The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), said that Nigeria would likely witness its first astronomical lunar crescent on Feb.28.

Dr Felix Ale, Director of Media and Corporate Communications of NASRDA, said this in a statement on Saturday.

He said that the lunar crescent had been calculated to occur at 1:45 A.M. West African Time (WAT).

Ale said the predicted time of 1:45 A.M time, also known as the Crescent Zero hour, would be when the crescent could be seen under perfect atmospheric conditions with the aid of optical instruments like binoculars or telescopes.

“The crescent will become visible to the naked eye in the evening of Friday 28th 2025 between 6:17 PM and 7:35 PM across different locations in Nigeria.

“Maiduguri will be the first city to witness the young lunar crescent from 6:17 PM to 6:48 PM, followed by Yola,Adamawa State, from 6:21 PM to 6:51 PM.

“Damaturu, Yobe, will follow from 6:22 PM to 6:53 PM, Kano, Kastina, Jos and Kaduna will experience the first lunar crescent between 6:38pm and 7:12pm.

“The sunset and moon set will occur between 6:35pm and 7:12pm, 6:38pm and 7:15pm, 6:35pm and 7:11pm, 6:40pm and 7:17pm respectively.

“Enugu will experience the lunar crescent between 6:42pm and 7:32pm with sunset and moonset at about 6:42pm and 7:18pm,’’ he said.

He predicted that in the FCT, the first lunar crescent would appear between 6:44pm and 7:15 pm, with sunset and moonset at about 6:44pm and 7:20pm.

The last cities to experience the lunar crescent, he said would be Lagos and Abeokuta between the hours of 6:59pm to 7:30pm.

Ale said that other cities across the federation will experience the lunar crescent at different times within the estimated visibility window of 6:17pm and 7:35pm on same day.

He said “for a clear sighting of the first lunar crescent, observers are to use optical aids where necessary, observe under clear atmospheric conditions.

“Observers are to position themselves in locations with an unobstructed view of the western horizon after sunset,’’

He added that the scientific report provided precise predictions on the lunar crescent across locations of the country.

According to him, the report ensured accuracy for those who relied on lunar observations for religious, cultural, and scientific purposes.

The space agency encouraged researchers, scholars, and religious groups to utilise the findings, adding that anyone requiring additional data for further analyses could visit the official office website on www.nasrda.gov.ng.

Dr Bonaventure Okere, Director, Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy, (CBSSA), an activity centre of NASRDA, said it was regarded as the first stage of the moon, hence the new crescent.

“The Islamic religion use moon phases for their Islamic rites but astronomers study the cycle of the rising and setting of the moon to determine moon days which is usually 28 days.

“Astronomers use the moon cycle to generate Lunar calendar, understand the part of the moon you can see daily,’’ he said. (NAN)

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has predicted haziness from Sunday to Tuesday across the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Saturday in Abuja, envisaged moderate dust haze on Sunday with a horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km over the northern region of the country.

It expected localised visibilities of less than or equal to 1km over parts of Yobe, Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Bauchi, Kaduna, Jigawa and Niger.

It added that parts of Kogi, Kwara and Benue will experience a few clouds in a hazy atmosphere.

According to it, in the southern parts of the country, cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are expected over the entire region with prospects of afternoon or evening.

The agency said that thunderstorms are expected over parts of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo and Delta.

It predicted moderate dust haze on Monday with a horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km over the northern and North Central region of the country.

However, parts of Kogi, Kwara and Benue will experience a few clouds in a hazy atmosphere.

In the southern region, cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are expected over the entire region with prospects of afternoon or evening thunderstorms are expected over parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta

NiMet said moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km is anticipated over the northern and North Central region of the country on Tuesday.

The agency forecast spells of sunshine over the entire region with prospects of afternoon or evening thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo and Delta.

It further said that dust particles are in suspension, urging the public to take necessary precautions.

It advised people with asthmatic health conditions and other respiratory issues to be cautious of the present weather conditions.

The agency also urged airline operators to get airport-specific weather reports from NiMet’s office for effective planning of their operations.

The Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) has sealed Arolat Petrol Station, located along Ayetoro Roundabout Road in Abeokuta, over alleged underground water pollution.

This action follows a petition submitted by the Foursquare Gospel Church, situated beside the petrol station, according to Farouk Akintunde, Special Adviser to the Governor on Environmental Protection.

The petition claimed that the church’s only water source, a well, had been contaminated with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Akintunde stated that the agency’s enforcement team sealed the petrol station to conduct a thorough investigation. The probe will assess the areas affected, the extent of the contamination, and the current status of the underground water.

“As a responsive and responsible agency, the safety and wellbeing of our people is paramount and must not be compromised for any reason,” Akintunde emphasized.

The facility will remain sealed until the investigation is concluded.