NEWS
NGO Promises Commitment towards Eliminating Environmental Degradation

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A non-governmental organization (NGO), the Petroleum, Environment and Solid Minerals Degradation Awareness Association (PESMDAA), has expressed its commitment towards eliminating environmental degradation.
National Chairman of the organisation, Dr.
Robert Adah gave the assurance while inaugurating Kogi State and Local Government Executives Chapter in Lokoja over the weekend.Adah said that the inauguration which is carried out simultaneously across the 36 States of the Federation, marked another significant milestone in the collective quest for environmental responsibility and sustainable development.
Adah, who was represented by the PESMDAA Commissioner, Kogi State, Alh Acheku Yusuf, said the inauguration was a call to action, commitment to lead with integrity and purpose in addressing the degradation that has plagued the petroleum, environment, and solid minerals sectors.
“Our presence here today underlines a shared understanding that the health of our environment is non-negotiable, and the future of our communities depends on how wisely we manage natural resources.
“The theme guiding our efforts remains resolute: ‘Sensitization to Eliminate Degradation and Irregularities in the Petroleam, Environment, and Solid Minerals Sectors’.
“This speaks not only to our goals, but to our values transparency, sustainability, and collaboration.
“We recognize that these sectors are pivotal to our state’s economic vitality. Yet, we cannot ignore the environmental cost that often accompanies unchecked exploitation.
“PESMDAA stands as a beacon of awareness, education, and advocacy fostering a culture of accountability and forward-thinking solutions,” he said.
Adah urged all the State and LG officials and relevant stakeholders to see themselves as key drivers of the movement, saying, their voice, influence, and decisions would shape the desired future.
He added: “Let us work hand-in-hand to build systems that not only generate prosperity but preserve the ecosystems that sustain life.
“Let this inauguration be the beginning of real impact of voices raised, policies shaped, and actions taken in definse of our environmetit and in service of our people”.
Speaking on his own capacity as State Commissioner of PESMDAA, Alh Acheku Yusuf, urged the officials to strictly adhered to the rules and regulations, and avoid taking laws into their own hands.
In their separate remarks, the Kogi Commissioner for Solid Minerals & Natural Resources, Bashir Gegu; and his counterparts in Environment and Ecological Management, Olusegun Joseph, both promised their readiness to partner with PESMDAA in achieving its mandates.
Gegu, who was represented by the ministry’s Director of Geological Services, Atinuke Onimode, stressed the need for all relevant stakeholders to collaborate at all levels to ensure that everything works to safeguarding the environment.
On his part, the Environment commissioner, who was represented the ministry’s Director Environment, Enoch Aboje, emphasised that PESMDAA’s sensitisation would create more awareness on the danger involved in unwholesome practices and put a check to them.
This, he said would create a sustainable environment for the people and the unborn generations.
Also speaking, the Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kogi Command, CC Esther Akinlade, commended PESMDAA for the initiative, saying it was timely and critical to safety, and sustainable community development.
Akinlade, who was represented by Deputy Commandant Paul Irefin, urged PESMDAA to create a platform for sharing knowledge, building network and partnership to strengthening community vigilance against such threats.
Other stakeholders at the event include: representatives of the Department of State Security Services (DSS); Miners Association of Nigeria, and Kogi State House of Assembly Committee Clerk on Solid Minerals, Martina Ajayi.
The highlight of the occasion was the official inauguration of all the State/LG Excos of the 21 LGAs, with the oath of office administered by the State Legal Adviser, PESMDAA, Adejoh Isah.
PESMDAA is an organization focused on promoting awareness about the degradation of the environment caused by petroleum and solid mineral activities. Their mission involves fostering a culture of sustainability within the industry.
PESMDAA’s work is crucial in highlighting the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability in the extractive industry.
By promoting awareness and best practices, PESMDAA contributes to a more environmentally responsible approach to petroleum and solid mineral activities.
Health
NCDC Warns of Cholera Surge, Gives Updates on Other Outbreaks

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory following a significant surge in cholera cases across 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in nine states.
During a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, expressed concern over the rising number of cholera infections as the rainy season begins.
He warned that the situation posed a serious public health threat.
“As of April 28, 2025, over 1,141 suspected cholera cases and 30 deaths have been reported across multiple states, with Bayelsa, Lagos, Abia, and Zamfara among the most affected,” he said.
Idris attributed the outbreak to poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean water, and widespread open defecation.
He said the NCDC was working in collaboration with state governments, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and development partners to strengthen surveillance, improve access to oral rehydration therapy, and promote hygiene education.
On Lassa fever, he reported a decline in weekly cases but warned that the disease remained persistent in endemic states such as Edo, Ondo, and Bauchi.
“We must not relax. The virus is still circulating in the rodent population,” he cautioned.
He also noted continued transmission of Mpox, with recent cases reported in Lagos, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory.
“While no deaths have been recorded in the past month, the virus continues to spread through close contact,” he added.
On Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), Idris stated that outbreaks had occurred in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Yobe states, predominantly affecting children and young adults.
He said vaccination campaigns were underway in high-burden areas, supported by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and Gavi.
Idris further emphasised the urgent need for the rational use of antibiotics in managing the ongoing outbreaks, warning that misuse, particularly in cholera and Lassa fever treatment, could worsen antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
“We must remind our health workers and communities that not every illness requires antibiotics.
“Inappropriate use during outbreaks is a silent pandemic that could undermine our ability to treat infections in the future,” he warned.
He urged Nigerians to adopt preventive measures such as regular hand washing, proper waste disposal, and early medical attention when symptoms of any of the listed diseases were observed.
“Public health is a shared responsibility,” Idris said, calling on the media and civil society groups to support risk communication and community engagement efforts
General News
FRSC Gets New Sector Commander in Osun

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has appointed Mr Leye Adegboyega as the new Sector Commander for Osun RS11.1 Command.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adegboyega, who assumed on on May 2, took over from Mr Taofeeq Sokumbi , who has been redeployed.
NAN further reports that the new sector commander until his appointment was the Zonal Head of Operations at Zone RS11 Command Headquarters, Osogbo.
He was was enlisted into the service of the Federal Road Safety Corps on Nov. 1, 1993, and was appointed as the Personal Assistant to the Director of Operations, a post he held till 1998.
Adegboyega was later redeployed and appointed the pioneer Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the erstwhile Acting Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, Mr Danyaro Yakasai.
In 1999, he was redeployed to the then Department of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRAS) as the Staff Officer (Statistics) and in 2003, he was posted to Imo Sector Command as Staff Officer (Operations).
The new sector commander was in 2005 redeployed to Owo Unit Command in Ondo State as the Unit Head of Administration and Human Resources, a position he occupied until 2009, as an Assistant Corps Commander l.
After several promotions and awards, he was promoted to his present rank of Corps Commander in April 2022.
The new sector commander was redeployed on April1, 2022 to the Federal Road Safety Command and Staff College, Udi, Enugu State, as Director of Coordination, a position he held till July 2023.
In July 2023, he was redeployed to Zone RS11 Command Headquarters, Osogbo as the Zonal Head of Operations.
Adegboyega was born in Abeokuta on July 25, 1969, to the family of Late Pa Femi Adeleye and Mrs Felicia Adeleye from Ayetoro in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
He attended St. Andrew’s Primary School, Ibara, Abeokuta, from 1974 to 1979 and later proceeded to the prestigious African Church Grammar School, Ita-Eko, Abeokuta, from where he obtained the West African Secondary School Certificate (WASSCE) in 1985.
He bagged a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Political Science from the Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, in the year 1992 and later did his mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Enugu with the Federal Road Safety Corps.
Adegboyega received commendations for his outstanding performance and was subsequently given automatic employment by the FRSC Management in 1993.
He is married to Mrs Oluwayemisi Elizabeth and the union is blessed with four lovely children.
JUDICIARY
Court Remands 6 Men Docked Over Alleged Breach of Peace, Unlawful Gathering

A Grade A Customary Court at Mapo in Ibadan has remanded six men standing trial for alleged breach of public peace, following their inability to meet their bail conditions.
The defendants are; Ismail Oladipupo, Ridwan Raji, Biodun Gbadamosi, Usman Mohammed, Samuel Olowu and Sunday Akande.
Due to their inability to meet bail, the Court President, Mrs S.
M. Akintayo, ordered that the six defendants be remanded in Abolongo Correctional Centre in Oyo.Akintayo had admitted each of the defendants to N200,000 bail after they all pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful gathering and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace.
The court also ordered that the defendants should provide two reliable sureties, one of whom must be a community leader.
However, the six men could not meet the bail conditions and therefore were remanded at the Abolongo Correctional Centre in Oyo town.
Akintayo subsequently adjourned the suit until June 24 for hearing.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Ayeni, had told the court that the defendants committed the offences on April 14, at 12:45 a.m., at Agbaje Market, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Ayeni said that the defendants were arrested after they were caught using various dangerous objects such as cutlasses, broken bottles and stones, daring anybody to confront them.
According to him, the six men by their actions allegedly caused apprehension and fear in the entire community.
He stated that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 516, 416 and 249 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 vol. II Law of Oyo State 2000