Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

October 24, 2012

Benue

The Federal Ministry of Health has donated medical consumables worth several thousands of naira, to flood victims in Benue.

The Tide reports that the consumables included 20 gallons of methylated spirit, 500 pieces of household clothing, 25 cartons of water filters and 10 cartons of Darrows solution.

Others were 10 cartons of dextrose salines, 5,000 pieces of insecticide nets, 2,500 ACT tablets and 5,000 ACT syrups for children.

The minister, who was represented by Mr Akin Oyemakinde, a Consultant Epidemiologist in the ministry, said in Makurdi that the items were meant to prevent an outbreak of epidemic in the flood-ravaged areas.

FCT

Former Head of State, Ernest Shonekan, on Sunday in Abuja called for dialogue with leaders of those responsible for the spate of insecurity in parts of the country.

He made the call at the graduation ceremony for participants in Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 5, of the Institute for Security Studies.

Shonekan, who was the chairman of the occasion, said the dialogue was necessary to ascertain why they engaged in the act and to find ways to end the crisis.

“They are Nigerians, and to that extent, we must find ways and means of engaging them in robust dialogue to make them see reason and eschew violence.

Kaduna

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has advised Christian clerics to always inculcate good character in the society.

The Assistant Pastor in Charge of Kaduna Province II of the church, Pastor Emmanuel Tinuoye said at the province-based ministers conference in Kaduna that the world would not get things right except the pastors got them right with Godly character.

He said that some pastors had failed the church in their conduct and way of life.

“A nation with people of strong positive character is an asset to its citizens because the standard of living will naturally be high.

Tinuoye said leadership bereft of positive character could not influence real growth in an economy, church, organisation and homes.

Kano

A non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Kano Stat, Hope Foundation for the Needy, has called for proper counselling of youths to reduce deviance among them.

Hajiya Naja’atu Isma’il, the Coordinator of the NGO, told The Tide in Kano that lack of counselling was a major problem triggering negative deviant behaviours.

“My encounter with many youths engaged in negative deviant behaviours made me understand that they needed counselling at every stage of their lives.

“So many of them grew up on the street without proper guidance due to many societal effects. They are also considered not part of the society.”

Kogi

Kogi State Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, has urged indigenes of the state living in some communities in Enugu and Anambra States to return home, following their displacement by flood.

Awoniyi made the call at Igah, Ogurugu, Ojoh and Atuoacha communities of Enugu and Anambra States on Friday when he visited them.

He appealed to those displaced to come back to Kogi State, adding that the government was building low cost houses for affected victims.

He noted that the state would also provide farm inputs and improved seedlings to farmers and nets to fishermen, among others to aid those affected.

Earlier In their separate remarks, Chief Ogbali Maccilani of Oguragu and Fabian Eneanya of Odeke, who spoke on behalf of the displaced persons, thanked the various state governments for the love shown to them.

Kwara

The Libarian of the Kwara State Library, Mr Abdullahi Shaba, has stressed the need to revive the library system to enhance education in the country.

Shaba, who made the assertion in Ilorin in an interview with our correspondent, noted that this would move the education sector forward.

“Government should equip libraries with books, modern technology and a well trained staff that will give direction to our education in the country,’’ he said.

He pointed out that reading culture among Nigerians, especially students was dead and called for its reawakening through a well equipped library, pointing that inadequate funding was one of the major challenges facing most libraries, while, “technology standard is zero because there are not enough computers to work on.”

Lagos

Some lawyers in Lagos have urged the Federal Government to urgently tackle the problem of extra-judicial killings to avoid chaos in the country.

In separate interviews with our correspondent, they attributed the constant killings to the level of frustration and despondency of the citizenry.

Prof. Itse Sagay, described the situation as one in which the citizenry behaved as if they did not exist in a modern and organised society but in a stone age, saying that the country was degenerating into a state of chaos where anyone could do anything to the extent of taking lives for no just cause.

Niger

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has said that the inland port at Barau in Niger State had reached 80 per cent completion and would be ready by March 2013.

The Managing Director of the authority, Alhaji Ahmed Yar’Adua, announced this when the Ministers of information and National Planning, Mr Labaran Maku and Alhaji Shamsudeen Usman respectively, visited the facility on the Good Governance Tour.

“We have reached 80 per cent completion and we are doing everything to see how this port can be completed and put to use.

“This project would have been completed by December 2012 but due to the recent flooding, we have shifted it, so I assure you that it will be completed by December 2013.”

Ogun

A former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), has reiterated the need for communities and university authorities to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure the safety of students.

Prof Peter Okebukola gave this suggestion while speaking with The Tide at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

He was reacting to the recent attacks and killings of students of the University of Port Harcourt and the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi.

The Tide recalls that four students of the University of Port Harcourt were recently killed by some members of the Aluu community in Ikwerre North Local government area of Rivers State.

Ondo

The candidates of the three major political parties contesting in the Ondo State governorship election on Saturday lauded the electorates in the state for their massive turnout and orderly conduct.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who voted at about 2:18 p.m at his Ward 7 Unit 20 Polling Unit in Ondo, told newsmen after casting his vote that the turnout for the election was “ decent and unprecedented.’’

The ACN candidate, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), also cast his vote at 12:50 p.m at his Oke-Ijebu Polling Unit in Owo.

Akeredolu, who spoke to newsmen after casting his vote, said that he was impressed with the turnout and conduct of voters.

Osun

The Imam of Ejigbo Central Mosque, Ejigbo in Osun State, Alhaji AbdulSalam Omotokese, has advised Muslims to move closer to Allah in order to enjoy his protection and mercy.

Omotokese gave the advice during the Friday Juma’at sermon and thanksgiving service in Ejigbo organised for the Osun State Speaker’s wife, Alhaja Muibat Salam, who regained her freedom from kidnappers after five days in captivity.

He lauded the Muslims for the joint prayer offered on October 12 for the freedom of the speaker’s wife.

He said that Muslims should have strong belief in Allah only, adding that what happened to the speaker’s wife was a great lesson to them all.

According to him, they should all believe in Allah for their security.

Sokoto

The Police Command in Sokoto State has said that it had offered a N100,000 reward to anybody with useful information that could lead to the arrest of four gunmen who robbed a filling station on October 19.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Alhaji Shaiubu Gambo, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the activities of the command.

Gambo said that the command had put in place various security measures to ensure that the criminals were brought to justice, adding that the four gunmen used motorcycles to rob Malami Filling station at Arkillah and a recharge card business centre.

According to him, they shot the recharge cards seller, who later died at the Usman Danfodio Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

He urged members of the public to cooperate with the police by providing information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of criminals in the state.

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.