Former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has shared shocking details of how Oluwaseun Ogunbambo, a businessman, defrauded the Nigerian government of N3.7 billion through petrol subsidy fraud. In his book titled The Shadow of Loot & Losses: Uncovering Nigeria’s Petroleum Subsidy Fraud, Bawa explained how Ogunbambo used fake documents to collect money meant for importing fuel. According to Bawa, Ogunbambo claimed he imported petrol, but the fuel never existed. He forged shipping documents and presented them to the government to receive payments. Ogunbambo, who was the managing director of Fargo Petroleum and Gas Ltd, was declared wanted by the EFCC in 2013. He was charged with collecting N976.6 million fraudulently. While the case was still in court, he jumped bail and fled the country. Bawa said Ogunbambo had multiple identities and was also wanted in other countries like Ireland, the UK, and the USA. The book also talks about how fuel subsidy fraud has been a major problem in...
## World Environment Day 2025: It's Time to #BeatPlasticPollution
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Every year on June 5th, World Environment Day serves as a global rallying cry, uniting millions across over 150 countries to address the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. For 2025, the message is loud and clear, and profoundly urgent: **"Beat Plastic Pollution."**
This year, the Republic of Korea takes the lead as the host nation for the global celebrations, putting a spotlight on a crisis that has infiltrated every corner of our planet, from the deepest oceans to the very air we breathe and the food we eat.
**Why Plastic Pollution? Because It's Everywhere.**
The choice of "Beat Plastic Pollution" as the theme for World Environment Day 2025 is not arbitrary. For decades, plastic has seeped into our ecosystems, fragmenting into microplastics that are now found in human arteries, lungs, brains, and even breast milk. The numbers are staggering: an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic environments each year, and the annual social and environmental cost of plastic pollution ranges between a staggering US$300 billion and US$600 billion.
Plastic pollution exacerbates the triple planetary crisis: climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. It chokes wildlife, contaminates our food chains, and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions throughout its lifecycle – from production to disposal.
**A Global Problem with Global Solutions**
The good news is that plastic pollution, while a monumental challenge, is also one of the most fixable. This year's World Environment Day aims to mobilize communities worldwide to implement and advocate for solutions. It's about driving momentum to **refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink plastics use.**
The timing is particularly significant as countries are making progress towards securing a global plastic pollution treaty. The Republic of Korea, as host, is already a leader in tackling plastic waste through its full life-cycle plastic strategy, which aims to address every stage from production and design to consumption, reuse, and recycling. Their commitment, along with efforts like Jeju Province's vision to be plastic pollution-free by 2040, showcases that comprehensive and decisive action is possible.
**What Can We Do?**
World Environment Day 2025 is more than just a day of awareness; it's a call to action for lasting solutions. Here are ways we can all contribute to beating plastic pollution:
* **Refuse Single-Use Plastics:** Say no to plastic bags, straws, disposable coffee cups, and excessive packaging.
* **Reduce Your Consumption:** Be mindful of your purchases and opt for products with minimal or no plastic packaging.
* **Reuse What You Can:** Invest in reusable bottles, bags, containers, and cutlery.
* **Recycle Properly:** Understand your local recycling guidelines and ensure you're separating plastics correctly. Support initiatives that expand recycling infrastructure.
* **Rethink Your Habits:** Challenge the convenience of plastic and explore innovative, sustainable alternatives.
* **Advocate for Change:** Support policies and businesses that are committed to a circular economy for plastics. Engage in discussions, sign petitions, and demand greater accountability from producers.
**The Power of Collective Action**
As UN Secretary-General António Guterres aptly stated, "Plastic pollution is choking our planet... Yet there is a movement for urgent change." World Environment Day 2025 reminds us that real change comes from everyone – through markets, consumer choices, policy incentives, and finance flows.
Let's join the #BeatPlasticPollution movement. Together, we can create a healthier future, ensuring cleaner oceans, thriving ecosystems, and a sustainable planet for generations to come. Your actions, no matter how small, contribute to this vital global effort.
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