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Edo Launches New Campaign to Bolster Efforts at Becoming Cleanest State in Nigeria
…begins daily clean-up exercise in major markets, roads, others
The Edo State Government has launched a new cleanup campaign to strengthen ongoing efforts by the government to transform Edo into the cleanest State in the Country, in line with its Making Edo Great Again (MEGA) Agenda.
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The exercise tagged “Cleanup MEGA” commenced in Benin City and will be expanded to other local government areas of the State to ensure a cleaner and healthier Edo State.
As part of the exercise, the Edo State Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Architect Joshua Omokhodion led other members of the team to clean up major markets, roads, and streets, among others
Other members of the team are health officials from Oredo Local Government Area, the Edo Waste Management Board, the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Edo State, and the Edo Tipper Drivers Association of Nigeria, among others.
Architect Omokhodion while addressing journalists after the exercise in Benin City, said the exercise is part of renewed efforts to transform the State into the cleanest and most conducive place to live in.
He said the programme which is in phases will be expanded, noting that “this first phase is a pilot scheme and a general model for the entire state. First to ensure that there is Monday to Monday cleaning of all the markets across the state.”
The Commissioner continued: “However, we would graduate into a monthly environmental sanitation exercise. The idea is that Mr. Godwin Obaseki said in the year 2030, Edo State would become a destination where people live in good health and their general well-being would be guaranteed. The only way to achieve this is to start a programme that makes Edo State as habitable as possible unlike what it used to be in the past.”
Omokhodion, while urging the people to participate actively in the exercise, thanked the Tipper Drivers’ Association of Nigeria and the National Union of Road Transport Workers for their collaboration in the provision of additional trucks to support the evacuation of debris in some of the areas visited.
Earlier, the General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board (ESWMB), Charles Imariagbe, said: “We call it re-enactment because we once had that practice in the past. It is going to be a routine cleanup exercise.”
The Waste Management boss noted that trucks were designated to Siluko in Egor Local Government Area; Oregbeni and Ramat Park axis as well as other far-reaching locations within the Benin metropolis to ensure a hitch-free sanitation exercise.
According to him, “It is one of the mandates of Mr. Governor to see that Edo State becomes one of the cleanest states in the country. Therefore, we are telling the people to take responsibility by participating actively in the exercise. Going forward, the task force is going to reach out to traders and ensure compliance and create awareness of the consequences of violating the environmental laws.”
The suspects were apprehended for selling prohibited exotic birds and wild animals contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in collaboration with the National Park Service, has arrested three persons over alleged illegal trade in endangered wildlife species in Abuja.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, Nwamaka Ejiofor.
The suspects, identified as Musa Usman, Samila Abdullahi, and Saidu Jagaban, were arrested in different parts of the country’s capital.
According to her, the suspects were apprehended for selling prohibited exotic birds and wild animals, contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.
She stated that Usman and Abdullahi were found with 15 Senegalese parrots and one African grey parrot, while Jagaban was arrested for hawking three dead antelopes.
“The suspects were arrested in different parts of the city for the illegal sale of prohibited exotic birds and wild animals, contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act,” the statement read in part.
“The trio is to remain in custody while investigation continues.”
NESREA Director-General, Innocent Barikor, reiterated that trafficking in endangered species remained a crime under Nigerian laws, and anyone caught culpable would be prosecuted accordingly.
Barikor emphasised on the need to protect endangered species, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory.
He added that all living things play different roles in ensuring biodiversity sustainability.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday warned against the creation of a one-party state, saying any nation that must practice it must do so carefully and with a well-planned process and projected outcome.
He stated this in Abuja while paying tribute to the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, at a memorial lecture and day of tribute.
Jonathan warned that any attempt to bring about a one-party state through political machinations to soothe only personal aspirations will be detrimental to the country.
The former president also called on the family of the late former federal commissioner to, among other things, set up a yearly memorial lecture in his honour to continue to push his ideas and what he stood for, which is a united, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria.
On his part, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, lamented that the labour of our heroes past was already in vain.
The former Anambra State governor highlighted the endemic poverty in rural areas, the state of insecurity, and the rising cost of living.
He maintained that the labour of people like Pa Edwin Clark had not paid off, as the sacrifices people like Pa Clark made were in vain today.
The chairman on the occasion and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, said that the task of ensuring that Nigeria remains united and indivisible must be ensured by all, as the nation could only make progress if national interest was put before any personal interest.
Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, says media, as gatekeepers and partners in nation-building, have a crucial role to play in supporting our military’s morale by highlighting their successes and sacrifices
The minister noted the critical role of the media in shaping public perception, adding that terrorists and criminal groups often use these avenues to spread fear, propagate disinformation, and recruit followers.
He urged journalists and editors to adopt a responsible and patriotic approach to reporting these issues, by avoiding sensational headlines and refusing to serve as amplifiers of terror propaganda.
Idris stated this on Wednesday at the ministerial press briefing held at the National Press Centre in Abuja.
“The media, as gatekeepers and partners in nation-building, have a crucial role to play in supporting our military’s morale by highlighting their successes and sacrifices,” Idris said.
“We must deny these groups the undue publicity they crave. We must take them off the front pages and accurately report them as the criminals they are, without glorifying their acts or giving credence to their false narratives.
“These are not freedom fighters; they are murderers, kidnappers, and destroyers, and they must be presented as such.”
The minister also noted that federal government is “actively” investing in military capacity through the acquisition of modern equipment, enhanced intelligence, and strategic partnerships.
Idris said the press briefing series is a forum that allows ministers to update Nigerians on the key achievements, ongoing initiatives, and policy directions of their various ministries.
He commended the media for their continued support and their broader role in promoting public awareness of government initiatives.
“Through this interactive platform, which is being broadcast live on national television stations and streamed across social media platforms, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to transparency, accountability, and public engagement,” he added.