According to him, we are committed to ensure that we work with various stakeholders both local and international to ensure that we achieve this goal.

“Our reason for today’s meeting is to discuss how we can promote the sector by gathering the stakeholders, hear from them, exchange our ideas and knowledge and put them into practice

“This effort will support us to move the sector to a greater level. That is our reason for gathering people from different countries,  government bodies and other relevant stakeholders from our country to share our views,” he said.

Jideani also emphasised on the Trade Fair and Exhibition, adding that it was an opportunities where investors from both states and other countries would showcase their talents and products to boost trading.

Amb. Sidi Ladan, Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation  Committee, said that Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms in 2024.

Ladan said that the essence was to address obstacles to agricultural productivity and open up new opportunities which benefit farmers, herders, processors and distributors in the livestock-farming value chain.

He said that the committee was drawn from the public and private sectors, state governors, and all Nigerians, to ensure that the sector was strengthen as well as achieving the sectors” mandate.

Also, Senior Special  Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Mr Idris Abiola-Ajimobi, said that the collaboration with relevant stakeholders would support in achieving the mandate in the sector.

Abiola-Ajimobi said that the president was committed in ensuring that the sector was reform and improved effectively.

According to him, the president wants to ensure that the sector is strengthen, that is why he decided to inaugurate the committee.

“Livestock farming is a significant part of Nigeria’s agricultural sector and contributes notably to the country’s economy.

“The sector will boost agricultural productivity, enhance export opportunities and stimulate economic growth by fostering a robust value-chain that benefits farmers, processors, herders, distributors and consumers alike,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN),  reports that the stakeholders at the meeting involved delegates from  Republic of Cuba, Kenya, Republic of Indonesia, Mexico, China, including ABIS Group, among others.

The stakeholders demonstrated interests to work with the government to ensure that the mandates and objectives of the sector were achieve effectively.

The stakeholders also commended the President, ACCI  and others on their efforts to ensure that the sector was strengthened.

On the Abuja Trade Fair and Exhibition which would be coming up on Sept. 25 to Oct 6, 2025, the stakeholders expressed their supports and promised that the event would achieve positive result.(NAN)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu

Behavioural change, community action key to sanitation goals — FG
Environment

Behavioural change, community action key to sanitation goals — FG

By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government has said that achieving an Open Defecation-Free (ODF) Nigeria will depend largely on behavioural and attitudinal change among citizens, backed by community ownership of sanitation practices.

Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, made this known at the National Training Workshop for ODF Validators in Nasarawa on Wednesday.

“Sanitation is dignity. We don’t have to wait for government to push us. It is hygiene, it is cleanliness. Using and maintaining toilets helps prevent diseases.

“Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is preventive health, and if we want a productive economy and healthy workforce, we must address water, sanitation and hygiene,” she said.

Ugoh stressed that while infrastructure and technology were important, the ODF campaign would only succeed if communities adopted a mindset change towards sanitation and hygiene.

According to her, refresher training for validators is part of efforts to reinforce this process by ensuring they are well equipped to support communities and states.

“You don’t stop learning. Majority of those here today are already validators, but this training will refresh their knowledge, align them with the protocols, and enable them to share experiences from the field,” she said.

Ugoh explained that Nigeria now has 149 ODF Local Government Areas (LGAs), but reaching the 2030 target requires scaling up.

“We need more validators who can be deployed whenever states request support from the National Task Group on Sanitation. That is why we are updating the knowledge of those already in the system and adding new ones,” she added.

She further highlighted the importance of sanitation marketing through a demand-driven approach.

“When you trigger under CLTS++, you have created demand for toilets. But that demand must be matched by supply, affordable technologies and artisans who can construct toilets for communities.

“The products should be readily available for people to access and buy,” she said.

Ugoh reiterated that sustaining momentum would require Nigerians to embrace sanitation as a personal responsibility.

A facilitator, Mrs Chinyere Okolo, also underscored the role of demand creation in achieving sustainable sanitation outcomes.

“Demand creation is the linchpin for achieving lasting and equitable sanitation solutions worldwide.

“By integrating community engagement, fostering market innovation, and strengthening enabling policies, we can accelerate progress toward universal access to sanitation,” she said.

Okolo noted that effective demand creation yields multiple benefits, including reduced healthcare costs, improved productivity and higher school attendance.

She added that it also enhances dignity and safety for women and girls who are disproportionately affected by open defecation.

Earlier, another facilitator, Mrs Abasiama Ebreso, gave an overview of the protocol for verification and certification of ODF communities, with emphasis on the broader concept of total sanitation.

According to her, total sanitation goes beyond ending open defecation to ensuring that households and public places adopt sustainable hygiene practices.

She explained that for a community to be declared totally sanitised, all households must use hygienic latrines kept clean at all times, with proper disposal of anal cleansing materials.

She added that latrines, handwashing facilities and urinals should be provided and actively used in schools, health centres, markets and other public places.

Ebreso said adherence to these standards would ensure healthier environments, reduce disease transmission, and sustain progress towards universal sanitation coverage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria launched its Roadmap to End Open Defecation by 2025 in 2016, alongside the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign, inaugurated in 2019 as its flagship initiative.

While progress has been recorded, experts say challenges remain in funding, enforcement of sanitation by-laws, and private sector involvement.

Development partners such as UNICEF, the World Bank and WaterAid continue to support federal and state governments through behaviour change communication, financing models, and community-led total sanitation interventions. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

FRSC revives lecture series for safer roads
Defence/Security

FRSC revives lecture series for safer roads

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has revived its Annual Lecture Series after an eight-year break, aiming to enhance partnerships and promote global best practices in road safety management across Nigeria.

At the 8th edition held Wednesday in Abuja, the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, described the lecture as a platform to deepen awareness and discourse on the persistent challenge of road traffic crashes.

Mohammed identified road crashes as a significant public health issue requiring urgent national attention, reaffirming the corps’ commitment to adopting international partnerships and strategies to improve road safety outcomes.

He recalled that the inaugural lecture was held in 2009 under the theme “Sustainable Development and Road Safety,” and had served as a yearly platform for advocacy and stakeholder engagement.

“Though the last edition took place in 2017, the 2025 revival aims to adopt global best practices as remedial actions for Nigeria and Africa’s road safety concerns,” he stated.

The Corps Marshal said the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on sustainable transport development and improved public health through safer road systems.

He explained that the 2025 theme, “Road Safety Management and Emerging Transportation Trends: Global Partnership and Optimal Performance,” was carefully chosen to address evolving global and national transport issues.

Mohammed added that the theme was in line with the United Nations Assembly’s resolution to reduce road crash fatalities and injuries in Africa by 50 per cent by the year 2030.

In spite of progress made through enforcement, public education, and advocacy, Mohammed cited data showing an annual average of 5,000 deaths and more than 31,000 injuries from road crashes in Nigeria.

He stressed the need for more strategic resource mobilisation to fully implement the National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS), which he described as the blueprint for multi-level road safety governance.

The Corps Marshal expressed confidence that the lecture’s resolutions would generate insights critical to the effective implementation and success of the national strategy across all levels of government.

Mohammed also emphasised the pivotal role of the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NaRSAC), chaired by the Vice President, in harmonising stakeholder roles within the NRSS framework.

He said NaRSAC would drive effective collaboration between government agencies, private sector actors, and civil society groups, ensuring all parties contributed to achieving the NRSS objectives.

The FRSC boss thanked the Federal Government for its continued support, including improved funding and institutional strengthening, which had helped sustain the corps’ mandate and operational efficiency.

He also expressed optimism that the pending FRSC Amendment Bill, awaiting Senate concurrence, would enhance enforcement powers, improve staff welfare, and boost service delivery nationwide.

In his remarks, retired Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM), Bisi Kazeem, welcomed the lecture’s revival, describing it as a key platform for advocacy and national development through improved road safety practices.

Kazeem said the lecture was initiated by former Corps Marshal Osita Chidoka, to give FRSC national and international visibility, while educating road users and other stakeholders on safety issues.

He noted that although it should have reached its 17th edition by now, the return of the lecture series demonstrated FRSC’s renewed commitment to deepening the national road safety conversation.

“It was created to raise awareness, highlight FRSC activities, and engage transporters, passengers, motorcyclists, and institutions in efforts to reduce road crashes,” Kazeem added.

In his goodwill message, Mr Muhammad Ali, Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), urged the media to amplify road safety messages and panel discussions from the event.

He said media organisations must take up the responsibility of educating motorists and the public, urging strict compliance with traffic rules and cautious behaviour on Nigerian roads.

“We are entering an era of smart traffic systems. Driverless cars exist elsewhere. The media must help Nigeria transition by supporting and promoting relevant transport safety policies,” he said.

Ali commended the FRSC for its tireless work in reducing road deaths, curbing traffic indiscipline, and advancing smart traffic management, stressing the need for stronger media collaboration.

He noted that only through effective media support could the corps’ road safety campaigns achieved the wide acceptance needed to make meaningful, lasting impacts across the country.

The event was chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, and attended by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Sen. George Akume, among other top dignitaries and stakeholders.

Keynote speaker Mr Saul Billingsley, Executive Director of the FIA Foundation, London, addressed the forum alongside retired DCMs, government officials, private sector partners, and civil society leaders. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

ITFA trains 500 NGOs, MSMEs on sustainable trade
General News

ITFA trains 500 NGOs, MSMEs on sustainable trade

By Felicia Imohimi

The International Trade Facilitators Association (ITFA), has trained more than 500 non-governmental organisations and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), on sustainable trade transformation.

The training was carried out under the organisation’s flagship initiative: “Support to Potential and Established Nature-Positive Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria (SPENM).”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP).

Mr Collins Ezeiruaku, Trade Ambassador at ITFA in an interview with NAN in Abuja, described the initiative as a strategic intersection of commerce and conservation.

“We are empowering organisations to operate ethically, source responsibly and build resilience beyond catalytic funding.

“More than 470 institutions including civil society groups and community-based organisations were targeted, with many now commercialising nature-positive projects.

“The SPENM project is more than a capacity-building exercise it is a blueprint for post-grant sustainability, ethical sourcing and environmental stewardship.

“By equipping grassroots organisations with tools for traceability, financial management and market access, ITFA is positioning local enterprises to thrive beyond donor dependency and compete in global value-chains,” he said.

Ezeiruaku emphasised that the resources provided through GEF-SGP are not just instructional, but transformational.

According to him, these are blueprints for sustainable impact in Nigeria’s evolving trade landscape and building capacity for global competitiveness.

Mrs Okiemute Olori, a coach and consultant on the SPENM project, underscored the importance of future-proofing local enterprises.

“We are helping MSMEs think globally to get certified, build credibility and compete effectively in international markets,” she said.

Dr Abel Owotemu, Technical Adviser to ITFA who led a session on integrating sustainability into business strategy using the Business/Mission Model Canvas, said the approach centred on triple bottom line tagged “People, Planet and Profits.

Owotemu said that the aim was to guide MSMEs to shift from profit-only or NGO-only mindsets to impact-driven models that would make a real difference in the society.

Mrs Ibironke Olubamise, National Coordinator of the UNDP GEF-SGP, identified SPENM as a catalyst for long-term transformation.

She emphasised that GEF is more than a funding mechanism, but an investment in local capacity, institutional integration and revenue-generating models.

“We are laying the groundwork for environmental and economic resilience that endures beyond the life of any single project.

“This initiative signals a new era for Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem, one where sustainability is not a side note, but a strategic imperative.

“For global agencies seeking scalable models of inclusive green growth, SPENM offers a compelling case study on how trade, training and transformation can converge to build a better future,” she said.(NAN)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu

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