Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

October 29, 2012

Adamawa

The Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Mr Bala Ngilari, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for approving N17 for the flood-ravaged states.

Ngilari told newsmen in Yola on Thursday that the fund would go a long way in assisting the affected states to address some of the challenges facing the internally-displaced persons .

Ngilari who is also the Chairman, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), said:”We are happy with the inclusion of Adamawa in category “A” states which are to receive N500 million each.”

While also commending the president for embarking on visits to the affected states, Ngilari said:” This step taken by the president is a pointer to his show of concern and appreciation of the magnitude of the problem.”

Benue

President Goodluck Jonathan last week in Makurdi said the Federal Government would distribute a variety of improved seedlings to farmers displaced by flood in Benue State.

The President stated that in Makurdi during an assessment tour of the flooded areas in Benue.

Saying funds for the purchase of the seedlings would be released to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture by the coming week to enable the displaced farmers get back to their farms as quickly as possible.

The president regretted that some of the seedlings that were distributed to farmers failed to produce the desired yields because they were incompatible with the soil texture

FCT

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, says only peaceful co-existence, selflessness and obedience to Allah and the laws will take Nigeria to the promised land.

This is contained in a message signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Uche Anichukwu, to the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid-El-Kabir.

Ekweremadu noted that “the essence of life is obedience to Allah as well as service and love to both Allah and humanity’’.

He observed that corruption, greed, and willful disobedience to Allah and the teachings of the prophets were largely responsible for the many challenges facing the nation.

Kano

Fagge Local Government in Kano State has emerged the best council out of the 44 councils in the just concluded 5th Round of Polio Immunisation in the state.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Communication to the Governor, Malam Halilu Dantiye, and made available to newsmen in Kano, Kura Local Government came second.

The third position went to Dawakin Kudu Local Government while Doguwa Local Government took the fourth position.

Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who presented trophies to the councils, said that the measure was aimed at encouraging the local governments to give special attention to polio eradication.

Kebbi

The Kebbi State Government has earmarked N85 million for the construction of additional nomadic primary schools to encourage education among the children of the nomads.

Alhaji Nasiru Masama, the Senior Special Assistant on Fulani Matters to Governor Saidu Dakingari, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the schools would be strategically located.

He said that additional primary schools would be established this year in collaboration with the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), adding that qualified teachers would also be recruited for the new schools for early commencement of learning as well as supply learning materials in consonance with current school curriculum.

Kaduna

Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State has advised the beneficiaries of the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) on judicious utilisation of their funds.

Yakowa gave this advise through his deputy, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero, when the beneficiaries of the programme, paid him a courtesy visit in Kaduna.

He commended them for emerging as winners in the first batch of the programme among the 24,000 applicants nationwide.

The governor cautioned them on proper investment of their funds for improvement in economic status of the nation, as well as creating job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths and women.

Katsina

Prices of rams went down in Katsina State, two days to Ed-el-Kabir celebrations.

This is the outcome of market survey conducted in Kaita, Katsina, Dankama, Mai’adua, Jibia, Charanchi, Mashi and Kafur markets, in the state last Wednesday.

The survey revealed that this year, prices of the animals ranged from N19, 000 to N50, 000 as against N25, 000 to N60, 000 last year.

Many of the ram sellers, who spoke, on the issue attributed the development to the general cash crunch in the country.

Lagos

Against the background of the recent devastating flood in parts of the country, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised states to develop their respective flood preventive, mitigation and response strategies.

Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the South-west Zonal Information Officer of NEMA, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.

Farinloye observed that the South-west Zone of the country was partially flood-free this year due to the positive response of the respective state governments to early warning issued by the agency.

Niger

The Chairman, ‘Miyetti Allah’ in Niger State has appealed to Governor Babangida Aliyu of the state to provide cattle rearers in the state with properly gazetted lands.

Alhaji Ismaila Ahmed, the Chairman of the association, said that if grazing lands were provided for their cattle, clashes between nomads and farmers would be prevented.

Ahmed who made the call during the launch of the livestock and pets vaccination campaign in Minna noted that farmers had taken over the land promised Fulani cattle rearers for pasture.

“Providing us with a permanent and properly gazetted pastoral land for rearing and grazing our herds will forestall future dispute between Fulanis and farmers in the state“.

Ogun

Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state has compensated the families of the five slain policemen in the October 22 robbery attacks in Abeokuta and Ibafo with N2.5 million.

Represented by Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, the Secretary to the State Government, Amosun disbursed N500, 000 cash to each of the widows.

According to him, the money is to take care of the burial expenses, and pledged additional N1 million to each of the widows after the burial.

“We commend and salute the bravery of these gallant officers. Even in death, we remain grateful and indebted to them and to the Ogun State Police Command.

“At this point in time, our thoughts and prayers are with the widows, the children and immediate families of these fallen heroes.

Osun

The Osun State Police Command has assured Osun residents adequate security, during and after the Ed-el-Kabir celebrations.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mrs Folasade Odoro, on Thursday in Osogbo.

The statement said that the public had nothing to fear because men of the command were up to the task of protecting lives and property.

The statement also appealed to residents to always give prompt information that could aid the police in tracking down suspected criminals.

Plateau

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau on Wednesday advised the military to concentrate on its duties and “stay totally away from politics’’.

Jang gave the advice when he received members of the national good governance tour team, led by the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, in Jos.

He said he had experienced leadership under civilian and military regimes and had found civilian leadership as ideal for the country.

“Nigerians will benefit more from a democratic dispensation and that is why I have always advised my younger colleagues in the army that governance is not for the military,’’ he said.

Zamfara

Floods destroyed food and cash crops estimated at more than N1billion in seven local government areas of Zamfara State, Alhaji Bello Na-Allah, Director of Information of Zamfara Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA), has said.

Na-Allah told newsmen in Gusau on Thursday that the destruction occurred between August and October in Gummi, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Maru, Kauran Namoda and Anka local government areas.

Nation

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

Published

5 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

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.