Thursday 31 October 2013

Nigeria: Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology laments yet another Oil Spill in Ogoniland

The attention of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology has been drawn to report of yet another oil spill in the Ogoni farming community, which strongly questions the sincerity of the oil companies to the environment and the general wellbeing of our people. It is disheartening that this spillage is coming on the heels of the yet to be implemented resolutions proposed to combat this menace in the form of the NOSDRA Amendment Bill.

This recent oil spill in Ogoni fishing community of Bunu in Tai Local Government Area is one spill too many and again, the time is high to revisit the United Nations Environment Programmme (UNEP) report, especially the independent assessment report conducted on the environment and public health impacts of oil contamination in the Niger Delta region. Our committee strongly feels that the issue before us need not be handled with kid gloves, the report findings must be implemented in record time to salvage what is left of the farmland and the general health of the community.

In the wake of previous spillages, we as a committee have demanded from NOSDRA, the Ministry of Environment and oil companies to as a matter of urgency furnish us with up-to-date information about their activities and incidents of spillages as well as the steps they are taking to combat these incessant oil spills. This recent spillage by Shell very close to the Shonghai farm in Rivers Sate has further plunged the community into serious famine and economic loss as the volume of oil spilled is yet to be quantified.

The Senate Committee on Environment is yet to receive a brief on this occurrence. ?It is imperative to get the NOSDRA Bill passed urgently, our committee will continue to push for this until the bill becomes law. The frequency of these spills and increasing oil theft is becoming worrisome, and the half-hearted approach of the agency, Ministry of Environment and the oil companies makes it difficult to carry out a thorough oversight function in the effective discharge of our duty.
We hereby urge NOSDRA to take proactive steps by furnishing the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology with the necessary details about their preliminary findings on the cause of the latest spill,  the volume of spill,  planned clean up efforts and  action plan to access impact on the areas affected and impact on the livelihood of the community.

Signed
Bamikole Omishore, SA Media to
Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki (CON)
Chairman Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology

Tuesday 8 October 2013

PREDICTION: A SOLAR ECLIPSE HITS NIGERIA ON NOVEMBER 3RD 2013


NIGERIA WILL EXPERIENCE A SOLAR ECLIPSE ON NOVEMBER 3RD 2013

It has been heard that ECLIPSE of the sun will occur in some parts of the world and Nigeria is one of the countries that will experience it. It won’t happen in all states in Nigeria, it
will only occur in some states in Nigeria which includes... see them after cut


ABUJA, Lagos, Ilorin, Kaduna and some states in the northern and western part of Nigeria have been revealed to also partake also. It is revealed that it will be a partial eclipse of the sun and not full.
See HERE for more info.

Monday 30 September 2013

Ensure Environmental Sustainability : Where do we stand?

Ensure
Environmental
Sustainability

Where do we stand?

Global greenhouse gas emissions resume their upward path, confirming the need for bold action.

Forests are a safety net for the poor, but they continue to disappear at an alarming rate.

Global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) have increased by more than 46 per cent since 1990.

Nearly one third of marine fish stocks have been overexploited.

Many species are at risk of extinction, despite an increase in protected areas.

More than 2.1 billion people and almost 1.9 billon people, respectively, have gained access to improved water sources and sanitation facilities since 1990.

An estimated 863 million people reside in slums in the developing world.

Source: The Millennium Development Goals Report 2013

Wednesday 18 September 2013

How to view KMZ or KML File on Mobile Devices


Your mobile devices are indeed smart, yes i said smart!
Years ago i usually depend on my PC installed Google Earth software to view KMZ and KML files and that requires the stress of going to the office or home. Now you can view your KMZ or KML files anywhere.
Google Earth has consistently been improving on mobile devices and the improvements is making life easier for Geoinformatics professionals.

this is how it works..
Firstly, ensure that Google Earth app is installed in your mobile device.

1- Google drive or dropbox: save the kml or kmz file in dropbox or google drive, then open the application in you mobile device, choose the specific kml file and open with Google earth.

Friday 16 August 2013

Nigeria: 90 LGAs are Liable to Floods in 2013 - NEMA


The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has identified 90 local government areas which are likely to be affected by floods in 2013.

The agency's Press Officer, Manzo Ezekiel, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Abuja.
He said that the agency carried out a vulnerability study and identified 90 local government areas in states named by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) Rainfall prediction 2013 to be affected by flooding.

Mr. Ezekiel said that the vulnerability study was done through NEMA's Geographical Information System.
He said that NEMA, in a partnership with a non-governmental organisation on disaster awareness creation at the grassroots, had commenced sensitisation exercise on early warnings and prevention in the affected areas.

He said that disaster awareness was also being carried out by the agency's six zonal offices in areas that were likely be affected by the floods.
Some of the states, mostly to be affected according to the NIMET prediction are Cross River, Ogun, Kogi, Oyo, Imo, Plateau, Kaduna, Bayelsa and Lagos States.

Monday 12 August 2013

Several feared killed in Kano flood

There was heavy rainfall in Kano on Friday.

Many people are feared to have lost their lives and several buildings destroyed in Kano on Friday following a heavy downpour which lasted several hours and flooded roads and streets within the city.

The rain commenced at about 1:30 p.m. and lasted several hours, resulting in heavy flood that affected many houses, many of which are mud houses.

There is no official confirmation yet on the number of casualties and the level of destruction caused by the flooding.

Residents said several families have been rendered homeless while the Kano State Fire Service was still rescuing victims as at the time of filing this report.

Flooding during the rainy season has virtually become an annual occurrence in Kano.


Source: NEMA

LADIES!!! Invitation to the Google ladies MapUp in Garki Abuja

picture from readwrite.com 
As a follow up to AbujaMapUp in January which I was actively involved, here comes special package for our esteem ladies:
The digital mapping community in Abuja invites "Ladies" to our Ladies #AbujaMapUp coming up on Friday, August 16 and Saturday, August 17, 2013 in Garki. This Garki, Abuja event will show participants [Ladies] how to map different places, draw roads, add categories and discuss other features.This will enable them become citizen cartographers and improve the quality of maps and local information of Garki.

To be part of this event, kindly register at https://sites.google.com/site/abujamapup/
This event hopes to make particularly Garki, Abuja, a better mapped town with relevant and recent local information such as roads, schools, hospitals, banks,hotels,police stations and such other important places entered by participants, having local knowledge.

Friday 2 August 2013

The Save Bagega is Complete! Senator Saraki Receives Certificate of Appreciation


bagega award-page-001
The Chairman Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki representing Kwara Central Senatorial District has received a Certificate of Appreciation from the TERRAGRAPHICS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION for the exemplary leadership role he played to see to the completion and the overall success of the BAGEGA LEAD POISONING REMEDIATION PROJECT.
 
During the Certificate presentation, Senator Saraki was particularly happy to officially report that the entire Bagega area and all the other villages of Zamfara state which has since 2010 been ravaged by lead poisoning has become fully remediated.
He added that by this feat, Nigeria has achieved the largest lead remediation scheme in Africa and the second largest in the world. The Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology commended the President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for standing behind this effort and seeing to its fruition.
Commenting further, Dr Bukola Saraki said credit must also go to the Minister of Environment, the government of Zamfara State especially the commissioner for the Environment Zamfara State, Messr. Telegraphics, Doctors without Borders (MSF), Online community that rallied support for#SaveBagega and all those who showed relentless commitment to ensure that we save the lives of the children of Zamfara ensuring that they have another chance on life again.
Saraki acknowledged that the success achieved thus far should not signal an end of the process. He tasked everyone to pull together and ensure that this success is not eroded by first making sure that the treatment of the children already affected is sustained. This, he said can only be done by enabling MSF (Doctors without Borders) train health workers within the state and beyond to take charge and continue from where they stop.
The Senator categorically said “We must as part of laying out the enabling structures, train these miners on safer mining techniques and improve access to the right technology that is safe for this kind of activity”.
Proffering solution to the aforementioned, Saraki suggested the need for the National Assembly to amend the Solid Minerals Act 2007 to expand access to and registration of artisanal miners. This he reckoned will enable these miners form cooperative societies, have access to finance and be involved in the training on safer mining. Stating that this will help provide more job opportunities for our people, reduce the incidences of unsafe mining and capture the market in terms of taxation and revenue to the government.
In a similar development, you will recall that the Senator had earlier donated the sum of 500,00Naira to help develop Bagega’s community cooperative thrift.
Finally, the Distinguished Senator expressed his deep appreciation for the recognition by terragraphics international as a catalyst to spur him to take further action on issues affecting the nation. He dedicated the award certificate to everyone that lent a hand to the #SaveBagegaproject.
culled from Bailiff Africa

Tuesday 30 July 2013

Is your House Safe?

Many buildings have collapsed in Nigeria in the past months  and many lives lost.

* Do not use substandard building material.

*Ensure you use correct mix ratio.

*When you build, ensure you use qualified professionals.

*Remember it's your duty to stay safe.

* Save our Environment!

Monday 29 July 2013

Lagos State Government To Seal Houses that Displays Clothes Outside Indiscriminately

The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello yesterday after the monthly sanitation exercise said, the State Government will seal up any building where residents display their clothes outside indiscriminately.
According to him, spreading of washed clothes on fences, frontage of buildings and bridge railings have become the norm in some parts of the state and the practice constitutes a nuisance to the environment. Tough actions would be taken against erring persons. Houses where compound residents also hang their clothes outside will be sealed, Mr Bello concluded.
LAWMA officials have also been directed to pack those clothes as refuse wherever they see them.

Friday 26 July 2013

Fundamentals of GPS Part 1

What exactly is GPS?
By now, most of us have come into contact with some form of GPS. They are in our cars, sometimes on the dashboard and sometimes in the glove compartment; they are in our smartphones and even being attached to children. Oh, the humanity! We have various GPS devices used for precise or approximate positioning.

GPS, or the Global Positioning System, is a satellite navigation system that provides positioning and clock time to the terrestrial user.The system consists of more than just satellites. While the satellites make up the space segment, the system also includes a control segment that monitors and maintains the satellites, as well as the user segment that gets to have all the fun.

When most people think of GPS, they think of the United States NAVSTAR (NAVigational System Time And Ranging) constellation. However, although GPS was the brainchild of the U.S. Department of Defense, other space-based satellite positioning systems are in existence or are slated for development, most notably the GLONASS system created by the former Soviet Union and the Galileo system recently approved for funding by the European Union.

Where, when, how and why
The U.S. Department of Defense created NAVSTAR to work optimally with a constellation of 24 satellites.NAVSTAR was declared fully functional on April 27, 1995 with a constellation of 24 Block II and Block IIA satellites. Unofficially, NAVSTAR became fully operational December 8, 1993 with a mix of Block II, IIA and the original concept validation Block I satellites; 28 Block II, IIA and IIR satellites are currently in orbit and operational.

Each of the 28 NAVSTAR Space Vehicles (SVs) is equipped with two channels: L1 and L2.The L1 channel produces a Carrier Phase signal at 1575.42 MHz as well as a C/A and P(Y) code - all this jargon is explained below. The L2 channel produces a Carrier Phase signal of 1227.6 MHz , but only P(Y) Code. Currently, there are plans in progress to implement an additional civilian code on the L2 band as well as the creation of a brand new L5, but that is for another article.

Carrier Phase: GPS uses microwaves, and just like all light and radio waves, each signal has a unique frequency and wavelength. Although these waves do a great job of penetrating the atmosphere, they are still not capable of cooking a burrito from orbit.

C/A and the P(Y) Code: Binary data that is modulated or "superimposed" on the carrier signal is referred to as Code.
Two main forms of code are used with NAVSTAR GPS: C/A or Coarse/Acquisition Code (also known as the civilian code), is modulated and repeated on the L1 wave every millisecond; the P-Code, or Precise Code, is modulated on both the L1 and L2 waves and is repeated every seven days.

How Code Works
While the GPS receiver is listening to the satellites, it is also downloading information about the satellites' orbit and trajectory. An almanac is transmitted every 12.5 minutes and contains approximate orbits for the constellation, as well as atmospheric modeling. The ephemeris is transmitted every 30 seconds and contains shorter, more precise trajectory data for a given satellite.

Philosophy and Math
Each satellite produces a unique code sequence of ones and zeroes.By matching the time difference of the code generated by the satellite's atomic clock and the user's clock (not so atomic), the GPS receiver is able to match the code and calculate a time difference. Based on the calculated time difference and known value of the speed of light, the distance between the SV and the receiver can be determined (speed of light multiplied by time.) Because of the clocks' discrepancy, the slowing of light through the atmosphere and slight inaccuracy of the transmitted almanac, we call this distance a pseudorange.

The receiver position can then be calculated by intersecting distances from multiple satellites. Three satellites are required to determine a 2-dimensional position and four or more are necessary for 3D.

Interesting huh? Watch out for Fundamentals of GPS Part 2

Thursday 25 July 2013

NAGIS Staffs Receives Training on ICT, Survey and Mapping

Partners in the implementing Nasarawa Development Platform (NDP), an initiation of the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development, have commenced the training of staffs recruited to man the state’s computerized lands administration system called Nasarawa Geographic Information Systems (NAGIS), at the newly commissioned complex of the project in Mararaba.
Siraj Consulting Engineers, Aeroprecisa, and GIS Transport, partners in the totality of the 24-month period project to execute Geographic Information System (GIS), and Digital Aerial Mapping (DAM), all expected to turn Nasarawa into a twin city to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is providing the training as part of the essentials needed to commence services at the newly commissioned complex.
 The complex, projected to take 100 staffs – both professional and non-professional alike – by the time the partners complete the recruitment exercise in the next one year, came to life on June 30 after Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and former FCT minister, Mallam Nasir el’Rufai commissioned it to become the second after the FCTA’s computerized lands administration system called AGIS.
But NAGIS complex, a replica of AGIS was described by el’Rufai, who pioneered this system in the country as far surpassing the latter in terms of facilities and scope which include GIS, DAM and cities planning, just as Surveyor General of the Federation, Nigeria (SGOF), Professor Peter Nwilo and members of the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SUCON) ranked Nasarawa State top among the 36 states and the FCT in the implementation of lands reforms to conform with world best practices through the NDP initiative of the implementing partners.
The staffing of the complex commenced with the compulsory training exercise as part of the induction needed to give the staffs the basic preparation for their start.
Roland Klaus, General Manager of GIS Transport told Daily Trust that eight staffs, making up the first batch of recruits at the complex have been trained in basic ICT, survey and digitizing map making and reading as well as administration.
“Regardless of their posting, our staffs have to undergo basic training in all these areas for them to man the complex”, said Mr. Klaus, who also said the staffs were sent on field training in environment, data capturing and proper street maps, said.
The curricular for the training was prepared by Esna Swart of Aeroprecisa, while the training was handled by consultants in various fields including Roland Klaus, Heiko Howey, Ibrahim Khoury and Tiffany Okewole of GIS Transport, and Vincent Onwumere, a surveyor with Aeroprecisa, and the Project Manager, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril, who is also a Senior Special Assistant to the governor.
As Reported by Dailytrust

Tuesday 23 July 2013

Say Cheese: The Earth and the Moon Pictured from Saturn

Nasa has released photos of the Earth and Moon taken by a spacecraft orbiting Saturn - nearly a billion miles away.

Our planet and its only satellite appear only as dots in the picture, which was taken by the Cassini spacecraft on 19 July.

Scientists wanted to pay homage to the "Pale Blue Dot" image captured by the Voyager 1 probe in 1990.

This was the first time people knew in advance that their long distance picture was being taken.

As part of the event launched by Nasa, people were asked to wave in what Carolyn Porco, who leads Cassini's camera team, described as an "interplanetary cosmic photo session".

"It thrills me no end that people all over the world took a break from their normal activities to go outside and celebrate the interplanetary salute between robot and maker that these images represent," said Dr Porco, from the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado.

The wide-angle image is part of a larger mosaic - or multi-image portrait - that imaging scientists are putting together of the entire Saturn system.

Pictures of Earth from the outer Solar System are rare because, from that distance, Earth is very close to the bright Sun.

Just as a person can damage their retina by looking directly at the Sun, a camera's sensitive detectors can be damaged by the bright rays.

These images were taken when the sun had moved behind the planet Saturn from the spacecraft's point of view, blocking out most of the light.

Earthquake hits China's Gansu Province


Two powerful earthquakes have struck China's north-west Gansu province, killing at least 75 people and leaving more than 400 others injured.

The first earthquake near Dingxi city had a magnitude of 5.98 and was shallow, with a depth of just 9.8 km (6 miles), the US Geological Survey said.

Just over an hour later, a magnitude 5.6 quake hit the same area, it added.

In 2008, an earthquake in Sichuan province left up to 90,000 people dead and millions homeless.
The area has been hit by 371 aftershocks, according to the Earthquake Administration of Gansu province.

Tremors were felt in the provincial capital, Lanzhou, and as far away as Xian, 400km (250 miles) to the east.

At least 5,600 houses in the province's Zhangxian county are seriously damaged and 380 have collapsed, while some areas suffered from power cuts or mobile communications being disrupted, the earthquake administration added.

"Many have been injured by collapsed houses," a doctor based in Minxian county was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying. "Many villagers have gone to local hospitals along the roads."

The earthquake has caused a direct economic loss of 198 million yuan ($32m; £21m), the Dingxi government said on its microblog.

Source:.BBC news

Wednesday 10 July 2013

India successfully Begins Regional Navigation Satellite System Project by Launching IRNSS 1-A

A decade ago, Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) were starting to explore the possibility of having an Indian alternative to the GPS system, at least at a regional scale. A dream and a vision by the world’s largest democracy to have its own satellite navigation system is now taking shape in the form of ” The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) 
The first satellite of the 7 satellite constellation, IRNSS 1A has been launched successfully from Sathish Dawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. It was a perfect launch during the midnight of July 1st! IRNSS 1-A is officially India’s first dedicated Navigation Satellite! ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV – 22 successful placed IRNSS 1-A in its orbit, the launch vehicle was previously used for launching Chandrayaan -1 (India’s Moon Mission). 

Lighting-up a low Carbon Future for Nigeria

The lights are going on all over Africa, home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Overall, that is great news. Children can study at night without breathing harmful or environmentally damaging kerosene fumes; the sense of security in poor communities, where people live in fear when night falls, is hugely increased; productivity for businesses improves as they can stay open later; and commonplace fires, caused by fallen candles or spilt fuels, become rare.
However, unless energy efficient lighting is adopted, carbon emissions from an expected increase in electricity consumption of between 60-70 per cent by 2030 could lead to disastrous effects on efforts to fight climate change globally.
Few actions could reduce carbon emissions as inexpensively and easily as the phase-out of inefficient lighting and making sure that any new lighting uses environmentally sustainable technology.
West Africa has become the latest region to drive efforts to promote energy efficient lighting. A complete transition in that area could produce annual energy savings of 2.4 terawatt hours, approximately 6.75 per cent of total electricity consumption. The savings would be enough to supply the total annual electricity needs of at least 1.2 million households. Continue reading after cut

Cooking Smoke: Nigeria’s silent killer

The Energy Commission of Nigeria and the International Centre for Energy, Environment & Development have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at reducing the rising mortality associated with smoke from firewood.
Both organisations hope to build capacity in the country to provide scientific testing of stoves.  A Memoranda of Understanding signed by the organisation would see to the establishment of the National Clean Cookstoves Development and Testing Laboratory at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The collaboration according to a statement issued by ICEED would assist in the development of technical standards for stoves manufactured or imported into Nigeria; provision of testing and certification services related to stove technical quality, indoor air pollution, and energy efficiency; assist stove developers in improving skills for local stove design and construction methods.
Other aims include conducting research and development in collaboration with Nigerian and international research institutes and laboratories; establishment and strengthen linkages between the laboratory and the stove industry; maintaining appropriate liaison with relevant regulatory and statutory agencies; support capacity building of other national research and development institutions in stove design and production and to serve as a national demonstration centre for clean cooking technologies.
Written by Alex Abutu

Friday 28 June 2013

Nigeria: Great Green Wall Project to check Desertification -Mailafia

 The Great Green Wall initiative is a pan-African proposal to “green” the continent from west to east in order to battle desertification.  It aims at tackling poverty and the degradation of soils in the Sahel-Saharan region, focusing on a strip of land of 15 km (9 mi) wide and 7,100 km (4,400 mi) long from Dakar to Djibouti. click Here to read more about great green wall.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Environment, Mrs Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, has launched the Nigeria’s component of the Great Green Wall Programme on Monday, saying the programme was ideal for a new environmental management to overcome the problems of desertification.
The minister who performed the ceremony in Bachaka, Kebbi State said that the programme was a 7,775km long and 15km wide transcontinental forest belt extending across eleven countries from Senegal in the West to Djibouti in the East.

Alliance for African Climate Change Reporters Launched

 
A new network of African journalists reporting on environment and climate change issues has been launched.
The network, which aspires to equip, train and improve the capacity of African journalists to accurately report issues bordering on climate change and environmental sustainability, is known as the Pan-African Media Alliance for Climate Change (PAMACC).
The network was one of the outcomes of a 2-day consultative workshop in Nairobi, Kenya organised by the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) for 30 African journalists drawn from the five regions of the continent namely Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Africa.
At the launch, Isaiah Esipisu from East Africa was elected as the continental coordinator while Sellina Nkowani from Malawi emerged as the regional coordinator for Southern Africa. Atayi Babs Opaluwah from Nigeria was elected as the West African regional coordinator while Kizito Makoye from Tanzania and Elias Ngalame from Cameroon emerged as regional coordinators for East and Central African regions respectively.

Nigeria: University lecturer Dissatisfied over FG’s Preparation for Flood

 
A lecturer with the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Dr. Simon Penda has expressed dissatisfaction with the federal government’s unpreparedness to tackle the impending flood predicted early this year by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET).
Penda in an interview with our correspondent in Makurdi lamented that there was nothing yet on ground to show that the nation was prepared to withstand any challenge of flooding in the event the disaster which rendered many people homeless last year occur.
 “To the best of my knowledge, I don’t see any change that may suppress any effect of flood that may occur this year.  I don’t see us (nation) prepare to withstand any challenge of flooding,” he said.
He stressed that the unpreparedness of the country for the expected flood poses danger to the people’s life, properties as well as food security because farmers would likely lose production.
To this end, the agric-economist urged government to urgently construct buffer dams as earlier promised during the last devastated flood experience or make ready the Kashimbilla Dam on time to save its citizens another series of nightmare.
 “Preliminary analysis should be undertaken by the federal government. This is because the last flooding was occasioned by the release of water from the Lagdo Dam which means the flooding was not natural.
 “Government has said that the Kashimbilla Dam would be constructed to trap water from the Lagdo Dam, I don’t know at the moment to which extent government’s promise in this direction has been fulfilled.
 “But they must be on top of the situation to ensure that during flooding this year the release would not have effect on our environment. The major thing for government to do is to construct a buffer dam that would trap water,” Penda maintained.
 
Culled from Dailytrust

Saturday 22 June 2013

The African Environmental Action Summit (AEAS) Friday 28th & Saturday 29th June 2013

AEAS is an event being convened by The Green Afrique Network in collaboration with The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and The Rock Foundation, in honor of the World Environment Day to exploit Africa’s Natural resources for sustainable economic development; the adoption of best practices for human hygiene and waste management; identify and protect endangered species of African Flora and Fauna and to develop a platform for the promotion of clear and impactful projects throughout Africa.
The Summit which is billed to take place on June 28 at Federal Palace Marquee Lagos, Nigeria will feature a Green Lecture on Environmental Action, a high -level lunch, and an Elite Gala dinner.  Some of the speakers billed to attend the summit include Minister of Foreign Affairs- Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru, Publisher of The Guardian Newspapers Mrs Maiden Ibru, and many more. Other dignitaries slated for the summit are Nigeria’s foremost Green Activists- Dr Newton Jibunoh, Senator Remi Tinubu, and Professor Wole Soyinka.
In a statement released by The Green Afrique Network and with the clear understanding that the future belongs to the youth; the summit will allow for youth participation via the iRaveNigeria- TAN Ultra Violet RAVE featuring Nigeria’s ‘hottest Dj’s’ and selected artists. The summit will also engage vibrant use of popular social media platforms to popularize the message: “Green Nigeria, Green Africa, Green World”.
The website www.greenafrique.com allows for prospective attendees to RSVP for these events online. Individuals can also communicate with them via their social media platforms:

Canada floods: Three Feared Dead as waters threaten Calgary

source: BBC news
At least three people have been killed and more than a 100,000 forced to flee their homes as floods triggered by torrential rain hit western Canada.
Officials have ordered the evacuation of the centre of Calgary, Alberta, after both rivers that flow through it, the Bow and Elbow, overflowed.
The floods have washed away roads and bridges, cut-off electricity and submerged hundreds of homes.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper toured flood-damaged areas on Friday. He has promised federal assistance for those affected.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt Patricia Neely confirmed that three people were dead and two bodies had been recovered.
She said the bodies recovered are of two men found in the Highwood River near High River, about 40 miles (64km) south of Calgary, on Thursday.
"This is incredible," said Mr Harper, a Calgary resident. "I don't think any of us have seen anything like this before. The magnitude is just extraordinary."
Alberta Premier Alison Redford warned residents should be prepared for more flooding downstream.
Communities further south were under total evacuation orders. Roughly half the homes in High River were flooded.
The flooding has forced the evacuation of the whole of central Calgary
see more Photos after cut

"Gombe Residents Beware of Thunderstorm" NIMET Cautions

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Gombe State office, has advised Gombe residents to retreat to safe places whenever there is a thunderstorm.
Mr Emmanuel Abasi, a Manager in the agency, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Gombe.
“For the farmers, whenever they notice any thunderstorm, they should leave their farms and go to somewhere that is safe.
“We also advise people to avoid staying under trees whenever there are thunder activities.
“From the agency’s prediction, the volume of rainfall will be more than that of last year and it will be accompanied by severe thunderstorms,” he said.
He urged all tiers of government to clear drainage and to build more channels for water to flow.
He appealed to the residents to desist from throwing refuse into waterways to avoid flooding.
He added that would help to avoid the recurrence of what happened in 2012. (NAN)

Nigeria: ‘Don’t Drink Water from Corrugated Iron Sheet’

By Eyo Charles
An expert, Edodi Unumoh has warned that people should no longer drink rain water got from the corrugated iron roof.
Unumoh, the Centre Manager, Technical Incubation Centre, an agency of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in Calabar gave the advice in Calabar while calling on the unemployed to take advantage of the centre to increase their skills, potentials and employability.
Unumoh said that rain water from the rustic corrugated iron sheet often becomes acidic and therefore has the capability to become source of cancerous ailments.
He strongly warned that people should be wary of such water and advised that irrespective of cost of the corrugated iron sheet house-owners should endeavour to replace them when they become old to avoid such dangerous ailments.
He said that they have done several researches from their laboratories at the incubation centre and found that such water was highly contaminated and at  such they recommend that people should beware of it.
He said there were now modern ways of  how to roof houses and Nigerians should keep abreast with this latest development and avoid contamination with the cancerous agents.
“Fortunately, the Incubation centre in Calabar has the technologies to fabricate this new roof made of tiles which are now easily and cheaply available.  We therefore strongly encourage people to take advantage of this as a way of keeping away from cancer,” he said.

‘Our environment, our Life’

By Alex Abutu

Last week, the Minister of Environment, Mrs Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia presented her score card to the nation.The score card which was a summary of activities undertaken by the ministry in the last two years, analysed strategies adopted by government in addressing the mirage of environmental challenges confronting the country.
According to her, most of the challenges facing the nations’ environmental sector were human induced as “we have failed to carter for the environment. The environment is about our health, our wellbeing and until we get the environment right no sector including agriculture, health nor education will be able to deliver on its mandates and create jobs for Nigerians.”
“In 2012 we experienced one of the most devastating floods so far, yes it about climate change as we can see in other countries of the world but our situation was aggravated by our inability to respect and protect our environment. Government constructed drainages for free flow of water but we have turned these drainages into refuse dump thereby blocking the free flow of water but remember that water will always find its way,” she said. Continue...

Monday 3 June 2013

World Environment Day 2013 -Think Eat Save- Reduce Your Foodprint, to be marked on 5th June

World Environment Day (WED) is an annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. World Environment Day activities take place all year round and climax on 5 June every year, involving everyone from everywhere.

The World Environment Day celebration began in 1972 and has grown to become one of the main vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action.

Through World Environment Day, the United Nations Environment Programme is able to personalize environmental issues and enable everyone to realize not only their responsibility, but also their power to become agents for change in support of sustainable and equitable development. read more after cut

Friday 31 May 2013

Video: Statement made at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (2013)




An Official Statement made by Mr Muhammad Sani Sidi, Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria, at the fourth session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. DRR

Lagos Ready for Flood Rescue operations: Acquires 8 raft Boats

 Lagos State Government has purchased eight life raft boats and other rescue equipment for rescue operations during flood disaster and boat mishap in the state.
General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu announced this, Thursday, during a stakeholders’ meeting with the officers of the Nigerian Merchant Navy in Alausa, Ikeja.

Oke-Osanyintolu explained that the government purchased the new equipment to improve response to emergency issues, especially flood cases in the state.
It will be recalled that the National Meteorological Agency, NIMET, predicted that the state would experience heavy rainfall on 275 days in 2013.
Oke-Osanyintolu said “this will afford the state government search and rescue team in partnership with the officers of the Nigerian Merchant Navy to rescue residents whenever such disaster occurs in the state.”

Dangers of Telecom Masts

Telecom masts in residential and educational areas are dangerous but the regulatory agencies, the National Environmental Standards Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), have failed to enforce the World Health Organisation (WHO) regulations concerning the harmful practice. WHO warns that masts should be located at least 10 metres away from residential quarters.

Though telecommunication has created jobs and given a boost to investments in the country, we frown at the attitude of the average Nigerian landlord who puts money first in letting out a piece of land before thinking of the health hazards to the community. We also condemn the callous activities of telecom firms that capitalise on the people's naivety to send them to their early graves.
The adverse effects connected with regular contact with radioactive substances are legion, according to researchers across the globe. These killer masts transmit poisonous gases that impair the immune system and human neurological functions.

Nigeria: FG gives out casualty figure of 2012 flood

 
culled from dailytrust
The Federal Government has said that the 2012 floods affected over  7 million people, displaced 2.3 million people, killed over 363 people and destroyed or damaged about 597,476 houses.
A comprehensive assessment of the environment sector in the last two years issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment stated that the total value of losses as a result of the floods has been put at N2.6 trillion naira.
 
The assessment noted that the ministry has continued to reiterate the need to enforce regulatory provisions on development along flood plains, as many of those who were seriously affected had their houses and farmlands located on flood plains.
“Following the indication and predictions of the likelihood of equal or more serious flooding in 2013, this ministry has redoubled the national environmental education and awareness campaigns, and encouraged states and local governments to join in the awareness and sensitization campaigns at the community or grassroots level, to avoid a repeat of the disasters in 2013,” it added.

Thursday 23 May 2013

Ecuador Pegasus Satellite fears collision with Space Junk

Pegasus' logo 
culled from BBC News
The Ecuadorean space agency (EXA) is trying to pick up signals from its satellite after it was found to be on a collision course with space debris.
The nano-satellite, called Pegasus, was launched from the Jiuquan spaceport in China less than a month ago.
It is Ecuador's first and only satellite in orbit.
Experts calculated Pegasus was on a course to collide at 05:38 GMT on Thursday with debris from a Soviet rocket launched in 1985.

Tuesday 21 May 2013

Deadly Tornado Hits Oklahoma: over 50 people killed

A devastating two-mile-wide tornado touched down in Moore, a community of 41,000 people about 10 miles south of Oklahoma City yesterday afternoon Monday May 20th, killing over 50 people - including at least 20 children, with 24 more missing. Plaza Towers Elementary school was in the direct path of the giant twister and took a direct hit during 45 minutes of terror yesterday afternoon.
Homes, cars, a hospital and another elementary school were destroyed by the tornado. More than 120 people are being treated at hospitals, including about 50 children. The death toll is expected to rise. 
President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster area in Oklahoma, ordering federal aid to supplement state and local efforts in Moore. See more photos after the cut...

Friday 17 May 2013

2.4 billion people will lack Improved Sanitation in 2015

Some 2.4 billion people, one-third of the world’s population will remain without access to improved sanitation in 2015, according to a joint WHO/UNICEF report just released.
The report, entitled Progress on Sanitation and Drinking-Water 2013 Update, warns that, at the current rate of progress, the 2015 Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of halving the proportion of the 1990 population without sanitation would be missed by eight percent – or half a billion people.

Red Star embraces eco-friendly courier bags

Red Star Express Plc, a logistics company has embraced the use of bio-degradable polythene envelopes as its official flyers.
With the increasing global warming campaign, Red Star Express is actively seeking ways to reduce the carbon footprint by using bio-degradable materials.
Speaking on this new development, Ngozi Ochokwu, Red Star Express Marketing Manager, said her company has chosen to use bio-degradable polythene envelopes to parcel goods, in keeping with environmental-friendly global best practices, adding that the development would have a great impact on the health of the country and the world as a whole.
She said, “The overall impact of plastics and other non-bio-degradable on the people is hazardous and a major pollutant contributor to the environment. The polythene envelopes are manufactured to the highest quality. The envelopes are strong, less expensive, and lightweight and reduce postage costs.

Bayelsa Flood Committee Distributes Cement to victims

 Bayelsa State Post Flood Management Committee says that owners of mud houses that were affected by last year’s flood in the state are to receive 20 bags of cement each to rebuild their houses.
Chairman of the committee, Chief Francis Doukpola who disclosed this said the measure was to prepare them in anticipation of this year’s flood.
 
He said that the committee would distribute 400 bags of cement to each of the affected communities, and enjoined the local government chairmen and community leaders to help supervise the distribution and ensure that the right people benefit from the exercise.
Chief Doukpola explained that the distribution would be done in phases within  weeks and was intended to enable the owners of affected houses fortify their houses, especially in light of the rainfall predictions of this year.

NITP Condemns at Indiscriminate installation of Telecom Masts



 The indiscriminate erection  of telecommunication masts and citing of filling stations in Nigerian cities across the country do not only endangered lives but have also threatened the environment, President of Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Steve Onu, has warned.
Onu gave the warning in Calabar when the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Mr Efiok Cobham laid the foundation stone for their three storey secretariat.
He lamented that the development was a disturbing one, which must be checked for the safety of citizens.


He urged the appropriate government agencies to urgently intervene before the trend becomes more dangerous.

Onu lauded the state government for keeping the state capital the cleanest in the country.
He also lauded the state for setting up urban development centres in the 18 local government areas of the state to ensure that human settlements are properly ordered among other developmental plans.
Cobham while acknowledging the commendation, however described some areas in the state, particularly the capital city, as “disaster waiting to happen” due to faulty or lack of planning.
He attributed this to the negligence of town planners who he said should know better. 

Source: Dailytrust

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Monster radiation burst from Sun

Source: BBC News
The Sun has unleashed its most powerful eruption of 2013 so far.
The solar flare - a sudden release of radiation - peaked at 1705 BST on Monday, and was associated with a huge eruption of matter.
When these eruptions reach Earth, they can interfere with electronic systems in satellites and those on the ground.
Nasa said this solar explosion - known as a coronal mass ejection (CME) - was not directed at Earth, but it could pass several US spacecraft.
The event on Monday was classified as an "X-class" flare - the most intense type - with a designation of X2.8 (higher numbers denote a stronger flare). It surpassed an X1.7-class flare that occurred 14 hours earlier.

Senator Saraki Restates Commitment To Erosion Control Project

The Chairman Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki representing Kwara Central Senatorial District has expressed his delight on the progress of the ongoing erosion control project in Abata Asunkere, Alore area of Ilorin in Kwara State.
Dr Bukola Saraki during one of his constituency visit to the area had earlier identified the Alore area of Asunkere as an erosion prone area which portrays environmental danger to the community.
The Senator further decried the structural arrangement of the building as they are clustered together which impedes the free flow of water and prevents proper storm water discharge. He also cited the elevation pattern of the area as a source of worry for the community, as heap of refuse is dumped on the site indiscriminately.

Nigeria: House of Reps, Stakeholders Strategise on Environment


 Source : thisdaylive

The House of Representatives Committee on Environment and other relevant stakeholders on the Nigerian environment have moved to map strategies out on a collaborative approach for managing the environment.
It is against this backdrop that the House Committee on Environment is organising a National Conference on the Environment with the theme: ‘Managing our Environment for a Sustainable and Secure Future,’ with Tandice -B Solutions Limited as consultant for the conference.

The conference, according to the organisers, stemmed from the fact that “while sovereign laws, international treaties and conventions acknowledge the fundamental right of the individual to live in a healthy environment, environmental protection and conservation continues to be a reoccurring challenge especially for developing economies like Nigeria.”
The conference, which will take place next week in Abuja, will bring together all public and private sector organisations involved in environmental activity in Nigeria to deliberate and agree on a common agenda for environmental sustainability.

Monday 13 May 2013

ESNC 2013: Who will be the Next Galileo Master?


The 10th edition of the annual European Satellite Navigation Competition is here again and If you are one of those GEO people who is always looking for ways to innovate and come up with new stuff in the satellite navigation domain, this is the competition that you just shouldn’t miss!
The European Satellite Navigation Competition was started ten years ago in 2004 with the purpose of encouraging new ideas and products that enhance the utilization of GNSS, Galileo in particular.
The annual competition is looking for services, products, or business innovations that use satellite navigation in everyday life. Around EUR 1 million in prizes is up for grabs, including cash prizes, business incubation, coaching, patent consulting, prototyping and marketing support, access to customers and user communities, and publicity in the satellite navigation network.

Sunday 12 May 2013

NESREA Embarks Nationwide Sensitisation Campaign

 
The National Environmental Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency(NASREA) has commenced a nationwide campaign to educate Nigerians on the need to protect the environment.
NESREA Director-General, Dr Ngeri S. Benebo said at the flag-off of the campaign in Abuja that ,“we must begin to take adequate measures to protect our environment and be conscious of what happens around us.”
Benebo who dispatched officials of the agency to hold rallies in 10 different locations in Abuja and its environs declared that the task of promoting a healthy living in the society cannot be compromised.
According to her, “This exercise will hold every two weeks in FCT and the 22 states where we have field offices and it is your duty to educate the people on the need to keep their environment clean.”
The agency according to the director general was now poised to ensure that the Federal Capital Territory is rid of filthy  environment. 

Source :dailytrust
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