SA News

CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has welcomed the commissioning of Nigeria’s first dedicated Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) treatment facility, describing it as a major milestone in the country’s chemicals and waste management framework. The facility, inaugurated on December 18, 2025, in Abuja, was established under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In a statement issued on Monday, CAPPA said the facility represents a significant step towards addressing the long-standing challenge of managing hazardous chemical wastes in Nigeria, particularly persistent organic pollutants such as PCBs. Polychlorinated biphenyls are toxic chemical substances known for their environmental persistence, bioaccumulation and long-range transport. CAPPA noted that PCBs have been scientifically ...

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has expressed solidarity with millions of people affected by cancer worldwide, while urging Nigerian authorities to confront the growing link between cancer and the country’s broken food system. In a statement to mark the World Cancer Day 2026, themed “United by Unique,” the public interest organisation warned that cancer is no longer a distant threat in Nigeria but a rapidly growing public health crisis.  It cited figures from the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment showing that the country records no fewer than 72,000 cancer-related deaths and over 120,000 new cases annually. CAPPA noted that while genetic and environmental factors contribute to cancer risk, mounting evidence increasingly links the rise in colorectal, breast and prostate cancers to unhealthy diets, ultra-processed foods, and the way food is produced, marketed and consumed in Nigeria. The organisation therefore called on federal ...

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on Nigerian policymakers to urgently regulate the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages, warning that weak oversight is allowing corporate interests to undermine public health, particularly during festive periods. Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos while presenting a new report titled Unhealthy Food Hijack of Festive Periods in Nigeria, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said incremental policy responses were no longer sufficient given Nigeria’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases. Oluwafemi noted that food and beverage companies increasingly exploit festive periods such as Christmas and New Year to aggressively promote sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods, embedding them in cultural and religious celebrations through advertising, sponsorships, and branded donations. He warned that reliance on industry self-regulation has failed, describing it as largely cosmetic and ineffecti...

The Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) has congratulated the Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin, on his promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), describing the advancement as a recognition of professionalism and effective public communication. In a statement signed by its President, Olalekan Olabulo, the association said ACP Hundeyin’s elevation reflects his role in strengthening engagement between the Police and the public through transparent and responsible information management. CRAN noted that during his tenure as Force Public Relations Officer, Hundeyin demonstrated a balanced approach to security communication, ensuring operational sensitivity while promoting the public’s right to accurate and timely information. The association also commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for approving the promotion, stating that the decision underscores the Police leadership’s commitment ...

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its zero tolerance for traffic violations following the arrest of a Dangote truck driver involved in a serious head-on collision along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway that left three passengers critically injured. According to a statement by Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, the crash occurred at Mosafejo-Aradagun when the articulated truck reportedly attempted an illegal U-turn and collided with an oncoming commercial Mazda bus.  Taofiq confirmed that the impact caused severe injuries to three male passengers, who were rescued and rushed to a General Hospital for urgent medical care. He said officials of LASTMA working in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), swiftly secured the scene, apprehended the truck driver, and coordinated the evacuation of the accident vehicles to prevent further disruption and secondary crashes. The Special Ad...

FCTA's Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a stern warning to public and private healthcare facilities across the territory, vowing to impose sanctions on any institution found negligent in the management of snakebite cases. The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, said in a statement that the Administration would no longer tolerate breaches of approved clinical protocols, especially in cases involving medical emergencies that are largely preventable with timely and appropriate care. Speaking against the backdrop of the recent death of Ms. Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene from neurotoxic complications following a snakebite, Dr. Fasawe described the incident as a painful reminder of the consequences of delayed or inadequate medical response. She stressed that all snakebite cases must be treated as medical emergencies and presumed veno...