News
Ministry Pushes For Walking, Cycling As Safe Means Of Transportation
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Olorunola Olufemi, has emphasised the need for sustainable, safe, and efficient transport modes in response to rapid urbanisation and population growth.
Olufemi highlighted walking and cycling as key components of a healthier and more sustainable urban transport system.
The permanent secretary stated this at a two-day capacity building programme ‘Safer Roads for Pedestrians and Cyclists in Nigeria’ in Abuja, on Thursday.
Olufemi, who was represented by the Deputy Director, of Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration of the Ministry, Akhidenor Cynthia, pointed out that Nigerian cities were predominantly characterised by informal transport systems, which have significant negative impacts on residents’ health, socio-economic status, and the environment.
The permanent secretary, who spoke on the theme ‘Walking and Cycling as tools for unlocking sustainable mobility and development in Nigerian cities‘ stressed the the need to create safer roads for pedestrians and cyclists to improve overall well-being and urban harmony.
He said, “The rapid population growth urbanisation with limited provision of quality transport system to meet the growing need makes it imperative to adopt more sustainable safe and efficient modes of transport which walking and cycling symbolise.
“Our city’s transport landscape is largely dominated by transport informalities with attendant externalities that impact the health, socio-economic and environmental wellbeing of residents.
“Today, we come together with a shared purpose to create a future where our roads are safer for pedestrians and cyclists, ensuring their wellbeing and promoting a sense of harmony in our country.”
He added that the ministry as the lead government agency, has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable transport and implementing various industry reforms.
He introduced the project as part of the efforts by the FG which is aimed to integrate walking and cycling into urban mobility plans.
The organiser of the programme, Chief Executive Officer, of Ochenuell Mobility, Emmanuel John, highlighted the long-standing neglect of cycling as a means of transport due to inadequate attention and development.
John emphasised that the lack of proper infrastructure, limited policy initiatives, and insufficient public awareness have left many people feeling unsafe about cycling on roads.
To address these issues, he said the NGO was introducing a draft for a national cycling policy.
He said, “Generally, cycling has not received the desired attention over the years. For that reason, people seldom use it as a means of transport.
“However, due to the lack of infrastructure, limited policy development, lack of knowledge and public awareness, many people are afraid of cycling on the road because they feel it is unsafe.
“The lack of safety is a function of infrastructure, poor policy implementation, and a poor regulatory enforcement system that will ensure your safety.
“In the course of this programme, we are presenting a draft of the national cycling policy to stakeholders. On June 3, we will present a second draft during a larger stakeholders meeting.”
The project is being carried out as a collaboration between seven Nigerian organisations in collaboration with the United Nations Habitat and the UN Road Safety Trust Fund.
The Nigerian Stakeholders include the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Health, Federal Road Safety Corps, Africa Urban Cycling Organisation, Transportation Growth Initiative, Greenlight Initiative, Driving School Association of Nigeria, and Ochenuell Mobility.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has raised the alarm over threats to her life and the safety of agency staff, calling on authorities to protect them as they navigate hazardous conditions while discharging their duties.
She also advocated for the death penalty for those involved in the production and sale of fake and counterfeit drugs in Nigeria.
Speaking at a State House briefing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, Prof. Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC had recently seized illicit drugs worth over N1 trillion in an ongoing crackdown against substandard and fake pharmaceutical products.
The NAFDAC boss revealed that the agency’s intensified enforcement efforts had resulted in the seizure of 87 truckloads of banned, expired, and substandard medical products. Among the confiscated items were USAID- and UNFPA-donated antiretroviral drugs, male and female condoms, and other compromised medical supplies.
She described the large-scale operation, which targeted Nigeria’s three major open drug markets, as the biggest in NAFDAC’s history. The operation was executed in:
Ariaria and Eziukwu Markets (Aba, Abia State)
Bridge Head Market (Onitsha, Anambra State)
Idumota Drug Market (Lagos State)
Prof. Adeyeye estimated that the value of the seized items was at least N1 trillion, but noted that further assessment could reveal a higher figure.
The NAFDAC DG recounted how staff members had faced kidnapping attempts and physical threats due to their work.
“I told you about the attempted murder about six months ago. One of our staff members in Kano had his child kidnapped because he was doing his job. Fortunately, the child escaped,” she revealed.
“For me, I have two policemen living in my house 24/7 in Abuja and Lagos. I don’t have a life. I can’t go anywhere without police escorts. That’s not my way of living, but I don’t have a choice because we must save our country. Nonetheless, I also use common sense.”
Akunyili’s Legacy and the Battle Against Fake Drugs
The threats facing Prof. Adeyeye mirror those encountered by Prof. Dora Akunyili, who led NAFDAC from 2001 to 2009 and became a target of drug cartels due to her relentless fight against counterfeit drugs.
Akunyili’s motivation stemmed from the death of her sister, who died after receiving fake insulin. Her campaigns led to the closure of open-air drug markets and the confiscation of fake drugs, drawing numerous threats and even an assassination attempt in 2003.
Like Akunyili, Prof. Adeyeye remains determined to eradicate the fake drug menace despite the dangers involved.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized the need for stricter punishments, including the death penalty, for those endangering lives through fake drugs.
She urged the Nigerian government to implement stronger laws to curb the life-threatening trade of counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
NAFDAC continues to intensify its enforcement actions nationwide, with the goal of protecting public health and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited(NNPCL), Mele Kyari, is expected to present the corporation’s position on the tax reform bills before the House of Representatives on Thursday.
Naijablitznews.com reports that Kyari had attended the public hearing on the Tax Reform Bills organised by the House Committee on Finance on Wednesday, but was asked to postpone his presentation.
The Committee Chairman, Rep. James Faleke had directed the suspension after confirming that amendments had been made to Kyari’s memorandum.
As a result, the NNPCL chief will now present the company’s position on Thursday.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has disclosed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) under his leadership, inherited a debt burden of N8.9 billion.
Ganduje revealed this in Abuja while speaking at the ongoing National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the APC
According to him, the expenses incurred during pre-election legal battles, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections
The current NWC inherited debts and legal liabilities to the total tune of N8,987,874,663, arising from various legal engagements,” he stated.
He, however, noted that Prof. Abdul Kareem Kana (SAN), the National Legal Adviser, has been working to reduce the debt burden.
“We still passionately appeal to the National Executive Committee to intervene accordingly,” he pleaded.
The meeting was attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; state governors; NWC members; and other party chieftains.
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