Latest news with #TokunboWahab
News24
4 days ago
- Climate
- News24
Nigeria issues flood alert for over half of its 36 states
Nigerian weather forecasters on Wednesday warned that parts of 21 of the country's 36 states are likely to experience flooding in the coming days due to heavy rains, as Lagos officials warned residents in some areas to evacuate. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) said 'conditions are highly conducive for intense and prolonged rainfall, which, when combined with already saturated soil profiles and elevated river levels, significantly increases the risk of flooding'. The weather agency flagged several 'high risk' states, including Niger State, where floods flattened a neighbourhood and killed at least 200 in May. Although not on the warning list, more than 10 hours of heavy rainfall on Monday flooded several areas in the commercial hub Lagos of around 20 million people, where officials warned residents in 'lowland' areas to evacuate. 'Based on the predictions from NiMet, we are going to have much more rain this year than we had last year,' Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos state commissioner for the environment, told local broadcaster Channels Television. 'For those who stay in the lowland of Lagos, they may have to move to the upland pending when rain recedes,' he said, listing some popular neighbourhoods such as Lekki and Ikorodu. Heavy rains sweep Nigeria between June and November, often triggering dangerous floods, where poor infrastructure and inadequate drainage often worsen the impact across Africa's most populous country. In 2022, more than 500 people died and 1.4 million were displaced in the country's worst floods in a decade, while last year, more than 300 people were killed and over a million displaced in at least 34 out of Nigeria's 36 states.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Places wey Lagos state govment warn pipo to move from sake of flood
Lagos state govment don warn residents wey dey stay for flood prone areas make dem move to higher grounds, say more floods dey expected sake of di raining season. Di state Commissioner for Environment Tokunbo Wahab on Tuesday while e dey speak wit Channels Television list some of di low-lying areas wey flood fit hit any moment and tell di communities to act sharp sharp to avoid disaster as di rains still dey come. Dis dey come as flood hit some parts of Lagos on Monday, 5 August, afta one all night rainfall across di state and neighboring states. Some pipo wey dey affected by di floods enta social media to post videos of di houses and property wey di flood affect. For one of di videos, one woman dey use bucket pack water comot from her sitting room. For anoda video, di flood grow reach half of di houses of di victims. Di videos also show cars and streets wey floods take over completely. According to di commissioner, govment dey try dia best to ensure say di effect of di floods no go dey too harsh, say dem dey open up gutters and gullies. Di commissioner mention areas wey dey at risk as: E say areas like Epe, Mushin and Ikeja dey safe for now. States wey rain and flood go affect according to Nimet Meanwhile, di National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre for Federal Ministry of Environment Nigeria on Tuesday bin forecast say five days heavy rainfall go hapun and fit trigger flooding for 19 states and 76 locations for di country. Di states include Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Cross River, Nasarawa, Benue, Kaduna, Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, Borno, Plateau, Niger, Jigawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Sakoto and Gombe Nigeria Meteorological Agency Nimet bin send out rain and flood warning to some states of di country and mention say Lagos go witness more rainfall dan wetin hapun for 2023. According to Nimet, states wey go witness heavy rainfall include Lagos, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. Dem say di rains go last between 250 to 290 days. Nimet say Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ebonyi, Anambra and Enugu go experience 200 to 250 days of rainfall. For northern Nigeria, di rains go last between 110 to 150 days for Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno states.
The Star
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Ban on single-use plastics takes effect in Nigeria's Lagos
ABUJA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The authorities in Nigeria's southwestern state of Lagos, the country's economic hub, on Tuesday began enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics below 40 microns to address environmental concerns and promote sustainability. Tokunbo Wahab, the commissioner for environment and water resources in Lagos, told reporters at a press conference that any store found storing or selling single-use plastics would be sealed, while warning everyone to desist from such acts. "There will be no going back from July 1 on the enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics, which are less than 40 microns in Lagos State," Wahab said. Offenders will be punished according to the environmental laws of the state, he said, noting that extensive public awareness campaigns had been conducted since the ban was announced in January 2024. The ban also includes styrofoam food containers. The ban is mainly part of a comprehensive effort to mitigate the adverse effects of plastic pollution on the environment and public health, Wahab said. The government does not, however, ban the production of all categories of plastics and has encouraged producers and distributors of the banned items in the state to take the option of selling them outside Lagos. Local environmental protection experts and activists hailed the development, describing it as "a positive step towards addressing the global plastic crisis." In an earlier phone interview with Xinhua, Niran Alebiosu, a Lagos-based environmentalist, said the ban on styrofoam and single-use plastics reflects a growing awareness of the need for sustainable practices to combat environmental degradation. "As Nigeria's economic powerhouse takes this significant step, it sets an example for the entire nation and underscores the importance of collective efforts in preserving the planet for future generations," Alebiosu said, noting that the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on marine life, soil, and air quality has raised global concerns, prompting governments and communities to take proactive measures. "The ban aligns with international best practices and demonstrates Lagos State's commitment to achieving a cleaner and greener environment. Businesses and individuals are urged to adopt sustainable alternatives, such as biodegradable materials, to comply with the new regulations," the expert added.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers announce sweeping ban on common restaurant items: 'Will be required to switch'
Lagos, a large Nigerian city home to more than 20 million people, has banned single-use plastics. As Business Day reported, the government will start enforcing its plastic ban July 1. Single-use straws, cutlery, bags, and other plastic items have contributed to environmental degradation in Lagos and other cities, especially on coasts, around the world. When plastics are discarded into the trash, they often end up in drainage systems and impact marine animal habitats. Lagos' plastic ban follows its Styrofoam ban, which the city introduced in January 2024. Since then, city officials have worked with plastic-alternative producers and marketers to ease the transition for residents and businesses. Officials are committed to enforcing the plastic ban with measurable compliance standards and penalizing those who violate it. "This is about environmental responsibility. We have given ample time to align with global best practices. What is unacceptable elsewhere cannot become standard in Lagos," Tokunbo Wahab, a city commissioner, said. This news is encouraging because of the huge impact it will have on people living in the region. Megacities such as Lagos generate excessive amounts of plastic trash. When well-enforced, single-use plastic bans can make beaches, parks, waterways, and neighborhoods cleaner and safer for people and animals. Plastic straws, for example, take approximately 200 years to decompose. Banning plastics helps reduce pollution and limit the amount of microplastics that leach into the environment and infiltrate bodies. Many cities have passed single-use plastic bans to curb plastic waste in their communities. Fortunately, excellent plastic alternatives are available instead of the throw-away products you've grown accustomed to using. It is also now easier than ever before to buy items you need from brands offering plastic-free packaging. Should the government ban gas stoves? Yes Only in new buildings Only in restaurants No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. With Lagos' plastic ban in place, the city can serve as an example for other cities in Africa and worldwide. As Africa's largest city, Lagos has emerged as a leader in fighting global plastic pollution. Lagos' government clarified that its single-use plastic ban "will not include PET bottles, water sachets, or nylon bags thicker than 40 microns." "Hotel and restaurant operators, retailers, and street vendors will be required to switch to approved eco-friendly packaging or face penalties, including fines up to ₦50,000 per offense and possible suspension of operating licenses," Blueprint News wrote in a Facebook post. "Residents are encouraged to adopt reusable bags, stainless steel or bamboo straws, and compostable food packaging." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
