Metro

Lagos hosts African forum on air pollution

Published

1 week ago

June 21, 2024

Last Updated on June 21, 2024 by Fellow Press

The air quality stakeholders in Africa will convene in Lagos for a five-day CLEAN-Air forum to discuss the pressing issue of air pollution in the continent.

The forum is expected to attract over 300 participants from over 40 cities in 40 countries.

This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Rose Alani, Lead, University of Lagos Air Quality Monitoring Research Group (AQMRG), on Friday in Lagos.

The statement said the participants represent the air quality communities in practice in Africa comprising different stakeholders including policymakers, representatives from civil society organisations, the private sector, development partners and the scientific communities.

It said the forum would take place from July 8 to July 12.

The statement said the forum would foster knowledge sharing and transdisciplinary collaborations, while emphasising the need to strengthen regional networks and multi-regional partnerships for sustained interventions for clean air in African cities.

The statement said the forum is organised by AirQo, a pan-African research initiative at Makerere University, Uganda.

It added that it would be hosted by the Air Quality Monitoring Research Group (AQMRG) and EUEPiN from the University of Lagos, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and UrbanBetter, among other stakeholders.

It added that the forum built on the success of its inaugural event in Kampala, Uganda, in 2023, which brought together participants from over 31 cities worldwide.

“A study from the Global Burden of Disease indicates that air pollution is responsible for around 1.1 million deaths annually in Africa.

“It has become the second leading cause of death on the continent, largely due to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation.

“However, air quality experts point out that Africa lacks the resources and capacity to develop and implement effective measures to address air pollution in its cities,” the statement said.

It quoted Prof. Engineer Bainomugisha, the AirQo Project Lead, as saying that the CLEAN-Air Forum underscores the urgency of addressing and championing clean air in Africa’s urban environments.

“The forum will provide pathways to air quality management for African cities and increase awareness of air quality and air pollution issues for better health outcomes in Africa,” Bainomugisha said.

It quoted Alani as saying that 39 air quality monitors have been installed in Lagos City providing real-time air quality data.

Alani noted that access to real-time air quality data and ongoing research is crucial in developing effective strategies to mitigate air pollution.

“This forum will enhance our efforts to discuss how we can create sustainable air quality interventions and improve public health outcomes not only here in Lagos but across the continent,” Alani said.

The statement said the week-long forum would feature plenary sessions discussing evidence-informed policy development for air quality management in African cities, health impacts of air pollution in Africa and knowledge-sharing sessions to advance science-policy interface and public awareness of air quality.

It said that Dr Babatunde Ajayi, the General Manager, LASEPA, would be one of the keynote speakers.

According to the statement, Ajayi said the forum presents a unique opportunity to accelerate our ongoing efforts to tackle air pollution in Lagos.

“Lagos is Nigeria’s largest city and Africa’s largest megacity, and with its rapid urbanisation comes various challenges.

“We are committed to addressing air quality issues in the city.

“Together with our partners from the University of Lagos, we have installed an air quality monitoring network to provide real-time data on the status of air quality in Lagos.

“With this data we have reliable information that we are using to inform sustainable interventions to improve the quality of air in Lagos,” it said.

The statement also said that the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) will be participating in the forum.

It quoted Mr Abimbola Akinajo, the Managing Director, LAMATA as saying: “At LAMATA, we are committed to transforming urban mobility in Lagos.

“The transport sector plays a vital role in air quality and our participation in the CLEAN-Air Forum underscores our dedication to sustainable transport solutions.”

The statement quoted Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director, Lagos Waste Management Authority, as saying that the authority is committed to implementing effective waste management strategies that not only keep Lagos clean but also significantly improve air quality.

“Proper waste management is crucial in reducing pollutants and ensuring a healthier environment for all.
“Our involvement in the CLEAN-Air forum highlights our commitment to innovative solutions and collaborative efforts that drive sustainable development and protect our communities from the adverse effects of air pollution,” Gbadegesin said.

Related Topics:Air Pollution Lagos State

Up Next

Cholera outbreak: A’Ibom Govt. sets precautionary measures

Don't Miss

Gunmen kill three while enforcing sit-at-home in Anambra communities

Headline

Saudi Arabia, UAE shorten Friday prayers amid heat waves

Published

2 days ago

June 28, 2024

Alero Danjuma

Last Updated on June 28, 2024 by Fellow Press

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said it shortened the traditional Friday prayers due to intense heat, until the end of the summer.

In many countries, Muslims perform the Friday noon prayers, which include a religious sermon, in open-air arenas inside and outside the mosques.

The UAE has directed all the preachers across the country to limit the Friday prayers to 10 minutes until early October to ensure the safety of worshippers.

In Saudi Arabia, Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina are being limited to 15 minutes, to take into account worshippers praying in outer, un-shaded areas, the Presidency of Religious Affairs said.

Meanwhile in Iraq, influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has urged preachers to “adhere to simple prayers” in order to keep the Friday sermon short, so that worshippers avoid intense heat.

Intense heatwaves has affected people across the Middle East in recent weeks.

More than 1,300 Muslim pilgrims died in the annual Hajj pilgrimage that ended earlier in June amid the extreme heat.

Headline

Tinubu backs NDLEA to end drug abuse, trafficking

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2024

Ifunaya Emeka

Last Updated on June 27, 2024 by Fellow Press

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to redouble efforts in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the country.

He also urged support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in its fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

A statement on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said the President gave the charge on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Abuja.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the President said, “I enjoin all and sundry to support the War Against Drug Abuse initiative, otherwise known as the WADA campaign, launched by NDLEA three years ago. I commend and urge everyone to redouble efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the country.

“On this score, I wish to reassure you of this administration’s support. The Renewed Hope Agenda places the youth at the centre of its focus. Therefore, we ensure that our young people are protected from anything that could derail their future or destroy their potential.”

The President also called for the prioritisation of evidence-based prevention strategies for drugs in the country.

“In the face of such a formidable challenge, prevention is the most potent weapon to deploy. Prevention not only saves lives; it also saves resources that would otherwise be spent on treatment and rehabilitation.

“The assignment before us as a country requires that we prioritise evidence-based prevention strategies, allocate adequate resources and foster partnerships for greater impact.”

In his welcome remark, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (retd), said the agency was not relenting in cutting off illicit drug supply channels and dismantling trafficking networks.

“After all, when you cut off drug supplies, you deny users the availability and access to them, including insurgents, terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and sundry criminals who rely on drugs to foster their criminalities.

“The magnitude of our effort is reflected in the statistics of our drug supply reduction activities. We have arrested 52,901 drug traffickers, including 48 barons, in three and a half years. Over 9,000 of the suspects have been convicted in court. We have also seized over the same period 7.6 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit substances,” he said.

Meanwhile, a rights group, Hope Beyond Bars Africa, has kicked against the proposed death sentence for drug offences in the country.

The group, in a statement on Wednesday by its Executive Director, Oluwafunke Adeoye, said apart from not being deterrence enough, it was against global best practices.

“On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, we reaffirm our commitment to uphold human rights and human dignity and to promote justice that restores.

“Hope Behind Bars Africa firmly opposes the introduction of the death penalty for drug offences in Nigeria. There is a global trend towards abolition of the death penalty, especially for non-violent crime.

“Also, several comprehensive studies and reports highlight the lack of a significant deterrent effect associated with the death penalty for drug trafficking. We urge the National Assembly to reconsider this bill and focus on progressive, humane, and effective solutions to address the drug endemic,” she said.