Edo 2024 governorship election: Edo Man O' War unveil political culture of non-violence sensitization campaign

As part of effort in ensuring peace and non-violence in the forthcoming 2024 gubernatorial election in Edo State, the Edo State Command of Man O'War Nigeria has unveiled a political culture of non-violence public sensitization campaign.

The campaign was unveiled during the 2024 State Commanders Retreat and Workshop held in Benin City. 

Unveiling the political culture of non-violence public sensitization campaign for Edo 2024 Gubernatorial Election, the Edo State Commandant- Amb. Odunze C. Eberechukwu said the intention was to sensitize citizens, aspirants and political parties on the need to embrace peace before, during and after the 2024 Edo governorship elections.

Amb. Odunze C. Eberechukwu, AISLT, DSM, FTSA

"We want to see how we can sensitize these politicians and political parties that even as they go about their political aspirations, there is need to eschew violence and embrace peace. The Edo 2024 governorship elections should be a thing that other states should emulate. They should be able to set a standard for other states when it comes to electoral processes.

"The citizens need to know that a lot of the the atrocities that took place during elections were committed by the citizens, particularly young persons, and not the politicians themselves majority of whom have their families resident in overseas countries. 

"This campaign of political culture of non-violence is also intended to avert political apathy in Edo State. This is because past experiences show a situation where a lot of persons came out to vote and for one reason or the other, who they anticipated to win did not emerge, thereby feeling discouraged. We want them to know that at times you win and at times you lose.

"We intend to engage the various religious bodies, political parties, market women, youths in the street, student's groups, media houses, etc", he said.

While delivering a presentation, the Deputy State Commandant Training, Operations and Rescue- DMC Onoha Uchena Kelly highlighted the importance of Commanders and members training in the discharge of their duties. According to him, one cannot embark on a journey he or she don't know about, hence the need for training and retraining.

"Training can be both technical and vocational. The technical training include First Aid, Fire Fighting, Compass Work, Foot Tracking. While the vocational training include Agriculture, Piggery, Fisheries, Carpentary, Sewing, Tie and Dye, etc.

"You are also obligated to involve in social engagement activities such as trafic control, crowd control, environmental sanitation, etc", he said.

Presenting a paper on Leadership, the Deputy State Commandant Administration and Logistics- DMC Ernest Abebe defined leadership as the way a leader directs, coordinates, and pilot the affairs of an organisation in achieving the organisational goal(s).

Speaking about the qualities of a leader, DMC Abebe said a leader "must be accountable, courageous, honest, reliable, determined, humble, Intelligent/neat, tolerance, discipline, foresight, exemplary, loyal, God-fearing, resourceful, etc".

SEDI brands audit 2024 reveals Cocacola and Pepsi as top plastic polluters in Nigeria

... Calls on the Managements to reduce and redesign their plastic cans

By Isaac Eranga, PAMHSE

The Sustainable Environment Development Initiative (SEDI) has called on the managements of  Cocacola and Pepsi to reveal, reduce and redesign their plastic cans as part of their extended producer responsibility and catalyzing zero waste initiatives. This to SEDI, would largely help to reduce plastics in Nigeria and its deleterious effect on human health and environment.

This call was contained in a press statement released by SEDI's Communication department following the organisation's 2024 plastic brand audit exercise carried out in January, 2024.

According to the statement, "plastics were collected out door in an estate of 1000 hectares of land housing offices, houses, religious houses (Churches and mosques), schools and commercial centres. The volunteers were recruited and trained by SEDI staff following BFFP training guide. Training videos were  utilized and emphasis was laid on health and safety in the plastic collection process. 

"Detailed planning and coordination meetings were held. During the designated period, volunteers  collected plastics which were later sorted and counted. Photographs were taken and proceedings of the event were recorded for social media and the press.

"The objective of the plastic brand audit was to reveal the top polluting companies trashing our communities with their single-use plastic waste.

"The most common plastic items were: plastic PET bottles and bottle caps. The most common types of plastic were: PET and HDPE. The top polluting companies, whose brands were found on the most plastic waste, were: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Suntory Beverage and foods, and CWAY Foods and Beverages. The plastic brand audit found Cocacola and Pepsi to be the top plastic polluters in the exercise", the statement posited.

Eradicating Plastic Pollution In Africa: SEDI Calls For Action

By Isaac Eranga

In 2022, the global plastic pollution treaty was adopted by 175 countries at an annual conference held by the United Nations Environment program (UNEP). The treaty according to UNEP, was aimed at tackling the entire life-cycle of plastic, with the primary goal of developing circular economy that break the region of single-use plastics. 

This has led people from different countries of the world to devise myriad of methods in tackling the global crisis of plastic pollution. Various countries have enacted restrictions on different types of plastic. These ranges from updated recycling facilities, reduction in plastic use, development of bio-plastics, and investment in alternatives. According to globalcitizen.org, "communities have staged clean-up efforts to remove plastic waste from coastlines, rivers and landscapes. Technologies have been invented to trap microplastics and massive machines have been mobilised to clear away ocean plastic".

"But the problem keeps getting worse. That's because these efforts have been fragmented. Without global coordination, the plastic industry will continue to evolve and expand, plastic consumption will become more common and diffuse, and plastic pollution will become more widespread, contaminating the farthest reaches of the planet".

"And despite efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic products as well as countries who have banned plastic use in some instances, experts predict that plastic production will increase by 40% in the next ten years", the Guardian reported.

In Nigeria, the Sustainable Environment Development Initiative (SEDI) has been playing a tremendous role in reducing the use plastic, thereby contributing to the Global Plastic Treaty.

Firstly, SEDI has coordinated plastic brand audits in 2021, 2022 and 2023 in Nigeria cited in http://sedinig.org/gallery/, with Coca-Cola and Pepsico being the leading brands of plastic waste polluters.

Secondly, SEDI coordinates a campaign on ‘Pathway to Municipal Waste Management in Edo State’ campaigning for a non-incineration policy on waste incineration in landfills, cited in http://sedinig.org/sedi-waste-management-communique/), with continuous engagement with waste pickers, government officials, media and other stakeholders in Edo State.

Furthermore, SEDI facilitates waste pickers in Edo State working towards formalization and integration of waste pickers. SEDI has facilitated the ‘Otofure Dumpsite Waste pickers Constitution’ for waste pickers (http://sedinig.org/waste-pickers-constitution/).

In addition, SEDI is Co-chair, Circular Economy Benin-City club: Devoted to the design and implementation of circular economy strategies in the plastic sector with a pilot plastic waste collection, recycling and campaign programme using the circular economy business model to reduce plastic pollution and create green jobs.

Finally, SEDI works on zero waste and is using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in managing and treatment of biodegradable waste such as kitchen waste. This is a promising and sustainable way to manage organic waste generated from our homes, schools, farms, and industries.

SEDI has been in the fore front of media advocacy for the Global Plastic Treaty with coordinated media articles in Nigeria. SEDI supports global campaigns through sign ups to letters supporting a future free from plastic pollution and demonstrate civil society power. 

The aim of SEDI is to amplify the campaign in reducing plastic use and increasing the percentage of plastic waste recycled. Currently, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled. Meaning that 91% ends up in landfills, in oceans, and in the bellies of marine life.

SEDI however recommends the following:

- plastic production reduction

- chemical transparency

- ensuring mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR)

- commitment to put regulations in place to operationalise policies

- necessitating the push for more upstream measures

- the inclusion of waste pickers, indigenous peoples and frontline communities, under-represented African countries, women and youth

- championing social and human rights aspects of the plastics treaty and sustainable, roburst financial mechanisms for the treaty.

SEDI Advocates Use Of Mercury-Free Alternatives In Tooth Filling

 ... Kicks against the use of amalgam, says it does much harm to the body

By Isaac Eranga

As part of activities in commemorating the 2023 Mercury-Free Dentistry Week, the Sustainable Environment Development Initiative (SEDI) has called for the use of mercury-free alternatives in tooth filling, saying amalgam does much harm to the body. 

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Executive Director of SEDI- Dr. Tom Aneni. According to the statement, "Mercury-free fillings are tooth-friendly, amalgam is tooth unfriendly.  Amalgam is a colonial relic which requires removal of good tooth matter, creating weaker teeth and the need for future repairs.  

"By contrast, the alternatives are tooth friendly.Glass ionomers are child-friendly: atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) does not require a power drill, or an electrical source.  Hence ART can be done in remote villages where electrical service is intermittent. 

"Composites are technically superior to amalgam, preserving the tooth rather than removing good tooth matter, and easier for future repairs, making them a better price in the long run. 

"Mercury is so toxic it is the sole subject of an international convention whose goal is to end man-made uses of mercury: the Minamata Convention.   

"Mercury is the most vaporous of the heavy metals, so a dental clinic still placing amalgam is a very dangerous work environment, especially for young women.  

"In the teeth, amalgam releases mercury vapor into the body, including (a) the brain, (b) kidneys, (c) the mother’s breast milk, and (d) the female uterus.   Because their brains are developing, at gravest risk of permanent injury for mercury are children – meaning we must also protect nursing mothers and pregnant women. 

"Mercury-free fillings preserve tooth structure: Mercury-free fillings can help prevent future caries: Mercury-free fillings are long lasting; Competent dentists can do alternatives as quickly as amalgam.

"Mercury in fish and vegetables:  Amalgam’s mercury converts to methylmercury in the fish.  Continued use of amalgam in Africa means that children with a fish diet are at serious risk of brain damage.  Dental mercury gets into the ground and from there into vegetables people eat. 

"Dentistry is one of the largest users of mercury in the world.  The number of dentists in Africa is growing rapidly; it is essential that both new and old are trained in mercury-free dentistry, or the mercury pollution will get much worse. In Africa, dental mercury is often diverted via the black market for use in small-scale gold mining", the statement said.

Poor Rural Environmental Health Programmes in Nigeria is due to governmental insensitivity, says Life Boat

News Blogger: Isaac Eranga

Benin City: Lack of governmental priority, inadequacy of manpower, and poor implementation of projects have been attributed to the unsatisfactory state of the rural environmental health service in Nigeria. 

This attribution was made by the Executive Director of Life Boat Initiative for Societal Development - Mr Osarobo Ogbevoen. He said the Nigerian government has not given sufficient priority to rural environmental health.

"Until now, the planning of environmental health Programmes has been conducted in a rather piecemeal haphazard fashion, without any attempt to analyse the needs and determine the objectives. There have been no specific plans for the development of environmental health activities within the framework of general socio-economic development plans, but only a series of uncoordinated'micro-projects', most of which are designed as emergency measures to offset the dangers arising from rapid rural community expansion.

"A more forward-looking approach and the use of prospective studies to help government draw up long-term plans would be highest priority and the government should always consider this activity as an integrated part of national health plans.

"The need to use available national resources for improving sanitation standards is very paramount, and rural environmental health planning is a sine qua non. The success and failure of environmental health will depend on the quality of the supporting administrative structures.

"The programmes should therefore be planned, organised and executedso as to improve the entire rural population and directed towards prevention and control of environmental health disease.  In the context of rural areas, these activities should concern water supply, the collection, treatment and disposal of liquid and solid wastes, control of insects, rodents and other vectors, housing and food sanitation", says Life Boat boss.

Dental Amalgam: facts, dangers, way forward

By Isaac Eranga - a Health Journalist

History was made when the West African Summit on Phasing Out Amalgam was held in Abuja on 20 May 2014, bringing together NGO leaders from the ECOWAS nations of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, and also from the North African country of Tanzania.  They adopted the Abuja Declaration, then invited NGO leaders from across Africa to join as signatories.

Cognisant of the fact that mercury, which is used in dental amalgam, is a restorative material that is approximately 50% elemental mercury, and is a notorious heavy metal of global concern that is known to be a potent poison of the human nervous system.  

Aware that dental mercury accounts for 10% of annual global mercury consumption and 260-340 metric tons of mercury pollution around the world each year.   

Knowing  that dental mercury enters the environment via many release pathways, polluting air via cremation, dental clinic releases, and sewage sludge incineration; water via human waste and dental clinic releases to septic systems and municipal wastewater; and soil via landfills, burials, and fertilizer.  

Understanding that once dental mercury is in the environment, bacteria in soils and sediments may convert it to methylmercury, “a highly toxic form that builds up in fish, shellfish and animals that eat fish, thereby making fish and shellfish the main sources of methylmercury exposure to humans.   

Aware of existence of significant literature that show that methylmercury can damage children’s developing brains and nervous systems even before they are born.”  

Recognising that in the dental workplace, uncontrolled mercury vapours are a major occupational risk, especially to young women of childbearing age,   and that amalgam is not consistent with modern dentistry; unlike less invasive mercury-free filling materials, amalgam placement requires the removal of a substantial amount of healthy tooth matter, which weakens the tooth structure and can lead to more expensive dental care later. 

Recalling that throughout the Minamata Convention negotiations, the Africa Region worked very hard to make sure that reduction in dental amalgam use specifically be included in the treaty, forcefully arguing for the phase out of amalgam generally and for an end to amalgam in milk teeth specifically.  

Recalling further that at the crucial Pretoria regional consultation, 9th May 2012, the African Region boldly adopted a plan for dental amalgam – the phase-down steps – that coupled with subsequent amendments was enshrined into the treaty.

Applauding that the newly-adopted Minamata Convention on Mercury, the world recognizes that dental amalgam is a major environmental pollutant and requires each participating nation “to phase down the use of dental amalgam.”

Considering the fact that Mercury-free dental restorative materials are far less expensive than dental amalgam when environmental and societal costs are factored in.   

Considering further that the costs of using mercury-free glass ionomers for Atraumatic Restorative Treatment or ART (including retreatment) is about half the cost of amalgam without retreatment, making this mercury-free technique significantly more affordable in low-income communities, particularly in areas without electricity or dental clinics.

Noting that mercury-free dental restorative materials are effective according to the World Health Organization report Future Use of Materials for Dental Restoration, which says “recent data suggest that RBCs [resin-based composites] perform equally well” as amalgam – and offer additional oral health benefits because “Adhesive resin materials allow for less tooth destruction and, as a result, a longer survival of the tooth itself.

Noting further that, this Abuja Declaration falls fully within the spirit of the Libreville Declaration on Health and Environment in Africa (August 2008).

Encouraged by the WHO’s call for funding agencies to take the initiative and encourage the replacement of amalgam as the material of choice for posterior teeth with adhesive systems.”

Regretting the fact that pro-amalgam lobby groups view the Minamata Convention as the chance to profiteer in Africa by actually phasing up amalgam by promoting expensive amalgam equipment, such as separators.  

Cognisant of the fact that, separators have no value in Africa as there is no infrastructure to collect and store the mercury from dental offices. 

Seeing the dangers that is inherent in amalgam and in an effort to curtail it, a stakeholder forum was held in Benin City, Edo State in October, 2017. The forum was put together by Sustainable Environment Development Initiative (SEDI), represented by the Executive Director - Dr. Tom Aneni, with support from World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry (WAMFD), represented by Barr. Charlie Brown. During the stakeholders forum, the following communique and attendant recommendations were made: 

1. Mercury is a chemical of global concern owing to its long range atmospheric transport, its persistence in the environment once anthropogenically introduced and its ability to bio-accumulate in ecosystems. 

2. Exposure to mercury can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, cardiovascular system and immune system, particularly in women, unborn children and infants.

3. Low level of awareness among Nigerians on the dangers of mercury in dental amalgam. 

4. Dental amalgam is still widely used and is the most affordable dental filling material serving the restorative health needs of Nigerians.

5. The limited availability of oral health manpower, service facilities and materials for dental restoration, and the high cost of dental restorative treatment.

6. Limited number of dental clinics and centres to provide services for the Nigeria’s teeming population.

7. Recognition of the negative impacts of mercury on people’s health and the environment led to the adoption and signing of Minamata Treaty by over 128 nations of the world on the 10th October, 2013 at Minamata, Japan. Nigeria has signed but is yet to ratify and become a party to the convention. However, there are efforts to initiate programmes that will ensure significant reduction in mercury use.

8. The convention entered into force on 15th August, 2017 having been ratified by 84 countries. 

9. Alternative direct restorative materials such as composites, compomers and ceramics can be used for restoration of carious and non-carious cavities involving anterior and posterior teeth based on specific selection criteria and indications.

10. Aware that the Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Ministry of Health, UNIDO and other stakeholders have completed the Nigeria Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) report to usher the national implementation of the convention. 

Recommendations 

1. In compliance with the provisions of the Minamata convention, government should initiate a coordinated multi-sectoral approach for an effective phase down of use of dental amalgam in Nigeria.

2. Updating dental schools training curriculum to emphasize mercury-free dentistry.

3. Implementation of a phase down work plan. This must also include legislative review and development of guidelines, gathering baseline data and developing the national overview.

4. Initiation of demonstration projects and application of best available technology and environmental practice in the management of dental amalgam.

5. Promotion of alternatives/transition to alternatives by a concession for imported alternative restorative materials.

6. Engaging the public and media as well as other stakeholders in awareness creation on the health impacts of mercury in dental amalgam and the need for prevention of caries.

7. An urgent need for Nigeria to domesticate the Minamata convention as soon as possible.

The above brought about the Edo State Resolution to end Dental Amalgam for children under 16, pregnant and breastfeeding women as of 1st July 2018.

Africa Theological Institute gets full accreditation

In a bid to promoting high academic standard, the Africa Theological Institute (ATI) has secured a full accreditation from Global Partnership for Theological Accreditation and Mission, South Korea, to offer certifications ranging from Diploma to Master's Degrees in both Evangelism, Missions and Theology.

This was made known recently in Benin by the Rector of the institute- Dr. Sunday Aigbefoh. He said ATI formerly known as Africa Theologian Bible Institute for Global Opportunities, has trained Leaders that are currently doing exploits for the Lord in their various areas of Ministry. 

"One thing that is unique with this institute is that the tuition fee is affordable even to low income earners. This is to give those that are called by God apple opportunity to be trained and certified. 

"One other unique feature of ATI is that the lecturers are well trained in various theological disciplines, and their lecturing style is participatory and highly interactive. That is a communication policy in ATI. This is to make the courses practical in nature.

"We are located in the heart of Ugbowo- 16, Oviasogie Street, opposite Ojo junction, off Uwasota Road, Ugbowo, Benin City. Our dedicated lines include +2348035630262, +2348078272708. Call us and kick-start your theological certification journey, as admission is currently in progress", said Dr. Sunday Aigbefoh.