Nation

THE STATES

Published

16 years ago

October 20, 2010

Adamawa

A total of 2,573 Pilgrims from Adamawa and Taraba states were transported to Saudi Arabia from Yola International Airport on Monday.

Malma Liman Muhammad, the National Coordinator of the National Hajj Commission, Yola Zone, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Yola.

He said that two Airline operators; Kabo and Max Air, were operating in the Yola zone.

Liman said that Kabo Air had so far transported 1,573 pilgrims from Adamawa in three trips while Max Air also transported 1,000 from Taraba in two trips.

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government has donated N10 million to the University of Maiduguri to boost learning in the institution.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Muhammad Daura, made the disclosure when he received Prof. Musa Maisamari in his office in Maiduguri.

Maisamari is the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Commission for Youth and Women Rehabilitation and Development (BACYWORD).

This is contained in a statement signed by Malam Chindo Waziri, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the commission.

Borno

Gov. Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno State last Monday appealed for the deployment of more soldiers to contain the current spate of killings by suspected Boko Haram sect members.

“I want to appeal for the deployment of additional troops to the state for effective security coverage.

“The number is inadequate, especially when viewed against the fact that Borno is the only state in Nigeria that shared a common border with three countries,” Sheriff said.

Ekiti

Cocoa farmers in Ekiti, under the aegis of Cocoa Growers Association (CAN) are seeking the state government soft loans for them to rejuvenate their aging farms.

The Chairman of the association, Mr. Ibitoye Francis made the request in an interview with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti yesterday.

He disclosed that over 10,000 cocoa farmers were in the state adding that experience also showed that they needed the loan to maintain the existing cocoa farms and cultivate more Cocoa farms in the state.

FCT

ActionAid Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), said election riggers and manipulators should be made to face the wrath of the law.

The Country Director of ActionAid, Mr Hussaini Abdu, made the suggestion following the victory of Dr Kayode Fayemi as Governor of Ekiti State at the Court of Appeal last Friday.

Abdu told newsmen last Monday in Abuja that the judgment passed by the Court of Appeal showed the doggedness and commitment of the judiciary.

According to him, Ekiti people are now going to rip the dividends of democracy.

Katsina

Parents in Katsina State have appealed to the state government to re-consider its decision on de-boarding of secondary schools, which they said was inimical to the education of their children.

They made the appeal last Monday in separate interviews with newsmen in Katsina, Daura, Mani, Malumfashi, Dutsinma and Funtua towns.

Kogi

The Kogi Government has released N72 million to NAPEP to fight poverty in the state.

Dr Grace Gunwa, the state Coordinator of NAPEP, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lokoja that 295 households would benefit from the fund.

She said the money was approved in March by Gov. Ibrahim Idris when he saw the very good work the state chapter of the agency was doing in empowering the needy to alleviate poverty in the state.

Gunwa said the money would be used to reach out to more beneficiaries, especially in the 11 local government areas the agency had accessed.

Lagos

The police last Monday in Lagos arraigned four men before an Ebute Meta Magistrate‘s Court for allegedly stealing and receiving cosmetics valued at N4.2 million.

The accused Anibueze Ogbuka, 32, Ifeanyi Omenife, 22, Ebere Nwose, 30 and Edwin Ikeanyi, 45, were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy, burglary, stealing and receiving stolen goods.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and were each granted N200,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mr T. Abolarinwa, adjourned the case till October 27, for further hearing.

Ogun

A Physiotherapist, Mrs Toyin Olatunji, has attributed persistent low back pain among adults to their failure to maintain healthy weight.

Olatunji, who is of the Physiotherapy Department, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, told newsmen in Abeokuta yesterday that the only antidote was through weight control.

The physiotherapist who defined low back pain as “a feeling of tiredness, discomfort or pain in the lower back region”, said that 70 per cent to 85 per cent of the adult population would have back complaints during their lifetime.

Osun

Osun State government has commenced the implementation of Road Traffic Law to decongest vehicles on the roads.

The Commissioner for Works and Transport, Chief Soji Longe made this known in Osogbo last Monday.

Oyo

The appeal case filed by Mr Rauf Aregbesola, governorship candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) against Gov Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun suffered yet another adjournment yesterday in Ibadan.

Aregbesola is challenging the election of Oyinlola as the governor of Osun in the April 12, 2007 governorship election.

Plateau

As the start of 2010 Jos Trade Fair draws near, the Plateau Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (PLACCIMA) has assured participants of adequate security and amenities.

The trade fair starts from October 20 to November 2.

Mr Jack Bot, the Executive Director of PLACCIMA, gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen in Jos last Monday.

He said that the chamber had concluded arrangements with security agencies to ensure that “maximum protection” of all exhibitors was guaranteed.

Sokoto

Two intending female pilgrims from Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State have been barred from travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform the 2010 Hajj.

Authorities detected that the two women were seven-month pregnant during a screening exercise in Sokoto on Monday.

It also reported that the women were part of the 501 intending pilgrims from Gada Local Government Area, who were to be airlifted in the first batch from the state.

Zamfara

The Zamfara Government has dethroned the District Head of Bakura, Alhaji Bello Yusuf, for undisclosed reasons.

Until his removal, Yusuf was the most senior District Head in Bakura Emirate.

His dethronment was announced yesterday in Gusau in a statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Isyaka Zurmi.

It said that the deposition took immediate effect, and directed Yusuf to hand over all government property in his possession to the Secretary to the State Council of Chiefs.

Nation

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

Published

1 day 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

1 month 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

1 month 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.