Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

May 13, 2016

Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie (middle), addressing members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (Nans), protesting over sacked Vice Chancellors, at the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja yesterday

Bauchi

Bauchi State Police command has arrested a suspected
female child kidnapper, while trying to escape with the victim.
The spokesman of the command, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said the suspect, Maryam Mohammed, 22, of Gabi in Soro town was arrested on May 6 by the police detectives attached to Soro Division.
Mohammed said that the suspect allegedly kidnapped an eight-year-old girl, Azizah Shitu of Soro town, who had been declared missing since May 4.
He said that the suspect was arrested at Kamfanin Kutare on Bauchi – Maiduguri Road, while trying to board a car with the victim to an unknown destination.

Borno

The Shehu of Dikwa, Borno State, Alhaji Muhammad
Masta II, has appealed to the Victims Support Fund (VSF) to assist in rebuilding his palace in Dikwa.
Masta made the call at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Borno Government and the VSF on the rebuilding of some public structures in Dikwa.
He said the rebuilding of the palace would enable him return home after staying in Maiduguri for three years.
“I want to remind the VSF that my palace also needs urgent attention. ‘My subjects came to my abode in Maiduguri last week urging me to request for the rebuilding of the palace as soon as we arrive here for the ceremony.”

FCT

The Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has
expressed support for the amendment of the Civil Aviation Acts in order to enhance performance in the nation’s aviation industry.
Sirika disclosed this while receiving reports from the Ministerial Committee on the Review and Amendment of Civil Aviation Acts and the Committee on the Assessment of Aviation Security in Abuja.
He said that the existing Civil Aviation Acts in Nigeria was first enacted in 1964 and first reviewed in 2006, adding that the amendment was done in a rush which made it inefficient.
The minister added that for the aviation industry in Nigeria to achieve the needed change, efficient laws must be in place.

Kano

Kano State Government said it would construct six
feeder roads in the three senatorial districts of the state.
The State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Muhammad Garba, said this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.
Garba said two feeder roads would be constructed in each of the senatorial districts to facilitate movement of people and to boost economic activities in the rural areas.
The commissioner said the council had also approved N8 million for the conduct of second round of training for traditional birth attendants in the state.
“The council has approved N12 million for the implementation of May and October round of Immunisation Plus Days.

Katsina

A Non Governmental Organisation, Emeka Offor Foun
dation, has donated 60,000 books worth N1.5 billion to tertiary institutions in Katsina State.
Presenting the books to Governor Aminu Masari in Katsina, the chairman of the foundation, Chief Emeka Offor, said the gesture would enhance growth of education in the state.
“We are here to support Katsina State with these books having seen its giant strides in the education sector.
“We expect the state Ministry of Education to coordinate and supervise the distribution of the books to the targeted institutions in the state”.
Earlier, a board member of the Foundation, Mr Howard Letters, said the foundation had donated books, reading materials and computers worth 22 million Dollars to some African countries.

Kebbi

The National Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders As
sociation, Alhaji Kiruwa Zuru, has declared support for Federal Government’s efforts to find a permanent solution to the recurring clashes between farmers and herdsmen.
Zuru made the declaration in an interactive session with Journalists in Birnin Kebbi.
He was responding to the recent violence that occurred in some parts of the country that affected peaceful co-existence among communities.
He said the recent Presidential directive for security agencies to deal with perpetrators of the violence was a positive development and laudable.
Zuru asserted that it was alien for the Fulani herdsmen to be carrying weapons in the country and called for the prosecution of those carrying arms.

Lagos

The United State Under Secretary of State for Civilian Se
curity, Democracy and Human Rights, Ms Sarah Sewall, has urged Africans to realise that genital cutting was harmful to girls and women’s health.
Sewall, who made the appeal in a teleconference with journalists from across Africa, said it was time for Africans to shun such practice and “move into modern world.’’
According to her, about 95 per cent of African girls and women have been subjected to some form of cuttings and genital mutilations.
“We believe that girls and women have to be able to live their lives as beings, just like boys and men in our communities.
“That means that, they need to have their health and physical integrity”.

Niger

Endwell Model Science School, Minna has inaugurated a
vocational centre and home economics laboratory to boost early development of children.
The Chairperson, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Hajiya Dije Bala, Endwell Scheme Board of Trustees while inaugurating the centre and laboratory, said the centre would help in empowering the students.
She said that Endwell Model Science School, Minna “is the school built by the Niger chapter of NUT.
“The idea behind the establishment of this vocational centre and home economics laboratory is to equip the children for future development.’’
Bala said that it was better to equip the children with vocational skills and home economics study to ensure their early development.

Ogun

Former Minister of State for Education, Senator Iyabo
Anisulowo, has lauded Ogun and Federal Governments for providing platform for inter agencies collaboration in the security sector.
Anisulowo made the commendation when she received a delegation from the State House of Assembly in her residence at Ilaro.
She said such collaboration among various security outfits led to her release from captivity.
She said her release was a divine grace arising from inter-agency collaboration which included the Local Vigilante Service in Yewa North.

Ondo

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole said that
the ministry embarked on Vitamin A food bio-fortification to reduce death rate and boost nutrition in the country.
Adewole, who was represented by the Director of Nutrition, Dr Chris Isukpunwu, disclosed this at the launching of 2016 planting season for bio-fortified vitamin A cassava and maize.
Our correspondent reports the programme was organised by Harvestplus Nigeria, at the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure.
HarvestPlus is an international organisation leading a global effort to improve nutrition by developing and disseminating staple food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals.
The theme of the programme is ‘Scaling Up Bio fortification Investment in Nigeria.’
Adewole noted that vitamin A was one of the five major nutrients of the body, adding that many children under the age of five die due to measles, which is caused by lack of vitamin A.

Plateau

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Pla
teau State has trained 25 youths on digging of concrete wells to boost water supply to curb perennial water scarcity in the state.
The Plateau NDE Coordinator, Mr Stephen Ndaks, while briefing newsmen in Jos, said that the trainees were the first to be trained in Concrete Well and Water Catchment Training Scheme (CWWCTS) by NDE.
“The scheme involves digging and excavation of the earth crust, casting of concrete to case the well and to prevent collapse of the well.
“The scheme creates employment by training youths in the techniques of digging and casing of the well with concrete.
“The scheme in addition, is to provide sustainable job creation by facilitating the provision of portable water in our communities or households,” he said.
The coordinator explained that the trainees were taught both theory and practical aspects of digging a concrete well.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State command of the National Drugs Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested a female youth corps member currently serving in Zamfara State with 9 kilogrammes of Indian hemp.
The Commandant of the agency in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Sokoto.
Idris said the suspect was serving in Gumi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, and was arrested along Sokoto-Gusau road in Sokoto State.
He said that the suspect had confessed to being initiated into the business by a fellow corps member.
He said the suspect had boarded a luxury bus from Onitsha in Anambra State to Sokoto, from where she would board another bus to Gumi in Zamfara State, when she was arrested at a check point in Sokoto.

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.