Book review: Oil on the brain

In short

>> A national debate on the energy reform project started in the Mexican Senate on May 13. The debate, which will run for 71 days, will not only involve legislators and political leaders, but also experts from universities, NGOs and technicians from industries. >> Following the federal court's direction, the US government has listed the polar bear as "threatened species" under the Endangered Species Act. The polar bear becomes the first species protected due to climate change.

Africa gets substandard malaria drugs

A recent study has found that substandard anti-malarial drugs are being distributed in six African countries--Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Use of these drugs may develop resistance in the pathogen. The study led by Africa FIghting Malaria, an NGO, suggests financial resources should be used for post-market surveillance of antimalarial drug quality.

Nigeria shuts down private hospitals

In a move to improve and regulate the healthcare system in Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria, the state government has shut down 184 private hospitals, clinics and laboratories. Private facilities, which represented seven per cent of the total number of hospitals in Lagos, failed to meet basic standards of hygiene and staff training. Authorities say the move is to check corruption and mismanagement in private hospitals. Private clinic owners, however, say people depend on their clinics due to a decline in the standard of the public healthcare system.

Invasive weeds threaten Nigeria

A species of cattail grass, Typha australis, is taking over river banks and farmlands in the wetlands of Nigeria's Jigawa state, disrupting farming and fishing activities, said the state environment commissioner Yusuf Mato while releasing a feasibility study on the control strategy of the weed.

Nigeria slaps heavy duties on old computers

To avoid being turned into a dumping ground for e-waste, the Nigerian government has decided to slap duties on old computers imported for spare parts. Much of the unwanted material is dumped. It is toxic waste. The decision was made at the federal executive council's meeting in Abuja.

Meningitis outbreak begins in West Africa

The government of Uganda has confirmed the outbreak of the deadly meningitis bacterium in the country. On January 16, health officials said that 121 people are suffering from the disease in Arua and Nebbi districts alone; three have already succumbed to it.

In Court

Nigeria sues Tobacco company:

Eviction in Nigeria on hold

Residents of waterfront villages around Nigeria's oil capital Port Harcourt are relieved as a plan to demolish their homes has been shelved, following the dismissal of the governor of the oil rich Rivers State.

In court

for sanitation offenders: The state government of Lagos, Nigeria, has set up a sanitation court, which will prosecute offenders arrested for violating the state environmental sanitation exercise. The government has deployed two state counsels and two state prosecutors to prosecute sanitation law offenders. The state is also planning to set up five additional mobile courts in this connection. Offences could be any form of environmental pollution such as those concerning noise, water, air, littering or erecting posters and billboards without necessary approval.