Nation

THE STATES

Published

9 years ago

April 3, 2017

Borno
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), said it has trained 24 health workers in Borno State, on measures to prevent malnutrition among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Mr Walton Beckley, said this on Thursday at the closing of a workshop on malnutrition for health workers in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Maiduguri.
Beckley explained that the training was to teach mothers and caregivers ways to utilise their meagre resources to provide adequate nutrition for the children.
He said also that the objective was to sensitise health workers in IDPs camps so they in turn could use the information to educate mothers on how to prevent malnutrition in their children or wards.

Ekiti
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) is collaborating with the six states in the South West to improve healthcare delivery in rural areas.
The partnership manifested at the commencement of a three-day workshop on Tuesday at Ilupeju Ekiti for healthcare workers from Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Edo states.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the Social Mobilisation Technical Committee for UNICEF Assisted Programmes in Ekiti State, Mr Sunday Aribatise, explained that the objective of the workshop was to develop Nutrition Briefs for Primary Healthcare workers.
According to him, the collaboration was also aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding at all levels.

FCT
Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) arrested 33,327 persons and secured the conviction of 4,406 persons for violating environmental laws between 2012 and 2016.
Head of Information and Outreach Unit of AEPB Mr Muktar Ibrahim, disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.
The information officer, however, said that the exact figure of persons who were arrested in 2013 could not be made available because of some factors.
Ibrahim said that the board had been educating FCT residents on the dangers of street hawking as well as other environmental violations.
He said that the board had collaborated with the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) of FCT Administration (FCTA) to effect the arrests.

Jigawa
The Comptroller, Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Jigawa State Command, Alhaji Magaji Ahmad, has commended the state government for renovating a satellite prison in Babura Local Government Area of the state.
Ahmad made the commendation on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir.
A statement issued by Alhaji Isma’il Ibrahim, media aide to the SSG, quoted Ahmad as also lauding Gov. Muhammad Badaru for the construction of a juvenile centre for rehabilitation of minors involved in criminal offences.
The statement said the comptroller had during the visit also acknowledged the allocation of a piece of land for the relocation of Birnin Kudu Satellite Prison in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of the state.

Kano
The Kano State government has strengthened surveillance after recording cases of cerebral spinal meningitis (CSM) and Lassa fever in some local government areas (LGAs), an official said Thursday in Kano.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Kabiru Getso, told newsmen that this has also led to government taking urgent measures to ensure proper control.
He said 20 suspected cases of meningitis were reported in eight LGAs, with only four of the cases being confirmed.
The commissioner listed the LGAs as Dala, Tarauni, Municipal, Tudun Wada, Gwale, Bebeji, Ungogo and Kumbotso. Getso further revealed that the state has also recorded two confirmed cases of Lassa fever in Tudun Wada LGA.

Katsina
Katsina State Government says it will collaborate with NGOs and Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) to sensitise its people on the dangers associated with the disease.
The Governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari stated this on Monday during the anniversary and book launch by the state Chapter of the DAN in Katsina.
“Government will partner with the organisations to carry out aggressive enlightenment campaign on how to curb the spread of diabetes disease in the state.
“The state government is ready to lead the organisations to embark on education of the citizens to be conscious of this killer disease.

Kebbi
Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has called on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the menace of Almajiri and the clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
The governor made the appeal when he received a delegation from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons led by its Federal Commissioner, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq in Birnin Kebbi. He also called for a lasting solution to the Almajiri system of education and ways of living.
According to the governor, the almajiri problem is a systemic problem that needs continuous attention of the Federal Government.

Kogi
Sen. Ahmed Ogembe, representing Kogi State Central, on Thursday, said he had trained to empower no fewer than 200 women and youths from five local governments in the Central Senatorial District of the state.
Ogembe told newsmen in Okene that the training for empowerment was intended to reduce poverty among the people in his district.
“It is my utmost desire to see that my people are happy and comfortable, especially in this period that our country is facing economic challenges. “This empowerment training is meant to make you independent, be job providers, rather than job seekers.

Lagos
Eight women believed to be sex workers, who allegedly solicited sex at a public place, were on Thursday brought before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
They were, however, released on N400, 000 bail.
The eight women,Jessita Nelson, 25; Chinyere Elon, 25; Cynthia Nwoke, 38; Taiwo Ali, 45; Abigal Moses, 29; Ifeanyi Okoro, 30; Chiwendu Anah, 40; and Ivie Osasa, 25 are facing a charge of soliciting for immoral purpose.
They all denied the charge. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Christopher Okoliko told the court that Nelson and Elon committed the offence on March 27 at about 12.30 a.m. on Babs Animashaun Road, Surulere, while the six others committed the offence on March 27 at about 12.00 .a.m. along Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere.

Niger
The Federal Government has been urged to build water treatment plants in perennial rivers in rural areas to avert water borne diseases.
Dr Samuel Ibrahim, a senior lecturer in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, made the call on Thursday in Lapai in an interview with newsmen.
Ibrahim, an expert in domestic water resources, Department of Geography and Regional Planning said that such treatment plant would be able to solve water problem among the rural dwellers.
“Rural dwellers are more vulnerable to epidemics because of poor quality of water at their disposal, “he said.
He explained that the water treatment plant would be veritable if built close to perennial rivers as a preventive measure against water borne diseases.

Oyo
An Oyo State Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, has remanded two men, Uba Opara, 35; and Tunde Adepoju, 27; in prison for alleged armed robbery.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Kehinde Durosaro, Tijani, said the accused should be remanded in Agodi Prisons and the case file sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
Durosaro-Tijani adjourned the case till May 22.
The accused, whose addresses were not given, are facing a two -count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Adewale Amos, had told the court that the accused committed the offences with others still at large on January 14, at about 2 .p.m. at Taye Soyege Street, New Bodija, Ibadan.

Plateau
The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has inaugurated 285 newly constructed classes in primary and junior secondary schools, as part of efforts to improve the quality of education.
SUBEB Executive Chairman, Prof. Mathew Sule, while inaugurating some of the classes in schools located in the Northern Senatorial Zone, on Thursday, said that government was out to “balance quality and quantity”.
“We want to improve access to education without compromising quality,” he said.
The chairman said that adequate facilities were being provided to schools to improve the learning environment, and admonished teachers to always put in their best.

Yobe
Suspected cases of Cebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) have been reported in Fika and Nguru Local Government Areas of Yobe State.
Dr Bello Kawuwa, the state Commissioner for Health, confirmed this to the newsmen in Damaturu , saying that the cases are under investigation.
“We are still investigating the cases to determine whether they are CSM; the outcome of the investigation will provide us with the true position,” he said.

Nation

Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

Published

3 hours ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Residents of Omugo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have deserted their homes due to persistent bandit attacks.
The Tide’s source reports that the once lively community has turned into a ghost town with only a few domestic animals left.
Reports indicate that the recent bandits’ attack on the Omugo ECWA Church via Oro-Ago, led to the abduction of eight worshippers including the wife of the pastor in charge.
Three persons escaped out of the eight abductees with a N1billion ransom placed on the remaining victims in captivity. The community could only gather N1million which was rejected by the bandits.
Last week, the armed bandits invaded Oro-Ago community, killed one vigilante man identified as Baba Ibeji and injured his younger brother known as Ajere.
A Point of Sales, PoS, shop directly opposite the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Divisional office, was broken into by the bandits.
The gunmen also attacked the NSCDC office and sprayed bullets on the facility, though no casualty was recorded.
In earlier attacks on Oro-Ago environs, armed bandits ambushed a convoy between Oro-Ago and Oke-Ayan in Ilere district of Ifelodun Local Government Area and killed two local hunters on escort duty.
On Saturday, there was tension in Oro-Ago following a security alert that armed bandits were regrouping to launch fresh attacks on the community.
All security formations were, however, placed on ‘Red Alert’ to forestall the planned attack.

Nation

Acting Provost Dismisses Alleged Missing Equipment Claims at Rivers Health College

Published

12 hours ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Acting Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Chigozirim Amadi has refuted claims circulating in the media suggesting that laboratory equipment went missing from the college.

In a recent statement, Dr. Amadi described the reports—particularly those attributed to certain publications—as false and misleading. She emphasized that all laboratory equipment at the college remain intact.

“I am here to set the record straight. No laboratory equipment disappeared from my college. Nothing is missing,” Dr. Amadi said, challenging anyone with contrary claims to provide evidence, including the names of the equipment and their supposed locations.

She further noted that the college recently underwent an accreditation exercise, during which significant investments were made in laboratory equipment. According to Dr. Amadi, these items are fully accounted for, and the college maintains a robust security system to protect its assets.

“Everything is intact. Nothing disappeared. The information being circulated is false and should be discarded,” she reiterated.

Beyond addressing the allegations, Dr. Amadi also called on media practitioners to exercise professionalism and verify stories before publication. “I want to plead with journalists to always verify their stories. Junk journalism does not help anyone. No matter the information you receive, it is important to hear the other side before publishing,” she said.

While social media posts have occasionally raised concerns about various issues in the region’s health education sector, including extortion and examination malpractice at related institutions, there is no independent evidence from credible news sources confirming that equipment went missing from Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.

The college, a public tertiary institution based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is accredited to offer a variety of health-related programs, including Nursing, Midwifery, Laboratory Technology, and Environmental Health. It has consistently emphasized integrity, safety, and transparency in its operations.

Dr. Amadi’s statement seeks to reassure the public, students, and stakeholders that the college remains secure, well-managed, and free from the alleged equipment losses, while urging journalists to prioritize accuracy in reporting.

Nation

HYPREP Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Water Supply In Ogoni

Published

1 week ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

As the world commemorates World Water Day, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing potable water across Ogoni communities, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the Ogoni Environment.

In a statement issued by its Project Coordinator, Nenibarini Zabbey, on March 22, 2026, HYPREP noted that this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equity Grows,” underscores its resolve to extend potable water supply beyond oil-impacted communities to all Ogoni communities.

Zabbey emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, adding that HYPREP remains committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable water access across the region.

He disclosed that the agency has successfully provided potable water to over 43 communities in Ogoni, while ongoing Phase 3 water projects are expected to benefit an additional 17 communities. He also highlighted steady progress on windmill-powered water projects in less populated areas, particularly in Khana Local Government Area.

According to him, the K-Dere Water Project, which is over 99 percent complete, will be commissioned in the coming weeks, even as work continues on other water schemes across Ogoni.

Zabbey further noted that HYPREP’s interventions are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

To ensure sustainability, he explained that the agency has adopted a joint management model involving host communities, the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, and the Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RSSTOWA). He added that Water Consumers’ Associations have been established in communities such as Nchia and Eleme, alongside training programmes conducted in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.

The Project Coordinator stressed the importance of community ownership and protection of water facilities, echoing the call by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, for residents to safeguard the infrastructure provided in their areas.

Zabbey expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts will significantly improve access to safe drinking water, reduce waterborne diseases, and enhance public health outcomes across Ogoni communities.