The Lagos State Coordinator of the Child Protection Network, Mrs. Aderonke Oyelakin, has called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV), particularly child sexual abuse, in Nigeria. Oyelakin, a child rights advocate and counselor, made the call in an interview with a reporter in Lagos on Thursday. She said governments, teachers, parents, families, communities, religious leaders, and organizations, among others, should step up action on reporting, sensitization, and advocacy about GBV. According to her, many people are still unaware that laws and penalties exist for child sexual abuse in Nigeria, hence the need for more sensitization. “Child…
Author: Newsdesk
The Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) has called for urgent reductions in methane and plastic production to advance a just transition to a zero-waste economy. This is contained in a communique issued by Mr. Philip Jakpor, a civil society partner and member of the Waste Parliament, on Thursday in Lagos. The communique stated that the Expanded Zero Waste Parliament 2026 was convened by CODAF in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Africa. It noted that the event, which held on Tuesday in Lagos, brought together over 80 stakeholders. Participants included government agencies, environmental regulators, farmers, academics, waste…
The Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, says sweeping reforms and infrastructure upgrades have significantly improved waste collection efficiency across the state. Gbadegesin disclosed this during a courtesy visit to reporters in Lagos. He said LAWMA has expanded night cleaning operations and increased street sweeping coverage to 1,000 routes statewide. He disclosed that 16,000 street sweepers are currently engaged across Lagos, supported by improved logistics and operational systems. He said LAWMA acquired new equipment three years ago to complement Private Sector Participation (PSP) compactors and rehabilitated old trucks to strengthen fleet capacity. He added…
The Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) has called for a technology-driven approach to storytelling and destination marketing to reposition tourism as a major pillar of Nigeria’s economy. The association’s president, Femi Fadina, made the call in an interview with reporters in Lagos on Thursday. Speaking on Global Tourism Resilience Day (GTRD), Fadina said its observance marked a shift from fragmented storytelling to coordinated economic activation. He noted that the country’s cultural assets had endured insecurity, pandemics, and shifts in global travel patterns. “Yet our festivals continue. Our palaces still stand. Our crafts still thrive. That is resilience,” he…
The Benue State Government has officially launched its Contingency Plan for Emergency Response for 2026 to 2028, outlining a comprehensive strategy to address humanitarian crises and strengthen resilience across the state. The initiative was unveiled by Gov. Hyacinth Alia on Thursday in Makurdi. Alia, who was represented by Deputy Governor Sam Odeh, described the plan as “a decisive step towards safeguarding lives and reducing vulnerability in the face of recurring emergencies.” He explained that the new plan provides a clear framework for early warning systems and strategic resource mobilization, aimed at ensuring swift and coordinated humanitarian assistance whenever crises occur.…
Young women aged 20 to 24 in Dass Local Government Area, Bauchi State, have enrolled in Interpersonal Growth Therapy sessions to support their mental health. The therapy is implemented by Plan International, a non-governmental organization (NGO), with funding from Global Affairs Canada. At a session on Thursday, the participants disclosed that challenges such as divorce, heartbreak, loss of parents, loss of a child, infertility, and adjustment to new environments had contributed to their mental health struggles. Speaking with NAN, one of the participants, Ms. Hasiya Aliyu, said the depression began after she lost both parents within a six-month period. “I…
The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has disclosed plans to permanently shut down the Olusosun and Solous dumpsites, as well as clamp down on non-performing Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators in the state. The LAWMA Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this during a visit to reporters at the Lagos office. Gbadegesin said the state government had approved the construction of transfer loading stations and material recovery facilities, which are expected to be launched in 18 months. This, he said, is part of efforts to boost waste infrastructure in the state. “In the area of infrastructure, which is the…
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed the death of two persons in a truck accident at Cele Bus Stop, inward Mile 2, Lagos. The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the incident involved two 40-foot container trucks. He explained that a moving truck rammed into a stationary truck from behind, reportedly due to over-speeding. READ ALSO: Alia inaugurates 5,000m³/day water plant for IDPs in Naka Oke-Osanyintolu said the crash resulted in the deaths of the driver of the moving truck and a pedestrian. According to him, heavy-duty recovery equipment is being mobilized to the scene.…
Some agriculture experts have warned local farmers against the misuse of agrochemicals in crop cultivation. In separate interviews with reporters on Thursday in Lagos, farmers raised the alarm over the misuse of agrochemicals. A strategic agriculture communication expert, Dr. Olawale Ismail, explained that agrochemicals cannot be completely boycotted in crop cultivation, but strict restraints must be applied to their usage. “As regards the issue of agrochemical use, I don’t think we can absolutely stop it. It is not possible to absolutely stop it because of the development of these agrochemicals. “So, this has been the practice—even as far back as…
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has inaugurated a 5,000 cubic-metre-per-day water treatment plant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area. Representing his deputy, Dr. Sam Odeh, Alia said the water project—provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other partners—aligns with the state government’s priorities. The governor assured that the state government would collaborate with Gwer West LGA Chairman, Mr. Victor Ormin, to ensure proper reticulation of the water across Naka. He noted that reticulation would eliminate the need for residents to cluster in one location to access the facility. Alia further called…