FIC REPORT (BENUE STATE) – The Head of the Federal Information Centre (FIC), Makurdi, Benue State, Mrs. Irene Iveren Onehi, has assured the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) of the Centre’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the agency in promoting environmental awareness and ensuring effective dissemination of credible environmental information to the public.
Mrs. Onehi gave the assurance on Thursday, 27th August 2026, when the Benue State Field Office of NESREA paid a courtesy visit to the management of the Federal Information Centre at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Makurdi.
She said the Federal Information Centre was committed to working with federal establishments and other relevant stakeholders in the dissemination of government information and public enlightenment, noting that stronger collaboration with NESREA would contribute significantly to environmental protection, public awareness and the overall well-being of residents of Benue State.
According to her, the Centre would assign an Information Officer to cover NESREA programmes and activities whenever necessary. She also encouraged the agency to invite the Centre to participate in relevant radio and television programmes to further broaden the reach of environmental information.
Mrs. Onehi appreciated NESREA for initiating the collaboration and provided the agency with the Centre’s official website, encouraging its officials to regularly access it for government news and information. She also presented a copy of the FGNConnect magazine to the visiting team.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of NESREA, Benue State Field Office, Mr. Adamu Majasty, called for a stronger partnership with the Federal Information Centre to enhance environmental information dissemination and public enlightenment across the state.
Mr. Majasty said the visit was aimed at fostering greater understanding, collaboration and synergy between NESREA and the Federal Information Centre, particularly in the areas of environmental information dissemination, media engagement and public education.
He explained that NESREA, an environmental regulatory agency under the Federal Ministry of Environment, was established by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act No. 25 of 2007, as amended in 2018, with the mandate to protect the environment through ecosystem conservation, pollution control, environmental education and sustainable waste management.
The State Coordinator added that the agency was responsible for enforcing compliance with environmental laws, guidelines, policies, standards and regulations in Nigeria, as well as relevant international environmental agreements, protocols, conventions and treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.
He identified pollution control and monitoring, environmental compliance inspections and enforcement, public education, and complaint handling as some of the major areas through which NESREA carries out its mandate in Benue State.
According to him, NESREA continuously monitors and controls land, air, water and noise pollution arising from commercial, industrial and human activities. The agency also conducts environmental compliance inspections on facilities and development projects to ensure adherence to established environmental standards.
Mr. Majasty stressed that stronger collaboration among government institutions, the media, state ministries, federal agencies and community organisations would improve environmental governance and make public sensitisation efforts more effective.
He noted that effective communication and sustained public awareness were essential to achieving the desired impact of environmental laws and regulations, describing the Federal Information Centre as a strategic partner in NESREA’s public enlightenment efforts.
He further proposed closer cooperation in information dissemination and media engagement through the sharing of verified environmental information, press releases, public service announcements, educational materials and other relevant content on environmental issues.
The State Coordinator also called for joint efforts to promote government environmental programmes and policies, ensuring that relevant initiatives were clearly explained to citizens and that public feedback was channelled to the appropriate authorities.
Mr. Majasty emphasised that the visit should mark the beginning of sustained institutional engagement rather than a one-off encounter. He assured the management of the Federal Information Centre of NESREA’s readiness to collaborate on initiatives that would advance environmental awareness, compliance and sustainable environmental practices in Benue State.
Bridget Udoo Tarker
For: Head of Centre
FIC makurdi.
