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Manufacturers Urge Lagos to Suspend Ban on Single-Use Plastics

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Single-Use Plastics

By Adedapo Adesanya

As the enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) by the Lagos State government nears, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called for a reconsideration.

The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment recently announced that the ban would take effect from July 1, 2025, as part of broader efforts to tackle the city’s growing environmental pollution challenges.

Now, MAN is warning that the policy, if enforced as planned, could trigger widespread economic, social, and operational disruptions across the manufacturing value chain.

In a statement, MAN cautioned that the proposed measure was not backed by robust data, and lacked adequate consultation with industry players, noting that it could inadvertently worsen unemployment and poverty levels.

“Not a plastic problem, but a waste management failure. It is the failure of plastic waste management that leads to pollution, not the material itself,” said Director General of MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir.

He warned that banning SUPs would not resolve pollution issues but merely substitute one problem for another, especially without scalable alternatives or infrastructure to support the transition.

Citing findings from a study it commissioned, the group of manufacturers warned that the planned ban on single-use plastics could trigger significant job losses and business disruptions across the plastics value chain.

According to MAN, “100 per cent of manufacturers surveyed expressed fears of job losses and workforce restructuring if the ban is implemented.”

Curing more data, MAN said that 89 per cent of participants in the plastics value chain rely on SUPs as their primary source of income; More than 75 per cent of end users, including numerous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), depend on plastic packaging, with no affordable or viable alternatives currently available; 93 per cent of dealers, many of whom are women entrepreneurs, reported having received no prior information about the ban or access to any form of social support to mitigate its impact.

It also noted that recyclers also raised concerns about a potential drop in the availability of plastic feedstock, which could further undermine the performance of their already underutilized plants.

“There is no form of arrangement for social protection for the employees who will lose their livelihoods as a result of this ban,” the association stressed.

MAN thus advocated for a system-oriented and circular economy strategy instead of an outright ban on the single-use-plastics, urging government to invest in recycling infrastructure, including sorting and collection systems.

The organisation also advised the government to support local production of sustainable alternatives and adopt evidence-based policymaking informed by context-specific data.

It said the federal government had already developed a national plastic Action Roadmap and a National Policy on Plastic Waste Management (NPPWM), both of which promote circularity and were developed through inclusive consultations.

Mr Ajayi-Kadir viewed that the ban focuses on the easiest approach to address the issue of plastic pollution rather than the most sustainable approach that gives balanced attention to social, economic, and environmental considerations.

He therefore called for discontinuation of the ban on plastics, noting that it is “a move in the wrong direction.”

“We support the environmental intent of plastic waste management, we however believe this can only be achieved through policies that are inclusive, evidence-based, and sustainably implemented.

“It is out of tune with the reality of our socio-economic situation, and is bereft of more ingenious and beneficial solutions. Quite importantly, the proposed ban is riddled with needless, potentially adverse economic and social impacts on the State and the country.

“The decision is predicated on the unsubstantiated claim that plastics, and especially some single-use plastics (SUPs) are associated with adverse health and environmental impact and therefore need to be banned.”

MAN also alleged that the state is yet to publish any study to substantiate this claim.

“On the contrary, plastic is indeed a versatile and highly durable material that is supporting mankind in various endeavors across industries. It is the failure of management of plastic waste that may result in adverse environmental and social impacts.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today

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Abuja Night of Glory

By Blaise Udunze

Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.

The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.

Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.

Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.

The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.

Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.

Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.

Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.

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Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC

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rivers speaker Martin Amaewhule defect

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.

This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.

The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.

This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.

A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.

Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.

It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.

Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

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Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN

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energy sector

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.

The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.

Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.

According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.

“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.

He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.

Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.

He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.

“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.

On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.

“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.

He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.

Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.

He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.

“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.

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