The Lagos State Government has begun the enforcement of the ban on Single-Use Plastics, SUPs, below 40 microns across the state.

The Commissioner For Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this at a news conference on Tuesday in Lagos.

Wahab said any store found storing or selling the SUPs would be sealed, warning everyone to desist from such the act.

“There will be no going back from July 1 on the enforcement of the ban of single use plastics, which is less than 40 microns in Lagos State.

“LASG has put in place different enforcement strategies to effect this ban. However, these strategies will not be disclosed yet.

“Let me also emphasise that any market or store that is found storing or engaging in the sale and distribution of the SUPs less than 40 microns will be sealed up and items confiscated.

“The offenders will be punished according to the environmental laws of Lagos State,” he said.

The commissioner said there had been a lot of awareness on the ban by the ministry.

“When we announced the ban of styrofoam food containers in January 2024, we also informed everyone that starting from January 2025, certain categories of SUPs will be banned.

“By January 2025, after a series of meetings and representations with concerned stakeholders, the state gave another grace of six months, which expired today.

“Many, however, believed that the state government will succumb to pressure and blackmail laced with half truths to consider another shift in date. This will not happen,” he said.

He added that the decision on the ban was majorly because of the safety and well-being of Lagos residents, which would not be compromised.

“We do not intend to join issues with any group or association who are only selfishly interested in profiteering.

“It is a no-brainer that no jobs will be lost during this transition while more jobs will be created when the producers and distributors decide to embrace the safe options which will also ensure a sustainable environment.

“Lagos State has not banned the production of all the categories of plastics, however, producers and distributors of the banned items in the state have the option of selling them outside our state.

“For the avoidance of doubt, here are items affected by the ban and the reasons for the ban: styrofoam packs: banned due to their harmful environmental impacts, plastic straws: prohibited to reduce plastic wastes and promote sustainability,” he said.

Others, according to him, are disposable plastic cups and cutlery and lightweight nylon bags, banned to minimise plastic pollution in the environment.

“If after an 18 month moratorium, the producers have not been able to embrace alternatives to SUPs, it only means they have no intention of complying.

“LASG, known to embrace best practices, will not shirk its responsibilities to its residents and has joined the list of countries and states that have banned these categories of plastics.

“Lagos as a coastal state realises the enormous dangers that styrofoam packs and SUPs of less than 40 microns cause on our drainage channels and ecosystem.

“This causes blockades, compelling the government to channel funds that should be deployed for provision of other social services to clearing of debris from our drains,” he said.

He said the ban would move the state toward the realisation of reduction of the quantum of waste generated in the state and at different landfill sites.

Anambra State government has said that it will issue a code of conduct and operation to all security agencies operated by the government to ensure civility at all times.

The Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor stated this after the 13th Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) Meeting, which took place at the Light House, Awka, on Monday.

The code of conduct and operation for the security operatives follows recent complaints about rights abuse by some operatives of the various agencies.

Recently, operatives of Agunechemba, the state operated security agency, while going after suspected criminals shot and killed a girl in a community in Anambra State.

In a move to curb such unethical conduct, the state government said in addition to the code of operation and conduct for the operatives, it has also organized trainings to polish them on how they should operate.

Mefor said: “Recognising the need for enhanced security and service delivery, the council (ANSEC) gave the state’s enforcement agencies—including Agunechemba, Ocha Brigade, and the Anti-Touts Squad high marks for their performance.

“However, to strengthen their capabilities and guarantee more accountability and responsive enforcement across all sectors, it was reported that further training for the operatives had begun, and a Code of Conduct would be issued for all operatives after the training.”

The Council also awarded some contracts, including; the approval of the sum of N253,167,28.13 for the construction of Onwurah Street, beside Township Stadium, Awka, by the Anambra Road Management Agency (ARMA).

The newly constructed Solution Market and Park, Ekwulobia, was also scheduled for commissioning on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The project is part of the Soludo government’s urban regeneration of the major cities in the state.

Legendary music icon Innocent idibia, better known as 2Face, has spoken about his decision to end his marriage to Annie after being together for over a decade.

In a recent interview on the 234 Mzansi Podcast hosted by Nedu, 2Face shared that he and Annie had given their best efforts to save the marriage, but ultimately decided to part ways.

While declining to discuss the specific reason for their separation publicly, he described Annie as an amazing woman. He emphasised that no one should feel pressured to stay in an unhappy union.

The music icon also noted that individuals should not allow societal expectations to dictate their feelings, stating that forcing a relationship that is not working can lead to unnecessary suffering.

He said: “I think both of us gave it our best. And why we’re not together today is not something I’m going to talk about publicly.

“Me and her have our own understanding. She’s amazing, it just wasn’t working no more. Something wey una get before wey no dey again, that’s why I said I won’t talk about it here.

“I think you should try to fix your marriage but if it’s beyond that, I don’t think anybody should force anything. Only people in the marriage know exactly what they’re feeling.

“It’s always good not to torture yourself, and not to allow society or people to dictate your feelings. Because this thing called ‘living in bondage’ is real and many people have gone to their grave very sad people.

“So for me, if it’s obvious that people cannot work things out then I don’t think anybody should force themselves to be together.”

2Face’s explanation stirred mixed reactions among netizens – while some applauded the music star, others accused him of being a serial cheat and talking too much.

Here are some of the reactions below:

@divine_neny wrote, “He cant even say or place a finger on what she did to him. Annie loved him too much”

@t_e_s_s_y123 commented, “Oh shes amazing now? Nice you saying the truth about your ex, as it should be. Annie’s crime was loving someone else more than herself. We can all learn from their story, women you cannot love a man more than he loves you”

@rejioce.johnson.12 reacted, “Stay with your new wife oo, even if Annie’s at fault we are happy that shes no longer in the marriage. Let her choose herself for once. Annie deserves love not a serial cheat that will make her look like she is the problem”

@belleglamchic said, “Why him dey jump from one interview to another since”

@agentvic_ wrote, “To those bashing him for what he said, you would have collected the mic and helped him talk better now, since you were with him in the marriage, if he had said she is terrible they would still attack him. He spoke well and decided not to give them the regular negativity they wanted to hear and humans are still bashing him. Everything is not by force, it did not work out and that is it. Learn to allow people to make their choices”

@favsgold_declutter said, “May we not love who will leave us halfway in life, Amen”

Recall that 2Face, who recently started a new relationship with Edo lawmaker Natasha Osawaru after announcing his divorce earlier this year, caused a stir on social media with his assertion that men cannot be with just one woman.