Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

November 7, 2011

Adamawa

The Fadama III Office in Mubi South Local Government Council Area of Adamawa has registered 2,740 farmers, says the Desk Officer, Ms Lydia Solomon.

Solomon told Tide source in Mubi on Monday that the programme had also registered 137 Fadama User Groups (FUGs) since its inception in the area.

She said that the programme had embarked on sensitisation campaign to educate communities and promote participation in the programme.

“We embarked on grassroots mobilisation to create awareness and educate communities on how to participate in the programme.

“The campaign focuses on training the benefitting communities on how to draw up proposal for projects and ensure effective utilisation of funds,” Lydia said.

The desk officer urged communities in the area to form associations to enable them to benefit from various facilities under the programme.

Bauchi

Bauchi State Government plans to distribute 20 ambulances and 20 tri-cycles, popularly called “Keke NAPEP,” to some maternity centres, through the MDGs.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Isa Yuguda on MDGs, Hajiya Hajara Yakubu-Wanka, made the announcement on Monday while inspecting some projects in Alkaleri, Kirfi and Bauchi Local Government Areas.

She said the distribution of the items would reduce the hardship being faced by women, especially pregnant women and children while receiving anti-natal and other health care services.

Yakubu-Wanka said the items to be distributed would meet the needs of the health centres, especially the maternity centres.

FCT

Nigeria has called on member nations to support the programmes of the UNESCO to ensure lasting peace and sustainable development in the world.

A statement issued in Abuja by Mr Aliyu Othmn, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’l, noted that Vice President Namadi Shambo made the call at the ongoing 36th session of UNESCO holding in Paris, France.

Sambo, who was represented by the minister, also urged member nations to go beyond how UNESCO contributes to peace and sustainable development programme to how it could improve its performance.

He stated that the conference was an opportunity for member-states to propose and recommend appropriate guidelines on how the body could fulfill its objectives on international peace as well as the common welfare of mankind.

Gombe

Gombe State Ministry of Water Resources, Town Planning and Environment has cleared more than 2,000 hectares of land for this year’s irrigation farming.

Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry told newsmen in Gombe on Monday that the actual activities for the dry farming would begin next month.

The permanent secretary said that rice, vegetables, onions, tomatoes and pepper would be cultivated at the site.

He said that in 2010 only 250 hectares were cultivated because the irrigation canal was not properly in place.

He said that Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo had released funds to the ministry to put the irrigation canal in place and that the ministry was working tirelessly to mobilise people to engage in dry season farming.

Jigawa

Chairman of Taraba Planning Commission, Mr David Elisha has urged the Federal Government to educate Nigerians on Vision 20:2020 to enable them participate in its implementation.

Elisha spoke to newsmen in Dutse, Jigawa, on the sidelines of a meeting of the National Council on Development Planning and Joint Planning Board.

“Nigeria’s Vision 20:20:20 should be brought down to a level where an ordinary Nigerian on the street will understand what we are talking about.

“ I believe an average Nigerian doesn’t understand it and that’s why there is the need for more enlightenment,’’ he said.

Kaduna

Kaduna chapter of NLC says it will soon dialogue with the state government on the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.

The NLC Chairman, Malam Adamu Ango, told newsmen in Kaduna that the meeting was aimed at sorting out some grey areas in the agreement on the contents of the new table for the implementation of the new wage which now included grade levels 9 to 17.

He said the meeting would take place when Gov. Patrick Yakowa and the Finance Commissioner, Mr John Ayuba, returned from their foreign trip.

Kebbi

The World Bank-assisted Kebbi Social and Community Development Project embedded environmental protection measures in 151 projects executed in the past two years at the cost of N277.1 million.

The General Manager of the project, Mr Usman Abubakar, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Monday that the construction of toilets and incinerators was compulsory for all the micro-projects executed.

He said that benefitting communities provided 10 per cent of the cost of the projects in their localities while 90 per cent comprised World Bank grant for projects in health, education and water supply.

He said that as a pre-condition for approval, benefitting communities were required to plant trees, build toilets and incinerators around their projects to protect the environment.

Lagos

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has urged smallholder farmers to form cooperatives to tackle global food security challenges.

In a statement in Lagos on Monday, FAO said that the development would boost poverty reduction globally, improve farmers’ income, bargaining power and resource sharing.

According to the statement, the decision was taken at the launching of the International Year of Cooperatives in New York.

It said that the role of agricultural cooperatives was imperative in improving the living standard of smallholder farmers and their families.

Oyo

The University of Ibadan (U.I) has dismissed six officials from two departments of the institution for various offences.

According to a statement in Ibadan on Monday, three of the affected persons were in the Security Department, while the others were from the Works Department.

The statement, which was signed by the Registrar of the university, Mrs Omotayo Ikotun, stated that the officers were disengaged in various offences, including “gross misconduct, theft and negligence”.

Ikotun said the Governing Council of the university had approved their dismissal.

Sokoto

A female politician, Hajiya Luba Hassan, says women will vote for Governor Aliyu Wamakko in the March 2012 gubernatorial election because of the many programmes executed to uplift them.

Hasan, the Secretary of the PDP in Gagi Ward, Sokoto South Local Government Area, spoke to newsmen on Monday.

She said for the first time in the history of the state, women were given the opportunity to contribute toward the political growth of the state.

According to her, the skills acquisition centres set up by the state government have enabled women and youths to be self-reliant.

“We will forever remain grateful to the Wamakko administration for giving us the opportunity to learn various grades and for giving us incentives to start our business.

Nation

HYPREP Marks 15 Years Of UNEP Report, Highlights Major Cleanup Milestones

Published

5 days ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has commemorated the 15th anniversary of the release of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, reaffirming its commitment to restoring the environment and improving the livelihoods of affected communities.

In a statement signed by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, to commemorate the anniversary, HYPREP described the anniversary as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s environmental restoration efforts, noting that the project has made remarkable progress in implementing the recommendations of the landmark UNEP report released on August 4, 2011.

The UNEP report had revealed extensive oil pollution across Ogoniland, severe environmental degradation, and serious public health risks resulting from decades of petroleum operations. It also recommended an initial $1 billion fund to commence the cleanup of the affected communities.

According to HYPREP, the Federal Government formally launched the Ogoni clean-up in 2016, while the Project Coordination Office was established in 2017 to drive the implementation of UNEP’s recommendations.
Zabbey said the current administration has continued to prioritise the project under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Providing an update on the cleanup, the Project Coordinator disclosed that 30 of the 65 contaminated sites identified by UNEP have been fully remediated, while work is ongoing at several medium- and high-risk locations. It also stated that more than 1.5 million mangrove seedlings have been planted as part of what it described as the world’s largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves, with over 1,000 hectares of shoreline already rehabilitated.

Zabbey further revealed that 49 Ogoni communities have been connected to potable water schemes through multiple water projects and booster stations aimed at providing safe drinking water across the region.

In the health sector, he said the 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital in Kpite and the 43-bed Cottage Hospital in Buan are nearing completion, adding that several existing health facilities have been upgraded with modern medical equipment, while five ambulances have been donated to improve emergency healthcare services. The Project Coordinator also disclosed that a three-year human health biomonitoring study is being conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

On economic empowerment, Zabbey stated that the Project has created more than 8,000 direct jobs and trained thousands of Ogoni youths and women in various vocational and technical skills, including software development, cybersecurity, aviation, commercial diving, seafaring, mechatronics, and creative arts. The project also reported awarding scholarships to more than 1,000 students, providing grants to small businesses, and supporting persons living with special needs through skills acquisition programmes.

The statement further highlighted ongoing legacy projects, including the Ogoni Power Project and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, which it said is about 96 per cent complete. HYPREP also welcomed the recent designation of the Ogoni Wetland as a Ramsar Site of International Importance and pledged to continue promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of the ecosystem.

Marking the anniversary, Zabbey said the progress achieved over the past 15 years demonstrates the collective commitment of government, development partners, stakeholders, and local communities to restoring Ogoniland. He called for renewed collaboration to sustain the cleanup effort, promote environmental sustainability, and support the long-term development of the region. 3

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

2 months ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) says it has strengthened collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to enhance quality control and enforcement frameworks.

Mr Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, the Head of Communications, REAN, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the collaboration would also involve stakeholder engagement on testing, certification and capacity building in Nigeria.

He said the synergy would strengthen quality control and enforcement frameworks, promote policy alignment, and ensure stronger regulation across the renewable energy value chain.

“REAN reaffirms its commitment to standardisation and quality assurance; tighter collaboration with SON is critical to eliminating fake and substandard renewable energy products from the Nigerian market.

“Enforcement and gaps in existing standards have continued to allow inferior products to circulate, undermining consumer confidence and slowing sector growth.”

Lloyd-Dietake said that at high-level discussions, REAN also highlighted the need for stronger regulatory coordination to address emerging challenges in the renewable energy space.

According to him, the issues include inconsistencies in standards, affordability issues linked to certification processes; and the increasing presence of substandard solar and renewable energy equipment in the country.

“The association further raised concerns about delays in product testing and approval, calling for the establishment of more testing laboratories and certification facilities to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks in the system,’’ he said.

Lloyd-Dietake urged closer collaboration among key regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, and the Rural Electrification Agency.

He said such team work would ensure harmonised standards and more effective enforcement against fake renewable energy products in the Nigerian market.

In response, SON acknowledged the important role REAN continued to play in supporting standardisation within Nigeria’s renewable energy industry and reaffirmed its willingness to deepen collaboration with the association.

SON further confirmed that REAN would be actively involved in future standard review processes and upcoming stakeholder engagements related to renewable energy and electric mobility standards development.

Lloyd-Dietake said REAN affirmed its willingness to formalise the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

He said the MoU is aimed at deepening cooperation, promoting quality assurance, and accelerating Nigeria’s transition towards reliable and standardised renewable energy solutions.

Nation

Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

Published

2 months ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) Programme, implemented by Self Help Africa, has expanded access to safe water and sanitation services for more than 320,000 people in Kano and Cross River States.

The organisation disclosed this on Tuesday at the WS4H National Results and Learning Workshop in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed achievements and lessons from the intervention.

Speaking at the event, Self Help Africa Country Director, Joy Aderele, said the programme demonstrated that sustainable WASH improvements require strong institutions, effective governance, adequate financing and collaboration.

Aderele said the UK-funded programme was designed to strengthen systems that support sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.

According to her, the intervention focused on improving governance, planning, financing, accountability and sector coordination to ensure resilient service delivery.

“More than 320,000 people now have improved or restored access to water services through programme-supported interventions,” she said.

She added that more than 5,520 household toilets were constructed in Yala and Makoda Local Government Areas, boosting sanitation, public health and efforts to end open defecation.

Aderele said the programme also strengthened public investment in WASH, with Cross River increasing its sector budget by 211 per cent in 2026 and Kano by 169.07 per cent.

She added that dedicated WASH budget lines had been established across 40 Ministries, Departments and Agencies in both states, strengthening accountability and institutional commitment.

According to her, both states reviewed and adopted updated WASH policies, while key planning documents were developed to guide future investments and service delivery.

She said Cross River also recorded a major legislative milestone through the passage of the Water Law and Open Defecation Prohibition Bill.

Aderele added that lessons from interventions in Yala LGA were already informing expansion efforts in Obubra Local Government Area.

While commending the achievements, she noted that capacity gaps, resource constraints and climate-related pressures remained challenges to sustainable WASH services.

“The sustainability of these gains will depend on continued government leadership, adequate financing, strong partnerships and investment in institutional capacity,” she said.

Also speaking, the Programme Manager of WS4H, Mr Timothy Ibeawuchi, said the intervention focused on strengthening systems needed to sustain gains and attract future investments.

According to him, the programme engages stakeholders in developing strategies that preserve achievements and support long-term service delivery.

“System strengthening work takes time because it addresses the fundamental issues responsible for sustainable and resilient service delivery,” he said.

Ibeawuchi said the programme strengthened policy development, planning, financing, monitoring and evaluation systems across the WASH sector.

He said two pilot local government areas were supported to develop WASH strategic plans outlining sector goals, targets and activities between 2026 and 2030.

According to him, the plans will guide future interventions and improve service delivery in the affected councils.

Earlier, the representative of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Chidera Chukwu, reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s development efforts in spite of the programme nearing completion.

Chukwu commended the Self Help Africa-led consortium for delivering the programme with professionalism and a strong focus on systems strengthening.

He said the consortium contributed greatly to strengthening Nigeria’s WASH sector through policy reforms, improved coordination and enhanced accountability.

“Together, we have advanced key policy and legislative reforms, including open defecation-free laws and strengthened state WASH frameworks,” he said.

According to him, the reforms represent enduring system-level changes that will continue delivering benefits beyond the programme’s lifespan.

In his remarks, Mr Jamilu Habu, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, commended the programme’s achievements.

Habu, who represented the Permanent Secretary, said the intervention strengthened governance, coordination, evidence-based planning and institutional capacity in the WASH sector.

He described the workshop as an opportunity to review achievements, share lessons and identify pathways for sustaining and scaling successful interventions.

According to him, the programme’s innovations and best practices will guide future policies and investments aimed at expanding access to safe WASH services.

Habu stressed the need for continued collaboration among governments, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities.

He said stronger partnerships remained essential to achieving universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene services and meeting Sustainable Development Goal 6.