Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

July 23, 2012

Adamawa

The Federal Government on Thursday announced the confirmation of Alhaji Dahiru Bobbo as the substantive Public Complaints Commissioner for Adamawa.

The news of the confirmation was contained in a statement issued in Yola by the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Hamman James.

Bobbo was the Registrar, University of Maiduguri and a onetime Secretary to the Military Government and Head of Service in the defunct Gongola State. He had also served as the Director General, National Boundary Commission.

It said that the commission was soliciting “usual cooperation from general public to enable it discharged its duty effectively in the state.

“I would like to reiterate that the Commission’s mandate as a grievance-handling body, includes the investigation of the conduct and administrative excesses in government ministries, private companies and their officials. “This is with a view to providing social justice for individual citizens,” the statement further stated.

Borno

The Borno Government said last Thursday that it planned to renovate the Gwoza General Hospital to improve its condition.

Governor Kashim Shettima said this when he paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta, in Gwoza, headquarters of Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA).

Shettima expressed regret over the hospital’s current dilapidated condition.

“We are going to award contract for a complete overhaul of the structures at the hospital. “We will also equip the hospital with the standard facilities befitting of its status as a general hospital,” he said.

Shettima pointed out that the contract would be awarded in the next two months for work to commence.

“We will insha Allah (by the grace of God) award contract for the renovation of the hospital in the next two months. “I believe that the project will be completed and commissioned in the next nine months so that individuals can start benefiting,” he added.

Jigawa

The prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities

have gone up in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State as Muslims count down to the Ramadan fast.

That the prices of food items such as rice, beans, yams, vegetables and beverages had increased by between 15 per cent and 20 per cent.

A 50kg bag of rice now cost N9,200 as against N8,000 previously while a bag of beans sells for N18,000 compared to N12,000 it sold about a month ago. A tin of groundnut oil jumped to N7,200 from the former price of N6,200.

A big tuber of yam now cost N600 as against N300 while a crate of egg now sells for N750 as against N680.

Malam Bayero Aliyu, a trader, attributed the price increases to security challenges in some parts of the northern states, adding that the situation made it difficult for traders to go to some places to buy food items.

Malam Haruna Ibrahim, a customer, also appealed to traders not to increase the prices of their commodities.

Ibrahim said that Ramadan was a holy month when Muslims should be merciful to one another.

Kaduna

The New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN), has sacked 30 workers as part of measures to reduce the company’s running cost.

The Managing Director of the company, Malam Tukur Abdurrahman, said in Kaduna on Thursday that the affected workers were sacked for redundancy.

He said those affected included drivers, secretaries, radio, fax and telephone operators.

“We have drivers but no vehicles to drive. We even have a driver that is now blind. Also, we have secretaries to officers that do not exist and fax operators, which we no longer use.”

The managing director advised the sacked workers to present their documents to their contributory pension providers to get their entitlement.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), NNN chapter, Ibrahim Adamu, said those affected included six workers in Lagos and 24 in Kaduna head office.

Adamu said although the management of the company explained the reason for the exercise, the action was untimely.

Kano

The Kano State Government, says it has purchased various foodstuffs worth N150 million for Ramadan free feeding.The Kano State Government, says it has purchased various foodstuffs worth N150 million for Ramadan free feeding.

This is contained in a statement signed by Alhaji Bala Salihu, the Director of Press to the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Ganduje. This is contained in a statement signed by Alhaji Bala Salihu, the Director of Press to the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Ganduje.

The food items included bags of rice, beans, sugar, cooking oil, flour and take away containers.The food items included bags of rice, beans, sugar, cooking oil, flour and take away containers.

The statement quoted Ganduje as saying that 10 mosques and three Quranic schools from each of the eight metropolitan local governments had been selected as distribution centres for the foodstuffs.

Katsina

Vegetable sellers in Funtua, Malumfashi and Kafur markets in Katsina State have complained of low patronage as the Ramadan fast draws nearer.Vegetable sellers in Funtua, Malumfashi and Kafur markets in Katsina State have complained of low patronage as the Ramadan fast draws nearer.

The Chairman of the Vegetable Sellers’ Association at Malumfashi Market, Malam Yakubu Haruna, that the quantity of vegetables and other items being supplied from nearby villages to township markets, had dropped due to the scarcity.The Chairman of the Vegetable Sellers’ Association at Malumfashi Market, Malam Yakubu Haruna, that the quantity of vegetables and other items being supplied from nearby villages to township markets, had dropped due to the scarcity.

Haruna said that the prices of commodities were high this year compared to last year, and urged customers to bear with the situation, adding that the prices at the market would soon stabilise.Haruna said that the prices of commodities were high this year compared to last year, and urged customers to bear with the situation, adding that the prices at the market would soon stabilise.

He expressed the hope that patronage would be high when fasting commenced and called on his co-traders not to capitalise on the situation to increase prices of items. He expressed the hope that patronage would be high when fasting commenced and called on his co-traders not to capitalise on the situation to increase prices of items.

In Funtua, another vegetable dealer, Malam Ibrahim Dandayi, also complained a medium sized basket of tomato sold for between N3,500 and N4,000 while a bag of fresh pepper went for between N7,000 to N8,000.

Kebbi

Pilgrims from Kebbi will be provided with improved accommodation, medical care and welfare during the 2012 Hajj to Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims from Kebbi will be provided with improved accommodation, medical care and welfare during the 2012 Hajj to Saudi Arabia.

Chairman, Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Usman Bello, who made the promise in Birnin Kebbi during a meeting of the board, said that transportation of the pilgrims would also be improved. Chairman, Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Usman Bello, who made the promise in Birnin Kebbi during a meeting of the board, said that transportation of the pilgrims would also be improved.

Bello urged members of the board to work out modalities to reduce the hardship faced by pilgrims in the Holy Land.Bello urged members of the board to work out modalities to reduce the hardship faced by pilgrims in the Holy Land.

Nasarawa

The Criminal Justice Committee members in Nasarawa State, met last Thursday in Lafia to find ways of decongesting prisons in the state.

The Public Relations Officer of Nasarawa State High Court, Mr Enoch Maku, said that the meeting was necessitated by the overcrowding of prisons in the state.

The PRO also said that the essence of the meeting was to ensure speedy administration of justice in order to decongest the prisons.

Maku said to achieve the objective, the Criminal Justice Committee, chaired by the Chief Justice of the State, Badamasi Maina, made some resolutions concerning the responsibility of the various stakeholders.

Oyo

The Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) lastn Thursday

urged Nigerians to be security conscious, saying confronting the nation’s current challenges was a collective business of all stakeholders.

The body made the plea at a forum in Ibadan to herald its crusade tagged: “ Night of Wonders.’’

Speaking at the forum, NBC Central Workers Committee Chairman, Rev. Johnson Adeleke, said the terrorist attacks in some parts of the country required divine intervention to tackle.

Adeleke urged Christians to pray fervently in order to assist the nation to overcome its current challenges.

The Vice President of NBC, Rev. Dr Gold Anie, also said government and security agencies must be given support to tackle the current security challenges.

Nation

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

Published

1 week 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.