Metro
World Environment Day: Stakeholders at Unity Bank Webinar Demand Urgent Action on Plastic Pollution
Environmental activists and climate change advocates seized the opportunity of a webinar hosted by Unity Bank to call for urgent and coordinated action to tackle Nigeria’s growing plastic pollution crisis, describing it as one of the greatest environmental threats facing the country today.
The call was made at the event marking this year’s World Environment Day facilitated by Unity Bank’s Sustainability Team to fashion out innovative strategies to curb plastic pollution in Nigeria in line with this year’s global theme: “Ending Plastic Pollution.”
In his remarks, Mr. Usman Abdulkadir, Executive Director, Risk Management, Unity Bank Plc, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to sustainability, adding that issues like plastic pollution carry deep risk implications for businesses and communities.
“Environmental degradation is increasingly a business risk, not just a corporate social concern,” Mr. Abdulkadir stated. “We must all begin to view environmental stewardship as a duty that cuts across sectors – finance, government, industry, and civil society. Unity Bank remains committed to integrating ESG principles into its risk frameworks and sustainability agenda.”
Guest speakers included leading waste management entrepreneurs and environmental activists such as Sunday Kolawole Sholanke, Co-founder/CEO of PETsPoint Recycling Nigeria, and Omoh Alokwe, Co-founder/CEO of Street Waste Company Limited.
Speaking at the Webinar, Mr. Sholanke decried the alarming volume of plastic waste in Nigeria, putting estimates on the country’s waste generation to about 596 million metric tonnes annually, with 88% of it neither reclaimed nor recycled.
“Nigeria ranks as the 9th highest contributor to global plastic pollution. Much of Nigeria’s plastic waste ends up in landfills, drainage systems, and water bodies, causing extensive environmental damage and posing serious health risks,” he explained.
He also shared startling global statistics: “Over one million plastic bottles and 10 million plastic bags are produced every minute. In 2020 alone, eight million tons of plastic bottles were produced globally, with less than 30% collected and under 10% recycled. The rest is dumped, burned, or abandoned in the environment, worsening risks of flooding, climate disruption, and disease.”
He identified poor waste management culture, low public awareness, and lack of community collection infrastructure as major factors aggravating the Nigeria’s plastic waste crisis.
Calling on the financial services sector to be more proactive, Sholanke urged Banks to invest in green financing by increasing access to affordable credit for green businesses and eco-friendly initiatives.
Also speaking, Omoh Alokwe emphasized the role of regulators in strengthening enforcement and updating policy frameworks to reduce harmful practices that fuel the global plastic crisis.
Also speaking in the same vain, Mr. Ibukun Coker, Head of Strategy and Innovation at Unity Bank Plc emphasized the Bank’s commitment to sustainable practices and environmental protection, highlighting the role of the financial sector in driving meaningful change.
“Plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue, it is an economic and public health crisis,” said Mr. Coker.
“At Unity Bank, we believe that sustainability should be more than a policy; it must be embedded in how we operate, the projects we finance, and the partnerships we build.”
The webinar offered a platform for robust dialogue around sustainable actions and innovative solutions that can mitigate the escalating threat of plastic pollution and promote environmental protection.
Unity Bank has consistently championed environmental causes, including its annual Earth Day partnerships with non-profits such as RESWAYE to clean the Royal Beach in Elegushi, Lagos, part of its mission to protect marine ecosystems. In its most recent Earth Day campaign, the Bank challenged every staff member across 32 states to plant a tree in their locality, driving a grassroots reforestation movement and reinforcing environmental awareness.
In a bold move to promote safety consciousness and drive national development through strategic security collaboration, TochLight Africa, a niche news platform addressing issues on safety and security, is set to hold its maiden edition of The Tochlight Africa Safety Summit and Award (TASS2025), scheduled to hold on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the prestigious LCCI Conference & Exhibition Center, located at 10, Nurudeen Olowopopo Street, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
Ms. Fanayajo Ranti, publisher of TheTochlightAfrica.com and convener of the event stated that TASS2025 aims to gather key stakeholders across the national security architecture, emergency response agencies, civil society, corporate institutions, community leaders, and policy influencers under one roof for strategic dialogue, recognition, and action.
“TASS2025 is not just a summit, it’s a clarion call to Nigerians to elevate the culture of safety and security. Our progress as a nation is deeply tied to how safe our environment is for business, education, governance, and daily life”, she added.
With the theme, “Bridging Security Gaps for a Safety-Conscious Society: A Holistic Approach”, the summit will tackle pressing issues affecting safety in Nigeria while proposing integrated solutions for sustainable peace, protection of lives and property, and national growth.
The event will feature panel discussions by top security experts and agency heads; Workshops on best practices in safety management; Exhibitions by emergency, safety and technology partners, and an awards ceremony honoring institutions and individuals championing safety and security in their sectors.
Expected attendees include senior representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, FRSC, NDLEA, Fire Service, private security firms, and safety-focused NGOs, among others.
TASS2025 promises to be a high-impact convergence of minds and missions, inspiring actionable outcomes toward building a more resilient and secure Nigeria.
For media enquiries, partnership, or participation:
Email: thetorchlightafrica.gmail.com
Phone: 08067872858
Website: www.thetorchlightafrica.com
#TASS2025 #SafetyFirst #TochlightAfrica #NationalDevelopment
Together, let’s build a safer Nigeria.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has announced the arrest of 28 persons suspected to be masterminds of the killings in Yelwata, Benue State.
Addressing a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the IGP said the police are on the heels of other suspects who participated in the Yelwata killings that led to the death of 47 persons.
He assured Nigerians that the police are not overwhelmed as they are mopping up light and small weapons illegally acquired by some persons.
Egbetokun added that the police is also intensifying its border patrols in order to curtail the influx of irregular migrants into the country.
The IGP added that the arrested suspects will be arraigned in court soon including the 22 suspects who were arrested in Jos over the gruesome murder of nine persons travelling to Quanpan for a wedding.
The IGP clarified that out of the 28 arrested persons, 2 have been cleared as they were only used as bait to arrest the 26 suspected masterminds.
On Sunday, the joint security services in Benue State announced the arrest of suspects linked to the Yelwata attack.
The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Emenari Ifeanyi, who made the announcement at a press briefing didn’t disclose the identity of the suspects.
The reported arrests followed President Bola Tinubu’s Wednesday order that service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) arrest those behind the dastardly attack.
“Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,” Tinubu had charged the IGP during his visit to Benue last Wednesday.
“Christopher (the Chief of Defence Staff), you have given much. I watch your comments, you can’t be tired of staying in the bush. Oloyede and the Air Marshal, we thank all of you, but we need to keep our ears to the ground, let’s get those criminals, let’s get them out. DG NIA, DG SSS, retool your information channels and let’s have tangible intelligence so that this will not occur again.”
Gunmen, suspected to be herders, had last week attacked the Yelwata community in the Guma Local Government Area of the food-producing state, leaving many dead and thousands of others displaced.
The police in Lagos State have finally arrested the most feared and wanted hired killer, Wasiu Akinwande aka Olori Eso, signposting a major breakthrough in the fight against violent crimes.
The 44-year-old suspect, described as a “vicious and notorious” cultist kingpin and the head of a deadly killer gang, was captured on June 20, 2025, in a well-coordinated special operation by the Command’s Tactical Squad operatives.
Announcing the arrest in a statement on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, described Akinwande as “the most wanted suspect in Lagos history in recent time.”
Hundeyin said the operation that led to his arrest was carried out with precision after months of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
He noted that the suspect was finally apprehended at his hideout in the Agbado area of Ogun State after managing to evade arrest for years by fleeing across State lines.
“For over a decade now, from 2009 until 2024, Wasiu Akinwande and his gangs have terrorised the people and communities, particularly in the Mushin area of Lagos State,” Hundeyin said.
“He was responsible for organising and executing series of armed robberies, cold-blooded murders, kidnappings and cult-related killings,” he added.
The suspect’s reign of terror reportedly instilled fear and panic among residents of Mushin and its environs.
The police described his arrest as a significant victory in its campaign against violent crime and a testament to its resolve to ensure justice for victims.
Following his arrest, police operatives raided his residence in Mushin, where a cache of arms and ammunition was discovered.
According to the police, Akinwande admitted that the weapons were used in his numerous operations.
Items recovered from the premises included multiple assault rifles, pump-action guns, pistols, magazines, live ammunition of various calibres, a dagger, walkie-talkies, and nine international passports belonging to different individuals.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), to lead a team of specially selected detectives to expand the investigation and track down other members of Akinwande’s gang.
At least four families have already come forward to identify the suspect as the man responsible for the deaths of their children and wards, adding to the growing list of allegations against him.
In his reaction, CP Jimoh commended the operatives involved in the operation, describing their efforts as a demonstration of courage, professionalism, and dedication.
“We are proud of the operatives who risked their lives to bring this violent fugitive to justice. Lagosians can sleep a little easier knowing this killer is off the streets,” he said.
The Commissioner reassured the public that the safety and security of Lagos residents remain the Command’s top priority.
“The Lagos State Police Command remains steadfast in its mission to make Lagos a no-go area for criminals and ensure the safety and security of all Lagosians and visitors alike,” Jimoh said.
The police said Akinwande is currently in police custody under tight security and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The police have also appealed to members of the public to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and credible information that will aid crime-fighting efforts across the State.
