🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Nestlé Nigeria advocates for collective action in circular economy initiatives
via Punch Nigeria9 min read
Nestlé Nigeria, in collaboration with a nationwide coalition of partners, organized a community sensitization and clean-up campaign across 12 locations to commemorate World Environment Day 2026. The initiative aimed to promote grassroots environmental stewardship and sustainable waste management systems. Victoria Uwadoka, Head of Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, emphasized the need for consistent action from government, the private sector, and communities to address environmental challenges. Adeola Omotunde, Representative of the Minister of Environment and Director of the Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department, highlighted the importance of collaborative action to tackle Nigeria's plastic pollution. The campaign involved 424 volunteers and resulted in the recovery of 4,507.8 kg of solid waste and 48.2 kg of recyclable waste, which were then channeled for appropriate recycling and disposal. The effort sought to instill collective environmental ownership among citizens and foster long-term behavioral change regarding waste disposal.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadHalima Mahdi, the Gombe State and North-East Zonal Coordinator of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All CSACEFA, has condemned the ongoing abduction of schoolchildren in Nigeria. She stated that these attacks on schools pose a significant threat to the future of education in the country. Mahdi's warning comes amidst a resurgence of insecurity, with a recent police report indicating 50 bandit attacks within one week. Pupils, students, and teachers abducted from schools in Borno and Oyo states remain in captivity. Public schools in Oyo State have been closed for about a month due to demands from the Nigerian Union of Teachers for adequate security measures. Mahdi emphasized that the persistent abductions are creating fear, discouraging access to education, and undermining efforts to improve school enrollment and learning outcomes. She warned of severe social and economic consequences if the safety of children and educational institutions is not guaranteed, highlighting the dangerous combination of rising out-of-school children and youth unemployment. Mahdi called on federal, state, and local authorities to intensify efforts to address insecurity, secure the release of abducted children, and prioritize protecting children and ensuring uninterrupted access to education.
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Sweden is nearing its goal of becoming Europe's first smoke-free society, with adult smoking rates at approximately 5.6 percent. This achievement is attributed to a public health strategy focused on tobacco harm reduction, which distinguishes between combustible and non-combustible nicotine products. Many nicotine users in Sweden have transitioned from cigarettes to reduced-risk alternatives, such as snus, a traditional smokeless tobacco product. This shift has led to Sweden having the lowest smoking prevalence in Europe and among the lowest incidences of smoking-related illnesses, including lung cancer. The Swedish experience challenges the assumption that meaningful progress in tobacco control can only come from complete cessation, demonstrating that significant public health gains can be achieved when adult smokers switch to reduced-risk alternatives. This approach provides lower-risk options for individuals who may not quit immediately or entirely, leading to reduced exposure and improved health outcomes. The success in Sweden also underscores the importance of informed choice, where individuals, understanding the relative risks, opt for lower-risk products. While the World Health Organization maintains that all tobacco and nicotine products carry health risks, Sweden's trajectory suggests a need for a more nuanced, evidence-based approach that acknowledges the continuum of risk across nicotine products. Sweden's success is rooted in a pragmatic alignment of science, beha