Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

December 1, 2014

Adamawa

The Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) has de
nied reports on alleged attempted jailbreak by some convicted soldiers in Yola Prison in Adamawa State.
The spokesperson of the NPS, Mr Ope Fatinukun made the denial in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja last Saturday.
“There was no pandemonium, commotion nor gun shot fired into the air in Yola prison as reported.
“What really happened was argument among inmates around 7.30 pm after prayers last Thursday, Nov. 27.
“The argument was quickly brought under control,” he added.

Bauchi

Two Bauchi State House of Assembly aspir
ants, Alhaji Uba Boris and Malam Danladi Kawule from Bauchi Central and Zungur/Galambi/Miri Constituencies, last Saturday won the PDP primaries.
Our correspondent reports that the primaries, which were held late Saturday night, were delayed for several hours due to logistics problems.
Aspirants from Bauchi Central constituency included Alhaji Uba Boris, Ahmed Mohammed, Jamilu Barde, Bashir Baba, and Mustafa Kobi.
Other contestants from Zungur/Galambi/Miri constituency were Malam Danladi Kawule, Zanna Galambi, and Malan Abdurahman.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the PDP, state chapter, Malam Shehu Aliyu, told newsmen that the party was happy with the peaceful conduct of the event and the good manners displayed by the party faithful.

Ekiti

Farmers in Ekiti State have been urged to spend
the money realised from the sale of their farm produce wisely.
Mr Durojaye Omole, an agriculture extension officer, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Odo-Ayedun, in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti.
Omole noted that most farmers recorded bumper harvest which would lead to improvement in their living standards if the money realised from the sale of their produce was spent wisely.
He appealed to farmers not to follow the paths of some of them who marry more wives whenever they had bumper harvest.
“They should use the money on valuable projects and the education of their children.’’
He also called on farmers to plan for the next farming season by securing seeds and other planting items ahead of the season.
The agriculturist cautioned them against falling victim to fraudsters who might want to dupe them of their money on the pretence of assisting them.

Gombe

Former Vice President and APC presidential
aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has solicited the support of party delegates for his ambition to become Nigeria’s president in 2015.
Abubakar called for the support while addressing the delegates of Gombe and Yobe States in Gombe yesterday.
He expressed the desire for their votes during the party’s primaries, to enable him to succeed during the exercise.
According to him, he has spent over 30 years in politics and he deserves to be the president of Nigeria, “being the person who knows Nigeria’s problems”.

Kano

The Kano State Government has commended the Na
tional Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for its prompt response and support to the victims of last Friday’s bomb blast in a mosque.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, gave the commendation in Kano when NEMA’s Director-General, Alhaji Mohammed Sidi, visited victims of the blast at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano.
“I thank you for the support we have received from you so far.
“We still have many victims on admission in our hospitals, but essentially we need emergency drugs and other consumables, which have since been exhausted.
“We have 48 victims in this hospital. We have some at Nasarawa, Dala Orthopaedic and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospitals.

Katsina

Eleven PDP candidates contesting election into Katsina
State House of Assembly, were last Saturday returned unopposed in the primaries conducted in the 11 local government areas of Katsina South senatorial zone.
Our correspondent reports that the candidates got their endorsement through affirmation by delegates in the presence of INEC officials, security personnel and party representatives.
In the election conducted in Matazu LGA, Alhaji Yusuf Fele, former local government chairman on the platform of the PDP won through affirmation.
He defeated the incumbent, Alhaji Abdu Danshehu.
In Danja LGA, the former Caretaker Chairman of the council, Alhaji Tijjani Lawal, was elected as the party’s candidate in the state Assembly.

Kwara

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has
scaled the screening of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), with a promise to make life more meaningful if re-elected.
Ahmed made the promise yesterday after he was screened by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led screening committee at the APC state secretariat in Ilorin.
The governor assured the people of the state that the tempo of governance would be enhanced if re- elected for a second term as the governor of the state.
Governor Ahmed later received his certificate of eligibility from the party’s North-Central Zone Screening Committee Chairman, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
“We want to give assurance that we will be carrying out activities that will be premised on continuity of on-going projects , especially in infrastructure, “ he said.

Lagos

The Director, Nigerian Army Chaplain Services (Protes
tant), Col. (Rev.) Dawuk Danfulani, yesterday said that proper nurturing of the youths would build a greater Nigeria.
Danfulani spoke during a public presentation of a book entitled: “Youth Restiveness in Nigeria: A theological Reflection’’.
“The event held at the All Saints’ Cathedral, Abalti Barracks, Lagos State.
Our correspondent reports that Danfulani co-authored the book with Rev. (Dr) Ayo Atowoju.
Danfulani also used the occasion to thank God for healing him of injuries he sustained from a road accident.
“There is dire need for everyone to focus on the development of our youths because they determine the success or failure of any nation,” he said.

Plateau

The Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr Titus
Alams, and Mr Daniel Dem, the Majority Leader, have won their PDP primaries to contest in next year’s general elections.
Declaring the results of Saturday’s primaries in Jos, Alhaji Danjuma Musa, the Chairman, PDP Primaries Committee in Plateau, said Alams defeated seven opponents to win in Bokkos constituency.
He said also that Dem, on his part, defeated one contestant in the Riyom constituency of the State House of Assembly for next year’s elections.
Other members of the current Assembly, who were returned by the party’s primaries include, Mr Diket Plang, representing Pankshin North, and Mr Yakubu Choji, representing Jos North West Constituency.
The Assembly’s former Speaker, Istifanus Mwansat, representing Pankshin South, also defeated other aspirants to emerge as the party’s flagbearer, while Zainab Dogo, member representing Quan’Pan South, also scaled through.

Jigawa

A former Special Assistant to Governor Sule Lamido of
Jigawa State, Malam Umar Danjani has emerged winner of the Hadejia constituency at the PDP primary election for the PDP state House of of Assembly.
Our correspondent reports that Danjani, who was the sole candidate in the election, scored 71 votes.
Alhaji Abdullahi Buama, the Chairman, Election Committee, who announced the result, said the delegates had unanimously voted for Danjani to represent the party in the 2015 election.
Alhaji Abubakar Danyaro, the Chairman of the PDP in Hadejia, called for unity among its members to ensure victory of the party in the 2015 general elections.
Danyaro also enjoined members of the party to support its leadership to move it forward.

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111 (left), with former Mininister of Education, Alhaji Yarima Abubakar, who paid him a visit in Sokoto recently.

Nation

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

Published

4 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.