By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A notable cement maker in Nigeria, Lafarge Africa Plc, has scaled up action to beat plastic pollution through circular economy.

The company, in commemoration of World Environment Day 2025, reaffirmed its commitment to tackling Nigeria’s plastic waste crisis.

In a statement, Lafarge Africa said one of its strategies of addressing the waste pollution is by adopting scalable and circular economy practices across its host communities in Lagos, Sagamu, Ewekoro, Ashaka and Mfamosing.

Another is by designing impactful initiatives and engaging in vital awareness campaigns on waste segregation and PET bottle recycling, demonstrating how plastic waste can be recycled and transformed into useful items.

During this year’s World Environment Day themed Beat Plastic Pollution, the cement miller held environmental sensitization campaigns at its Ashaka and Ewekoro factories.

It also carried out tree planting activities in communities like Lapeleke in Ogun State and Mfamosing in Cross River State to support ecosystem restoration and climate action efforts, as well as a clean-up exercise at the community markets.

“At Lafarge Africa, we have never believed in doing business at the expense of the environment. We continue to rethink our processes, invest in innovation, and ensure that sustainability remains at the core of our strategy.

“I am proud to say that we continue to lead the way in circular economy solutions through Geocycle,” the chief executive of Lafarge Africa, Mr Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said.

On her part, the Director of Health, Safety and Environment at Lafarge Africa, Ms Rachael Ezembakwe, said, “We are focused on minimizing our footprint and ensuring that our operations do not become a burden to the communities we serve.”

“Let us all remember that we are protecting the environment not just for ourselves, but for the future of our children,” she said.

Delivering the keynote address, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Ms Titilayo Oshodi, noted that while Lagos State government continues to drive waste reforms through education, behavioural change and recycling incentives, partnerships with companies like Lafarge Africa are essential to scaling impact.

In the same vein, the Commissioner for Environment in Cross River State, Mr Moses Osogi, expressed gratitude to Lafarge Africa for its continued commitment to protecting the environment; acknowledging the company’s numerous initiatives to help create healthier, more resilient communities for present and future generations.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Employees of a leading telecommunications provider, Airtel Nigeria, recently cleaned up the Elegushi Model Market, Jakande, Lekki, Lagos, as part of activities to mark the 2025 World Environmental Week themed Ending Plastic Pollution.

This initiative, supported by the Ecobarter Company and carried out under the #UnPlasticAfrica campaign, spanned six states of the federation, with Airtel employees, community leaders, government partners, and market communities mobilised in a united effort to combat plastic pollution.

With the Lagos market cleanup, Airtel staff and community members joined forces to remove plastic waste and sensitize the locals on individual contributions towards a plastic-free environment.

To support sustainability and align with Lagos State’s ban on single-use plastic, large bins for refuse sorting as well as parasols, and reusable tote with #UnPlasticAfrica messaging were distributed to traders and their customers in the market to encourage behavioural change.

Recall that the Airtel Nigeria World Environment Week campaign began on June 4 with an employee seminar led by Mr Balsingh, followed by market clean-up exercises at Bodija Market, Oyo State; Oba Market, Benin City, Edo State; Wuse Market, Abuja; Artisan Market, Enugu State; Yankaba Market, Kano State; and finally, Elegushi Model Market, Jakande, Lagos.

“True environmental care starts with action: keeping our gutters and surroundings clean and ensuring that plastic waste never finds its way into our canals and waterways.

“The Elegushi market community has shown remarkable leadership by welcoming this initiative, and we are proud to have partnered with them to make a tangible difference as we commemorate World Environment Day 2025.

“We believe that this effort will spark a ripple effect, inspiring communities across the nation to take bold steps towards a cleaner, healthier Nigeria,” the chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, stated at the clean-up exercise.

Also, the Director of Corporate Communications and CSR at Airtel Nigeria, Mr Femi Adeniran, highlighted the critical importance of community participation in safeguarding the environment and commended the market leadership for their openness and commitment to such impactful initiatives.

In her remarks, the president of the Elegushi Model Market Traders’ Association, Mrs Simbiat Ronke Lawal, thanked “Airtel Nigeria and all the volunteers for coming to our market to help clean and support us.”

“This has really helped us and made our market a better place. We are incredibly happy and promise to sustain what you have started here today,” she grinned cheerfully.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder have dismantled five new illegal refining sites in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State.

It was disclosed that the sites used for illegal bunkering activities in the area had 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs and 55 dugout pits containing approximately 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 83,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 20,000 litres of illegally refined kerosene.

The Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, disclosed that the operation against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities at ONELGA was conducted on June 14, 2025, by NNS Pathfinder’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team.

According to him, “On June 14, 2025, the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder successfully conducted an operation against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni general area.

“The NNS Pathfinder’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team, acting on credible intelligence, deployed personnel and assets to conduct anti-crude oil theft and illegal bunkering operations within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni general area.”

The Commander explained that during the operation, the team discovered a newly activated illegal refining site.

According to him, “The team identified and dismantled 5 illegal refining sites with 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs and 55 dugout pits containing approximately 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 83,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO and 20,000 litres of illegally refined kerosene.”

“The products were handled in accordance with anti-crude oil theft procedures. No arrests were made as the perpetrators fled upon sighting the patrol team,” he added.

Commodore Aniaku has, however, restated that the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, remains committed to combating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities, which he noted pose significant threats to the nation’s economy and energy security.