Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

August 22, 2011

Adamawa

The Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB) has trained 750 teachers in Michika Local Government Area of the state.

The Local Government Council’s Education Secretary, Mr Isaac Sanda, told newsmen in Michika last Thursday that the teachers were trained in the last three years.

Sanda said that the beneficiaries were exposed to modern teaching techniques on core subjects like English, Mathematics, Physical Education and Science.

He said that the training was conducted in collaboration with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) office.

“The measure is to enhance teachers’ capacity in delivering quality education,’’ Sanda said.

Borno

The Borno State Government has attributed the slow take-off of its municipal tricycle scheme to “due process.”

Gov. Kashim Shettima had on August 5, launched the first phase of the scheme involving 1,500 tricycles to be distributed to unemployed youths.

He said the scheme was to tackle transportation problems in the state capital.

But Alhaji Babakaka Garbai, the Chairman of the distribution committee told newsmen in Maiduguri, that government was not in a haste to release the tricycles.

“It is true that the governor launched the scheme several days ago, but we do not want to release them without proper documentation.

FCT

President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerian women to rise up to the task of achieving their dreams, saying his administration will be a catalyst for their progress.

In a post on his Facebook page last Thursday, the president said it was his desire to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders in the nation, irrespective of sex, religion or ethnic background.

Jonathan said, “I promised women a 35 per cent slot in my cabinet.

“And I fulfilled that vow because it is my desire to ensure a level playing field in Nigeria by heading an administration where ethnicity, gender and religion do not hinder qualified persons from fulfilling their potentials.’’

He said it was for the same reason that he ordered the admission of women into the Nigerian Defence Academy, the first from a sitting president in the country.

Kano

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Kano State has warned commercial drivers against violation violating traffic rules and regulations in the area.

He said the sector found it necessary to issue the warning in view of the increase in number of vehicles, especially commercial ones coming into the state due to the approaching Sallah.

He said the FRSC would soon embark on special patrol along the highways in the state to check the excesses of commercial drivers.

According to him, plans are underway to embark on massive public enlightenment on the proposed new number plate and driver’s licence.

He said the exercise would take place at motor parks and major points in the state aimed at sensitising the public on the importance of the new items .

Katsina

Wife of Katsina State Governor, Hajiya Fatima Shema, has urged mothers to watch out for contaminated food items likely to be consumed by children during the Ramadam fasting.

Shema, who was represented by wife of the Deputy Governor, Hajiya Lubabatu Garba, made the call at the annual Tafsir organised by a coalition of Muslim women associations in Kafur Local Government Area .She said that fruits especially could be contaminated, while mothers should also watch out for expired food items during this period.

The governor’s wife also called on women to keep a clean environment which is a prerequisite to good health, as well as to respect their husbands.

Kogi

Over 7,000 applicants turned up for enlistment into the Police as Cadet Assistant uperintendent of Police (ASPs) and Inspectors.

The Kogi Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Ajayi Okasanmi told journalists in Lokoja that the applicants came from the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

He said that of the number, 4,000 applied for enlistment as ASPs while 3,000 applied for Inspectors’ cadre.

Okasanmi said the screening of the applicants began last Monday with the State Police Commissioner, Mr John Abakasanga as Chairman of the team.

He said the police would strictly adhere to all the guidelines for the exercise.

Kwara

The Kwara State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission last hursday embarked on road walk, as part of efforts to reduce road crashes in the state.

The walk, which started from the FRSC office along Fate Road, Ilorin at about 8.30 a.m. passed through Tanke Road to Maraba Garage, where the Sector Commander, Mr Yusuf Salami, addressed motorists and commuters.

Salami said that the command embarked on the road show awareness along some major street and roads in Ilorin to sensitise the general public on the dangers of overloading.

He told newmen later that the road show awareness embarked upon by the command involving the regular, special marshal and NYSC Road Safety Club.

The sector commander said that it was aimed at drawing the attention of road users on the need to inculcate road safety measures during the ember months.

Nasarawa

The National President of the NUJ, Mohammed Garba has said that the union would picket media organisations which do not pay the salaries of their staff.

Garba said at an interactive session with newsmen in Lafia, as part of the nationwide tour by the National Executive of the union, that the picketing would start with defaulting media organisations in Lagos State.

He expressed concern over non payment of staff salaries by media organisations.

Garba also said that the union would closely monitor media organisations to ensure that their staff were paid regularly.

The president called for improved funding for media organisations across the country to be able to meet the 2012 deadline for migrating from the analogue to digital transmission.

Ogun

A don, Prof. Babatunde Salako, says chronic kidney disease accounts for the death of six per cent of the country’s population every year.

Salako, a professor of nephrology at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan said in a lecture on “Nephrology Practice In Nigeria: The Journey So Far,” at the Federal Medical Centre,

The lecture was part of the send forth programme in honour of Dr Julius Osinfade, the Head of Dialysis Centre of the hospital.

Osun

Three members of the Osun State House of Assembly, have appealed to the leadership of the Osun Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to call off their ongoing strike.

The Leader of the House, Timothy Owoeye, the House Whip, Ipoola Binuyo and Babatunde Komolafe, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen, on the ongoing industrial action in the state.

Owoeye, representing Ilesa East State Constituency, said the workers should put the interest of the masses at heart, adding that the present administration was committed to the welfare of workers.

He noted that the strike had paralysed government’s activities, saying that it would pose a challenge to the rapid development of the state which the current administration was tackling.

Sokoto

Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State said the Sokoto State Government has spent N280 million on the rehabilitation of two water tanks and the construction of a new one at Arkilla in the state.

Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State, who gave the figure in Sokoto, said that the tank under construction would have the capacity to store one million gallons of water.

Wamakko, said after inspecting the projects, that his administration had also commenced the construction of a new water treatment plant in Asara village in Wamakko Local Government Area of the state.

He said that when completed, the projects would improve water supply to Sokoto City and its environs.

“I must commend the state task force on water supply as well as the contracting firm for a job well done,’’ the governor said.

Taraba

The Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Board has registered 1693 people as intending pilgrims for the 2011 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Abba Tukur, told journalists in Jalingo that the pilgrims were registered in all the three categories based on fare differentials.

He said the maximum fare was N626,000, the medium N555,000 and minimum fare N525,000.

Tukur said the maximum fare would attract Basic Travelers Allowance (BTA) of N201,600; the medium fare would receive N135,000 while N108,000 would be given to those on the minimum fare.

He revealed that the board had secured accommodation for the pilgrims very close to the Kaaba, with arrangements concluded on feeding them free in Mina, Arafat and Mustalifat.

Nation

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

Published

2 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

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.