Greenpeace reacts to UN plastic findings - NaijaAgroNet: ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

NaijaAgroNet: 

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched a scathing report about plastic and environmental inequality, which shows how countries within the global south are being force-fed plastic pollution by wealthy countries, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The report, titled Neglected: Environmental Justice Impacts of Plastic Pollution, exposes the truth about how the plastic industry is capitalising on “false solutions” such as recycling when, in fact, single-use plastic waste is more likely being shipped off to developing countries than being recycled. 

Nutrition, environment tops Nestle agenda for journalists - NaijaAgroNet ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

NaijaAgroNet: 

Nestle Nigeria Plc has reaffirmed commitment to training of Lagos journalists especially those on nutrition, climate and environment beats, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The pledge was made during a courtesy visit by Executive members of the Lagos State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Tuesday to the corporate headquarters of the company in Lagos.

Predator Energy drink controversy: NBC insist on contesting case against Rite Foods - NaijaAgroNet: ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

NaijaAgroNet: 

The Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, has declared it would vigorously contest the case against Rite Foods, reports NaijaAgroNet.

A press statement from NBC, a member of Coca-Cola Hellenic Group made available to 
NaijaAgroNet, the company said it would contest legally, the controversy over the copyright issue on Predator Energy drink.

AUDA-NEPAD’s pandemic resilience accelerator gets first cohort - NaijaAgroNet: ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

NaijaAgroNet:

The Pandemic Resilience Accelerator for African Health-Related Businesses was founded by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), a pan-African institution at the forefront of policy harmonization, in partnership with JICA, the official development assistance agency of the Government of Japan, and with support from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a global management consulting firm.

The initiative aims to accelerate African home-grown solutions that are improving pandemic resilience. It provides hands-on, tailored acceleration support to growth and mature stage African health-related businesses that are improving healthcare capacity or reducing reliance on external medical supply chains.

The accelerator is launching as a pilot in the East African Community, following a call for applications in December 2020. Five companies have been selected from a highly competitive applicant pool and after a rigorous assessment process.

Access Afya Inc.: Provider of low cost, primary health care to people living in informal settlements & remote areas of Kenya. 

Africa Healthcare Network: Provider of affordable high-quality renal care services to typically underserved areas / secondary cities of Tanzania, Kenya & Rwanda.

Damu Sasa Systems Limited: Cloud-based end-to-end blood services information management system to increase and manage blood supply in Kenya.

Mobile Scan Solutions Uganda: Developer of low-cost hand-held ultrasound units to diagnose pregnancy complications in low resource settings in Uganda.

Revital Healthcare (EPZ) Limited: Manufacturer of over 40 types of medical devices in Kenya which are distributed to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi & 12 other countries.

These five home-grown companies contribute meaningfully to pandemic resilience, both in the immediate COVID-19 crisis and in their longer term strengthening of healthcare capacity and local supply chains. They constitute the inaugural cohort for this accelerator and will receive support over the six-month pilot programme.

Based on the outcomes of the pilot programme in the East African Community, the accelerator aims to expand to other parts of Africa later this year, with the ultimate goal of improving our continent's ability to respond to future outbreaks through home-grown solutions.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that organizations interested in joining the accelerator network as well as engaging with these exemplary companies by serving as advisors or providing direct support, or qualifying African home-grown solutions, can contact them via George Murumba, the accelerator project lead via GeorgeM@nepad.org and pandemicresilience.africa@gmail.com.

US Consulate General, IVLP partner Ekiti on recycling project - NaijaAgroNet ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

NaijaAgroNet:

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to transit from the “make-use-dispose” orientation of materials utilization to an industrial ecosystem where wastes can be recycled, reused, recovered and re-purposed for other uses.

Dr Fayemi, who stated this at the launch the Ekiti State Recycling Project tagged “Sodotin dowo” (waste to wealth), said the initiative was aimed at changing the perception of Ekiti people towards wastes disposal.

Prime Foods unveil first vitamin table water - NaijaAgroNet: ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

NaijaAgroNet:

In line with its vision for a healthier and happier world, the Prime Foods and Beverages Nigeria Ltd, an indigenous manufacturer of healthy drinks on Thursday launched its premium quality Omnia Vitamin table water brand, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The product which is made from demineralized water infused with natural fruit extracts, vitamin and minerals, comes in four variants- Blackcurrant, Pineapple, Orange and Apple variants, and it is the first indigenously produced vitamin water in the country.

The new product which industry observers believe may reshape the non-alcoholic beverage market in Nigeria as it offers health-conscious consumers, non-alcoholic water beverages, provides the body with the necessary daily vitamins.

Speaking at the formal launch in Lagos, General Manager of Prime Foods, Alexis Odenigbo, Omnia Vitamin water contains vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to health.

She said the new product is part of Prime Foods and Beverages Ltd commitment to ensure that Nigerians get the very best quality and natural products that are not only healthy and safe for consumption, but also enhance consumers overall wellness.

“Omnia Vitamin Water is a low calorie drink that actually satisfies thirst, unlike other carbonated drinks. Each variant has a blend of vitamins and fruit extracts to deliver refreshing and naturally tasting hydration. There is no limit to the number of bottles that can be consumed by an individual because it contains vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to health.”

Earlier in her remark, a public health physician, Dr. Olajumoke Akinsanya, said most of the people do not know about the quality of water they are drinking, and have no knowledge about it.

“We tend to just turn on the tap and fill in our glasses. But do you know how much water we have to drink every day or are the water you are drinking safe enough for you. What if you drink the water and then become contaminated with it. It is important to know everything about the water you are drinking so that you do not fall sick and in your own home.

“Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that our body needs to work properly. Most of us get all the vitamins and minerals we need by eating a healthy balanced diet. Omnia Vitamin Water contains our daily requirements of vitamins,” she said.

According to the company’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Dipo Isaacs, Omnia Vitamin Water, is manufactured under a conducive environment, in compliance with very stringent processes and procedures that conform to Good Manufacturing Practices with State-of-the-art equipment and machineries.

“The company is committed to offering purely natural, safe, and healthier products in order to help people break free from the usage or consumption of toxic and harmful body care or Food products. The new Omnia vitamin water,” he said.

He said the product is now available in all parts of the country.

Pix: (From Left to Right) Mr. Dipo Isaacs, Consultant Director Marketing & Sales, Dr. Jumoke Akisanya, Health Consultant, Alexis Odenigbo, General Manager, Ofure Ibhakhomu, CEO LifeCard Investment Ltd and Barr Akintoye Sogunle, Company Secretary/Legal Adviser.

Ogoni cleanup: Group calls for restructuring of HYPREP - NaijaAgroNet: ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

NaijaAgroNet:

The Federal Government of Nigeria recently inaugurated a new Governing Council and Board of Trustees for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), just as the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria had surmised from majority of Ogonis and reports of its team of monitors around the project areas that HYPREP was not working with optimal capacity. 

PASA records largest repatriation of trafficked monkeys - NaijaAgroNet: ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

NaijaAgroNet:

The Jeunes Animaux Confisqués au Katanga (J.A.C.K.) sanctuary (www.JackSanctuary.org), after months of coordinated international effort, welcomed 20 monkeys to their new home. 

The monkeys, all native to the Democratic Republic of Congo, were confiscated in September 2020, disrupting a wildlife trafficking operation running between the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R. Congo) and South Africa. This is a historical event and is the first such operation in Africa, where the animals were repatriated back to their native origins.

Water crisis: Africa needs $35bn yearly - NaijaAgroNet: ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

NaijaAgroNet:

USD 35-billion per year is needed to tackle Africa’s water crisis; South African firm Khato Civils announces African expansion and calls for AfCFTA to be the catalyst to build Africa’s water infrastructure.

It is expected to increase levels of intra-Africa trade by over 50 per cent by 2030.

Ogoni cleanup: Eze applauds Buhari, others for bringing lifesaving water - NaijaAgroNet: ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

NaijaAgroNet: 

The determination of the Buhari-led APC federal government in ensuring the success of the implementation of the UN Environment report on Ogoni has continued to attract resounding applauses and commendations from analysts and critical stakeholders in the fields of politics and the environment.

The $1billion (USD) implementation which is hinged on a 2011 detailed report from the environmental assessment of sites polluted by oil exploration activities in Ogoni land since the discovery of oil in the 1950s, conducted and released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was launched in June 2016 by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of President Mohammadu Buhari, after several years of neglect by the previous administration steered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and allies.